Getting organised as a beginner

[K-Sci]

Originally Posted by camille1585

The problem with assigning each plant a number, is that you then have very clear and definite proof of how many orchids you've purchased over the years, and even worse, how many you've killed when you have gaps in your numbering!

And then multiply the largest number by the estimated average price you pay for an orchid, add in the cost of your greenhouse, supplies, and equipment...

...then, after 40 years or so, wonder why you didn't just take global orchid tours and drive new BWMs instead.

-Keith

---------- Post added at 07:06 AM ---------- Previous post was at 06:57 AM ----------

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Originally Posted by Liodoro

Hope this is ok to post.

Yes.

With 24 orchids now and more to come, I need to find a strategy for planning.

One thing to consider with any kind of collection where the numbers are limited is this. There is a natural gradual shift of collecting interests to progressively higher quality, more sophisticated, or rarer collectables. If you grow a collection (any collection) too fast, you may come to regard your earliest purchases as too mundane or less desirable than potential new ones and be faced with some hard choices.

-Keith

[Liodoro]

Thank you. There are quite a few posts since yesterday. I think in my mind's eye I want to see a five year diary style of table with coloured lines for when a plant first flowers, repeat flowers etc. and if their location affects the flowering, which of course it will do. I do have my plants listed by number but had not thought of adding that to the label, so thank you. One example is my Dendrobium Berry Oda, my first plant, which arrived in bud on 14th July, was in flower on 27th died off naturally but is now sporting seven new spikes in September. I find that sort of thing exciting (). It would be lovely to see what was the first flowering date next year, and so on.....

As usual, I am probably overthinking. Anyway, I have enough orchids now to be allowed a system (31. gulp!)

Thanks for all your advice.

Helen

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Liodoro

Thank you. There are quite a few posts since yesterday. I think in my mind's eye I want to see a five year diary style of table with coloured lines for when a plant first flowers, repeat flowers etc. and if their location affects the flowering, which of course it will do. I do have my plants listed by number but had not thought of adding that to the label, so thank you. One example is my Dendrobium Berry Oda, my first plant, which arrived in bud on 14th July, was in flower on 27th died off naturally but is now sporting seven new spikes in September. I find that sort of thing exciting (). It would be lovely to see what was the first flowering date next year, and so on.....

As usual, I am probably overthinking. Anyway, I have enough orchids now to be allowed a system (31. gulp!)

Thanks for all your advice.

Helen

I have Orchidwiz(or had, laptop it was on died a couple years ago), which has a journaling feature. It is pretty decent, but like you, I do want a calendar aspect in it to be able when a plant spikes and blooms every year, and I don't think Orchidwiz has that.

Not finding an app for this, I started tinkering around in excel, but haven't come up with something I like yet... The features you mention are exactly the sort of things I'd like to keep track of, especially since I have so many orchids!

[Shadeflower]

Taking pictures is the best record keeping.

But I do try to write down when an orchid starts to produce a spike, when it first opens and then how long the flowers last. Then I can compare it to the year before.

Once a month I go through a word file with all of my orchid varieties written down. I don't have every orchid listed, just the different varieties.

I just go through the list and make updates onc a month based on what I've observed.

[Roberta]

Orchidwiz journal does have the ability to track bloomings. The advantage of a database, over time you can track history. (When did it bloom last year, the year before, etc) . It can be done in a spreadsheet, but not as gracefully.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by K-Sci

And then multiply the largest number by the estimated average price you pay for an orchid, add in the cost of your greenhouse, supplies, and equipment...

...then, after 40 years or so, wonder why you didn't just take global orchid tours and drive new BWMs instead.

-Keith[COLOR=Silver]

You make a great case for NOT keeping track!

[Mr.Fakename]

I highly recommend https://tiddlywiki.com/

It might be a little off-putting at first, and it looks very complicated; but it's an incredibly powerful tool when used right.
There are plenty of guides and templates available, and a solid community to help.

[Liodoro]

Thank you. Tiddliwiki looks interesting, but as you say daunting. I might give it a go.

---------- Post added at 06:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:39 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Dusty Ol' Man

You make a great case for NOT keeping track!

Too much porridge spoils the cooks!

[Diane56Victor]

Quote:

Originally Posted by*Diane56Victor*

The [spreadsheet] scope is endless as to what you want record.

I currently record everything in a Word document. As I've been read this thread I've been contemplating making it an Excel project (I use it in my day job). My biggest worry is that it could easily become an almost endless project.

-Keith

I admit to altering the spreadsheet a few times. But when starting my collection I went overboard recording everything and anything so it got a bit unwieldy with long general comments making the document difficult to read.
I have trimmed it and and now make good use of comment boxes. Now I believe I have the essential information I need recorded and its easy to access.

Column 1 Blank column where I add the comment box for general comments. I can also colour this cell if I need to draw attention to this plant
Column 2 Number allocated when it arrives in my care.
Column 3 Name
Column 4 Repotting details (I only record the latest repot date, pot type and media and colour the cell red when a repot is due so I can watch for new roots or growths)
Column 5 Date roots and growths start (using comment box)
Column 6 Date spikes start and date blooms open and die (using comment box)
Column 7 Photo (using hyperlink)
Column 8 Where purchased, date and cost

All this fits across the screen I use, no sideways scrolling.

As Roberta said, its far easier to start recording when you start growing, but it can be done even with a larger collection.
Choose a particular genus, I recommend one you keep a lot of so enthusiasm is high to get this done.
It will also help you to decide what you really want to record and also means you have a lot of your collection done before the enthusiasm wanes...

---------- Post added at 04:19 AM ---------- Previous post was at 04:08 AM ----------

Originally Posted by camille1585

The problem with assigning each plant a number, is that you then have very clear and definite proof of how many orchids you've purchased over the years, and even worse, how many you've killed when you have gaps in your numbering!

Yes that can be quite galling but you can always add some blank tabs to the workbook so the 'Dearly departed' list disappears off behind the scrollbar.

[Liodoro]

Thank you Keith. This is all excellent advice. I have my first Google Sheet and have organised it thus:-
No.
Name of orchid
Flowers, buds or spikes
Supplier
Price with bargain reductions
Number of bulbs, leaves, spikes, buds and flowers
Whether Monopodial or Sympodial (not necessary!)

I will add a column for repotting. That's important. Also, site in my home with temp and RH.

I don't know if I am able to add photos to the sheet. That sounds challenging. I do have one of each when it arrives in the home plus more arty ones of the flowers.

You are totally right that I should have stuck to one genus. I started, as many of us do, with a beauty from a supermarket. Then I went on a scheme with Burnham Nurseries and have one flowering orchid delivered each month. I now have decided to concentrate on fragrant orchids and am enjoying the research into this. But, of course, I have found bargain Dendrobiums and Phaeleonopses that I couldn't resist. So apart from only Cool or Intermediate, I am rapidly extending my collection. I have vowed that the last two ordered will be my last for this year!

I am so glad I asked about everyone's ways of recording their plants. It's been a very helpful thread for me.