Collecting strategies

[Optimist]

What is your collecting strategy? Do you collect randomly, stick with specific types, buy-buy- buy and run out of room them sell the overload?

I think it would be neat to hear different pros/cons and opinions on this subject.

I will probably always be a "casual" type orchid owner. I want easy to care for orchids, and I do not have a ton of room, or a green house, so I am not too interested in "special care" type orchids. I'd like to be able to take off for a few weeks and not be worried about my orchids dying, or have to get a "plant sitter."

I thought about what I would get next year, and only feel the pressing need for 2 orchids, a Sharry Baby and a Cockleshell. At some point I would like to get an ondontobrassia Kevin Bivens, but it does not have to be soon. So, I told myself to get these two, and maybe one "impulse" purchase, like a real 'dancing lady' type. That would give me 3 more orchids, and a total of 19 orchids over 2 years. I still think that is a little steep, but I compare myself with people who buy dozen per year. Not sure where they put them all.

[Dendy83]

I'm a lot like you, I don't have a lot of room and I still consider myself a beginner so I don't want any higher maintenance orchids.

I think for me I'm finding that I prefer the "treasure hunt." Going to orchid shows, going to stores/nurseries, things like that for collecting rather than shopping online. I have seen some amazing orchids on ebay and online shops, but then seeing them in person amidst the "usual" orchids is just a great feeling. But then that way I collect slower and it allows friends/family to buy me an orchid for birthday/Christmas without them thinking I already have it all.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

It is easy with me - once I see, read or hear about something I like, I just get it! It's not great strategy, I just can't help it. However, I do research every single time prior to my purchase care info, growing conditions, write it all down, and if the plant would not do good in my zone, I do not buy it, that is the only restriction for me regarding the purchase:-)

[Alsani]

Since letting others know I became interested in orchids, deciding to take care of our numerous backyard orchids that were/are dying, I have been the recipient of many "gifts" and orchids that others believe "I would like". I guess that is a good thing, except I have no room or time to find the orchids I like.
My wife and I have bought several orchids at recent shows, spur of the moment, and have a couple of more shows to go to early next year. So I will likely window shop and buy what strikes our fancy.

I have not spent enough time around orchids to develop a list of must have plants, although I am intrigued with the "debate" regarding hybrids vs specie, as I have only hybrid plants that I am aware of.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I try to consider the space I have and the growing conditions I can provide before buying. I have been given some plants that are outside my cultural limits and do my best with those, but I don't seek out plants that won't do well in my conditions. I am definitely not a 'shop 'til you drop' collector.

[Cym Ladye]

To save yourself a lot of money and grief down the road from dead and dying orchids, first determine what growing conditions you have and then research which orchids will do well in that environment with a minimum of adjustment. Way too many novice growers are convinced they can fit a "square peg into a round hole" and with orchids, it just does not work!

Cym Ladye

[Tabbyblack13]

I'm a bit of a deal hunter. I have joined mailing lists to get plants on sale. I also hunt around on Lowe's discout cart for interesting orchids.

I like to buy spur of the moment if I have extra cash left over from my paycheck.

[My Green Pets]

I like this post! Strategy, yes!

My current situation limits me quite a bit, which forces me to think carefully about any orchid I want to get.

The worst thing for me is for a plant to die because of improper care or bad conditions; this fear alone prevents impromptu shopping sprees.

I have a wish list written down (here if you're interested in seeing it) which is made up of plants I've seen online that really got my attention. It gets edited here and there, but some items have stayed on the list for awhile, and that means that they are real candidates for being bought at some point.

I honestly try to stay away from places where I can purchase plants in person unless I am ready to make a commitment. As my confidence in my cultivating abilities grows, my ability to resist a beautiful orchid diminishes, as I recently demonstrated

The more orchids I see, the more attracted I am to the Cypripedium alliance. They are starting to truly enthrall me and when I saw some at my local garden center for the first time a few weeks ago, something inside me snapped...and a few days later one was sitting in my windowsill

[SlipperGirl]

I see it, I want it, I get it or it goes onto my wish list

[Optimist]

I totally agree that you should know your conditions before getting orchids. I am thinking that I may move in a few years, and the place that I am moving to is very different (I have lived there before) so I want plants that will do well in both places. Quite a fun problem!