How do you keep track of your orchids?

[ScottMcC]

This one especially applies to those of you with bigger collections:

What do you do to keep track of all your orchids?

I don't have that many, but I do like to stay organized, so I have a Word document where I have each plant listed along with a picture of it in bloom and various details about where/when I purchased it, what it's current status is, and any known history (repot dates, date spikes cut, etc).

[cb977]

Just last week, I went out and made a list of all the 'chids. I now have to put them into some sort of database and go through my records for the purchase dates. I'll most likely only have that info for about half of them...wishing I had done this earlier

[Oscarman]

I use excel. Simple spread sheet with columns for ID#, size, cross name, purchse date, repot date, flowering date, cost, source. It is arranged by alliance per worksheet.

Been pondering proper software, not sure what to go with though.

[justatypn]

There is a program http://www.cattleyalog.com/ that one can purchase. I used the trial log and decided for the expense it was just as easy for me to use Excel. I also have a book (log) I put together in Word. An example of what I have logged:
Genus Name:
• Identifier:
• Date :
• Purchase Date:
• Price:
• Plant Size:
• Plant Type:
• Pot Size:
• Status:
• Purchased From:
• Pot Type:
• Medium:
• Light:
• Bloom Color:
• Bloom Duration:
• Repot

[ScottMcC]

wow, I thought I had some obsessive-compulsive traits, but that cattleya-log software is ridiculous! you could spend hours overloading yourself with details on that...I hadn't even thought of tracking most of that stuff!

I guess I should add...I made a quick reference front page to my word info sheet, that has the names, colors, and current status (blooming, spike, growing).

[justatypn]

It was a pretty intense program, the categories were over-whelming. I mainly kept the ones I posted, still needs to be tweaked a bit, but for the most part it's workable. Gave me something to start with.

[Tindomul]

I have a binder with info I gather on every species of fish, amphibian, or plant that I acquire. It took a realy long time to find out the names of the house plants that I have lived with for over 20 years and never even knew the common name.

Lets just say, I need a bigger binder! Its a good thing I don't have a large collection of orchids yet!

[justatypn]

Here ya go ... 4 inch binders http://www.discountofficesupplies.com
not a bad idea at least your binders wont crash and get that blue screen.

[Oscarman]

years ago, when I was younger, foolish and apparently had more time on my hands, I created a family tree for each orchid tracing it's parentage all the way back to the species!

[Tindomul]

Thanks Cheryl! Im still to lazy to buy one though.
Dave, There was a time when I used trace it back to the Kingdom, somewhere I have a huge tree of life full of frog and salamander names, and house plants. I stopped years ago, so no orchids.