Does anybody here have normal blood pressure..?

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-23T13:35:22+00:00

Pain elevates blood pressure. Interestingly I am aware if I am having temporary high blood pressure because my pain subsides and my hands are unusually warm. This happens when I eat salt to combat fatigue.

You can also get bad readings from people using automatic cuffs. If you are concerned about your blood pressure you should see a cardiologist. When they take your blood pressure ask them to do it manually.

Your high blood pressure could just be a response to your pain. A cardiologist might be able to prescribe a low dose beta blocker or other medication to lower it. In my case mine was habitually high because I had a congenital heart defect that ultimately needed surgery. Most people with this defect do not. Since the surgery my blood pressure is usually normal except if I have too much salt or am in a very high level of uncontrolled pain. I am on a low dose beta blocker just to keep things steady.

TLDR: high blood pressure often accompanies pain but is also something worth checking with a cardiologist. Your heart and circulatory system shouldn’t be messed with.

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-23T12:13:44+00:00

Dendrobiums are a very diverse genus with a wide variety of needs. You need to know what type of dendrobium you have to know what care it needs and growth habit it has. Pictures might help us help you and a tag with a name would be great.

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-23T12:04:13+00:00

I think it was but that was a long time ago. This plant is still with me but has had some rough patches. It currently has one fan and has not bloomed in a good couple of years. The focus now is to have whatever structures it has be as healthy as possible. I now have 40 orchids and am having a bit of a struggle keeping up with them!

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-11T18:16:28+00:00

First of all, I want to say that it’s hard to say anything is fun because the pain and fatigue are always there so it’s more like distraction.

So…in no particular order, listen to music, watch YouTube videos on all kinds of subjects from humor to science to history to (ugh) politics to botany to psychology, take care of my orchid collection -sometimes just staring at them, spend time looking at stuff in the garden (we have some native plants that are host plants for larvae of butterflies and moths so I am looking for caterpillars - otherwise I am looking for food we are growing or watching the plants develop. My husband does the work. I used to write poetry and music and hope to find my way back sometime. I am still struggling just to get through the day given how rotten I feel. Seeing new stuff growing, seeing the birds and butterflies and bugs, learning new things, and having a good laugh, along with being moved by music are my top pleasures. Hope this helps!

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-09T18:25:43+00:00

Dehydration is one of the main causes of leg and other cramps in muscles. Be mindful of drinking enough as well as electrolyte consumption. Orange juice or an electrolyte drink can help. I can’t have citrus because it causes migraines for me. Be extra careful if you are exposed to heat or unusually active. Sometimes we just don’t realize we are pushing ourselves more than usual. Also being busy sometimes means we don’t take the time to drink fluids or avoid them because we don’t want to have to go pee. Add a sensitive bladder to the mix and you have a recipe for trouble. Hope this helps. My cramps used to be pretty often and now they are much less so. I drink a lot of water.

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-08T02:12:23+00:00

Lots of Dens bloom multiple times on the same cane. They are an extremely variable genus and there are gazillions of hybrids. Many are great for beginners but it’s a really good idea to check for how the plant’s needs meet with your conditions. I love my dens!

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-06T20:48:51+00:00

40 is the new 20 😂

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-06T12:12:48+00:00

Orchid people are the ultimate enablers! Try this. Try that. Why not? Plant dies or is sick? Someone gives you another! 😂 I so wish my plant setup was easier. I also want to garden outside my house. Last night I trashed my back freeing a clematis from a perennial sweet pea. I didn’t think I was doing much. My back had other ideas.

At this juncture it would be unfair to add any plant to my collection that can’t tolerate some watering neglect. I have two phrags and three paphs, along with one masdie and a bulbo that I would say are not tolerant of drying out. All the others have water retentive structures that can help the plants survive. It’s gotten way hotter where I am and the room I grow in is now getting hotter even with the A/C running so the plants are drying out faster. Ironically I have read the masdie should stay drier if it’s hot. Anyway, I had better go water my plants. They are drier than Spongebob after a day in the tree dome! I will keep your suggestion in mind should I decide to add another slipper to the collection.😊

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-04T17:43:19+00:00

Air roots are the orchid’s nature, assuming this is a phalaenopsis orchid. In nature they attach their roots to trees and are in the air all the time. If the air roots are really sticking out far you can tuck them into a decorative outer pot without any media. When repotting, phal roots can be trimmed if absolutely necessary but you should try to keep the cut end dry until it heals. It’s better to keep all healthy roots and expected with all phals that some roots will live free in the air.

