Collecting strategies

[RandomGemini]

Mine works like this:

It's a mix of impulse buying and planning. I've read a whole bunch about different varieties of orchids and made a list of varieties to try that fit my conditions. I keep my impulse purchases to varieties I know I can grow (phals and oncidiums) and I don't allow myself to buy a plant if it doesn't make me completely happy when I look at the entire thing.

For the other varieties that I wanted to try, I chose plants with flowers that I thought were cute, that were hardy, with one exception... I'll probably kill my dendrobium cuthbertsonii at some point. I thought I had read enough about it, but I'm beginning to feel that some orchids are better left to more experienced growers. This plant is probably one of those. We'll see what it does for me.

[No-Pro-mwa]

I pretty much have to get anything other than noID phals from the internet. Yes I could get some from the greenhouse in the next town but they are very expensive and they would not be the ones I would want the most.

I do want to stay with things that are not so hard to take care of. I have enough trouble keeping up with the ones I do have and also want to make sure I keep taking better care of them. I'm hoping my Catt's will be OK with my bit colder conditions and I want to try Cym's and some Masdia's and see if I have cool enough conditions for them. But all in all I am not one to I see it and I have to have it right now. I like going slowly.

[mattryan]

I wish that I'd had a strategy when I first started buying orchids. I wouldn't have 1/2 of the phals that I currently have.

Cheryl

[kindrag23]

Originally Posted by mattryan

I wish that I'd had a strategy when I first started buying orchids. I wouldn't have 1/2 of the phals that I currently have.

Cheryl

I do have a method for the extraction of them phals...if you hate them donate them to a childrens ward @ hospitals.

[Corsetière]

Originally Posted by Optimist

I compare myself with people who buy dozen per year. Not sure where they put them all.

I have a large house and haven't run out of places to stash them yet!

I try to be pretty selective and just buy the stuff that really impresses me but then my boyfriend goes to the nursery every so often and raids the clearance rack. He did it again this week - 13 this time! So every time this happens I have a huge job of repotting and rearranging everything!

[Starfall]

My strategy for buying orchids is first.. it must be fragrant. Why have a pretty flower that doesn't smell good also? Second... it must be compact. I'm limited on space. Third.. I buy only the plants that I really really like. I don't get buyers remorse that way. And last.. I make sure my growing conditions will work for the new plant. I'm eagerly awaiting my order from Andy's. Just got off the phone with them over shipping matters, and she told me their Cyber Monday Sale was their largest sales day ever.

[My Green Pets]

Originally Posted by Corsetière

I have a large house and haven't run out of places to stash them yet!

What's your total up to at this point?

[NYCorchidman]

I'm more of a buy-buy-buy, run out of room, and deal with it-type of person. lol

I buy tons of orchids because I love having something in bloom.
So I usually buy whatever I find attractive.
If it is something really really common (like white phal and yellow dancing lady common) and cheap, which most of them are, I simply toss, give away or sell the plants once the flowers are gone.

I do have many that I keep year around.
These are something that are not so common, and (or) something that grow really well under my care.

My collection is mainly:

Paphiopedilums- because these are all precious to me, all seed grown and I am the only person with these plants in the world as paphs are not meristem propagated yet. Also, many are easy growers and bloomers with long flowering season.
Some have beautifully patterned leaves, so waiting for flowers is less painful.
Because most paph hybrids are literally crap, I buy tons and toss most of them as they come into bloom.
now I am thinking of buying flasks to spend less money on paphs, while hopefully increase my chance of getting something decent.

Dendorbium nobile hybrids, phal type&spatulata hybrids- Again, easy to grow and flower, long lasting flowers, beautiful to look at. One down side is that many are rather big, but they go up rather than spread horizontally, so doesn't take up much space, but watering is pain in the butt as I carry them one by one to the shower tub. lol worth it for me though.
Oh, and many are beautifully scented.

Cattleya hybrids- gorgeous and fragrant big flowers.
Enough said.

Oncidium hybrids- long lasting beautiful flowers, but
tend to get rid of them once I see
ugly spotty leaves creeping in. lol
Easily replaceable, but I do keep
ones with clean leaves & fragrance.

Phals- I am only keeping two or three large phals which grow and flower well for me. They take up much space with their wide leaves, and are cheap and common, so I buy them and toss mostly. I also keep a few minis that I find cute.

Then I have a whole bunch of different orchids that are not so common for fun.

[Bud]

My eyes like to covet. If I chance upon an orchid and I like what I see, I will acquire it. Then I will start my research and culture according to my environment. I live in a Manhattan apartment but I own a five feet 11 year old Vanda....I now live in a large apartment sized greenhouse. I adjust my space and living conditions according to my plants needs. That is why I live alone but not lonely.

[NYCorchidman]

sounds awesome!