No limits?? - Orchid Board

boytjie · #1 09-23-2008, 11:47 AM

I've been at this "hobby" (obsession, rather) for a bit more than a year, and in that time have moved from three NOID Phals on a windowsill to a collection of over 50 plants growing under T5 lights. I confess I'm a bit mystified by how this has happened, and I was just wondering if any other folks here with similar issues of growing space have any little tricks to try and limit what they purchase. I've tried instituting the "Rule of Six": no more than six of any variety. So far it's worked. (Okay, I admit I fell off the wagon on that one with the Paphs.)

quiltingwacko · #2 09-23-2008, 12:24 PM

There is only one thing that works for me....stay away from the orchid sites (especially if they are having a sale!)

Realizing that I don't want to spend all my free time repotting etc. is another sobering thought.

Carol
Just wait until the next orchid show. I'm going to have to do something to prevent going totally nuts. I could have my hands tied behind my back and just walk thru drooling on them

, or I could bring my DH to inhibit spending.

snow · #3 09-23-2008, 12:32 PM

i,ve found that one cannot grow everything in a limited spaceas wel as conditions. ie cold intermidiate etc.so i try to stick to 3 or 4 type orchids; and try to grow them well; instead of trying to aquire everything under the sun.
i know it is often so tempting to get something you,ve seen ;but in the long run i think one tends to run into truoble with so many varieties. i,m mostly talking about growing under lights. people who grow outside on decks shadehouses or simply outside have many more options. but hten thay have to deal with a whole other set of problems. at least that,s how i think about it

camille1585 · #4 09-23-2008, 12:43 PM

That's a very good question. I went from 2 to 25 orchids in less than a year! Some of them were freebies though. I think I limit myself because I don't have a choice. I'm on a student budget, with no fixed income, and many expenses. So everytime I get money from somewhere, I put aside a very small part for my orchid fund. Then I try to stick to that, no matter what. So I only get the ones I really want!

Money aside, space is an issue for me too. So you should do like me: Buy MINIS!!! Because of their size you can fit in alot more orchids!

Royal · #5 09-23-2008, 12:57 PM

I agree with snow. Specialize. If you have "everything under the sun" than you will not be able to grow everything well. I learned a couple of years ago that I do better with warm growers. I try to stick to species (that's one limiting factor) that are native to the Americas (another limiting factor). I know that doesn't limit me very much, but hey - it's something. Also, they're my rules so I can break them if I want. Having a focus at least gives you a direction.

boytjie · #6 09-23-2008, 01:02 PM

Have to say, 50 orchids later, I'm slowly coming around to agree with the "specialization" thing. I discovered the weird and wonderful world of Bulbos a couple of months back, and am headed in that general direction, along with Paphs. I guess it's about finding what works best for your particular conditions, and so far these have given me the biggest returns/rewards. (Still, nothing will make me get rid of my mini cats, though... or the Maxillarias, Tolumnias, and Dendrochilums!)

JackiBlu · #7 09-23-2008, 01:21 PM

I'm at 48 and counting... I have to set up another little orchids house before I can get more or next summer they are gonna fry.

alaskagirl · #8 09-23-2008, 01:31 PM

I agree with everyone else. I have 2 Phal's, one which is almost dead and the other on it's way out. So, no more Phal's for me! I can grow Oncidiums like weeds, so I try to stick with those. I've gone from 3 orchids to 22 in 7 months, AND there is a show this weekend I'll be going to! Uh-oh! Luckily I live in a condo with a small patio, so space (and budget) are my limiting factors.

But one of these days when I get a house - LOOKOUT!

Roly0217 · #9 09-23-2008, 01:53 PM

In 7 months I have collected over 170 plants. However the ones that I have belong to about 5 different alliances which happen to do great in my area. Cattleyas, Vandas, Dendrobiums, Oncidiums and Phalaenopsis. These seem to be the ones that like my climate so I stick to those. Have a couple other random ones from different groups but the bulk of my collection are those previously stated. As far as limiting mysef; I've got a problem!!!!! LOL

alaskagirl · #10 09-23-2008, 02:02 PM

170 in 7 months?!?! WOW! You've got me beat

I try not to buy more than 2 orchids at a time at the shows. Plus, I only take a specific amount of cash with me. It takes me at least a couple hours to figure out which ones I want, so I end up buying only those which I cannot live without! For this next show, I'm even going with a wish list. Haha