06/12/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Arthur If ASAPM had an official group flower, what would it be? The *platypus* of course! P.

   So that’s where my platypus has gone!    (I saw a wild one, several years ago. Haven’t seen it since.) — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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::If ASAPM had an official group flower, what would it be? It would be a garden of assorted flowers to represent each person’s personality and individuality Jackie ~*~How do I love thee? Hang on  a second …let me Google the ways~*~     ~~ Christine Geary — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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I second the platypus. -z-

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 06/12/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Arthur   If ASAPM had an official group flower, what would it be? The *platypus* of course! P. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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::What a lovely idea. Start planting Jackie I’ll post pics of my garden soon! In another few weeks it will be at peak Jackie ~*~I’m not trying to change the world. I’m trying to stop the world from changing me~*~    ~ Ammon Hennacy ~ — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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::If ASAPM had an official group flower, what would it be? It would be a garden of assorted flowers to represent each person’s personality and individuality

What a lovely idea. Start planting Jackie Mary — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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06/12/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Arthur   If ASAPM had an official group flower, what would it be?

The *platypus* of course! P. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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Simon schreef: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 06/12/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Arthur   If ASAPM had an official group flower, what would it be? The *platypus* of course! P. P. At the wedding last weekend I thought I was drunk as everyone was talking gibberish.  It turned out that they were speaking in Dutch! Simon, designated driver, soberish.

We are *everywhere*. P. — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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06/12/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Arthur   If ASAPM had an official group flower, what would it be? Jackie ~*~How do I love thee? Hang on  a second …let me Google the ways~*~     ~~ Christine Geary An Orchid

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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06/12/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Arthur   If ASAPM had an official group flower, what would it be? Jackie ~*~How do I love thee? Hang on  a second …let me Google the ways~*~     ~~ Christine Geary — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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More of a plant, a Peace Lily…<g smiles, Elise

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – 06/12/07: Today’s question is being brought to you by our very own Arthur If ASAPM had an official group flower, what would it be? Jackie ~*~How do I love thee? Hang on  a second …let me Google the ways~*~    ~~ Christine Geary — The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

– The charter is available at: http://readystump.algebra.com/~asapm

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This is long…. WOW!!  I didn’t expect to get as much feedback as I did.  Thanks everybody.  For those of you who believe in God, believe me when I tell you that he has spoken to me through at least three people this week.  One, of which, is Jackie.  God bless you! Did I mention that my hubby is a drunk, too?  (Alcoholics have to go those meetings!!)  I know the anxiety is the root of his problems.  I have attended ALANON off and on for about 6 years in an attempt to find sanity in my insane life.  ALANON, prayer(much prayer) and Effexor have helped me to get a handle on things. However, what has been revealed to me this week is the fact that I continue to try to "fix" my husband.  I’ve been made aware this week of the fact that I have "control" issues.  My situation lends itself to perpetuating MY sickness, thereby perpetuating or excascerbating (sp?) his. My hubby, Jeff, went through rehab last fall.  He was sober for 4 months and did not take as much as a lorcet for pain or valium for nerves.  His depression sank to its worst (he rarely left the house) and that is when the panic attacks started.  He relapsed at Christmas ((heavy sigh)).  He’s back to where he was before-falling down drunk each night. I know he’s in pain, I know he’s struggling and it hurts me so to see the one I love have his happiness hidden from him.  This is the only way I know how to put it.  Being the caregiver that I am, I am compelled to always say or do something to help him, encourage him, "fix" him.  So it is extremely disappointing and frustrating when my attempts fail.  That’s why I go to ALANON. So I’m torn between detaching and letting him suffer the consequences of his alcoholism and being compassionate enough to step in and help him when I know it his anxiety that prevents him from doing whatever it is that needs to be done. He hasn’t worked for over a year.  He’s applied for disability due to his anxiety.  He has nerve damage in his feet from the diabetes and drinking.  He’s in constant pain which is only aggravated by the fact the medicine can’t work as he is drinking.  Between the drinking and the anxiety, he keeps to himself which means that when I get home in the evenings, he goes outside to piddle around in the yard and in his workshop.  He’s up most of the night and sleeps late in the day.  This presents a problem as we have a 7 year old and I cannot afford daycare.  So, maybe you can understand why I am low on compassion some days? So, to answer the question that I get from many people: Why do I put up with this?  Why don’t I throw him out?  Three little words: I love him.  It wouldn’t be fair to throw him out because he had lupus or cancer, would it?  Reading the posts in this thread have helped to reinforce the understanding that he’s dealing with a mental illness. BTW, I want to share with you where I was on September 11 as I feel that it shed a little light (on me) as to how one with panic or anxiety must feel much of the time.  Jeff was in his last week at rehab and I came to participate in the family week.  On Monday, the counselor gave me the task of writing down 5 things that Jeff did that hurt me and to express how I felt about it.  As much as I had wanted to tell him how I felt in the past, I didn’t want to rub it in while he was getting help!  But the counselor said that this would be the only time we "go backward" during the counseling.  I did NOT want to do this. Jeff and I were waiting in the office for the counselor.  I was clutching the handle to my purse.  My knuckles were white.  My stomach was cramping.  My heart was beating hard.  My throat hurt.  My head hurt.  My jaws hurt from clenching my teeth.  I was stiff as a rod. That’s when the counselor came in and told us about the WTC and the Pentagon. I thought my head would explode!  I cannot describe the fear that engulfed me at that moment.  I wanted to puke.  If that is how one with anxiety feels most of the time, GOOD LORD!!!!!  My heart goes out to you all. Love, Blackbird

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:I don’t like to put him (or anyone) in an uncomfortable situation, but :I feel that he should put aside his fears (if possible) for this one :thing.  Am I being realistic? Dear Blackbird, I know you mean well and want the best for your husband but why do "you" feel "he" *should* put his fears aside for this one situation? The worst thing anyone can do to me is pressure me by making me feel I should do something. in their lives and it causes alot of anxiety because it adds alot of pressure and guilt

Bingo!  This pretty much sums it up for me.  My worse anxiety comes from pressure and guilt.  For years holidays were nightmares for me because my family felt I *should* be able to do all the festivities involved.  For us, it was traveling to grandma’s, (a 2 hour ride) every xmas day.  I did it for years, and every year I suffered for weeks/months before hand.  The *pressure* to show up was horrid.  Finally, 3 years ago, I just stopped.  I refused to go because it just became to hard for me.  Xmas day was spent with chest pains, palpitations, and just plain all around bad feelings.  Now I have xmas at home with just my husband and my kids, and you know what? They love it.  Turns out they hated traveling every xmas as well. Through theraphy with my wonderful pdoc I learned that I don’t *have* to do anything.  The world won’t stop turning if I don’t show up at an event and my friends and family will adjust.   And they have. I  had to be honest and tell them that this was the way it is for me. Your husbanding missing his friends funeral will not take away from the value of their friendship when he was alive. A better way to handle this would be in a very supportive non-pressuring kind of demeanor…. by telling him, "I will be leaving to go to the funeral home at such and such a time, if you care to go you are more than welcome to join me, if you can`t….. I more than understand.

This sounds like perfect advice. Gina

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:I appreciate your input.  I guess I try to hard to "help" him.  I was :brought up by a mother and grandmother who stressed tradition and :manners.  Etiquette was stressed in his home. Please believe me when I say I know you mean well. I can see how much you care for your Husband that you take the time to come here to learn about his disorder and how to deal with it. I wish more spouses and partners were like you ) I understand what you mean about etiquette, I was brought up the same way. Where I grew up there was a family down the road that we were close to, one of their daughters died in the WTC.   They had a memorial service kind of thing for her. I was invited along with my Mother. I debated going……. felt the pressure of etiquette waying heavy on me and decide that for "me" it was better that I not go and I didn`t. I don`t feel guilty and know I did the right thing. If people think less of me, I don`t care. I showed my sympathy in other ways. Jackie ~~*The bad things of life were very transitory.It was the good things , the ribbed sand, the wind blowing over the white capped waves , the sunshine and the stars, that were so tough and durable*~~

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On 06/06/02 Anne was all: Would I judge my own child as harshly as I do myself? NEVER.

So true. For almost anyone I love I would say that’s very true. Excellent point. Jason

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Hi, Blackbird: Jackie has given you an excellent reply. I just wanted to say "Welcome" and that the situation you describe is a very typical one for panic sufferers. It is so nice that you care enough about your husband to ask our advice. xo Anne (SRV fan!)

Also it might be worthwhile to look into this website with useful links: http://panicdisorder.about.com/cs/forfriendsfamily.htm Philip (also SRV fan) – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text –

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Hi Blackbird, Glad you felt comfortable reaching out here, and hope you continue to! Your post "struck" me in a way that others have addressed, but having been faced w/ several funeral situations in the past 2 years, I (probably egotistically) thought it might help if I shared a bit about my choices, and the reasons for them. Yes, I have PD and agoraphobia; I also am a huge believer in etiquette and courtesy. In addition, I do not like funerals–not because of the crowds, etc. but because I find them horribly depressing and troubling. I saw the body of a man I’d adored who’d worked for my Dad many years ago; it was necessary to walk by it to get into the church. I’d been away at college when Mac had gotten ill w/ cancer; the last time I’d seen him alive, I’d been up on a 20 foot scaffold painting a garage door at my dad’s warehouse. I was terrified (I hate heights), and I told Mac I couldn’t walk out on the board. Mac gruffly replied, "Goddam it, Charla, I’m here and your father would kill me if I let anything happen to you, so get your ass out there!" (Let me clearly state Mac was a jewel, and this was not abusive; it gave me the courage to do something I didn’t think I could:). When Mac died, he was emaciated. I’d heard this, and I have always avoided "visitations"–I know they are comforting for some folks, but they have the opposite effect on me; I prefer to remember people alive (just MHO). When I saw his body, so, so skinny, and *not* looking like the Mac I’d known, and realized I would have to walk by it, I began shaking. I did it; got through the funeral, etc. but it breaks my heart that I have to carry that image of Mac now, when I’d've been so much better off to remember him at the bottom of that stupid scaffold. Last summer, I lost a dear, dear friend, Marcene, who used to be my dad’s office manager, but was so much more to me (this was 2 weeks after my dad’s wife died, and less than a year & 1/2 after my dad died). In fact, the last time I talked to her was the night before Jane died; and she left the message on my machine that Jane had died (I still cannot erase that message; because it’s all I have of her voice). When I heard she had been diagnosed w/ terminal cancer, I truly couldn’t handle it. I immediately tried to think of something I could do to let her know, one last time, how much I loved her—ended up going to a flower shop & ordering an orchid (Marce was a lady, and an extraordinary one—no simple rose for her:), and dictating my message to her to the kind woman who helped me get the flower sent. I also called once a day, to check in with her family & ask them to tell her I loved her. I agonized over the funeral; I knew it would be open-casket, and I couldn’t bear that, but I love her family, and I didn’t want to be hurtful to them. Marcene knew how I felt about "viewings", and she gave me the answer in her amazing, precious way—I was at the memorial for Jane, my Dad’s wife, and suddenly I saw a small woman in a navy suit standing back from my table, patiently waiting to speak to me. It was Jan, Marcene’s daughter. As soon as I could politely excuse myself, I went to her; she took me to a quiet spot and pulled something wrapped in tissue from her purse, and said, "Mom wanted me to come here now, and give this to you so you would never forget her." I unwrapped the tissue, and there was a beautiful crystal turtle (Marce collected turtles, and I used to always give her turtles). To describe my feelings at that moment is impossible, but I can tell you I went to the house after the funeral service, and, more importantly, the turtle sits in a special place in my living room, on a shelf that is a memorial of sorts to my mother and others I’ve loved. Now I’m facing the imminent death of another dear friend, also to cancer. I’ve visited him in the hospital, and his wife called last night to tell me they’d soon be ready to have me come to their house and visit for a day. My driving has been *very* shaky lately, but I guarantee I’ll face that fear and go when she calls and says it’s time, because I believe with all my heart, that it’s what you give and express to a person in life that matters. You say your husband was a friend to this man; that, to me, is the highest form of respect and love. It’s tough when we face these dilemmas of etiquette, but please give yourself credit for loving your husband enough to come here, instead of passing judgment. He’s fortunate to have you… Best, Charla*) & The Boys ^..^< —  Who can believe that there is no soul behind those luminous eyes! ^..^<                       ~Theophile Gauthier

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What I meant to say in my previous post was that etiquette was NOT stressed in his home as it was in mine.