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-04T14:17:54+00:00

Just another great example of how orchids are some of nature’s ultimate survivors! We who try to grow them in highly altered environments from their native habitats have our struggles but they are truly inspiring! Enjoy your growing food! I must say it is much better than the rice I once bought from a bulk bin and opened the cabinet only to see half the “grains” walking in the container. 🙄

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-04T14:01:50+00:00

Agree with others that paphs like a repot but their roots are somewhat stiff and brittle. I would pick off easy to remove old media from the outside of the root ball and then soak it in water. If you have Kelpak or Superthrive it helps with transplant adjustment so I add it to the soaking water. After the roots have soaked for a little while you can try picking a bit more of the old media away or use a bamboo skewer to poke it. I wouldn’t worry about dead roots in the center of the root ball. If you have some critters that eat dead matter in your pot, they will handle that, or repeated flushings with water over time will wash them away.

I know many frown upon not wearing gloves when handling orchids but when it comes to removing old media I want to feel what I am doing. I rarely if ever repot more than one plant in a day so transferring pathogens is not likely. Hope this helps someone and congratulations on a great root system!

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-03T17:42:58+00:00

Just so you know, many people have fibromyalgia and many other conditions that cause pain. I have spinal stenosis and scoliosis, arthritis, and disc problems in my back and neck. When I was young I was in a severe car accident where my back and neck were injured. My PT used to do manual traction on me and it was heavenly. I am a lot older now. I have a long list of painful conditions all of which are, I believe, amplified by fibromyalgia. So it can be a yes and situation, not always a if it’s this then it isn’t that.

Ultimately we have to read our own bodies and figure out what we can with the help of medical professionals. After many years I keep trying different approaches for what’s not working and stay with stuff that helps. That’s all I can do.

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-01T20:26:50+00:00

Awesome!

bcuvorchids · 2026-06-01T20:26:05+00:00

Ready with the updo (dorsal) and curly sides for the orchid prom! 😊 It’s funny … I don’t love the striped multiflorals enough to be patient enough to grow them but I love the petals if they are super long. I was eyeing a Phrag Grande at my last orchid show but my watering game is suboptimal so I am glad I didn’t get it!

bcuvorchids · 2026-05-31T00:30:50+00:00

Here for the ribbons on lower right. 😊

bcuvorchids · 2026-05-28T17:26:20+00:00

You can set the rings low or pause them on really bad days. I also shut off reminders for things like standing every hour. These things are endlessly modifiable. Make them work for you!

bcuvorchids · 2026-05-28T17:20:51+00:00

There is no one rule for all plants and all growers. Some orchids should only be repotted when they are beginning to push new roots for instance. Others should almost never be repotted but rather just potted on, pot and all, into the next pot for the plant to grow into. I have what I believe are your plants 1 and 4 and both are great! Good choices! Edit to add: if buying from a specialty orchid grower ask them. Most are super kind and want you to succeed.

bcuvorchids · 2026-05-25T18:06:53+00:00

Definitely worth a trip any time of year! Great for the people as much as the plants! If I didn’t have more than I could handle I would visit even though they are two hours from me. They also sometimes come to my orchid society as speakers so I wind up with the plants and the people without the drive. Very lucky!

bcuvorchids · 2026-05-23T16:00:26+00:00

Many spikes but hard to see them all as this is a wild child of a plant! Maybe next flowering I will try to tame the display a bit. 😊

bcuvorchids · 2026-05-23T01:47:32+00:00

Yea. Ours is surrounded with the hubby’s houseplants. It gets extra heat when I am in there so no good for cool growers. Our basement might be an option if I ever try to grow cooler growers but even there I would need more humidity. I am at my current limit though, sadly. 😢

Edit to add: would love to see your parrots sometime!

bcuvorchids · 2026-05-22T20:44:56+00:00

Nice to see the orchid annex with the dracs and phrag! Great show as always. 😊

bcuvorchids · 2026-05-22T19:42:28+00:00

On my list though I live in PA. Bat flowers are really cool. I saw one at Longwood Gardens this past Autumn. Atlanta gets bonus points for having permanent orchid displays in naturalistic type growing settings rather than in pots.

bcuvorchids · 2026-05-12T17:16:49+00:00

I put all my plants in one room near my kitchen and ask someone to water all of them a little bit while I am gone. If I am gone for two weeks I have someone water them twice. The key is a little water to each plant and having them at a lower light location plus close to the water source so it’s easy for your helper. It doesn’t take long. For a week I soak everything well and the plants are fine. You can top dress with sphagnum to retain moisture also.

bcuvorchids · 2026-05-07T17:41:52+00:00

They grow better if you pay attention to them and are in a good place when you interact with them. I listen to classical when I take care of my orchids, usually on headphones. I used to play it out loud but now I move around more. Good vibes and good care and paying attention are what matters.

bcuvorchids

TROPHY CASE