For a sma;ll collection (20-30 pcs.) the most popular varieties to collect??

[AnonYMouse]

20-30? Bwahahahahaha!

In the relatively short time you have been here, you have not exhibited much evidence of self control. Good luck keeping your collection down to 30!

Most of us started with reasonable expectations, then we bought shelves and lights. We discovered small spaces for miniatures, then miniatures on mounts that uses vertical spaces instead of the self surface. The rationale for more goes on and on.

2 schools of thought:
Deep end of the pool
If you have a knack for growing things, do your homework and get what you want. You are not going to succeed growing something you don't like and they will test your resolve.

Noodle dog paddle
Buy a different genus every few weeks at Trader Joe's. An inexpensive means of getting a varied collection. After a year, focus on a specific genus or traits.

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by charlesf6

Took a look at each of these except the Vanda of course, it's quite a collection but $ costly $.

I definitely agree. In the past few years, I have given away most of my large orchids and bought smaller orchids to replace them. More expense. I am really curtailing what I buy, now. I have around sixty orchids and most of them have a few years before they will bloom (I am starting over with seedlings). Fortunately, I have other types of plants to divert and reward me.

My advice is to buy orchids based on what you really want to grow. If you can decide early what you really want to grow, you will save quite a bit of money. To figure that out, here are a few questions....
1) Is it important to you that the plant blooms more than once a year?
2) Do you want the orchids to be fragrant?
3) Do you like small orchids or large orchids?
3b) How many orchids do you plan to get and how much space do you have to keep the orchids?
4) Do you prefer certain colors of orchids?
5) What growing conditions do you have?
6) Do you prefer classically beautiful orchids or do you like unique flowers?
7) Do you like variety or collecting all of one type?
8) Do you like miniature orchids?
8b) Are you willing to set up a terrarium?

The other thing you should do is go to a website like Andy's and try to familiarize yourself with the different types of orchids that are available. That way, you can get a feeling for what you might like to grow.

Good luck! I hope you will have a great deal of fun filling up your growing space!

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

20-30? Bwahahahahaha!

In the relatively short time you have been here, you have not exhibited much evidence of self control. Good luck keeping your collection down to 30!

whatdayamean?

[jkofferdahl]

Lots of sage advice here. To me, orchid growing has always been about finding the plants that you, individually, can grow well. That may be an entirely different set of plants than those your neighbor, sister, or good friend can grow, despite even if you all live in the same town. We talk about needs of light, temperature, humidity, fertilizer, and the like but a sort of unquantifiable element of growing orchids is the person who grows them.

Years and years ago I learned that the plants which best fit both my growing environment and personal temperment are Phals. I've always, for some reason, had to have a Rhyncholaelia digbyana hanging around somewhere simply because it is the orchid which, in about 1968, first seeped into my attention. However, I still grow mostly Phals, though I've managed to branch out into other genera which will grow under the same conditions, and especially miniatures.

Overall, then, I'm going to disagree with Optimist's statement (and with my respectful apology!), "Then match your conditions to the orchid." In theory this is a good idea. In reality, though, it's far easier to match your orchids to your conditions.

[AnonYMouse]

I didn't say you didn't have any self control, just that we have no proof.

And I've yet to meet anyone who didn't cave within one year.

[estación seca]

I only cram one into each space I can find.

[dounoharm]

i just find satisfaction in ordinary orchids, cattleyas mostly....i have a few that cost some bucks, but most are pretty cheap if you buy the young ones....and, if you are going to kill one, better to go cheap! patience is your best fertilizer with orchids....and a daily inspection! its kind of a love thing....

[estación seca]

Martin Motes begins a video talk with "Let us recite the gardener's pledge: I promise to look at each of my plants every day."

[charlesf6]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Rbarata, I agree.

You are somewhere in New York, so plants that require strong sun year-round may not be a good choice (avoid terete-leaved "Vandas" (genus Papilionanthe)).

One thing to avoid; don't get 25 plants all at once that you don't know howcto care for. Start with 5 or less, learn their requirements before you buy.

Does this mean that my Vandas are not going to do well in NY?

[Roberta]

Sue Fordyce (daughter of Catt hybridizer extraordinaire Frank Fordyce) summed up the "problem" in a poem that she graciously permitted me to use on my website... story of my life (and I think that I have lots of company...) Follow this link.
Obsession