Etiquette, tradition and manners are not universally the same. Within my family a viewing or an open casket are not the rituals we use when dealing with the passing of family or friends, and if I were faced with the choice of attending any such service it would be hard for me even without the anxiety. I don’t think it shows a lack of manners or etiquette not to attend, maybe your husband can find another way to remember your neighbour? Vashti

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What I meant to say in my previous post was that etiquette was NOT stressed in his home as it was in mine. Blackbird

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On 06/06/02 Anne was all:

LOL! Love your quote line. And in the same spirit — Jason was like: I seem to have this great talent at beating myself to a pulp over shortcomings (real or imagined) and I can literally go days and weeks not catching myself doing it. … Eventually I lash out, become silent and finally isolate myself.

You are certainly not alone in this. And you’re right, when we hate ourselves, we tend to isolate ourselves from the very relationships and activities and even *thoughts* that could pull us out of our funks. I’m glad you brought this up today, because for a long time it hasn’t occurred to me that I am terribly hard on myself sometimes. Many of us are. Would I judge my own child as harshly as I do myself? NEVER. xxoo Anne

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Jackie, I appreciate your input.  I guess I try to hard to "help" him.  I was brought up by a mother and grandmother who stressed tradition and manners.  Etiquette was stressed in his home. As it is, we’ve resolved to him staying home.  I will go alone.   Thanks again. Blackbird

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…. various other shortcomings I am quick to remind myself of much the same way some cruel person would whip some poor animal.

Jason, I just wanted to isolate the above phrase from your reply to Blackbird, because I think we all do this to some extent, and it relates back to the "accepting yourself" thread. Thanks for saying it so well. xo Anne

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On 06/06/02 Anne was all: – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …. various other shortcomings I am quick to remind myself of much the same way some cruel person would whip some poor animal. Jason, I just wanted to isolate the above phrase from your reply to Blackbird, because I think we all do this to some extent, and it relates back to the "accepting yourself" thread. Thanks for saying it so well. xo Anne

Thanks Anne. I think without doubt this has been one of my biggest problems. I think from it so much of my anxiety and depression stems. I seem to have this great talent at beating myself to a pulp over shortcomings (real or imagined) and I can literally go days and weeks not catching myself doing it. I think that’s when I’m my sickest. Eventually I lash out, become silent and finally isolate myself. It’s a tough hole to crawl out of. Of course this insight is really easy for me to see right now, what being out of the hole somewhat at present. I also think it’s very important for loved ones to understand how completely impossible it can be to come out of this or hell, even see it when you’re in the middle of it and often just being present and doing nothing but waiting to do something is all they can help with. In other words , for friends and family, just being there sometimes can be everything. I wish I had an answer. Looking at it from their perspective it seems almost as hard as asking me to just snap out of it. Take care, Jason

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Howdy and welcome Blackbird, Since you said any input would be appreciated I’ll try to put in something useful. I was faced with a similar situation last year. My best friend died very unexpectedly which sent me and all of our mutual friends and his family into a frenzy to get the word out and organize everything. At that time I had barely touched on the fact that I suffered from panic/anxiety and refused to go to the reception/viewing whatever as it seemed A a bit morbid to me and B a bit closed in with lotsa people, a situation at that time I avoided at all costs and hardly understood why. (I still tend to avoid such at all costs just less frequently when I am able and now I have some understanding as to why) I attributed it to a flaw in character and various other shortcomings I am quick to remind myself of much the same way some cruel person would whip some poor animal. Anyway, the mere implication that I was being less than a good friend (and there were some) I found to make the discomfort I was already inflicting on myself multiply. In time I realized that my friend would most assuredly have done the same were the situation reversed as his poor soul was trapped in a body that had anxiety and agoraphobia I can only have nightmares about. He hadn’t left his house in months at the time of his death, which I’m sure played no small part. Anyway, I don’t have an answer to your question, only my experience which was to deal with it as best I could with my limited knowledge of my situation at the time. I find the old "confront your fears" head on version of therapy to be a very slow and tedious process, at least from what I am able (or willing) to do. Small victories (however small) have been something to hold onto and use to remind myself of progress, to me a funeral or viewing would be a huge victory and (some days) impossible. I hope that some of this rambling makes sense. Your post just struck a note with me and I hope my reply didn’t serve to confuse more. Best wishes to you and your husband. Jason "It’s like they chopped off your arms and legs, dipped you in plastic, then screwed you all back together again and stuck you on a pedestal. It’s really quite exquisite." – Kramer

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Hi Blackbird, I also say "WELCOME!" and ditto to everything that Jackie and Anne said.  It is really caring and admirable that you come here to learn and ask for our advice on this one.  It’s such a good idea I might suggest to my boyfriend that he come here to learn about anxiety when he is having trouble understanding me. In answer to your question: If someone who is close to me says I "should" do something when I have already told them that it makes me anxious, I have a number of responses: 1.  I feel like they’re not really listening when I say "that makes me very anxious" OR I feel that they don’t understand what it is like to experience that kind of anxiety, and they’re not really trying to understand (even if that’s not the case) 2.  The occurrence of 1 makes me feel more anxious. 3.  Feeling that I am failing to meet an obligation or that I am unable to do something that I "should" makes me feel sad, possibly even depressed.  I feel bad enough about my anxiety as it is without feeling like a failure as well. I totally agree with what Jackie suggested.  If he goes to the funeral home it HAS to come from him – from his own desire to go and his own determination to overcome his anxiety about it.   When you put pressure on him as you have described, it is likely that you are putting him in a no-win situation.  Why? – He will have a lot more anxiety to overcome in order to go to the funeral home.   – If he goes to the funeral home it will be VERY difficult for him, but he won’t feel as positive about the achievement because he will feel that it was something he was forced to do, not something that he chose to do.  Choosing to do something is much more powerful than having no choice. In this situation he will feel that he went out of fear of letting people down and possibly upsetting you.  He will feel much better about himself if he has overcome his own anxiety, compared to other people overwhelming him. – If he does not go he will feel anxiety over not going, disappointing you and possibly disappointing the family of his departed friend, and possibly the friend as well (if he believes in spirits ect.).  This will not help his self esteem or his progress towards overcoming his anxiety. I totally agree that you shouldn’t pressure him at all.  Be understanding of what he is experiencing.  Support him in whatever he decides to do.  Try not to be upset with him if he is unable to go.  I am sure that whatever he does will be the best that he can do, and you can’t ask more than that.  Perhaps even give him the option to drive to the funeral home and park in the street outside, look at the building, think about his friend and drive home again. I know it can be difficult to understand for people who don’t experience this kind of anxiety.  Don’t expect it to be rational – it’s usually not. It seems to be important to YOU that HE goes to the funeral home, but on the grand scale of life it’s really not THAT important.  There is more than one way to say goodbye to a loved one.  This is between your hubby and the memory of his friend.  Let him say goodbye in whatever way is right for him. The best thing you can do for him is to hold him and tell him that you love him, and that you will love him no matter what he decides to do.   I wish you and you husband many happy years together, –  Cath. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a lurker here as my hubby has anxiety/panic/depression.   I want to know if your spouse/significant other asks you to do something you don’t want to do, but you know you should, do you do it anyway?  Does it make things worse for you?  Is facing your fears by doing things you don’t like/are afraid of a step toward healing? Here’s the situation:  Our neighbor passed away.  My husband was acquainted with him more than I and thought highly of him.  Many family members of this man live in our neighborhood.  I feel we should go to either the funeral home for visitation or to the funeral. I know my husband really can’t handle funerals so I suggested we go to the funeral home.  I told him we’d only be there a few minutes (30 minutes MAX).  He doesn’t want to but agreed that the funeral home would be better than the funeral itself. I don’t like to put him (or anyone) in an uncomfortable situation, but I feel that he should put aside his fears (if possible) for this one thing.  Am I being realistic? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks, Blackbird

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Hi Blackbird, This one is a really tough call.  If it were something simple like the grocery store or mall I’d say that slowly facing the fear diminishes the fear in that one gains positive experiences. A funeral or wake is a whole other ballpark. For me going to either doesn’t reduce my fear of funeral homes, it hasn’t made the fear worse either.  But I can say that, sheesh, I don’t want to scare you, after I went to the last funeral of a dear friend I had a horrible time getting the image out of my mind. I can only speak from my experience. Jess "Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear." -Ambrose Redmoon

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I’m a lurker here as my hubby has anxiety/panic/depression. I want to know if your spouse/significant other asks you to do something you don’t want to do, but you know you should, do you do it anyway?  Does it make things worse for you?  Is facing your fears by doing things you don’t like/are afraid of a step toward healing? Here’s the situation:  Our neighbor passed away.  My husband was acquainted with him more than I and thought highly of him.  Many family members of this man live in our neighborhood.  I feel we should go to either the funeral home for visitation or to the funeral. I know my husband really can’t handle funerals so I suggested we go to the funeral home.  I told him we’d only be there a few minutes (30 minutes MAX).  He doesn’t want to but agreed that the funeral home would be better than the funeral itself. I don’t like to put him (or anyone) in an uncomfortable situation, but I feel that he should put aside his fears (if possible) for this one thing.  Am I being realistic? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks, Blackbird

The previous post was quite good, I believe. However, I just want to add that I indeed dislike funerals because of my beliefs.  They are quite alienating and when my grandmother died last year, I found my anxiety at a high level during the funeral.  As an atheist, I don’t believe in the religious aspect of the funeral.  And as for the way the funeral was, I really don’t think my grandmother would’ve tolerated people gathering around all gloomy in some strange place (funeral home) to be all upset.  Although, I never did express it, I really wanted to drag my entire family out of there and go to her house to watch videos and talk about our good memories of her and how she was like a second mother to me. Anyway, a bit off track, but in my experience, funerals CAN be a tough time for anyone – not just people with anxiety/panic conditions. They can be quite alienating. I wouldn’t force him to go. I bet that he will probably WANT to go at some point, but will not want the added pressure of having to be there for x minutes.

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Hi, Blackbird: Jackie has given you an excellent reply. I just wanted to say "Welcome" and that the situation you describe is a very typical one for panic sufferers. It is so nice that you care enough about your husband to ask our advice. xo Anne (SRV fan!)

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:I don’t like to put him (or anyone) in an uncomfortable situation, but :I feel that he should put aside his fears (if possible) for this one :thing.  Am I being realistic? Dear Blackbird, I know you mean well and want the best for your husband but why do "you" feel "he" *should* put his fears aside for this one situation? The worst thing anyone can do to me is pressure me by making me feel I should do something. People with anxiety disorders get really hung up on the shoulds in their lives and it causes alot of anxiety because it adds alot of pressure and guilt. A better way to handle this would be in a very supportive non-pressuring kind of demeanor…. by telling him, "I will be leaving to go to the funeral home at such and such a time, if you care to go you are more than welcome to join me, if you can`t….. I more than understand. If you decide to join me I assure you that we will leave if you start to feel too anxious. If it makes you feel more comfortable we can be the first ones there when the funeral home opens so there is less people". By giving your Husband "outs", assuring him he can leave at any time and by making it less stressful by getting there first so there are less people he might just be willing to try it. Take care Jackie ~~*The bad things of life were very transitory.It was the good things , the ribbed sand, the wind blowing over the white capped waves , the sunshine and the stars, that were so tough and durable*~~

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I’m a lurker here as my hubby has anxiety/panic/depression.   I want to know if your spouse/significant other asks you to do something you don’t want to do, but you know you should, do you do it anyway?  Does it make things worse for you?  Is facing your fears by doing things you don’t like/are afraid of a step toward healing? Here’s the situation:  Our neighbor passed away.  My husband was acquainted with him more than I and thought highly of him.  Many family members of this man live in our neighborhood.  I feel we should go to either the funeral home for visitation or to the funeral. I know my husband really can’t handle funerals so I suggested we go to the funeral home.  I told him we’d only be there a few minutes (30 minutes MAX).  He doesn’t want to but agreed that the funeral home would be better than the funeral itself. I don’t like to put him (or anyone) in an uncomfortable situation, but I feel that he should put aside his fears (if possible) for this one thing.  Am I being realistic? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks, Blackbird

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UGH!!!!!! Just rub it in why dont you?????? But thats ok, I will just sit back, with my feet up in my little word of Cyp. deprivation slowly going crazy while I try and track down some fool in Ozzie land that does have some species Cyps up for grabs… Kye.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The lawns??  I have a few pushing up through the concrete floor of the basement… — Reka  ;-) http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html "I hate flowers – I paint them because they’re cheaper than models and they don’t move."        –Georgia O’Keeffe Oh Kye  they are everywhere…..we have to spray to keep them from invading the lawns <grin.

