Hi, all: By now you probably know that the Delray Beach Orchid Society
Show, which was to begin today, was cancelled by Hurricane Wilma.

We hope that all of you came through OK -- Diana???

We took a bit more damage from this one than we did from last year's storms,
but we are up and, well, not quite running but at least walking, with most
utilities restored. And, of course, with the show being cancelled, we have
LOTS of flowers ...
--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids

Kenni Judd wrote:
Hi, all: By now you probably know that the Delray Beach Orchid Society
Show, which was to begin today, was cancelled by Hurricane Wilma.

We hope that all of you came through OK -- Diana???

We took a bit more damage from this one than we did from last year's storms,
but we are up and, well, not quite running but at least walking, with most
utilities restored. And, of course, with the show being cancelled, we have
LOTS of flowers ...

There was an article that Kerry's Bromeliads was either a severe or a
total loss, as was much of the orange harvest and other locally grown
fruits. Costly.

K Barrett

Here I am.......You beat me to the punch, Kenni. I came over here to post a
S. FL thread.

What a mess. But we personally are fortunate this time. Our roof, like so
many others in this neck of the woods, is new. The damage we had is largely
vegetative, and not that bad. A neighbor's fence went flying, and some of it
pierced a section of screen on the north side of our lanai extension, but
even that isn't bad.

Last year we were without power for 8 or 9 days after both storms, in 90+
degree heat with no generator. This year we have a generator, but the power
was only out for about 4 hours. We were amazed. DSL was out for a day.
Direct TV came back on the minute the power did. The phones were sporadic,
but only on Tuesday, and the cel worked throughout. The cold front that
pushed Wilma this way also brought us fabulous weather following the storm,
so clean up was so much easier than last year. The orchids are fine, as they
were only under cover for a day.

Kathy, I think about 20% of the citrus crop was lost, and plenty of
vegetables, as well. Pictures today show smashed sugar cane fields. In those
cases, it's not just the crop loss. The situation puts out of work a lot of
folks who can least afford it.

Here on the Treasure Coast, most power has been restored. Not so in Palm
Beach County, where Kenni is (my son, too). And south of that, well, they
are in a world of hurt.

Does anyone have info on the Redland growers? Martin Motes is supposed to
come up here on Nov. 8th; we'll see. I haven't bothered him up til now; I'm
sure he has other things on his plate at the moment. Guess I'd better have a
plan B in case he can't make it. Here goes Diana's song and dance
routine........

Diana

"Diana Kulaga"
Here on the Treasure Coast, most power has been restored. Not so in Palm
Beach County, where Kenni is (my son, too). And south of that, well, they
are in a world of hurt.



I'm in Broward on generator power.
The house and occupants came through very well, but the garden?
No.

I brought all of my orchids plus the hanging and potted plants indoors so
they are fine.
But I have no trees to hang them in!
I have a couple of tree skeletons, but not a leaf to be had. Lots of plant
and tree losses, and for some reason many of my palms saw fit to literally
eject their immature new leaf shoots, so I do worry about their future as
well.
Lots of sunburned understory plants, both now and in the future.

$4K fence total loss.

But the weather has made things tolerable and with a generator and solar hot
water I can have a hot shower every night. Have a freezer full of food and a
good gas grill so we have been eating very well indeed.
The beer will run out tonight.

Land phones have been a lifeline but no reception on any cells.
I have gas enough for 3-4 more days then will have to hit the road in
search. My job and my husbands job (each within 4 miles) both have power so
gas should become available soon.

Estimate for power restoration is November 22.
Blah...


--
Toni
South Florida USA
Zone 10b
http://ww.cearbhaill.com

The beer will run out tonight.

Gee, Toni, didn't you stock up on the essentials ahead of time??

Seriously, I know what you're going through. That's what happened to us last
year - twice. Take heart. FP&L seems to be working faster this year. There
have been major restorations compared to Jeanne and Frances at the same
point in time. Port Everglades is open, so the gas situation should even
out, if it hasn't already.

Grab some shade cloth or screen for those babies.

Diana

Hurricane Relief for those of you who've lost your growing areas:

We are preparing to provide rental bench
space for your orchids, at approximately our operating cost of $2 per
square foot of bench space. We're still working out some details, and won't
be ready to accept plants before at least Wednesday 11/2 at the earliest,
but the basics of the deal will be:

Our benches are divided into 3' x 12' sections (36 sq. ft). One section
will hold about ninety 6" pots, and will rent for $75/month. Your plants
will be watered, fed, and sprayed for pests/disease,
right along with ours. But monitoring for any specific problems,
and providing any additional care required, will be your responsibility.
You'll have access to your plants during our regular business hours.

If you are interested, please come by and look at the available space to
determine if it is suitable for your plants. We are open on our regular
schedule of 10 am to 5 pm Tues - Sun..
--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids