I can relate, though not to the greatest extent. The '04 hurricanes that
blew through here didn't destroy our house. But the destruction all around
was awful. I'd broken two fingers moving plants under cover beforehand, and
it was almost two weeks til I could get in to see a bone crusher two towns
away. Driving up US I through Vero Beach was incredible. Buildings peeled
away like tin cans. The streets lined with insulation, building materials,
ruined furniture, the works. It was heart rending.

And because our screens went down, the orchids couldn't get spaced out for
quite a while. Some died. Still, we counted ourselves among the very
fortunate. We had good protection and used it.

Nobody could have protected against what you have gone through, Al. We are
all grateful that you are okay.

Diana

"K Barrett" wrote in message
. ..


"Al Pickrel" wrote in message
news:RHMJj.422$Ah1.73@trnddc08...
The Phal gigantea is alive and well though somewhat sooty and in need of
cleaning. I saw it last week when I went to take care of things in the
rented greenhouse. I have to go back early next week to check on them
again.

The Phal apendiculata, which got awarded last October, just came apart
and may be dead. Actually it did not come apart until I touched it, then
all the leaves fell off at the point where there the leaf joins the
petiole. It was not a rot. The leaves looked pale-ish and dead. And
they just dropped off when touched. Too far from heat to be cooked. I
don't think it was the cold because it was one of the first to be brought
in after the fire was out.

There are several plants that have done this now...two weeks after fire.
If I had to guess, I would say it was the plant equivalent of smoke
inhalation. The smoke was mostly burning plastic and it must of
"fumigated" the greenhouse interior for a few minutes before the fire
opened up a big enough hole in the plastic skin so it was lethal to
anything exposed and breathing. (Somebody has already pointed out that I
shouldn't be having any problems with mites or insects for awhile.)

Anyway, the burned benches are cleared out. The metal pipe structure is
cleaned of melted plastic and soot. and I have the thing ready to be
re-skinned. This was planned for today but it is too windy, so it was
moved to tomorrow.

We are doing alright here. We were very lucky. There is a lot of plants
that were lost and I really don't know yet exactly what was lost. I keep
cringing as flashes of what was on some of those destroyed benches pops
into memory, but the real pain will be when I get everything back and set
my attention to doing an actual inventory.

I am so tired of this. Weary...and this was only a small and localized
entropic event. There is just no explaining the MESS involved to anybody
who has only seen this kind of thing on TV. Fire, winds, floods. These
things don't carry away everything you have...they reduce it to an
indescribable mess and leave it all right in front of you to clean up
while reminding you constantly what it all used to be... The worst part
is AFTER the actual event...

Still, we doing alright here... Things are coming along.


How I wish Clinton had never said 'I feel your pain' becasue it cheapens
the emotion. But I do. Hugs from me.

K Barrett