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Ok here’s a new question for you orchid lovers. Today I went to take pictures of the Cyp. acaule that I found.  In my excitement I forgot to take fresh batteries.  I’ll go back tomorrow and try again. While I was there I found isotria medeoloides.  I only found one in bloom but there were several immature plants.  From what I read about this plant it is very rare and endangered.  It’s a small interesting flower and if I wasn’t an orchid lover would never had paid it much attention. So here’s the question.  Should I tell someone in the horticulture world that I have found this?  Is there an official group who should be aware of this? Gene

Response:

Hi Gene,    I medeloides is, indeed, rare, but it seems that there’s a consensus in the wild-orchid-watching community that they’re not quite as rare as once thought…they’re just very overlooked. It’s also possible that you’re seeing I. verticilata, which is larger and more common.  I don’t know the finer points of ID’ing either one (they don’t grow anywhere nearby). Your best bet would probably be to leave your locality secret unless you discover that something is going to happen to disturb it (like ever encroaching development). – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok here’s a new question for you orchid lovers. Today I went to take pictures of the Cyp. acaule that I found.  In my excitement I forgot to take fresh batteries.  I’ll go back tomorrow and try again. While I was there I found isotria medeoloides.  I only found one in bloom but there were several immature plants.  From what I read about this plant it is very rare and endangered.  It’s a small interesting flower and if I wasn’t an orchid lover would never had paid it much attention. So here’s the question.  Should I tell someone in the horticulture world that I have found this?  Is there an official group who should be aware of this? Gene

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Gene, I have no knowledge of the plants’ situation or status, but assuming your understanding is correct:  The best thing – in my opinion – is to photograph the daylights out of the plants and their habitat, and DO NOT disclose the location to anyone.  Then publish the photos as broadly as possible as a means of drumming up support for the protection of the area. — Ray Barkalow < First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Ok here’s a new question for you orchid lovers. Today I went to take pictures of the Cyp. acaule that I found.  In my excitement I forgot to take fresh batteries.  I’ll go back tomorrow and try again. While I was there I found isotria medeoloides.  I only found one in bloom but there were several immature plants.  From what I read about this plant it is very rare and endangered.  It’s a small interesting flower and if I wasn’t an orchid lover would never had paid it much attention. So here’s the question.  Should I tell someone in the horticulture world that I have found this?  Is there an official group who should be aware of this? Gene

Response:

And post LOTS of pics to A.B.P.O and send heaps to my inbox… I’m having orchid photo withdrawals ever ince my drive crash… Kye. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gene, I have no knowledge of the plants’ situation or status, but assuming your understanding is correct:  The best thing – in my opinion – is to photograph the daylights out of the plants and their habitat, and DO NOT disclose the location to anyone.  Then publish the photos as broadly as possible as a means of drumming up support for the protection of the area. — Ray Barkalow < First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! Ok here’s a new question for you orchid lovers. Today I went to take pictures of the Cyp. acaule that I found.  In my excitement I forgot to take fresh batteries.  I’ll go back tomorrow and try again. While I was there I found isotria medeoloides.  I only found one in bloom but there were several immature plants.  From what I read about this plant it is very rare and endangered.  It’s a small interesting flower and if I wasn’t an orchid lover would never had paid it much attention. So here’s the question.  Should I tell someone in the horticulture world that I have found this?  Is there an official group who should be aware of this? Gene

Response:

I returned to the site tonight to verify the identity. Unfortunately, it is isotria verticillata.  The flower is almost 2 inches long.  The sepals are dark purplish and the stem is purple near the ground. The good news is that I found it in two locations as well as another site of Cyp. acaule. The few flowers of Isotria were in pretty poor shape.  Seed capsules were beginning to form.  I’ll return in a week or so to see if some of the immature plants bloom when they open but the looked quite small. Gene

Response:

Kye, I placed three pics out on ABPO for you. Enjoy. Gene

Response:

I returned to the site tonight to verify the identity. Unfortunately, it is isotria verticillata.  The flower is almost 2 inches long.  The sepals are dark purplish and the stem is purple near the ground. The good news is that I found it in two locations as well as another site of Cyp. acaule. The few flowers of Isotria were in pretty poor shape.  Seed capsules were beginning to form.  I’ll return in a week or so to see if some of the immature plants bloom when they open but the looked quite small.

It’s unlikely that the other plants will bloom…they are likely seedlings, which in Pogonia-types, look like a scaled down version of the adult plant, minus the bloom stem part. Finding an I. verticillata is nothing to sneeze at either…they are very lovely plants. —Prem www.premdesign.com

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UGH I hate my server… I missed them, would you mind e-mailing them to me please ??? Kye.

Response:

Never mind… I checked it again, they were there. I love the Cyp. Acaule pix…. E-Gads you Americans are lucky to have the Cyps growing so nice and handy at this time of the year… Mind you, us Aussies have one or two nice orchids as well… )) Kye

Response:

Oh Kye  they are everywhere…..we have to spray to keep them from invading the lawns <grin. Gene

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Never mind… I checked it again, they were there. I love the Cyp. Acaule pix…. E-Gads you Americans are lucky to have the Cyps growing so nice and handy at this time of the year… Mind you, us Aussies have one or two nice orchids as well… )) Kye

Response:

The lawns??  I have a few pushing up through the concrete floor of the basement… — Reka  ;-) http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html "I hate flowers – I paint them because they’re cheaper than models and they don’t move."        –Georgia O’Keeffe – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Oh Kye  they are everywhere…..we have to spray to keep them from invading the lawns <grin.

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We need to start a thread on potting etc. The steps one takes to do this & any tips. Cheers Wendy

Hi Jean and Wendy! Wendy- I do have one potting tip to share up front. I learned this one the hard way last night… When potting up plants and using the big box of foam peanuts you have assembled over the years to do a drainage layer, make sure you are not letting any of those biodegradable ones get in there Tom.

Response:

Happy Easter to you too Tom,     About your date?  You had fun & saved a lot of money!!! *g* We need to start a thread on potting etc. The steps one takes to do this & any tips. Cheers Wendy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello everyone! Well tonight one my friends is taking his latest fling to dinner. Another is out clubbing. Me? tonight I had a hot date with a bag of seedling bark and four severely overgrown compots. But it it has been fun. Tonight was the first night in years that I sat down and potted out community pots. When I was 14, my first paying job ever ($100 a week in plants) was with Orchids and Ferns in Houston doing mostly potting. So for some wierd reason it has become my favorite orchid related activity and very relaxing. It has been a rough 2 months, and I needed this. However- this post is about Paphs! So here we go! Remember the red bud I was so psyched about last week? Well, it came out great on color, but form is not so hot. Those petals are just too closed in. Maybe this will do better on second bloom, but I think this one is headed for the silent auction table at Thursday’s orchid meeting, http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/red.jpg The real surprise is this next one though! Same cross, believe it or not. This one bloomed two weeks ago and I took it into work for the week. When I brought it back home and put it back under the lights, the flower flattened more and got quite a bit larger too! This one is a keeper I think. It is really something and just the sort of complex Paph I DREAM about LOL… http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/cool.jpg Finally, good news on that kolopakingii x haynaldianum I showed last week. It took a few days, but the dorsals are rising on this and the flower has expanded to well over six inches across! still not sure if I am going to keep this one, but I am tempted. It has a new growth about 50% larger than this first bloom growth, so it could get a lot better. Also I found out the hybrid name here is Puppentanz- German for "Dancing Doll." A very appropriate choice!… http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/puppentanz.jpg Well that is all for pics. One more post tonight on my orchid nursery visit today and then to bed! Happy Easter all! Tom.

Response:

Beautiful, Tom!  And Happy Easter to you, too. Jean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello everyone! Well tonight one my friends is taking his latest fling to dinner. Another is out clubbing. Me? tonight I had a hot date with a bag of seedling bark and four severely overgrown compots. But it it has been fun. Tonight was the first night in years that I sat down and potted out community pots. When I was 14, my first paying job ever ($100 a week in plants) was with Orchids and Ferns in Houston doing mostly potting. So for some wierd reason it has become my favorite orchid related activity and very relaxing. It has been a rough 2 months, and I needed this. However- this post is about Paphs! So here we go! Remember the red bud I was so psyched about last week? Well, it came out great on color, but form is not so hot. Those petals are just too closed in. Maybe this will do better on second bloom, but I think this one is headed for the silent auction table at Thursday’s orchid meeting, http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/red.jpg The real surprise is this next one though! Same cross, believe it or not. This one bloomed two weeks ago and I took it into work for the week. When I brought it back home and put it back under the lights, the flower flattened more and got quite a bit larger too! This one is a keeper I think. It is really something and just the sort of complex Paph I DREAM about LOL… http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/cool.jpg Finally, good news on that kolopakingii x haynaldianum I showed last week. It took a few days, but the dorsals are rising on this and the flower has expanded to well over six inches across! still not sure if I am going to keep this one, but I am tempted. It has a new growth about 50% larger than this first bloom growth, so it could get a lot better. Also I found out the hybrid name here is Puppentanz- German for "Dancing Doll." A very appropriate choice!… http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/puppentanz.jpg Well that is all for pics. One more post tonight on my orchid nursery visit today and then to bed! Happy Easter all! Tom.

Response:

Hello everyone! Well tonight one my friends is taking his latest fling to dinner. Another is out clubbing. Me? tonight I had a hot date with a bag of seedling bark and four severely overgrown compots. But it it has been fun. Tonight was the first night in years that I sat down and potted out community pots. When I was 14, my first paying job ever ($100 a week in plants) was with Orchids and Ferns in Houston doing mostly potting. So for some wierd reason it has become my favorite orchid related activity and very relaxing. It has been a rough 2 months, and I needed this. However- this post is about Paphs! So here we go! Remember the red bud I was so psyched about last week? Well, it came out great on color, but form is not so hot. Those petals are just too closed in. Maybe this will do better on second bloom, but I think this one is headed for the silent auction table at Thursday’s orchid meeting, http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/red.jpg The real surprise is this next one though! Same cross, believe it or not. This one bloomed two weeks ago and I took it into work for the week. When I brought it back home and put it back under the lights, the flower flattened more and got quite a bit larger too! This one is a keeper I think. It is really something and just the sort of complex Paph I DREAM about LOL… http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/cool.jpg Finally, good news on that kolopakingii x haynaldianum I showed last week. It took a few days, but the dorsals are rising on this and the flower has expanded to well over six inches across! still not sure if I am going to keep this one, but I am tempted. It has a new growth about 50% larger than this first bloom growth, so it could get a lot better. Also I found out the hybrid name here is Puppentanz- German for "Dancing Doll." A very appropriate choice!… http://members.aol.com/elpaninaro/puppentanz.jpg Well that is all for pics. One more post tonight on my orchid nursery visit today and then to bed! Happy Easter all! Tom.

