Hello, illustrious people of r/orchids !
10 months ago I entertained you lot with the soap opera of my life, and received both harsh criticism and warm words of support from many of you. Thank you for both! The soap opera had a couple more dramatic episodes, during which she lived here for a few days, had time to repot a few of the orchids and we even visited an orchid show together and purchased 3 new tulumnias, but, alas, this was all temporary and the title of the post still describes the situation well.
Over the course of 10 months I have been in touch with some of you, and one of you fine people has even helped me reduce the count of the orchids in my care (hello and thank you again 👋 ). Naturally, a few dozens (couple hundreds? 🤦♂️) have also died from my clumsy efforts to keep them alive.
Still, winter is coming, and I still have 150 orchids in this house and 40-50 other assorted plants. This is about 100 orchids more than I can reasonably care well for. I would like to see if I can find someone who would be interested in taking some of those off my hands. Since I now have a bit more experience with this than I did 10 months ago, I would like to ask for at least a little bit of money for those that are still in good shape, just to limit it to serious inquiries only. If something looks like it's on its last leg, and it's a resuscitation project, and you are interested, you will be sure to get it for free.
I have put together an album of pics here: https://imgur.com/a/MLygEKU , so feel free to browse, and if anything piques your interest, let me know. If you want some other types of plants, you can have most, too. You would need to pick them up at my house in SE PA. I also have pots and other supplies that could be useful to an orchid enthusiast. All reasonable requests will be entertained.
Thank you again for listening, both 10 months ago and now.
Live long and prosper!
EDIT: oh wow, I did not anticipate this level of interest, whew! I will respond to everyone who's DMed me, but it will take me some time. If you want to get in touch, please DM me. But to answer most common questions:
-
No, I would not rather burn them. I am not vindictive, I am not the type of a person to burn living plants, and they did provide very important continuity for my life when I was going through its worst 10 months. So, I do treasure them and I do want them in good hands, I just don't have time to be those good hands.
-
I cannot name most of the orchids with very few exceptions. Some are tagged, but many are not
-
I cannot ship. You would need to visit me at my home, which means both our schedules should work, and I am willing to work around that, but plan a trip to upper Bucks Co., PA to be a part of this
-
Plan on needing to repot most of the orchids you will get – I was not able to do any of that in the last 10 months
-
For those interested – not pictured are 4 large specimens of cymbidium outside, also available
by HuggingBeard
38 Comments
👀
Hi I’m in Philly, if you want to pm me I think I’d be interested in a few depending on how much you’re asking.
👀
Firstly, life is full of ups and downs, things will get better👍 Secondly, i advise taking a look into finding an orchid society nearby should you have difficulty finding homes here. Theyre often full of people that would happily buy or rehome what you bring to a meeting. Some even do sales/auctions, so its worth a shot! Good luck!
A few years ago the Pennsylvania State Extension Service in cooperation with the American Orchid Society produced a 6 part series named Orchids Are For Everyone. They must have contacts with orchid people in PA. Perhaps you should contact them. (https://extension.psu.edu/orchids-for-everyone-native-orchids-of-pennsylvania-and-the-mid-atlantic-region and https://extension.psu.edu)
If you can’t find homes for any of these, have you reached other to the local SE PA orchid society? https://www.sepos.org/about-us
Too bad, I’m in Georgia and can’t travel right now. I see what appears to be a jewel orchid that I’d treasure! But good luck! You’re very kind to offer these lovelies to potential new caretakers!
If you haven’t done so yet, you should look for an orchid group/society near you. Members will likely be happy to help take orchids off your hands and/or buy them at low cost. Also, check with groups for general plant care in the area, local colleges or universities with a greenhouse (in their sciences program), and any local/regional botanic gardens, etc. Lots of people who may be more focused on other types of plants also keep orchids and/or are interested in doing so.
I want one!! what is SE PA??? is it Pensylvannia?? if so I WANT ONE!
