Or maybe that should have been "Acclimating Children to Plants Outdoors"???

So, here's my dillema- I have a front porch. It faces South as does my growing areas (The currently defunct upstairs and the main slipper area) in fact, it is right next to my big windows.
The upstairs plants are the one's I'm moving outdoors for the summer. A Brassia, an Encyclia, a Sharry Baby, a Psychopisis, two phals, a Maxillaria, and 5 Cattleya mixes.

I get too much sun right now for them to live out back in sun, apparently. Also, they are so exposed. First the sun got them, then last night's downpours - haven't helped my situation. Doesn't help that I sort of neglect these guys, they just aren't as important to me as my slippers. Though some are cooler than others.

I'm considering moving them out to the front porch. It is sheltered, but gets great morning sunshine. Not so much water, but I can throw the hose on them when necessary.

My concern is - I have children, 9 and 11 year olds, next door. THEY are generally angels who took great interest in the plants (Sharry Baby bloomed out front w/ them nearby last year.) I even invited them in recently to see the plants. The first issue is there are a couple other younger girls who aren't terribly careful with things, nearby. They aren't generally around when I am not home, so, I can keep an ear/eye out when people are on the porch. My MAIN concern is a little cheerleader (read B#$%!) who hates me. I hate her too - she picks on and tortures the younger girls and yet she is a drop dead gorgeous little 11 year old. So of course, the younger ones dote on her every word.

These are not terribly precious plants to me, and heck, I've burnt a few in the last week, shame on me! However, I don't want them thrown around by little girls or anything, either!

What do you guys think? Should I risk it and put them out, and talk seriously w/ the neighbor girls about NO TOUCHING, and mandate that they assist me in keeping the plants safe? I also get the feeling that they are not too enamoured w/ you-know-who much of the time, and I am again, generally home when they are outdoors playing. They like tasks The two neighbor girls helped me pick and water my tomatoes last year. They also have a new puppy, so I think they are continuing to work on responsibility.

Or, should I keep working on the area out back?


Oh, it should be mentioned, their mom is single and not home for an hour in the morning before they get the bus, and usually 2-3 hours after school. They get home at 3:30, I generally at 4:30 so there is about an hour when I cannot keep watch.

Thanks for all opinions - in my heart, I'd like to try it. Educate them at the same time, but that little blond girl is trouble, and spitefull as hell!

Since you are not trying to win awards with these plants, and they are not high priority I'd say give it a shot, and try to help improve the social climate with flowers.

It sounds like the majority of the girls are pretty good, so give them a break. They may end up being aspiring "Paphgirls". :Party: :Party:

I see two choices in your dilemma. Your choice, which is perhaps the more civilized and educational approach, or mine which is some really BIG rat traps.

Rat traps lol, or Chocolate rat poison eclairs.. :poke: Hide in the bushes with a garden hose...

I wouldn't think you'll have too many problems as most of the ones you mention are pretty tough.

If worse comes to worse, you just casually mention how closely related to poison ivy your orchids are...and how little girls are especially vulnerable even if they are a few feet away from them. You could even put little skull and crossbone warning stickers on their pots.

Or you could use some hot pepper spray on them for "pests" and let one of the girls find out the hard way they shouldn't be touched...it works on cats and dogs.

Back to plotting... :evil:

Jon

You guys are hilarious!
Keep the plots coming - I love the pepper spray Idea. It also reminded me of a recent review I read of Pharm Solutions - I heard their garlic spray really stinks! I could try that too...hehehe... :twisted:

The plants are now out front.

My two neighbors were out waiting for the bus this morning when I went to take pics of plants for Jane (thanks Jane!)
Anyway, they were asking me all sorts of questions about the plants. We talked about the sunburn and why the plants were out front and I said I hoped they would stay safe and could they help look out for them, when they are home and I'm not. They said they'd check them when they got home from school today, and make sure they were doing ok. So, hopefully we won't run into any trouble.

I like putting something out like Poison Ivy and telling them that it is a secret experiment. That might not be a good idea. Are you allowed to have dogs? Some folks might get upset here with this suggestion, but we have a Pitt Bull. He is a mush and will never hurt children, but could knock them down as he is so friendly and likes to jump onto people. He likes to lick & kiss people. (and other dogs, in the wrong places) We make it a point to never leave him unsupervised with any visitors or guests. Despite the stories in the media about them, in general, they are really gentle and loving pets.

I don't think you even need to get a puppy (or rescue one of the many beautiful dogs that are on the MA. rescue sites. Those sites will break your heart as there are so many cute puppies there.) All you need to get would be a "Beware of Pitt Bull" decal for your door and then a CD of a barking Pitt Bull.

Hubby or SO is a musician and has recording equipment. I'm sure he could take a midi sample of some barking and then sequence it onto a CD.

Yikes!! This almost sounds like genetics!!!! Sorry!!