Response:

the word to use in your search is "karyotype" as in the sentences: Every species is characterized by a given number of chromosomes that can be recognized by their specific shape. To describe the karyotype of a species it is necessary to determine both number and shape of the chromosomes. another good word to use in a search engine on the subject of orchid ploidy is "Allopolyploidy" which is the type of ploidy that results when plants of different genera or species are crossed.  It is also the thing which screws up a simple mendellian flower color distribution pattern.  Mendel was working with a single species that had mutation on specific chromosomes. Allopolyploidy throws a monkey rench into this problem the size of a small planet. Aneuploidy is another term that comes a lot in this context. The answer to your question asks for a level of understanding on the subject that not many of us, myself included in a big way, can claim.  My interest far exceeds my understanding.  It is a facinating subject though and the archives of this newsgroup on google.com are littered with our attempts to come to grips with it. http://groups.google.com/groups?oi=djq&as_ugroup=rec.gardens.orchids

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – That is a bit much to write again.  I suspect if you searched the archives you would find something by me (I know i’ve written about it before), or, even better,  somebody who actually knows something…     In short, ploidy can only be measured by physical counting of chromosomes under a microscope (a pretty simple procedure, given the right stain and a relatively low power microscope).  Anybody who tells you that they can tell by various physical characteristics including leaf thickness or flower size is guessing.  They may be right.  But they could be wrong.  Polyploid plants are often larger, with larger and heavier flowers.  But not always.     You change ploidy by screwing up mitosis.  Nature screws up reductive division during gamete formation at a non zero frequency (pretty frequently, actually), so you can get an occasional naturally occuring polyploid offspring.  In the lab, anything that disrupts the mitotic spindle is a candidate, most labs use colchicine (cheap).  This also happens to be toxic, to both plants and people, so please don’t try it unless you are experienced in good laboratory technique.  If you whack a cell early (during early protocorm development, for example) which happens to survive and develop into a viable plant, you have succeeded.     I bet there is a lot of information that would come out with a quick google search. Rob Would somebody please explain how ploidy of a plant is measured, its impact on the plant and how it is altered??? Thanks Kye.  — The Orchid Index. An Orchid Encyclopaedia Under Progress http://orchidindex.whitehavens.com/index.html ( Soon to be located at www.orchidindex.com ) — Rob’s Rules:           http://www.msu.edu/~halgren   1) There is always room for one more orchid   2) There is always room for two more orchids      2a. See rule 1   3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase      more orchids, obtain more credit

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Would somebody please explain how ploidy of a plant is measured, its impact on the plant and how it is altered??? Thanks Kye.  — The Orchid Index. An Orchid Encyclopaedia Under Progress http://orchidindex.whitehavens.com/index.html ( Soon to be located at www.orchidindex.com )

Response:

That is a bit much to write again.  I suspect if you searched the archives you would find something by me (I know i’ve written about it before), or, even better,  somebody who actually knows something…     In short, ploidy can only be measured by physical counting of chromosomes under a microscope (a pretty simple procedure, given the right stain and a relatively low power microscope).  Anybody who tells you that they can tell by various physical characteristics including leaf thickness or flower size is guessing.  They may be right.  But they could be wrong.  Polyploid plants are often larger, with larger and heavier flowers.  But not always.     You change ploidy by screwing up mitosis.  Nature screws up reductive division during gamete formation at a non zero frequency (pretty frequently, actually), so you can get an occasional naturally occuring polyploid offspring.  In the lab, anything that disrupts the mitotic spindle is a candidate, most labs use colchicine (cheap).  This also happens to be toxic, to both plants and people, so please don’t try it unless you are experienced in good laboratory technique.  If you whack a cell early (during early protocorm development, for example) which happens to survive and develop into a viable plant, you have succeeded.     I bet there is a lot of information that would come out with a quick google search. Rob Would somebody please explain how ploidy of a plant is measured, its impact on the plant and how it is altered??? Thanks Kye.  — The Orchid Index. An Orchid Encyclopaedia Under Progress http://orchidindex.whitehavens.com/index.html ( Soon to be located at www.orchidindex.com )

– Rob’s Rules:           http://www.msu.edu/~halgren   1) There is always room for one more orchid   2) There is always room for two more orchids      2a. See rule 1   3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase      more orchids, obtain more credit

Response:

Now, if someone will tell me why a particular Miltoniopsis, with its perfect green/gray maybe I’ll try posting that question again.  No luck last time.

Hi Diana, What are the parents and what are your temperature ranges? I am not expert on these but I can ask around. Here in Houston it is a lack of cold nights that causes most people trouble with Miltonias and related intergenerics. The plants grow incredibly well, but just do not seem to want to bloom. Tom.

Response:

All the cattleya I know like about 75% to 80% of the full sun I get in my area.  "This type of cattleya" as I used the words it in the sentence below probably confused you.  If a cattleya has some Sophronitis species in it’s background I would have added one more *possible* reason why an apparently healthy plant would fail to bloom:  Sophronitis species seem to like cooler nights than the average cattleya and blooming of some of my Slc. hybrids seems to be triggered coolish nights.  Since Mildred does not have any Sophronitis species in her background (that she has admitted) I left this 4th reason off my list. Because there are five or six genera with countless species that can make up what we easily group together under the name "cattleya" or  it is sometimes hard to figure out which ancestor’s genes are telling it if conditions are right to bloom.  Some have short day bloom triggers, some long day and others are day neutral.  Some mature the bulb and then wait to bloom after a short or long dry period.  Some bloom even as the bulb is still maturing. Still others want a cool snap at night.  Some hybrids are kind of ‘conflicted’ in this area.  :-) It is this genetic ancestor stew that is probably responsible when I notice that one hybrid in my collection is never sure from bulb to bulb if it should be unifoliate or bifoliate.  Sometimes it makes only one leaf per bulb, sometimes two.  Another has trouble figuring out if it should go with the single sheath or the "sheath in a sheath" look and then every now and again it will just not growth a sheath but bloom without one. Some knowledge of species and how they grow is helpful but it does not always help you solve the mystery of why a hybrid does not bloom.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hmm? I didn’t know this Al? Why the 80% sun? Is it because of the parentage? Which leads me to the fact that I can’t figure out the new RHS’s search page? Any help here? Cheers Wendy (6 ?’s *g*) I have this plant growing in full sun less 20% shade.  Their leaves are so bleached by the high light that they look yellow.  I fertilize plants using Peter’s 20-20-20 mixed in a fertilizer injector set to provide 150 ppm and I fertilize 3 out of every 4 times I water  Mine also grow two bulbs a year, but produce sheaths and bloom both spring and fall. I would think the three most common reason why this type of cattleya hybrid would fail to bloom are: 1:) it is not old enough yet. 2:) insufficient light levels.  Beautiful dark green leaves would indicate the light level is too low. 3:) insufficient fertilizer. These are my guesses anyway. I had Lc. Mildred Rives ‘Orchidglade’ AM/AOS  for a few years now. And all it does is grow a new leaf twice a year. The plant looks healty, but no sheath or flowers.  Any suggestions?

Response:

Hi Ray, Thanks for the comments on this. I guess it is best chalked up to personal experience for both of us. I do not have the magic answer, just sharing what I have observed over time. However, unless the roots have pushed medium out of the pot (nope), the amount of medium in the pot has not changed!  (Ignore decomposition breakdown for the moment.)  Instead, the roots have filled every possible void in the medium, which restricts the air flow throughout the medium, and voila! – wetter conditions.

That makes sense, but I am wondering if maybe this could be a medium issue causing our disagreement. For a very long time I used Bob Ehlert’s charcoal and perlite mix for most of my plants. That stuff is fairly grainy and comes out of the bottom of the pot over time. So in that case, I can testify to having potted out rootbound Cattleyas where there was very little medium left. 2-3" pots I would often find had maybe 20% volume of potting mix left. In the NZ sphag I use more now, what you report is more the case I would concede. The moss compresses I think, or just starts growing out of the pot too, and so there is not as much medium loss- although still some from fragments falling away during watering. I find that as bark breaks down it too slowly flows out of the pot with watering. Maybe only a few bits at a time, but with 80-120 watering a year, those few bits do add up. In any case, I really think the relationship between "potboundness" and blooming is more one of the degree to which the plant is "established," and not wet/dry conditions.

That could very well be true in a general sense regarding all orchids- in fact I would agree with it. I just find that the more potbound my plants, the more often they need watering since they dry out faster. And I attribute that somewhat to medium loss, but mainly to the fact that there are just a lot more roots to suck up the H2O. Tom.

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Ray, Just a small aside here:  I recently repotted a bunch of stuff, and once more was struck by how the most pot-bound were the wettest, with only one exception.  They also had more roots that needed removal due to some rotting.  I know the danger of overpotting, but there are perils in severely underdoing it as well. I wrestled a pot bound Den out and the roots are so tight that I fear for the plant in the new media.  I guess it’ll sort itself out, though. Diana

Response:

Howdy! I’m not an expert and have no direct experience with this particular orchid. However … I have read and heard that the number one reason a cattleya that looks healthy won’t flower is a lack of light. I’ve read that cattleya can grow beautifully for years with light that is insufficient for the formation of flowers.  Also true of oncidiums, I hear. I have an unknown cattleya hybrid – which I think is a SLC – which looks great, but hasn’t flowered, ever.  This is it’s fourth year in my house.  It’s sitting alongside Lc Jungle Elf x Soph. cernua that blooms with every new growth.   Next to Bc Nok Noi and beside Bl Yellowbird, both of which bloom about twice a year.  It’s in a much brighter situation than a Wilsonara (Oda Red Cougar x Onc Riverwood) that also blooms off each new growth. I think they just like to tease us.  :-) I also have a question – If my unknown catt. hybrid has lots of Laelia in it parentage, could it’s reluctance, nay downright refusal, to bloom be either from too warm or too wet winter rests?  (Or both?) Anyone have a guess? Thanks in advance, Bob – Philadelphia, Pa – local society meeting this thursday (3-28) with an auction!

Response:

Thanks Al, Interesting…….So therefore when comparing a Catt. that blooms, we should speak of foot candles instead of % of shade, high & low temps etc?? Also then….Slc’s should be placed in a cooler part of the greenhouse, & not mingled in with the Lc’s, Blc’s, like mine are. Yes? Cheers Wendy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – All the cattleya I know like about 75% to 80% of the full sun I get in my area.  "This type of cattleya" as I used the words it in the sentence below probably confused you.  If a cattleya has some Sophronitis species in it’s background I would have added one more *possible* reason why an apparently healthy plant would fail to bloom:  Sophronitis species seem to like cooler nights than the average cattleya and blooming of some of my Slc. hybrids seems to be triggered coolish nights.  Since Mildred does not have any Sophronitis species in her background (that she has admitted) I left this 4th reason off my list. Because there are five or six genera with countless species that can make up what we easily group together under the name "cattleya" or  it is sometimes hard to figure out which ancestor’s genes are telling it if conditions are right to bloom.  Some have short day bloom triggers, some long day and others are day neutral.  Some mature the bulb and then wait to bloom after a short or long dry period.  Some bloom even as the bulb is still maturing. Still others want a cool snap at night.  Some hybrids are kind of ‘conflicted’ in this area.  :-) It is this genetic ancestor stew that is probably responsible when I notice that one hybrid in my collection is never sure from bulb to bulb if it should be unifoliate or bifoliate.  Sometimes it makes only one leaf per bulb, sometimes two.  Another has trouble figuring out if it should go with the single sheath or the "sheath in a sheath" look and then every now and again it will just not growth a sheath but bloom without one. Some knowledge of species and how they grow is helpful but it does not always help you solve the mystery of why a hybrid does not bloom. Hmm? I didn’t know this Al? Why the 80% sun? Is it because of the parentage? Which leads me to the fact that I can’t figure out the new RHS’s search page? Any help here? Cheers Wendy (6 ?’s *g*) I have this plant growing in full sun less 20% shade.  Their leaves are so bleached by the high light that they look yellow.  I fertilize plants using Peter’s 20-20-20 mixed in a fertilizer injector set to provide 150 ppm and I fertilize 3 out of every 4 times I water  Mine also grow two bulbs a year, but produce sheaths and bloom both spring and fall. I would think the three most common reason why this type of cattleya hybrid would fail to bloom are: 1:) it is not old enough yet. 2:) insufficient light levels.  Beautiful dark green leaves would indicate the light level is too low. 3:) insufficient fertilizer. These are my guesses anyway.

Response:

OK, Tom, but now I’ll have to challenge the potbound = drier concept.  Seems to me that a potbound plant would tend to have wetter roots.  Consider this scenario: 1) Pot up a plant normally, with proper pot size, medium addition, etc. 2) The plant grows, putting out more and more roots as it does. 3) Ultimately the plant becomes potbound. However, unless the roots have pushed medium out of the pot (nope), the amount of medium in the pot has not changed!  (Ignore decomposition breakdown for the moment.)  Instead, the roots have filled every possible void in the medium, which restricts the air flow throughout the medium, and voila! – wetter conditions. If we now consider that in the time it has taken for the roots to grow that extensively we have also given the medium lots of time to begin decomposing, then the "wetter" concept is reinforced. On the other hand, the immense buildup of roots can also restrict the flow of water down through the medium, making it harder to reach all of the particles, so maybe that’s a good reason for your drier conditions. In any case, I really think the relationship between "potboundness" and blooming is more one of the degree to which the plant is "established," and not wet/dry conditions. In my observation, there are a couple of root-related factors that affect blooming (I am assuming it’s properly cared for in terms of environment and nutrition): a plant that has gotten a good grip (literally) on its surroundings will be a much better bloomer than a plant that has not yet grabbed hold of its mount – whether that be pot, basket, or slab. Hand-in-hand with that is the volume of roots produced, where more/bigger/better roots equals the same in blooming.  That second factor is really apparent in vandaceous plants grown attached to a wire with no root attachment to anything! — Ray Barkalow < First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now wait a minute, Tom.  Your comment "Cattleyas in nature grow in trees most of the time and do not have a lot of growing material nestled around the roots. Hence they like to be pot bound" sounds like a contradiction. And I thought "potbound" was referring to the restriction of space that the roots grow in, and had nothing to do with the presence of medium. Hi Ray, Well for starters this is my theory LOL. And it is not just based on orchids, but other plants I grow- namely bromeliads. The whole potbound issue to me speaks to the matter of wetness of the roots. The more potbound a plant, the faster it will dry out since there are more roots to absorb water and less medium to retain moisture. Hence my theory. I look more at the perspective of the roots and the presence of water as opposed to the physical reality of the roots being exposed to the air. Tom.

