Build The Ultimate Orchid Collection

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by bmena

Lol, I live in So. Cal too....

I noticed (and also coastal, basically the same conditions as what I have) ... that's why I mentioned what works for me, should work for you too. Folks in other parts of the country have to work a lot harder with these, we just put them on the patio or out in the back yard and pretty much ignore them other than squirting them with a hose now and then.

[Leafmite]

Wow, this is an old thread!

I

Originally Posted by bmena

Hello, I know a lot of people like phals but let’s face it. They are becoming as common as the weed growing epidendrum radicans.

The problem with only wanting to collect the rare orchids is that many of the rare orchids soon become very common (i.e. Angraecums, Pleurothallidinae, Bulbophyllum). After so many years of collecting, I finally realized that, if I like the orchid, I do not really care how common it is. With that in mind, I will recommend a few orchids that fit the criteria and that I believe are essential for a collection:

Burr. Nelly Isler: 'Swiss Beauty' Easy to grow, blooms multiple times a year, fragrant, blooms last a long time The leaves are Oncidium-type leaves but don't have the issues with the spots.

Dendrobium prenticei: the 'foliage' is rather fun, they bloom throughout the year, the blooms last a while, some are fragrant, and they are very easy to grow. Best of all, they are small enough to fit in almost any collection. Very rewarding.

Dendrobium auriculatum: Almost always in bloom, very easy to grow, flowers are fragrant, the fern-like foliage is very attractive out of bloom and they are small enough that they fit easily into a collection (they are not miniatures but they are not large).

Most of my other 'easy-to grow' and highly treasured orchids require high humidity/terrarium so I won't list those.

[bmena]

Yes of course. I think we are all guided by our eyes when it come to orchids. Though I comepletely refuse to buy orchids from places like Home Depot, Costco and such that buy massive amounts of NoId orchids. Some people don’t know the difference between a massively provided orchid and one with a name. I’m a “young guy” per se...that is unsually young to be into orchids, and much younger than those members in my society and. Eight boring societies. I know this is off the subject, but It saddens me to see how the real devotion for orchids is slowly disappearing and become in an every day thing. This companies mass producing orchids, mostly phals are responsible for that and anyone thinks is an orchid grower because they can just pick up another at the local supermarket.

[Leisurely]

Do you not like Rudbeckia or Echinacea or Lobelia for example because the beautiful English gardens are filled with them? Names of orchids are important for a number of reasons and I am prone not to buy a plant with no name but not to buy a plant because of mass production is a bit ludicrous I think. When I first began collecting orchids several years ago, it was common to pay $25 to $35 for a Phalaenopsis. Thanks to mass production $10 to $12 will get you a large, healthy, nice looking plant. It seems to me that the increase in the availability of orchids plants has actually increased the interest in orchids and is a big factor in the promotion of orchids. Just my opinion, but I think it is a valid one.

[Roberta]

It breaks my heart when people buy Phals just as ornament and toss them out like Christmas poinsettias when they go out of bloom. But there are many people - including many contributors to this forum, who buy these, and want to learn how to grow them. Then they learn, and have success experiences, and expand their horizon. Phals everywhere (and Cymbidiums in places like California) are the readily-available "gateway drugs" to the orchid addiction. Sometimes the "new addict" becomes intrigued with the whole new world of orchids and turns into a species nut (like myself). Everybody starts with a "first orchid" ... I love to help new orchid owners succeed, and always hold the hope that they will get excited about it. That's how we keep the hobby alive.

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by bmena

Yes of course. I think we are all guided by our eyes when it come to orchids. Though I comepletely refuse to buy orchids from places like Home Depot, Costco and such that buy massive amounts of NoId orchids. Some people don’t know the difference between a massively provided orchid and one with a name. I’m a “young guy” per se...that is unsually young to be into orchids, and much younger than those members in my society and. Eight boring societies. I know this is off the subject, but It saddens me to see how the real devotion for orchids is slowly disappearing and become in an every day thing. This companies mass producing orchids, mostly phals are responsible for that and anyone thinks is an orchid grower because they can just pick up another at the local supermarket.

As a young person, you can really make a difference in an orchid society. Do not be afraid to run for an office or to make suggestions to those in charge. Helping out at shows is a good way to get to know vendors, learn from judges, and have wonderful conversations with professional growers. Good luck!

After many blunders (buying orchids I soon no longer wanted), I learned that to build one's own Ultimate Collection, one must understand what qualities one really desires in orchids. I learned not to build my collection to impress others but to build it to please myself. It is easy to get caught up in buying what others admire and like instead of buying what one truly appreciates. I have mostly species, some clones, a few Gold Country hybrids, and a beloved noID phal. Burr. Nelly Isler, one of my favorite orchids, is mass-produced but when it blooms and I breathe in that wonderful fragrance every day for ten weeks, three times a year, I am happy.

---------- Post added at 11:52 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:48 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

It breaks my heart when people buy Phals just as ornament and toss them out like Christmas poinsettias when they go out of bloom.

I get sad about every plant that is tossed out, including the poinsettias.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I get sad about every plant that is tossed out, including the poinsettias.

I'm that way too, but there comes a point where the space requirement or the hassle/reward factor forces your hand.

I had three clivias (they retail for around $30 or more for the size) that I was giving away for the cost of shipping, but found only one taker... Bye bye.

[Bulbopedilum]

Not sure if this is still going, and I don't have any of these (yet!!!), but
Corybas pictus, hispidus, muluensis (PINK!) and piliferus.
Hope I can get C. Pictus this year as the vendor puts Corybas for sale again.

Also what about Coryanthes macrantha.

...As for ones I have, my favorites are
Dendrobium rigidum (hasn't flowered yet)
Bulbophyllum ovalifolium (hasn't flowered yet)
Dendrobium pachyphyllum (Cute althought short lived flowers, but also has a wonderful fragrance.)

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by Ray

I'm that way too, but there comes a point where the space requirement or the hassle/reward factor forces your hand.

I had three clivias (they retail for around $30 or more for the size) that I was giving away for the cost of shipping, but found only one taker... Bye bye.

Okay, there was a bird of paradise once.....

---------- Post added at 12:11 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:04 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Bulbopedilum

Not sure if this is still going, and I don't have any of these (yet!!!), but
Corybas pictus, hispidus, muluensis (PINK!) and piliferus.
Hope I can get C. Pictus this year as the vendor puts Corybas for sale again.

Also what about Coryanthes macrantha.

...As for ones I have, my favorites are
Dendrobium rigidum (hasn't flowered yet)
Bulbophyllum ovalifolium (hasn't flowered yet)
Dendrobium pachyphyllum (Cute althought short lived flowers, but also has a wonderful fragrance.)

Good luck on getting the ones you 'need' and blooming the ones you have!

[SouthPark]

I believe that the 'ultimate' orchid collection - referring to the title of the thread - belongs to this planet .... or this universe. It is the collection of the orchids on this planet or this universe.