Deep breaths, for when you're feeling a little overwhelmed...

It's been over a week since my orchid show visit and I'll admit, I'm feeling a little overwhelmed.

My cattleyas from my first orchid haul aren't looking good, which surprised me. I don’t know why, but I thought other types of orchids would be more difficult to care for *knock on wood*

I've taken to going on forums, talking with more experienced growers, and basically learning that I should have asked for a refund, that the worst cattleya will be very hard to save in winter. (Click here to see the problem I started with.) 

So I'm trying to remind myself: I'll try, but if I don't succeed, I shouldn't feel personally at fault about it. This was a plant in poor condition, and I don’t have experience with nursing non-phals or dendrobiums back to health. You want to help them, but at the same time you don’t want to help them to death.

I've also been researching options for my orchid house, except I'm feeling a little overwhelmed there too. There are so many options, let alone local bylaws to think about. Plus the opposite opinions of my spouse (who prefers beauty over function), and the budget to think about. 

So at times like this I'm reminding myself to take a breath. (Yes, I realize these are VERY much first world problems!)

Did I take on too much too quickly getting such a variety of orchids that I have no experience with? Maybe… or maybe not,  it’s good to jump in, that’s how I’ll learn the most.

This isn’t high stakes, after all, this is just horticulture… a hobby orchidarium.

I’ll take it one day at a time, do my best to watch after my plants, and if I'm not sure, wait a day to water.