Why is it that when an orchid dies it's so much harder to take than when a . . . prayer plant dies. . .or a violet. . .or some other type of 'house' plant? I have no idea. **deep breath** Oh well. . . try again. I think orchids present a special kind of challenge - like owning a pet or something. Did I do this right? Did I do that right? Will it survive a year? OMG!! Look at that!! It's putting out a spike!!
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I remember when my last orchid (I gave that one away - I thought she wasn't thriving, found out she was just resting - see what education does?!) put out a spike, I about screamed it to the neighbors! I watched and patiently waited just to watch the it blow it's buds. Heh, learned why it did that, too - this place is awesome. This house goes from cold to hot in an instant. . .and vise versa. It's controllable - there's a lot I can do about that issue.
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I didn't bury this one. . .**wink** no funeral arrangements were made - and no eulogies recited. . .basically just threw the hacked pieces in the trash. . . so at least I have some sanity left. At least for the time being.
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So I've been thinking about what I did differently this time than I did the last time. The orchids I 'rehomed' were healthy - except for the stalk my at the time puppy ate of the dendrobium - she learned to value her life and didn't touch it again. . .upon threat of death, of course. I kept this phal in the bathroom, but had to move it when I started stripping paint. I don't think it got enough air circulation. I KNOW I didn't over water it. I was very very careful about that. The house gets very warm and humid in the afternoons. It's a double wall brick house inside and out. I bought a humidity gage to keep a tab on it, the humidity ran between 55 and 68% Maybe I'll forgo the humidity tray next time. . .I don't think right now a phal needs the extra help with as humid as this house gets.
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I kept my previous phal in the living room - good air circulation - temp ranging about 75 in the summer. The bathroom temperature was a little warmer, though not much.
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It's eleven o'clock at night. . .I can't run out and get another orchid. Dernit. Actually, the orchids on the shelves right now have been there for a while, don't think I'd buy them, now. Then there is the lady I am hoping to help at her nursery. Maybe I can get a nice healthy orchid from her. I'd like to work these issues out first, though. I don't want to throw out an orchid every week. It's just too sad.
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What is it that is so fascinating about these plants? I had a friend tease me for calling them 'sensitive creatures' - she said they are 'PLANTS, BETH. . .PLANTS!!' Well. . .any way. They are breathtakingly beautiful. There's no other flower quite like them. And grief knows, they're an interesting challenge. I'm learning so much. . .and there is SO MUCH to learn. Water a pray plant. . .fertilize it once in a while. . .stare at it. . .twiddle your thumbs. . .oh, yeah, it grows. Uh huh. It puts out a bloom? Oh ok, it's blooming right now. . .plants do that. But orchids. . .you mean, you really got it to bloom this year??!! How'd you do it??!! I've been trying to get mine to bloom for eons!! You mean you kept it alive this year??!! Where did you get such an . . .odd looking . .. plant?
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Orchids are interesting. Orchids are challenging. Orchids are beautiful. Orchids REQUIRE attention. Real attention. . .educated attention.
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And I want another one. . . and I want to see it bloom next year. I want to get to the point where the risk of getting more is a good risk.
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Rest in peace, missy, you really made my day when you were here.

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