Response:

Now wait a minute, Tom.  Your comment "Cattleyas in nature grow in trees most of the time and do not have a lot of growing material nestled around the roots. Hence they like to be pot bound" sounds like a contradiction. And I thought "potbound" was referring to the restriction of space that the roots grow in, and had nothing to do with the presence of medium.

Hi Ray, Well for starters this is my theory LOL. And it is not just based on orchids, but other plants I grow- namely bromeliads. The whole potbound issue to me speaks to the matter of wetness of the roots. The more potbound a plant, the faster it will dry out since there are more roots to absorb water and less medium to retain moisture. Hence my theory. I look more at the perspective of the roots and the presence of water as opposed to the physical reality of the roots being exposed to the air. Tom.

Response:

For more answers to those pertinent questions, see my later post. Diana

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now, if someone will tell me why a particular Miltoniopsis, with its perfect green/gray maybe I’ll try posting that question again.  No luck last time. Hi Diana, What are the parents and what are your temperature ranges? I am not expert on these but I can ask around. Here in Houston it is a lack of cold nights that causes most people trouble with Miltonias and related intergenerics. The plants grow incredibly well, but just do not seem to want to bloom. Tom.

Response:

Now wait a minute, Tom.  Your comment "Cattleyas in nature grow in trees most of the time and do not have a lot of growing material nestled around the roots. Hence they like to be pot bound" sounds like a contradiction.  If they are in trees with little to no medium, their roots are not restricted in any way, so are the epitome of NOT potbound. And I thought "potbound" was referring to the restriction of space that the roots grow in, and had nothing to do with the presence of medium. — Ray Barkalow < First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Why is it that orchids just don’t work like normal houseplants? The more rootbound… the more the plant spits out blooms. In houseplants energy is either going into roots, or top growth.. not both. This rule applies to the strongly ephytitic orchids (hope I spelled that right LOL.) Cattleyas in nature grow in trees most of the time and do not have a lot of growing material nestled around the roots. Hence they like to be pot bound. Vandas are even more extreme. It is very difficult to get optimum results growing adult plants in bark or some other medium. Not impossible, but hard to get the best results achieveable. The roots need to dry out between waterings and the more mix is in there, the harder it is to achieve that. Phals and Paphs are more forgiving of being overpotted since, while they also grow in the air, they often tend to grow in spots where there is some trapped medium in the trees. Not always, but in general that tends to be true. Paphs for example like forks in tree branches where dead leaves and other things accumulate. Also, these two genera grow in regions that are very moist, so they can handle- and prefer- the constant wetness offered by being in a pot with lots of growing material. Tom.

Response:

Okay, I’ll bite.  So why do I still see Catts (albeit Lcs or Bcs) with DARK green leaves coming from vendors?  Is that the Brassavola or Laelia influence???  And they don’t seem to lighten up, either? — Reka http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html "I hate flowers – I paint them because they’re cheaper than models and they don’t move."        –Georgia O’Keeffe Cattleya bloom better if they are getting a light | level sufficient to cause the leaves to tend toward a paler shade of green.

Response:

Why is it that orchids just don’t work like normal houseplants? The more rootbound… the more the plant spits out blooms. In houseplants energy is either going into roots, or top growth.. not both.

This rule applies to the strongly ephytitic orchids (hope I spelled that right LOL.) Cattleyas in nature grow in trees most of the time and do not have a lot of growing material nestled around the roots. Hence they like to be pot bound. Vandas are even more extreme. It is very difficult to get optimum results growing adult plants in bark or some other medium. Not impossible, but hard to get the best results achieveable. The roots need to dry out between waterings and the more mix is in there, the harder it is to achieve that. Phals and Paphs are more forgiving of being overpotted since, while they also grow in the air, they often tend to grow in spots where there is some trapped medium in the trees. Not always, but in general that tends to be true. Paphs for example like forks in tree branches where dead leaves and other things accumulate. Also, these two genera grow in regions that are very moist, so they can handle- and prefer- the constant wetness offered by being in a pot with lots of growing material. Tom.

Response:

Okay, I’ll bite.  So why do I still see Catts (albeit Lcs or Bcs) with DARK green leaves coming from vendors?  Is that the Brassavola or Laelia influence???  And they don’t seem to lighten up, either?

Hi Reka, Parentage can play a big role. There are no hard rules, but in general it is a good bet that the darker the flower color, the darker the pigmentation of the plant overall. It is rarer in Cattleyas than Phals and Paphs, but I have seen many Catts with strong purple streaking in the leaves and very deep green color that were being properly grown and given enough light. It is not a sign of insufficient light really, but just of the pigment in the plants. In fact, it is often good to go for these plants when you choose seedlings if you are looking for more intense colors. It is not a sure thing, but one more way to stack the odds in your favor It just takes time really. Once you see a lot of plants it all starts to make sense. With Cattleyas I often look at the pseudobulbs to get hints about light. Shorter newer growths and/or smaller leaves can be as much of a tip-off as the foliage color when it comes to determining if the plants are getting enough light. Tom.

Response:

I had Lc. Mildred Rives

Thanks Ray! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – It’s an orchid. — Ray Barkalow < First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! so is it an orchid, bamboo or neither? bamboo orchid=Arundina bambusifolia unless I’m mistaken, a "bamboo orchid" is neither an orchid or bamboo.

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so is it an orchid, bamboo or neither? – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – bamboo orchid=Arundina bambusifolia unless I’m mistaken, a "bamboo orchid" is neither an orchid or bamboo.

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It’s an orchid. — Ray Barkalow < First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info!

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – so is it an orchid, bamboo or neither? bamboo orchid=Arundina bambusifolia unless I’m mistaken, a "bamboo orchid" is neither an orchid or bamboo.

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I searched & came up with several pics. Pretty flower & seems like it is an orchid. Arundina graminifolia (bambusaefolia) Hope it makes a comeback for you Chrissie. Cheers Wendy

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – bamboo orchid=Arundina bambusifolia unless I’m mistaken, a "bamboo orchid" is neither an orchid or bamboo.

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I had posted a recent post on my bamboo orchid that I had bought.  I worked dillegently on trying to get it started.  Well I got sick the other day and accidently left it out over night.  :(    It got down to 40* and I think it is gone.  Are all orchids this hard to start??   Chrissie

        40 degrees wasn’t the culprit.  I leave mine outside as long as it doesn’t hit 32, and it does fine. cl, who schleps his plants in and out all winter and keeps a *very* close eye on temps

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bamboo orchid=Arundina bambusifolia – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -unless I’m mistaken, a "bamboo orchid" is neither an orchid or bamboo.

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Chrissie, One night at 40 may not hurt it. Just keep an eye on it. It’ll probably be fine. Bob

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unless I’m mistaken, a "bamboo orchid" is neither an orchid or bamboo.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Chrissie, One night at 40 may not hurt it. Just keep an eye on it. It’ll probably be fine. Bob

Response:

I had posted a recent post on my bamboo orchid that I had bought.  I worked dillegently on trying to get it started.  Well I got sick the other day and accidently left it out over night.  :(    It got down to 40* and I think it is gone.  Are all orchids this hard to start??   Chrissie

Response:

Hello, Do not get too worried yet. Most dendrobiums are deciduous and basically that means the leaves will fall off. It is common for the leaves to fall off during or right after flowering, although the process usually happens later on.

I touched it just now and it came right off. I probably would be less concerned if it was at the bottom of the stalk rather than in the middle. I would think that newer leaves last longer than older leaves. One key is the leaves themselves. When you say they are soft, do you mean they are thin and pliable or are they the same thickness of the other leaves and kind of mushy? The former is normal leaf dropping, the latter is a sign of trouble.

Okay after a closer inspection I would say that the leaf that just dropped was not as thick at all as the other leaves which were fuller. The fallen leaf is shriveled on the bottom like your finger tips get when they’ve been under warm water too long. The edges near the tip have started curling.a bit. This could be a problem and might be why the leaves are falling (though it could be natural causes too.) The mix should be drying out within 3-5 days after watering and should not be grainy.

Ok we already sort of discussed this and the consensus is I should repot. Should I do it right now as in tonight? I’d prefer to wait until I can get a proper pot with holes in the sides that’s the proper size. Your comment about Denbrods liking their roots to be potbound ran counter to the pot I had bought for it which had considerable growing room in it. But I can’t get that pot until Saturday at the earliest. 2. Make sure to fill the bottom third of the pot with plastic peanuts or broken bits of another clay pot to ensure good drainage.

I bought a bag of pebbles. 3. Get a good coarse bark. Again it helps drainage and is good here since these types of orchids need to dry out a bit between waterings.

Looks like the bark I got is all wrong. It’s too fine. I’d never be able to tell when it’s decomposing. ARGH! Overall the plant still looks in great shape, so that is a good sign. The canes are fully swollen, so it definitely has enough water.

I had said there were three stalks but I found a fourth this morning buried in the moss. It’s just appearing and has no leafs. Based on what you say on the roots, I would definitely repot and be a bit skimpy with the water for now (letting those canes wrinkle just a bit between Ok. I’ll try to pick up the right bark and pot for the plant and repot. I hope it will last until Saturday…

Response:

Don’t worry.  Several days won’t make a big difference.  Just let it dry out until Saturday.  One leaf doesn’t make this a major concern.  It’s possible that the one leaf got broken in watering or something.  Relax.  More orchids are killed by too much attention than die through being ignored.  They actually seem to like being ignored, though they do respond to threats also. Give that orchid a good talking to and then ignore it for a few days. Ken Woodward Newton, MA http://kwoodward.net

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, Do not get too worried yet. Most dendrobiums are deciduous and basically that means the leaves will fall off. It is common for the leaves to fall off during or right after flowering, although the process usually happens later on. I touched it just now and it came right off. I probably would be less concerned if it was at the bottom of the stalk rather than in the middle. I would think that newer leaves last longer than older leaves. One key is the leaves themselves. When you say they are soft, do you mean they are thin and pliable or are they the same thickness of the other leaves and kind of mushy? The former is normal leaf dropping, the latter is a sign of trouble. Okay after a closer inspection I would say that the leaf that just dropped was not as thick at all as the other leaves which were fuller. The fallen leaf is shriveled on the bottom like your finger tips get when they’ve been under warm water too long. The edges near the tip have started curling.a bit. This could be a problem and might be why the leaves are falling (though it could be natural causes too.) The mix should be drying out within 3-5 days after watering and should not be grainy. Ok we already sort of discussed this and the consensus is I should repot. Should I do it right now as in tonight? I’d prefer to wait until I can get a proper pot with holes in the sides that’s the proper size. Your comment about Denbrods liking their roots to be potbound ran counter to the pot I had bought for it which had considerable growing room in it. But I can’t get that pot until Saturday at the earliest. 2. Make sure to fill the bottom third of the pot with plastic peanuts or broken bits of another clay pot to ensure good drainage. I bought a bag of pebbles. 3. Get a good coarse bark. Again it helps drainage and is good here since these types of orchids need to dry out a bit between waterings. Looks like the bark I got is all wrong. It’s too fine. I’d never be able to tell when it’s decomposing. ARGH! Overall the plant still looks in great shape, so that is a good sign. The canes are fully swollen, so it definitely has enough water. I had said there were three stalks but I found a fourth this morning buried in the moss. It’s just appearing and has no leafs. Based on what you say on the roots, I would definitely repot and be a bit skimpy with the water for now (letting those canes wrinkle just a bit between Ok. I’ll try to pick up the right bark and pot for the plant and repot. I hope it will last until Saturday…

Response:

Ok we already sort of discussed this and the consensus is I should repot. Should I do it right now as in tonight? I’d prefer to wait until I can get a proper pot with holes in the sides that’s the proper size. Your comment about Denbrods liking their roots to be potbound ran counter to the pot I had bought for it which had considerable growing room in it. But I can’t get that pot until Saturday at the earliest.

Hello, Saturday should be fine. A few more days will not be the end of the world- especially since you have stopped watering it. As to the leaf- if it came right off, that is good. All you describe makes me think that this could be just normal leaf loss. And fear not about it not being the bottom or top leaf that fell off first. They do not necessarily fall off in order of placement on the cane. And congrats on the new growth coming out! It makes me think even more that you are doing just fine with the plant. And all the better that you are addressing the repotting issue now just to be safe. Take care, Tom.

