Confessions: How many orchids did you kill last year

oh geez... well I know that I've killed a few... and due to me not paying attention either... so yes, definitely my fault.. sorry...a couple of seedling Paphs (callosum & leucochilum) which were out of a flask... however, considering there were about 30 per flask, loosing about 4 or 5 per flask isn't too bad.. right? isn't it? umm... have i said sorry yet? well, sorry again

Tim-O,

You need to do the mea culpa to the dead, shriveled orchid bodies...not to us.

McConfessor

Ok here's the truth, since I know you woun't tell on me and since I'm so obsessive I actually keep a count of the ones that I murder. 10 dends that had spider mite when I tried to rescue them from a big box store, 1 Paph hainenense.1 Onc Mendenhall,(which I had no business owning because I didn't have a clue about it's culture) 1 Cymb. 1 Pot. 1 Odnta, 1 unkn, 10 Phals, (died because I put them outside in the summer, never do that, and they got stem rot.) 5 Oncids,11 Catts.(Some had viral infections and one a suspected bacterial inf.)OMG I can't believe it 41 orchids in the last year. Oh the guilt!!!

I try to push the envelope and grow things that are not truly for my culture. I succeed on most but lost one with another on a death watch and one I intentionally murdered.

Intentionally murdered?! lol. I like that!

After sitting here and counting on my fingers I find myself growing really sad. In one year I killed 5 phals. The first was a b-day gift, another belonged to my sister and the other three, well, just couldn't hang on. I refuse to purchase any phals. Perhaps I'll be brave one day and take another chance. I also killed my fav -a Den. Oriental Smiles (sniff), and a den. NOID. I also have three keikis that are currently on life support. Sigh. On the flip side I finally have a re-bloomed laeliacattleya! So I guess all is not lost.

oh goodness, i guess i am in the catagory of serial killer! Well, not so much anymore. I have killed many over the years mostly because i can't resist trying to rescue abused guys from a big box home stores. If i am being honest, the watering deal has taken a life or two as well. I also seemed to keep buying ones that I couldn't provide conditions for, as well. I have never had much luck with phals but am actually reblooming a rescue now. Lets hope it keeps on kickin!

I killed a catt, another can really go either way at this point, and a basal keiki. i have a small collection so my ratio's aren't good. they are getting better tho, isn't that what it's all about? (...she tells herself to quiet the haunting orchid spirits...)

Winter (light, watering sched, temperatures, rest period ..) and rootless orchids were always my two biggest hurdles
and main causes of orchids deaths but this year is much better!

Supplemental lighting and a better understanding of intensive care for the rootless ones have worked wonder this year. (so far)

I have killed a Phal.
Phals hate me anyway but once in a while I will try one, make it unhappy and eventually kill it ... Guilt? What guilt?

You know, come to think of it, I believe I have rescued more from certain death (at big box stores, from neglectful colleagues, etc.) than I have actually killed/murdered over the years. Doesn't mean they are all exactly thriving (yet?), but at least they are not in the dumpster. Perhaps I am absolved? As I continue to delve into different genera and test my culture limitations, I'm sure my official death count will rise...

*I've enjoyed reading the entertaining posts...