It isn’t a bucket list—I don’t need one of those yet—its more of a Pay List. I’m paying myself to do what I want. I am giving a bucket list some thought, however. More on that later.

When the new front yard bulnesia finally spread its limbs, I moved the vanda into it. I even gave it a bit of fertilizer a time or two. Gradually, I acquired a few more orchids as gifts, and finally the tree would hold no more. Last March, Steve build an Orchid Arbor for me in the back of the house—I suspect orchid enthusiasts would call it a shade house. I bought books, found the Green Barn Orchid Supply, acquired more inexpensive orchids, and purchased equipment and fancy products to care for my girls. I also discovered Brad’s Greenhouse on YouTube where he dispenses words of orchid wisdom along with video suited for the novice. Each bud and bloom brings me cause for celebration and each dropping flower causes mourning. Ah yes, I grabbed an aerial root and sailed off the edge.
At the last meeting, I chatted with a lady about my progress. She identified a couple of varieties for me at the display table. I told her many of my orchids are in bloom and look healthy. I also mentioned that I am a novice and bought most of my orchids at places like home depot and the outdoor market. Her comment: “You’ve only had them a year. They’ll all die.” Bare in mind she did not ask one diagnostic question to see if I cared for the plants properly.
I’m crushed, not by the fact that she may be right. I will, no doubt kill a couple. No, I’m crushed by the cruelty of the statement. I rushed home and scrutinized each and every plant for signs of trouble.
Adding to my dismay, the orchid I won in the raffle—donated by an expert—was full of snail eggs and black fungus spots. I’ve been having a self-researched lesson on disease and pest treatments.
GEB