Response:

Hi, I was given a Denbrod Blue Charm No 229 a week ago. The plant appeared to be in excellent condition and is in full flower. It has three stalks; the main one with the flowers (purple burgandy flowers on a plant called a Blue Charm? strange name for a plant with flowers that are a different color than the name), a smaller one with four leaves and no flowers and a tiny one with only one leaf (which I missed the first few days because it’s almost buried in the moss that’s covering the mix. Within the last 7 days one of the leaves on the main stalk has turned yellow and started getting soft. The leaf is clearly dying. One of the leafs under it has some yellow on the outer sides and the yellow part is softer than the rest of the leaf. The other leaves on that stalk and the other two are all healthy. I wanted to link to my web space to show some pictures of the plant but my ISP is having problems with FTP tonight apparently and I can’t do it. I am worried. This is my first orchid and although I’ve done some reading on it, I’m not sure what’s the problem with it. It hasn’t been watered since the night it was given to me (it was fed and watered and the person who gave it to me has several orchids and is able to care for them though she is no expert). I checked the mix by poking my finder about an inch down and it’s still damp there so I don’t think it needs water. The mix concerns me somewhat. It is small bark but I feel a lot of grain in the mix which either means it’s a hybrid bark/finer mix or it’s decomposed. At this point I don’t want to pull it out of the pot to check for decomposure unless you think I should do so. Can anyone help with a diagnosis of the problem?

Response:

Hello, It has three stalks; the main one with the flowers (purple burgandy flowers on a plant called a Blue Charm? strange name for a plant with flowers that are a different color than the name)

This is common. The pigment delphidinum (hope I spelled that right) that creates true blue flowers does not exist in orchids. Some Cattleyas have come close, but no orchid is true blue yet. What is likely is that the cross yielded some bluish flowers and thus the name. But each plant will vary enormously when a hybrid is made. Within the last 7 days one of the leaves on the main stalk has turned yellow and started getting soft. The leaf is clearly dying. One of the leafs under it has some yellow on the outer sides and the yellow part is softer than the rest of the leaf.

Do not get too worried yet. Most dendrobiums are deciduous and basically that means the leaves will fall off. It is common for the leaves to fall off during or right after flowering, although the process usually happens later on. One key is the leaves themselves. When you say they are soft, do you mean they are thin and pliable or are they the same thickness of the other leaves and kind of mushy? The former is normal leaf dropping, the latter is a sign of trouble. I checked the mix by poking my finder about an inch down and it’s still damp there so I don’t think it needs water. The mix concerns me somewhat. It is small bark but I feel a lot of grain in the mix which either means it’s a hybrid bark/finer mix or it’s decomposed. At this point I don’t want to pull it out of the pot to check for decomposure unless you think I should do so.

This could be a problem and might be why the leaves are falling (though it could be natural causes too.) The mix should be drying out within 3-5 days after watering and should not be grainy. Rotting mix and dying leaves is something I would attend to right away- even during flowering. I would suggest repotting immediately and when you do, there are three things to remember, 1. Get a pot just barely large enough to fit all the roots. Dendrobiums like to be potbound. Clay is preferable for these plants since they need to dry out a bit between waterings. 2. Make sure to fill the bottom third of the pot with plastic peanuts or broken bits of another clay pot to ensure good drainage. 3. Get a good coarse bark. Again it helps drainage and is good here since these types of orchids need to dry out a bit between waterings. The great thing about Dendrobiums is that you have a very visible sign of whether they need water. Look at the canes themselves. Are they fat and plump or slightly shriveled? The older canes should be slightly wrinkled in appearance. That is a good benchmark. Water when the bark starts to dry out again (not when it is totally dry) and watch the canes. Let them shrivel the least little bit if you are not sure until you find the perfect watering schedule. Overwatering or underwatering can kill any orchid in excess, but most of the time it is better to underwater slightly rather than overwater slightly. Too little can slow new growth, but too much will eventually kill the plant. Hope this helps! Post that pic if you get a chance since it will offer more clues. Tom.

Response:

Here’s the links.. http://www.concentric.net/~Dswalen/Orchid/George1.JPG http://www.concentric.net/~Dswalen/Orchid/George2.JPG I’ll try to respond later to your entire email in greater detail. But I would say that the leaf in question (as you can see it’s in the middle of the stalk and not at the bottom or top) is the same thickness but just gone soft. I did some minor looking at the root system from the top today. One of the roots was hard. The other was rather soft and mushy. I have stuff to repot with here so I can do so.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hello, It has three stalks; the main one with the flowers (purple burgandy flowers on a plant called a Blue Charm? strange name for a plant with flowers that are a different color than the name) This is common. The pigment delphidinum (hope I spelled that right) that creates true blue flowers does not exist in orchids. Some Cattleyas have come close, but no orchid is true blue yet. What is likely is that the cross yielded some bluish flowers and thus the name. But each plant will vary enormously when a hybrid is made. Within the last 7 days one of the leaves on the main stalk has turned yellow and started getting soft. The leaf is clearly dying. One of the leafs under it has some yellow on the outer sides and the yellow part is softer than the rest of the leaf. Do not get too worried yet. Most dendrobiums are deciduous and basically that means the leaves will fall off. It is common for the leaves to fall off during or right after flowering, although the process usually happens later on. One key is the leaves themselves. When you say they are soft, do you mean they are thin and pliable or are they the same thickness of the other leaves and kind of mushy? The former is normal leaf dropping, the latter is a sign of trouble. I checked the mix by poking my finder about an inch down and it’s still damp there so I don’t think it needs water. The mix concerns me somewhat. It is small bark but I feel a lot of grain in the mix which either means it’s a hybrid bark/finer mix or it’s decomposed. At this point I don’t want to pull it out of the pot to check for decomposure unless you think I should do so. This could be a problem and might be why the leaves are falling (though it could be natural causes too.) The mix should be drying out within 3-5 days after watering and should not be grainy. Rotting mix and dying leaves is something I would attend to right away- even during flowering. I would suggest repotting immediately and when you do, there are three things to remember, 1. Get a pot just barely large enough to fit all the roots. Dendrobiums like to be potbound. Clay is preferable for these plants since they need to dry out a bit between waterings. 2. Make sure to fill the bottom third of the pot with plastic peanuts or broken bits of another clay pot to ensure good drainage. 3. Get a good coarse bark. Again it helps drainage and is good here since these types of orchids need to dry out a bit between waterings. The great thing about Dendrobiums is that you have a very visible sign of whether they need water. Look at the canes themselves. Are they fat and plump or slightly shriveled? The older canes should be slightly wrinkled in appearance. That is a good benchmark. Water when the bark starts to dry out again (not when it is totally dry) and watch the canes. Let them shrivel the least little bit if you are not sure until you find the perfect watering schedule. Overwatering or underwatering can kill any orchid in excess, but most of the time it is better to underwater slightly rather than overwater slightly. Too little can slow new growth, but too much will eventually kill the plant. Hope this helps! Post that pic if you get a chance since it will offer more clues. Tom.

Response:

Here’s the links.. http://www.concentric.net/~Dswalen/Orchid/George1.JPG http://www.concentric.net/~Dswalen/Orchid/George2.JPG I’ll try to respond later to your entire email in greater detail. But I would say that the leaf in question (as you can see it’s in the middle of the stalk and not at the bottom or top) is the same thickness but just gone soft.

Overall the plant still looks in great shape, so that is a good sign. The canes are fully swollen, so it definitely has enough water. Based on what you say on the roots, I would definitely repot and be a bit skimpy with the water for now (letting those canes wrinkle just a bit between waterings) but the overall condition of the plant looks far better than I had feared from your description. Good luck with it! Tom.

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state:  Georgia place:  Chimney Shadows #4 Bruce.

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cookie:  Girl Scout Carmel deLites soft drink:  root beer  ice cream: B&J Fish Food meal:  KFC Twister sayings:  anyway thing to do on a rainy day:  play with gadgets song:  Breathe book: anything by Isaac Asimov sexual position:  woman on top prayer:  none time of day:  evening type of weather:  sunny and warm state:  Georgia place:  Chimney Shadows #4 museum:  Science&Industry Museum in Chicago aunt:  none uncle:  none sibling:  not a chance. cousin:  none car:  Porsche 911 Turbo (I wish!) fantasy:  win the lottery desire:  to be forever happy game:  Need for Speed: Porsche Unleashed sound:  silence memory:  the day I quit smoking animal:  cats activity:  relaxing pastime:  this computer flower:  anything that smells good and looks good in my photo editor. Bruce.

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cookie:  

peanut soft drink:

umm… pepsi. ice cream:

honey & lavendar. meal:  

it varies, but right now it’s chicken in peanut sauce   sayings:  

the two in the sig at the end of this post. thing to do on a rainy day:  

read, make things. song:  

how could I possibly pick just one? ummm… right now, "hallowed be thy name" by Iron Maiden. or "total eclipse of the heart" by bonnie tyler. book:

too many to pick just one. right this second, though, I’d say "Hexwood" by Diana Wynne Jones. sexual position:

not telling! prayer:  

whichever words come from my heart at any given moment.  I believe God wants to have what we’re really feeling, rather than someone else’s carefully written words. time of day:

that moment when you’ve woken up because you’ve slept enough, but are still dopey and all snuggly. type of weather:

clear, with a slight breeze. state:  

none.   place:  

sitting on the top of the mountain where I grew up, on a clear day when no-one else is around. museum:  

either Llancaiach Fawr in south wales, or the Natural History Museum in London. aunt:  

can’t pick just one! uncle:

daryl & roy. sibling:  

Barry. cousin:

Kevin, because we’ve always been so close. car:

whichever one belongs to the friend giving me a lift at the time! fantasy:

I get a job that I enjoy and can cope with, and earn just enough that we can afford to buy a house. desire:

to be kind and loving, and for everyone else to be that way too. game:  

either Caesar III or one of the Gabriel Knight series. sound:

my husband telling me he loves me. memory:  

too many to pick just one. animal:

my mother’s dog! activity:

singing along to my cds and tapes. pastime:

reading flower:

daisies, with lavendar and daffodils in joint second place. — Laz Spashett       "damaged people are dangerous, they know they can survive" "don’t tell me it’s not a duck if it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, waddles like a duck, and goes quack!"

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I gather that you were from michigan before you lived in the South.  me, too. and in order: peanut butter mineral water B-R bittersweet chocolate grilled pork tenderloin, cole slaw, grilled vegies this too shall pass or boy howdy read new sensations (Lou Reed) catch 22  pass father, forgive me the hour of the wolf crisp blue autumn michigan rivera room at Det. Institute of Art prado Carlton Nana the only one cindy 1967 plymouth valiant, or a BMW z3 not worrying to be thin and beautiful tetris wind in the trees my children being born elephant drinking beer at a ball game, Tiger Stadium daff

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – cookie:  ginger snap soft drink:  Vernors ice cream: white chocolate almond meal:  mushroom steak, mashed potatoes and green beans sayings:  fin-a-fuck-a-lee, what-the-fuck-ever, and oh, well thing to do on a rainy day:  read song:  changes according to my mood book:  can’t pick just one sexual position:  hands and knees prayer:  thank you, God time of day:  sunset type of weather:  overcast and rainy  (warm) state:  Michigan place:  shore of Lake Michigan (Michigan side) museum:  Shipwreck Museum on Whitefish Point, UP, Mich. aunt:  Mary uncle:  Jimmy sibling:  Jim cousin:  Roxanne car:  Mercury Mystique fantasy:  i win/make a million dollars and never have to work again. desire:  to be thin and beautiful and not realize it. game:  The Legend Of Zelda sound:  rain on a roof memory:  holding my babies while they slept animal:  giraffe activity:  sex pastime:  reading flower:  impatiens denise

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cookie:  ginger snap

chocolate chip soft drink:  Vernors

root beer – virgil’s or A&W ice cream: white chocolate almond

strawberry meal:  mushroom steak, mashed potatoes and green beans

paella sayings:  fin-a-fuck-a-lee, what-the-fuck-ever, and oh, well

well there you go, blah blah blah, thing to do on a rainy day:  read

read, yes song:  changes according to my mood

changes hourly. book:  can’t pick just one

stenibeck – the winter of our discontent sexual position:  hands and knees

whatever works prayer:  thank you, God

i am grateful to be alive time of day:  sunset

when the sun is high and the day is warm type of weather:  overcast and rainy  (warm)

warm when the sun is high state:  Michigan

new york place:  shore of Lake Michigan (Michigan side)

a bar in my college town, eating chicken wings museum:  Shipwreck Museum on Whitefish Point, UP, Mich.

the gardner museum, boston. aunt:  Mary

sandy uncle:  Jimmy

bobby sibling:  Jim

keri cousin:  Roxanne

sandy car:  Mercury Mystique

audi tt fantasy:  i win/make a million dollars and never have to work again.

