How many orchids in a collection is normal?

[quietmorning]

Originally Posted by orchids3

When I was working - the orchids were my place of rest and relaxation after work. Now when my wife cant find me - she shouts where are you? If I dont want to be found I dont answer.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!

Ohhhhhh that's great!!!

[Leisurely]

Cookiemonster expressed my views exactly with the exception of my having 400 plus plants in a greenhouse. I would love to give a lot of them to Board members but I am too lake to pack and ship them.

[vcuchick]

Holy Smokes!
Boy have I got some catching up to do...

I am a novice grower and gotten bitten by the orchid bug only 3 years ago when I recieved one as a birthday gift (I promptly killed it- but my belief that I have a green thumb and could kill no plant caused me to go get more and thus began my quest.) I have tried to grow slowly and make sure each plant is thriving and happy before I move on to my next purchase. Although I go and "window shop" everywhere! I usually buy my plants at the SEPOS show at Longwood Gardens in March...I look forward to it every year! (plus the fact that I'm only 30 and my sad little pocket book limits my spending sprees.)

I currently only have 6 orchids in my collection...

[paulemar]

My wife is asking me if I'm normal. (I have about 150
-mostly Catts) She has about 50 phals herself, but really questioned my sanity when I brought home 56 blooming size ascosenda-vanda mostly NOIDS. I got them for about 60 cents each-in plastic hanging slotted baskets. The catch was that they were only watered a couple of times during the 6 previous weeks before I got them. So far it looks like about 30 are doing very well and the rest vary from might make it to it's going to be totally dead in another week. (few) I have many hanging outdoors in a pin oak and the better ones under the eastern edge of a grape trellis. Looks like I'll have to make more room for the keepers indoors this winter. She'll really question my normality when she hears that!
Paul

[Roly0217]

Well normal for me would be getting 2 to 3 plants on a weekly basis; maybe even more !!!! I've been collecting for about 1 year and 2 months and my collection is close to 300. Haven't gotten any in about 2 weeks now. I'm working on another project od mine right now.

[Amandalee]

I have been collecting for about 4 years now. In total I have about 85: Most of the collection is phalaenopsis and dendrobiums (mostly noids), some are cattleyas (all named and tagged plants, but 2), some are oncidiums (all named and tagged but 3), 2 brassvola (both named and tagged) and 4 cymbidiums (all noids). I am hoping to have a greenhouse soon, so they are easier to care for. Right, now they are on shelves on my families screened porch. More of lately I have been trying to get more named, tagged plants. But, I am still a sucker for a pretty noid. If they are noids, I try to get colors I don't have as a rule. Again, I agree with Cookie, it all comes down to space and your ability to care for.

[natasha]

i think its fine to collect something that will give you pleasure. life is short, why don't enjoy it? spend money that you make, kids should find their own money and not rely on inheritance and trust funds - this one my mom told me as my late grandpa is very stingy guy and she thinks doesn't enjoy his life.

mr paulemar, vanda are actually tough plants. i thought mine are going to die too, after i put it outside during the hot spells. i bought them during a chid shopping spree last christmas. they suffer so much burn. but mine are thriving now, except for one - i think its too old already, a lot of spikes marks. i don't know know how you guys care for vandas, but here they do really need lots of water. it seems hot but rainy season are the best for them.

[SheilaJ]

I've enjoyed seeing all the responses! I've never been accused by anyone of being normal, and it no longer bothers me - I kind of enjoy being the "crazy plant lady" and am getting a reputation as the local person to go to with plant questions.

And I was only kidding about the 4000 watt light. I have a 400 watt HID right now. And a T5 high output that I'm currently not using but will probably have to press into service soon, as the collection grows. Any more than that would require an electrical upgrade to the orchid room, and I'm not ready to do that. But I might set up another grow area in the basement or playroom, if I can convince my family to let me encroach. Of course, daughter's bedroom will be freed up in three more years!

[Amanda L]

Well, I have 17 orchids and my husband already thinks this is abnormal. Let's not mention the fact that he has more CD's than he could listen to in a lifetime! I'm talking around 1200 of them. At least my hobby is nice to look at.

I agree with Cookiemonster in that normal is defined by the person. If you have and can take care of 500 orchids than that is normal! OOOOOOOO 500 orchids, that sounds like heaven!

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by vcuchick

Holy Smokes!
Boy have I got some catching up to do...

I am a novice grower and gotten bitten by the orchid bug only 3 years ago when I recieved one as a birthday gift (I promptly killed it- but my belief that I have a green thumb and could kill no plant caused me to go get more and thus began my quest.) I have tried to grow slowly and make sure each plant is thriving and happy before I move on to my next purchase. Although I go and "window shop" everywhere! I usually buy my plants at the SEPOS show at Longwood Gardens in March...I look forward to it every year! (plus the fact that I'm only 30 and my sad little pocket book limits my spending sprees.)

I currently only have 6 orchids in my collection...

I know how you feel. I only buy slowly although I'm window shoping all the time and looking at everyone's pics here ALL the time (my hubby worries about me he really does).

I have been cautious and bought usually just one at a time, check it is happy and growing well before I really start needing another. I have 9 just now. I had just 1 for 2 years, then have bought 7 and been given one in the last 14 months.

If I had the money then I'm sure my house would be full by now. Good news is hubby came up with a new idea last week. When he thinks about buying me flowers, as he does every now and then, he will instead ask me if I want to choose a new orchid. Sounds good to me