Orchids were harmed in the making of this thread...you have been warned

[vmax3000]

My greenhouse is a little homemade number. My husband is really handy and I really do appreciate all he has done. Let me make that clear before I rant. Since my greenhouse is homemade, it means that not everything is automatic or easily remedied. The benches that my plants sit on are wood slats in frames with wooden legs. I have some big plants, so the benches are fairly packed...I have taken advantage of every possible "micro-clim" created by my set up...I am an addict. Okay, back to the greenhouse. It has to be insulated for the short winters here in Waco, Texas. My spousal unit's solution for this is to hang sheets of painters plastic. It's not a bad solution, but hanging the plastic can take on contortionist and epic proportions. On Monday afternoon, my spousal unit was assisting me in hanging the plastic. In an unwise move, he stood on the edge of one of the benches. I cringed, but hoped it would hold (not saying that as if I had 20-20 at the moment, but you know when someone has made a risky move and you...er me, I silently hoped it would work out). It did not hold. Plants tumpled, got crushed, broke when their pots broke....you name it. He was so sorry after we made sure that we were both unharmed. It has taken a while to clean up and I still have two broken plants in the garage that need my attention. I am thinking of paring down my collection. We'll have to wait awhile to see the actual damage. I needed to vent to an understanding, non-judgemental, non-vulnerable audience. Okay, I am done. On the positive side, I might have some divisions to put in the classifieds..

[ohanahana]

i'm so sorry! after i broke a new sheath yesterday, i kept kickingkickingkicking myself thinking, "there's no such thing as too careful!!" i do thank you for the warning and am very glad you guys weren't hurt. are your benches fixed?

[vmax3000]

The benches are "rigged" for the time being. They will have to be replaced. Here's the weirdest....I moved this spiking Cymbidium over to the other side of the greenhouse, while some of the other plants, I had just moved out of the way...didn't expect him to step on the bench, just didn't want them knocked over .... What a ride....

[ohanahana]

i just viewed your photos and can completely understand your upset-ment!! your GH seems wonderful!--maybe this is an opportunity for an even better bench!

[cb977]

Oh Vanessa, that just stinks!
First, I'm happy to hear you and hubby came through unharmed
Second, I know that exact feeling of "Ruh-roh!" but it all happens in slow motion and you are frozen in time!

In reality, they are only plants
No broken human bones is a good thing

[DebsC]

Vanessa, I totally identify with the situation since mine is a mirror image. The plastic 'liner' isn't up in my gh yet partly because it's hunting season and partly because like yours, my gh is overflowing.

My other half, tries hard but he's like a bull in a china shop. After hearing of your adventure I dread winterizing even more!!!!

At least your spousal unit is not in the ICU unit!! Nor are you. Still, I'm sure it was a mess.

You have my sympathies!!!!

[quiltergal]

That's a bummer Vanessa! Now might be an opportune moment to suggest to Santa that metal benches would be most appreciated.

[vmax3000]

Mmmm, metal benches... You guys are the best!

[Ross]

Firstly, what a tragedy. But out of tragedy may come something worthwhile. I suggest a 2x4 frame with galvanized hog wire as top surface. Home Depot has many sizes, but 2x4" grid would be quite firm and wouldn't look like something you could stand on

[vmax3000]