how about a 4000 dollar orchid? - Orchid Board

RJSquirrel · #1 08-23-2010, 06:40 AM

whats the most you ever paid for a plant? 50 bucks is about my limit for a special plant right now until I get better at this stuff and figure out what Im doing.
I was looking at the high dollar orchids really wanting one and found more expensive orchids at Zephyrus Orchids Inc

...I feel bad killing a 15 dollar plant..can you get insurance on plants like a $4000 orchids?.
They use these for stud plants I'm sure like a high dollar bull. You just cant buy one to put in the window..I guess you can if you got the money. The 4000 dollar ONE is sold and was a division of their Guinness world record sanderium with 5 flowers and 29 total feet of bloom

..I didnt' know orchids held world records.

Kills me to look at all these wonderful plants and then go home to my Area 51

Andrew · #2 08-23-2010, 07:53 AM

They were trying to sell Paph sanderianum 'Rapunzel' for $20,000 a few years ago. They must have been short on customers to drop the price so much.

Rosiefuture · #3 08-23-2010, 07:56 AM

The most I've paid is AU$50. It was for a noid Phal, but it's gorgeous. It's a big plant and it had one spike. Since buying it in Feb that same spike has been blooming, not one single bloom has died. It's just amazing that these blooms can last 6 months! It now has 2 more spikes growing and heaps of big fat roots! A very well spent 50 bucks!

$4000?? Nah.......it probably has root rot!

Marion

peeweelovesbooks · #4 08-23-2010, 09:11 AM

I went to their website and their prices aren't offensive. They sell rare-ish species, so I'm sure that's part of the price.

I could see myself paying 4k for a Laelia or Cattleya division. If it was rare enough and I wanted it enough, I'd pay that.

Quote:

You just cant buy one to put in the window

Of course you can. I don't think expensive orchids are or should be reserved for breeders. Some things are so gorgeous that you just want a piece for yourself--regardless of whether it's going to be sitting on a windowsill somewhere.

CTB · #5 08-23-2010, 09:18 AM

maybe sort of like a painting hanging on a wall

Eyebabe · #6 08-23-2010, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

I went to their website and their prices aren't offensive. They sell rare-ish species, so I'm sure that's part of the price.

I could see myself paying 4k for a Laelia or Cattleya division. If it was rare enough and I wanted it enough, I'd pay that.

Of course you can. I don't think expensive orchids are or should be reserved for breeders. Some things are so gorgeous that you just want a piece for yourself--regardless of whether it's going to be sitting on a windowsill somewhere.

I concur

marydaniellesantos · #7 08-23-2010, 10:04 AM

Although I love love love orchids, I can't see myself spending 4 grand on one particular one. I know there are some that would be nice, but I would rather spend the 4 grand on a hundred.

I was browsing a vendor, and their prices were very reasonable. And as I scrolled down, BAM a 1000 dollar Phal! hahaha! I don't even remember what it was, I was too focused on the price. LOL!

But maybe later on in life... Money doesn't come easily being married to an Army man. Well, it's more like he would NEVER let me spend that much on an orchid. hehehe...

kavanaru · #8 08-23-2010, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

They were trying to sell Paph sanderianum 'Rapunzel' for $20,000 a few years ago. They must have been short on customers to drop the price so much.

LOL that's exactly what I was thinking...

By the way, they also used to have a Pah. micranthum album, for I think $ 5 or 6,000... not sure whether they still have it...

now, as for high prices, these are plants which are mainly aimed for breeding... they are for one or other reason very special and desirable (could be the longest petals, as in the Paph sanderianum mentioned above, or a special color, or rsistance to illness or or or...). If I recall it correctly, Orchids Limited was a division of their best Phrag. Jason Fischer for several thousands too...

and... if you check the japanese market, you will find plants which are even more expensive... in Japan tehy also have a "status" context... I once saw a picture of a very rare Neofinetia falcata (the whole plant not larger thatn a quarter!) which was supposed to be valued over $10,000

it's just a matter of offer and demand... you put the price, and as long as you have someone paying for it, you are done!

jenmonkey · #9 08-23-2010, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marydaniellesantos

But maybe later on in life... Money doesn't come easily being married to an Army man. Well, it's more like he would NEVER let me spend that much on an orchid. hehehe...

Hey, I'm married to an Army man too, and he hates it when I come home with new orchids too! Must be all that testosterone.

It's my job that pays for the orchids though, so don't know what the big deal is... That being said, I can't see myself spending over a grand on an orchid ever. My theory is, if I can get a motorcycle, or a plant, I'm going with the bike.

Anisa · #10 08-23-2010, 12:32 PM

I can see buying one for 1k and up if I use it for cross and earn money of it. At this point it is still hit and miss with me and orchids and I havent killed enough orchids to call myself an experienced grower.

So breading and crossing are in very distant future, if ever.
Other than that i will have to enjoy their pricey beauty in pictures.