no financial worries, i’d even work. desire:  to be thin and beautiful and not realize it.

no worries, mental or real game:  The Legend Of Zelda

trivial pursuit sound:  rain on a roof

the beatles memory:  holding my babies while they slept

march 17, 2001 animal:  giraffe

otter activity:  sex

cuddling pastime:  reading

reading flower:  impatiens

n/a ed

Response:

and Glenn filled in:  cookie:  Chocolate Chip  soft drink:  Coke  ice cream: Rum  meal:  mushroom steak, mashed potatoes and green beans (sounds good)  sayings:  Got verdomme!  thing to do on a rainy day:  same as any other day.  song:  changes according to my mood (same)  book:  can’t pick just one (same)  sexual position:  hands and knees (same)… Oops no I mean different.  prayer:  Peace  time of day:  dawn  type of weather:  sunny  (warm)  state:  Stoned  place:  Bay of Islands, New Zealand  museum: Van Gogh  aunt:  Helen  uncle:  Harry  sibling:  all of ‘em.  cousin:  John  car:  Opel Astra  fantasy:  I win 50 million dollars and never have to work again.  desire:  Is complex  game:  Yahtzee. I love just focusing on the numbers alone and playing really fast with triple Yahtzee.  sound:  children laughing  memory: none of them compare to now.  animal:  Lion  activity:  Good conversation  pastime:  what pastime?  flower:  Orchid  – "I do not know" – GlennT All I have is theories…

Response:

cookie:  ginger snap soft drink:  Vernors ice cream: white chocolate almond meal:  mushroom steak, mashed potatoes and green beans sayings:  fin-a-fuck-a-lee, what-the-fuck-ever, and oh, well thing to do on a rainy day:  read song:  changes according to my mood book:  can’t pick just one sexual position:  hands and knees prayer:  thank you, God time of day:  sunset type of weather:  overcast and rainy  (warm) state:  Michigan place:  shore of Lake Michigan (Michigan side) museum:  Shipwreck Museum on Whitefish Point, UP, Mich. aunt:  Mary uncle:  Jimmy sibling:  Jim cousin:  Roxanne car:  Mercury Mystique fantasy:  i win/make a million dollars and never have to work again. desire:  to be thin and beautiful and not realize it. game:  The Legend Of Zelda sound:  rain on a roof memory:  holding my babies while they slept animal:  giraffe activity:  sex pastime:  reading flower:  impatiens denise

Response:

I am actually here for this one Now to sit back and wait for the sequel. Kye.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Berber, It was a hot sultry night, the moon was large in the sky.  He could smell Brassavola nodosa in wisps of the cool air. Behind the orchids she stood in the open doorway amply pouring out of her low corset. Her 21 year-old "orchids" were the finest ever produced in Moldova.  They were firm, wonderfully pseudobulb-shaped, beginning eyes of spikes just peeking out and over, and oh so fragrant.  Natalia had become the perfect Orchid assistant and this warm part of the USA now suited her just fine. Her new tan was quite appealing… and she took great care to leave no bikini lines on her young supple nubile body. All orchid growing men longed for an orchid assistant as voluptuous as Natalia.  Such an assistant made this sometimes boring hobby all worth while. It all began innocently enough 4 years ago.  In Russia to find 12,000,000 pounds of pure nickel bullion to "quietly" purchase for an American manufacturing firm desperate for super high quality nickel as a key element in the production of those automobile spark plugs that burn for 100,000 miles he was in a now strange land full of strange but beautiful people searching out nickel producers in the Ural mountains.  She had become his Russian voice and in time had brought him into orchid heaven. He was remembering the telephone call which changed everything that came to him just after midnight those many years ago… the breeze tonight now carried a rush of Neofinetia falcata to his nose, brain.and loins. Natalia was smiling her best orchid assistant’s (slightly wicked) thin smile at him from the workbench… but he was already glazed over going back in time. Ring… ring… ring "Yeah" "White Knight?" "Hmmmm…. it might be". "It’s Richard… the US coast guard has seized one of our ore freighters off Florida loaded with nickel running the embargo out of Cuba.  You know that only Cuba and Russia produce the nickel high enough in purity for us to use. American nickel is crap." "So…. why are you waking me up at 2 in the morning to tell me this mind-boggling bit of trivia?" "Don’t get cute with me Whitey…. we’re sending an approved visa to you tomorrow morning.  I want you on the next plane out to Chelyabinsk in Russia.  Play along with Yeltsin’s local guy that you are on a mission to develop some pie-in-the-sky real estate deals, but don’t leave town until you have some nickel lined up for us." "For a starter deposit 100 flasks of  Paph sanderianum in my Grand Cayman account". "Done" "And 50 flasks of Phal violacea var coerulea to the safe house in Miami" "grrrrr…. done". "And 10 flasks of blue Cattleya lueddies…. real blue lueddies!" "My god… you are a prick". "I am on my way Richard… I am packing my bags as we speak.  Ta-ta". Click….. Hey Mick, You startin’ another orchid screenplay? I never got to see the end of the last one. Barbara P.S. Will this one have anything to do with poop-bombing geese or super stinky orchids? Reka, corset. Mick | Kathy, I have some advice I would like to share.. It was a hot sultry night, the moon was large in the sky. I could smell Brassavola nodosa in wisps of cool air. | Behind the orchids she stood in the open doorway amply pouring out of her low …watering can? — Reka LOL… But I missed the last one. I have been oh so waiting for another one. And while we are on the you might start …. Do you think that there is any chance of getting Al to run another orchid humour comp???? Kye. What?!    …don’t give him any ideas!  He might start up with another orchid "novelette." LOL!

Response:

I’m guilty.  Thank you, thank you, thank you everyone for the wonderful advise.  I’d be lost without this group (and the AOS forum)! Jean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So, am I the only one wondering if we are talking only to ourselves? Much advising goes on here, with no responses from the original posters as to whether the advice was any good or not. Its like a ’smash and grab’ of information around here. Personally, I like to hear back from the original poster and start a dialog, but I guess that isn’t to be. Back to lurk mode K Barrett

Response:

I agree with you entirely. Mayhaps we should all try to be more communicative. Kye.

Well, O.K.  I’m as guilty as anyone.  I haven’t been practicing in this orchid mode for very long, but I have probably purchased more variety than is good for me. Currently I have one of those Phrag. Amazonica x Besseae (written on tag) that is beginning to sprout some multifloral blooms. (EFG) I have a Kagawara ‘Red Lava Pinatubo’ with blooms ready to burst open. (Oak Hill Gardens) There’s the Paph. Maude Raven x Paph. Black Buddha that has been in bloom for approximately 4-5 weeks. (EFG) I purchased several Bulbophyllums recently, along with a couple of Masdevallias. (Oak Hill Gardens) I also went and did something I am not ready to undertake.  I bought a flask of Coryanthes mastersiana ‘Nikirk’ x self and so far about 95% are still alive.  I’ve had them for 2 1/2 weeks.  They look weaker than newly born blades of grass.  What was I thinking? (Troy Meyers) There are a few more, but I’ll save those for another time. I apologize for any ‘orchid related grammar nomenclature errors’.  For some reason, at this time it doesn’t seem all that important to me. If it’s not important to me than why am I apologizing? I think I’m talking to myself … again!  Well, I suppose I should go now so I can finish my conversation. Thanks for all the good advice guys and gals.  Maybe one day I will know enough to be able to give some. ciao, Luigi

Response:

I have a Coryanthes mastersiana (-um??) and like it quite a bit. Its easy to grow and is about to flower for me again. I hope your flask is as nice a plant as mine is. I just keep it rather on the wet side. I have mine in coir and a net pot. It has roots growing all outside the pot now. I started with about 3 growths, 2 of which promptly died, the other took off, and now I have a 6" pot full of plant. I understand these get huge, so be prepared to sell off your extras, for bench space if nothing else. K Barrett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I agree with you entirely. Mayhaps we should all try to be more communicative. Kye. Well, O.K.  I’m as guilty as anyone.  I haven’t been practicing in this orchid mode for very long, but I have probably purchased more variety than is good for me. Currently I have one of those Phrag. Amazonica x Besseae (written on tag) that is beginning to sprout some multifloral blooms. (EFG) I have a Kagawara ‘Red Lava Pinatubo’ with blooms ready to burst open. (Oak Hill Gardens) There’s the Paph. Maude Raven x Paph. Black Buddha that has been in bloom for approximately 4-5 weeks. (EFG) I purchased several Bulbophyllums recently, along with a couple of Masdevallias. (Oak Hill Gardens) I also went and did something I am not ready to undertake.  I bought a flask of Coryanthes mastersiana ‘Nikirk’ x self and so far about 95% are still alive.  I’ve had them for 2 1/2 weeks.  They look weaker than newly born blades of grass.  What was I thinking? (Troy Meyers) There are a few more, but I’ll save those for another time. I apologize for any ‘orchid related grammar nomenclature errors’.  For some reason, at this time it doesn’t seem all that important to me. If it’s not important to me than why am I apologizing? I think I’m talking to myself … again!  Well, I suppose I should go now so I can finish my conversation. Thanks for all the good advice guys and gals.  Maybe one day I will know enough to be able to give some. ciao, Luigi

Response:

I have a Coryanthes mastersiana (-um??) and like it quite a bit. Its easy to grow and is about to flower for me again. I hope your flask is as nice a plant as mine is. I just keep it rather on the wet side. I have mine in coir and a net pot. It has roots growing all outside the pot now. I started with about 3 growths, 2 of which promptly died, the other took off, and now I have a 6" pot full of plant. I understand these get huge, so be prepared to sell off your extras, for bench space if nothing else. K Barrett

Hello K. Barrett, I’ve started them in sphag. which I drenched, wrung out and loosely packed.  I was told not to water much at first and to keep moisture away from the leaves since it will cause them to rot.  So far so good. I don’t know how long it will take, but according to my culture info, they will make rhizome for quite a while, then roots along the rhizomes and then begin to produce more robust leaves.  After all of that they should produce pseudo bulbs.  Once at that stage they should be ready for moving to Gongora or Coryanthes culture, sans sphagnum. Huge plants?  Bench space?  Mama mia!  I told you I was new to this. I must learn to put my brain in gear more often when my eyes decide to do the shopping. Luigi

Response:

Berber, It was a hot sultry night, the moon was large in the sky.  He could smell Brassavola nodosa in wisps of the cool air. Behind the orchids she stood in the open doorway amply pouring out of her low corset. Her 21 year-old "orchids" were the finest ever produced in Moldova.  They were firm, wonderfully pseudobulb-shaped, beginning eyes of spikes just peeking out and over, and oh so fragrant.  Natalia had become the perfect Orchid assistant and this warm part of the USA now suited her just fine. Her new tan was quite appealing… and she took great care to leave no bikini lines on her young supple nubile body. All orchid growing men longed for an orchid assistant as voluptuous as Natalia.  Such an assistant made this sometimes boring hobby all worth while. It all began innocently enough 4 years ago.  In Russia to find 12,000,000 pounds of pure nickel bullion to "quietly" purchase for an American manufacturing firm desperate for super high quality nickel as a key element in the production of those automobile spark plugs that burn for 100,000 miles he was in a now strange land full of strange but beautiful people searching out nickel producers in the Ural mountains.  She had become his Russian voice and in time had brought him into orchid heaven. He was remembering the telephone call which changed everything that came to him just after midnight those many years ago… the breeze tonight now carried a rush of Neofinetia falcata to his nose, brain.and loins.  Natalia was smiling her best orchid assistant’s (slightly wicked) thin smile at him from the workbench… but he was already glazed over going back in time. Ring… ring… ring "Yeah" "White Knight?" "Hmmmm…. it might be". "It’s Richard… the US coast guard has seized one of our ore freighters off Florida loaded with nickel running the embargo out of Cuba.  You know that only Cuba and Russia produce the nickel high enough in purity for us to use.  American nickel is crap." "So…. why are you waking me up at 2 in the morning to tell me this mind-boggling bit of trivia?" "Don’t get cute with me Whitey…. we’re sending an approved visa to you tomorrow morning.  I want you on the next plane out to Chelyabinsk in Russia.  Play along with Yeltsin’s local guy that you are on a mission to develop some pie-in-the-sky real estate deals, but don’t leave town until you have some nickel lined up for us." "For a starter deposit 100 flasks of  Paph sanderianum in my Grand Cayman account". "Done" "And 50 flasks of Phal violacea var coerulea to the safe house in Miami" "grrrrr…. done". "And 10 flasks of blue Cattleya lueddies…. real blue lueddies!" "My god… you are a prick". "I am on my way Richard… I am packing my bags as we speak.  Ta-ta". Click…..