I remember your old post. Amazing that you still have all these plants going! If she has not taken them after all this time, it’s time to sell them. Best option would be to find someone locally, cut down shipping cost and better for the plants too. Best of luck! 🫂❤️
Pick them up in Pennsylvania?? Well, I guess I’m out! What if I pay for shipping a live plant (overnight or something fast?
Oh man. If only you shipped!!
I’m in south-central PA. Can you give the name of the nearest town so that I can get an idea of driving distance involved? Not trying to doxx you, but it’s a big state and “SE PA” covers a lot of territory.
If you’d consider mailing I would happily pay for a mystery box.
Burn them all
Are they for free if so I might be interested depending upon where you live. Thanks and sorry to hear your story.
If you are willing/able or have someone who would help you ship, I would pay for shipping for a box of anywhere from 10~50 to Oregon
Sell them. If you are on Facebook, put them on marketplace. Sorry for your troubles. Get a puppy instead 😁
Is Indiana, PA near you? I have a lot of family there and could arrange something if it could help. Are you keeping the terrarium plants?
Could you donate some to a local university with a horticulture program? May even get your name on a collection at the school, and then you can send the article to the ex.
I’m near Gettysburg, so 3 hrs probably from ya. I’ll look through and send ya a message.
As a 2x divorced dude, stay strong man. It eventually gets better
I got on the app to view what you have but I am interested I live in SE Pa ! Can you private message me . I also own over 150 orchids and a variety of plants. I can take a few of those and give them a good home ! You can message me
Hey OP! I see you got some good plants! I see you got tags from Andys and Waldor, the stuff with Andy’s tag on it are probably worth more since he sells a lot of rare species. Before you sell them all, you should research the prices on them, they might be worth more than you think!
I’m interested in some of the mounted miniatures. Price? Also, what town are you near? I have family in Lancaster who would pick up for me.
I’d pay for a box! Sorry about that situation. I can only imagine how hard this must be.
I’m sorry to hear about the circumstances around your plant collection! It does look like a lovely collection and I love seeing the terrariums and orchid cacti. I’ve been slowly rebuilding my orchid collection and would be interested in some, but unfortunately I don’t think I’ll be in or near your area until November. Good luck rehoming everything!
I didn’t know orchids/flowers could help someone through a tough time. Have you ever wondered why she had so many of them? Was she really into orchids before you met ? Why was she obsessed with orchids? Caring for sooo many of them is not an easy task. Must be a reason for all this. Anyway I just have so many questions but limited information. Thanks for taking care of the plants and I hope you are okay. And you will be okay as you are in good company on reddit and with the plants..
Sell them on Etsy. Turn sorrow into $$$
I live in the midwest with massive terrariums that could hold some! I’d pay for a box to be shipped 🙂
I’m so sorry and so captivated by your story. I wish I knew more. I also wish I could go hiking with you, but alas, am Canadian. Wishing you the best at this time.
I would absolutely LOVE to get an orchid from you!!!!
I second proposals to contact a local orchid society. They will often run auctions or sales of large collections like this for their membership. It would ensure they go to reasonably responsible collectors and the club might be willing to share some of the proceeds. They will likely also have members who would help you vet the collection and identify more novice-friendly plants if you want to keep some for whatever reason. I was once a member of a large and historic Us orchid society and it wasn’t uncommon that an older member would either be unable to continue maintaining their collection or would pass away and will their collection to the society and we would run auctions or sales with proceeds split between the collector/family and club.
Post them on marketplace. They’ll be gone by the end of the day
I’m so jealous, I’m in AZ. What an amazing collection!
I just sent a message. I’m in your area and will be happy to come by and pick up/purchase. This would also benefit my orchid society.
Nothing until yo have a separation agreement don’t touch a thing
Bucks County Orchid Society member here. If you need assistance, we can help. Are you looking to sell or give away? We have member who specialize in all types of orchids.
I would totally take some off your hands if I didn’t live in kansas with college classes 💔 I wish you luck in this journey!