AdamD
Catasetinae Crazed
Everyone has said that getting a plant awarded was the kiss of death. I didn't know how soon it would happen...
A few weeks ago I remembered that one of our OS members was taking plants to a show in KC across state, I had hoped I'd have something in bloom, I'd never entered a plant into a show before. Either bad timing on blooms or hectic work schedule, you know. So as the time drew nearer I'd noticed that I might have two- a paph delenatii for sure, and, if the time was exactly right and the stars and planets aligned and the orchid gods smiled, a catasetum Dagny. These plants are very near and dear to me since I'd named the hybrid after my wife, my first named hybrid (thanks to Fred Clarke.)
The days drew nearer and anticipation grew, when finally it happened. Everything fell into place! I was giddy! The day of the plant pick up (the Thursday before the show), I drove over 300 miles between work, home, MoBot, home. It was a grueling grind fighting traffic and an 8 hour work day of drywall hanging (5/8" 12' commercial grade. No fun, but it's part of what I do). I get to the drop off, and they're loading plants into a truck bed. At this point, I should have turned around and gone home. But I wanted to share my plants for the first time.
Reluctantly I loaded them up and took extra special care to fit mine in nicely. Everything looked good. I had to work overtime that week (yes, tomorrow is my first day off in 2 weeks), so while hanging drywall ceilings on a Saturday I got a call from a strange number. Hesitantly I answered. On the other end of the phone was Marilyn LeDoux! She informed me that the catasetum had won an AM of 82 points! I jumped up and down with excitement! The guys at work were looking at me like I grew another head... After a little explanation they understood, as well as non orchid people can understand. They were happy for me and I went about my work day.
Reeling with excitement, I checked my email. The show chair informed me that the plant had won a first and a best of class, easily. That night my wife and I went out for our anniversary. Everything was right with the world. She congratulated me and alerted social media for me.
The "weekend" came and went, Monday I swung by MoBot to pick up my plant, adorned with awards. When I pulled up, the show chair woman was distraught. I knew something was definitely wrong. She explained that the plants had been in her truck bed for over 24 hours, covered by a black bed cover, under the sweltering sun. She had to give a lecture at work that day. It was a particularly hot day, maybe 85 degrees. When I got to the box, my heart dropped.
The flowers were decimated on both plants. Fried. Over hard. Dry as a sandbox in Death Valley. The leaves were scorched and wrinkled. I grabbed the box, not knowing what to say, quickly grabbing a spare bottle of water to try to nurse the wounded plants. I went on my way, disbelief. Disillusioned. Disheartened. I set them in a shady spot in my grow room, hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.
Today the del is perking up a bit, leaves unfolding, on the mend. The catasetum is recouping. Burnt, curled leaves, it looks tired. I came away with an award, and a hard lesson learned. Never leave your prized possessions in the care of someone you barely know. 3 years of growing, nearly decimated in one day.
Tonight at the OS meeting, before even walking in, I was greeted by concerned members. Distraught members. Members who told me of similar experiences in the past. Also the president and the treasurer came up to me, checkbook in hand. News traveled fast. He wanted to know the cost of the damage done. I respectfully declined. I told him it wasn't the society's responsibility. Plus, how do you put a price on something like that?!
Lesson learned. My first award, a hefty fee. Was it worth it? We'll see.
A few weeks ago I remembered that one of our OS members was taking plants to a show in KC across state, I had hoped I'd have something in bloom, I'd never entered a plant into a show before. Either bad timing on blooms or hectic work schedule, you know. So as the time drew nearer I'd noticed that I might have two- a paph delenatii for sure, and, if the time was exactly right and the stars and planets aligned and the orchid gods smiled, a catasetum Dagny. These plants are very near and dear to me since I'd named the hybrid after my wife, my first named hybrid (thanks to Fred Clarke.)
The days drew nearer and anticipation grew, when finally it happened. Everything fell into place! I was giddy! The day of the plant pick up (the Thursday before the show), I drove over 300 miles between work, home, MoBot, home. It was a grueling grind fighting traffic and an 8 hour work day of drywall hanging (5/8" 12' commercial grade. No fun, but it's part of what I do). I get to the drop off, and they're loading plants into a truck bed. At this point, I should have turned around and gone home. But I wanted to share my plants for the first time.
Reluctantly I loaded them up and took extra special care to fit mine in nicely. Everything looked good. I had to work overtime that week (yes, tomorrow is my first day off in 2 weeks), so while hanging drywall ceilings on a Saturday I got a call from a strange number. Hesitantly I answered. On the other end of the phone was Marilyn LeDoux! She informed me that the catasetum had won an AM of 82 points! I jumped up and down with excitement! The guys at work were looking at me like I grew another head... After a little explanation they understood, as well as non orchid people can understand. They were happy for me and I went about my work day.
Reeling with excitement, I checked my email. The show chair informed me that the plant had won a first and a best of class, easily. That night my wife and I went out for our anniversary. Everything was right with the world. She congratulated me and alerted social media for me.
The "weekend" came and went, Monday I swung by MoBot to pick up my plant, adorned with awards. When I pulled up, the show chair woman was distraught. I knew something was definitely wrong. She explained that the plants had been in her truck bed for over 24 hours, covered by a black bed cover, under the sweltering sun. She had to give a lecture at work that day. It was a particularly hot day, maybe 85 degrees. When I got to the box, my heart dropped.
The flowers were decimated on both plants. Fried. Over hard. Dry as a sandbox in Death Valley. The leaves were scorched and wrinkled. I grabbed the box, not knowing what to say, quickly grabbing a spare bottle of water to try to nurse the wounded plants. I went on my way, disbelief. Disillusioned. Disheartened. I set them in a shady spot in my grow room, hoping for the best, preparing for the worst.
Today the del is perking up a bit, leaves unfolding, on the mend. The catasetum is recouping. Burnt, curled leaves, it looks tired. I came away with an award, and a hard lesson learned. Never leave your prized possessions in the care of someone you barely know. 3 years of growing, nearly decimated in one day.
Tonight at the OS meeting, before even walking in, I was greeted by concerned members. Distraught members. Members who told me of similar experiences in the past. Also the president and the treasurer came up to me, checkbook in hand. News traveled fast. He wanted to know the cost of the damage done. I respectfully declined. I told him it wasn't the society's responsibility. Plus, how do you put a price on something like that?!
Lesson learned. My first award, a hefty fee. Was it worth it? We'll see.