Hey Mick, You startin’ another orchid screenplay? I never got to see the end of the last one. Barbara P.S. Will this one have anything to do with poop-bombing geese or super stinky orchids?

Reka, corset. Mick

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – | Kathy, I have some advice I would like to share.. It was a hot sultry night, the moon was large in the sky. I could smell Brassavola nodosa in wisps of cool air. | Behind the orchids she stood in the open doorway amply pouring out of her low …watering can? — Reka

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – LOL… But I missed the last one. I have been oh so waiting for another one. And while we are on the you might start …. Do you think that there is any chance of getting Al to run another orchid humour comp???? Kye. What?!    …don’t give him any ideas!  He might start up with another orchid "novelette." LOL!

Response:

Well, I lurk in several places and post lightly in a few and here are my views on some aspects of online orchid information-sharing: 1)First and foremost, I’m grateful to the people who take the time to answer other’s questions and share their experience and knowledge. Whenever I think I should buy an orchid culture book, I think, "Why? I’ve got the internet!"  So, thank you! 2)Many posts on this and other sorts of boards are personal conversations and inside jokes.  I think it’s great that people find each other on the internet and have formed communities, but it can create a lot of volume to wade through.  Personally, I spend a lot of time searching and searching before asking a question or making an observation.  It would be easier to smash and grab, but I realize how tiresome it gets to see a question asked that has been answered several times in the recent past. 3)Some message boards are poorly organized and hard to find specific info on (usenet) or follow a long thread (AOS).  Continual quoting and re-quoting previous messages randomly at the beginning and ending and middle of a new post also make for a measure of difficult reading. My guess is that once someone who isn’t interested in becoming part of an ongoing discussion has managed to find a board, register if necessary, post an inquiry, and then get or not get a satisfactory answer they may just be too tuckered out to post again I’m starting to sound like a rambling old curmudgeon, but really I’m not. Mark – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So, am I the only one wondering if we are talking only to ourselves? etc. etc. K Barrett

Response:

Corset?! LOL!  I liked the watering can better! Reka, corset. Mick

–Alynne http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Jungle/2947

Response:

Hey Mick, You startin’ another orchid screenplay? I never gott to see the end of the last one. Barbara P.S. Will this one have anything to do with poop-bombing geese or super stinky orchids?

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Reka, corset. Mick

Response:

Good going! [High 5] K Barrett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Couple of months ago I see an Ansellia in a 2 inch pot three stalks no leaves marked $10. I said to the vendor are u sure this is alive seems expensive for a dead plant,went back to get my Zygopetalum and noticed the Ansellia in the garbage so i asked if i could have it. It now has 3 stalks that was a major accomplisment for me i’m so proud. For the flowers i’ll have to move.

Response:

On information from this group, a nice person has given me some cane ends from a sweet-smelling Den Parishii hybird which I am going to try to root in spag. Thanks for the tip! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So, am I the only one wondering if we are talking only to ourselves? Much advising goes on here, with no responses from the original posters as to whether the advice was any good or not. Its like a ’smash and grab’ of information around here. Personally, I like to hear back from the original poster and start a dialog, but I guess that isn’t to be. Back to lurk mode K Barrett

Response:

Reka, corset. Mick

Response:

Kathy, I have some advice I would like to share.. It was a hot sultry night, the moon was large in the sky. I could smell Brassavola nodosa in wisps of cool air. Behind the orchids she stood in the open doorway amply pouring out of her low

Response:

| Kathy, | | I have some advice I would like to share.. | | It was a hot sultry night, the moon was large in the sky. | I could smell Brassavola nodosa in wisps of cool air. | | Behind the orchids she stood in the open doorway amply pouring out of her | low …watering can? — Reka http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html "I hate flowers – I paint them because they’re cheaper than models and they don’t move."        –Georgia O’Keeffe

Response:

Mine is sad story, i’ve been buying orchids for three years now mostly at

shows because there’s not much choice here in montreal, except for expensive no name phals.I have low light so none have flowered except a little oncidium 2 flowers ‘I’m sure it made the effort just to please me so i won’t get discouraged’ But they are all growing nicely thanks to advice i’ve had here.Couple of months ago I see an Ansellia in a 2 inch pot three stalks no leaves marked $10. I said to the vendor are u sure this is alive seems expensive for a dead plant,went back to get my Zygopetalum and noticed the Ansellia in the garbage so i asked if i could have it. It now has 3 stalks that was a major accomplisment for me i’m so proud. For the flowers i’ll have to move.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So, am I the only one wondering if we are talking only to ourselves? Much advising goes on here, with no responses from the original posters as to whether the advice was any good or not. Its like a ’smash and grab’ of information around here. Personally, I like to hear back from the original poster and start a dialog, but I guess that isn’t to be. Back to lurk mode K Barrett

Response:

Maybe everyone is just emerging from winter hibernation. We have had some warm weather … been sunny all winter almost… but being out doing yard work in the warmth and the sun made me feel so much better mentally. Not that I was in a bad mental state… I guess I just felt like I had woken up for a nap. refreshed. This is my favorite time of the year. Been building an orchid stand which has a really good size humidity space.  I hope to post pictures when I get it done, as if it turns out the way I think it should it should provide terrarium like humidity in the lower area, and the excess should filter up to the top area. Plus I have now reached critical mass. I now have enough orchids that it is almost a chore to water. I notice the chatter on all the other groups pick up at this time as well. Crystal — If you don’t buckle down, you’re never going to hit bottom.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I agree with you entirely. Mayhaps we should all try to be more communicative. Kye. Well, O.K.  I’m as guilty as anyone.  I haven’t been practicing in this orchid mode for very long, but I have probably purchased more variety than is good for me. Currently I have one of those Phrag. Amazonica x Besseae (written on tag) that is beginning to sprout some multifloral blooms. (EFG) I have a Kagawara ‘Red Lava Pinatubo’ with blooms ready to burst open. (Oak Hill Gardens) There’s the Paph. Maude Raven x Paph. Black Buddha that has been in bloom for approximately 4-5 weeks. (EFG) I purchased several Bulbophyllums recently, along with a couple of Masdevallias. (Oak Hill Gardens) I also went and did something I am not ready to undertake.  I bought a flask of Coryanthes mastersiana ‘Nikirk’ x self and so far about 95% are still alive.  I’ve had them for 2 1/2 weeks.  They look weaker than newly born blades of grass.  What was I thinking? (Troy Meyers) There are a few more, but I’ll save those for another time. I apologize for any ‘orchid related grammar nomenclature errors’.  For some reason, at this time it doesn’t seem all that important to me. If it’s not important to me than why am I apologizing? I think I’m talking to myself … again!  Well, I suppose I should go now so I can finish my conversation. Thanks for all the good advice guys and gals.  Maybe one day I will know enough to be able to give some. ciao, Luigi

Response:

That is pretty common in most of the groups. Especially when the person is not a regular. They pop in for the information they need and then leave. I wouldn’t let it bother you though. I do wish there was more chatter on this group though. I personally like to hear what people have picked up recently. But I have to admit since very few people share, I have been resistant to share myself. I picked up a few things recently.. but am most excited about the Anselica Africana and I finally picked up Onc. Krameranian. I picked them up about a week ago.. but am tickled pink every time I think of them. I think I am finally going to put together a web-site this summer. I’m finally getting some stuff worthy of showing off. Crystal — If you don’t buckle down, you’re never going to hit bottom.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So, am I the only one wondering if we are talking only to ourselves? Much advising goes on here, with no responses from the original posters as to whether the advice was any good or not. Its like a ’smash and grab’ of information around here. Personally, I like to hear back from the original poster and start a dialog, but I guess that isn’t to be. Back to lurk mode K Barrett

Response:

So, am I the only one wondering if we are talking only to ourselves? Much advising goes on here, with no responses from the original posters as to whether the advice was any good or not. Its like a ’smash and grab’ of information around here. Personally, I like to hear back from the original poster and start a dialog, but I guess that isn’t to be. Back to lurk mode K Barrett

Response:

I agree with you entirely. Mayhaps we should all try to be more communicative. Kye.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – So, am I the only one wondering if we are talking only to ourselves? Much advising goes on here, with no responses from the original posters as to whether the advice was any good or not. Its like a ’smash and grab’ of information around here. Personally, I like to hear back from the original poster and start a dialog, but I guess that isn’t to be. Back to lurk mode K Barrett

Response:

So, am I the only one wondering if we are talking only to ourselves? Much advising goes on here, with no responses from the original posters as to whether the advice was any good or not. Its like a ’smash and grab’ of information around here. Personally, I like to hear back from the original poster and start a dialog, but I guess that

isn’t to be. I’m a newbie here and I don’t think I’ve "smashed and grabbed" yet but I have sincerely appreciated what pointers that have been graciously offered.  I think perhaps some of the problem is that orchids grow so slowly that it is hard to tell whether something worked or not in as short a time as people are likely to remember the post. One thing I learned recently, to my chagrin, is that black spots on Onc leaves aren’t necessarily "bad".  I just recently cut off a good portion of a leave with black spots and reading here it appears it may have been nothing more dastardly than water spots. I received excellent advice over on abpo concerning repotting my Mtdm (the medium is soaking at the moment and I’ll be repotting shortly). I’ve also been encouraged by comments received about my Cym repotting although the jury is still out on it.  The new growth that was there when I repotted has continued to grow but I am uncertain whether I did a good job repotting or not.  There is still some discussion concerning whether I used the right potting medium. I also feel that as a home-grower growing for my own pleasure and a newbie orchid addict that there is little I can contribute. I guess I can offer a bit of a delurk though.  I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.  My orchids are all in west-facing windows that are semi-shaded.  I worry about humidity, cold shock/cold drafts, shrivelled pseudobulbs and under-/over-watering.  I have everything on pebble trays because it is usually very dry here.  I can only take credit for keeping one orchid happy, my Cym, because it flowered after me having owned it for a year. At the moment I have the Cym, two Phals (poor planning on my part as they are the same cultivar (is that the right term for the name on the tag?), an Onc Sharry Baby and a Mtdm (the one with the shrivelled pseudobulbs).  I look after a neighbour’s Den which has flowered twice for me but their growing conditions are different from mine.  I would like to try some Cattleyas but I am afraid to try them because I think I am still too rank a newbie. So please keep talking and I’ll keep listening and if anyone ever wants to talk to me, I’m here. –  Sandy — Bacchae at telusplanet dot net "Beauty is terror.  Whatever we call beautiful, we quiver before it.  We want to be devoured by it, to hide ourselves in that fire which refines us." –  Donna Tartt

Response:

Ok, well I was happy to have a bublophyllum bloom for me. It was lablelled as B. facetum but when I looked it up in Siegriest’s book it looked  *nothing* like that at all, so I contacted the vendor, sent along a photo, and sure enough its a B. papulosum, from the Philippines, and pictured in Cootes book. Mine is a bit brighter color than the one in Cootes’s book, so I was going to put the pic on the webpage and ask around if it is indeed the species in question. Don’t ask me *when* I was going to do that, just that its in my mind as something to follow up on. Anyway I was pretty jazzed about that, and thought about taking it in for judging, but the flowers are past thier prime. They seem to last about 2 weeks, for me anyway. K Barrett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – [snip] I do wish there was more chatter on this group though. I personally like to hear what people have picked up recently. But I have to admit since very few people share, I have been resistant to share myself. I picked up a few things recently.. but am most excited about the Anselica Africana and I finally picked up Onc. Krameranian. I picked them up about a week ago.. but am tickled pink every time I think of them.

Response:

I can’t cite any specific advice right now, but thanks to all the good advice I’ve received over the last several months, my orchids are busting out with bud spikes.  Hooray!  And thanks to everyone who has helped me. Sarah —

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Gee, I was afraid I was talking too MUCH <G.  Sometimes I’m looking for info, but there are lots of times when I can offer help, too, and I do.  I think most of the reg’s are good about response.  What gets me, really, is when someone posts a vague question, not because it’s vague, but because the poster seems to drop off the face of the earth.  We ask for more info and never hear another word.  Kind of makes you feel sorry for the poor, neglected orchids! Diana

Response:

Gee, I was afraid I was talking too MUCH <G.  Sometimes I’m looking for info, but there are lots of times when I can offer help, too, and I do.  I think most of the reg’s are good about response.  What gets me, really, is when someone posts a vague question, not because it’s vague, but because the poster seems to drop off the face of the earth.  We ask for more info and never hear another word.  Kind of makes you feel sorry for the poor, neglected orchids! Diana

Response: