Large Collection for sale

[GluttonousSolarWrasse]

Hi All,

First off I did not know where exactly to put this as it is a mix of I.D., Sale and General interest questions, but I feel that the beginners forum get a lot of traffic.

So this is rather a cool opportunity for a lot of us here. A friend happened in to a large collection of orchids of various genera/genera crosses/etc. Apparently an avid hobbyist from his home town in SOUTH JERSEY died rather suddenly and these plants were suddenly without a care taker.

The now deceased's neighbors, upon hearing the word "orchid" wanted nothing to do with taking care of the plants in their greenhouse, even temporarily. My friend got Stockton College interested in the collection. Stockton was supposed to check out the collection at a certain date, but completely dropped the ball for at least a week. As a result many plants died , many look fairly rough, however very MANY survived and will be quite fine, still a few even look better for the wear of a little neglect.

My friend, knowing that these plants would be toast without intervention-did exactly what I would have-packed them up and moved them someplace he could care for them, rather then have them die wastefully. He essential saved them.

My friend is not incredibly knowledgeable about orchids, so he called me in to get some I.D.'s and some care advice. The problem is that I am ok/pretty good (at best) at discerning genera or possible crosses, but CERTAINLY not good enough to discern variety/ grex/whatever. My various books would help, but these are not flowering as of yet.

Fortunately, I am very good with general orchid care, and even rehabbing dying plants, as lord know's I've had tons of practice. You see, I've almost killed...then resurrected my fair share of orchids. a conservative estimate would put the number of plants that have one time suffered in my care somewhere in the billions; making me the plant version of a genocidal maniac like Stalin, except with benevolent intentions and love for my victims.

This has made me very good at caring for them over the years. Even if I have no idea what the orchid is even genera wise, I can just know what it needs to do better, at this point.

SO I gave my friend some advice, and left it at that, also letting him know that I would post here to find sellers, I.D. help, etc.

I want to buy the whole collection for myself and another friend (who is a member here), however that might not be in the cards immediately at this moment for both money and greenhouse space reasons. However I am expanding my greenhouse at my current residence, and will be possibly be installing another hobby greenhouse at another house. Suffice to say I WILL be buying a bunch of these, and have spoken for a few already.

Where you come in:

My friend Mark could use all the I.D. help, and buyers you guys can give. There are a lot of plants here (probably near 200 total), in various state of health. they are mostly cattleya/laelea types, with some dendrobiums, bealara/oncidiums thrown in, lots of good stuff. There is something vandeaceous there too that I want, and a couple of other off color stuff like a possible stanhopea, etc. The lion's share is really catts, laelea. bealara, oncidiums though.

Much of this is unlabeled too

I will include Mark's email on this post, so you may contact him and I will forward him a link to this board, and this post.

Mark's email: notechy@gmail.com (Mark Breen-Klein)

SOme photos of the plants:




-CJ

[Fairorchids]

This is not an uncommon situation. A couple of general comments:

1. A NOID is, and forever will remain, a NOID.
Very few orchids are so distinctive, that they can be identified with any certainty. Since the flower quality can fluctuate with the plants general condition, as well as variations in light & temperature, this adds to the ID uncertainty. With species there is some hope, with hybrids it is virtually impossible.

In general, no matter how good the flower quality, or the size of the plant, a NOID has virtually no commercial value.

I know a few people who can ID some orchids, but each has 1 or 2 genera of special interest. Thus, you would have to bring in many different specialists to deal with a large collection.

2. This case illustrates the value of joining an orchid society!
First, you get to know other growers in the area. This gives you people to call on, when a collection owner is incapacitated, or suddenly passes away.

As orchid growers, we can all imagine the $ that went into building a 200+ plant collection. The condition of these plants can be reduced 50-98% in one day, if proper ventilation is not provided.

Secondly, you will encounter some of the people, who might help you recover names of a few of your NOIDs.

* * *

I am in NJ. My primary specialty is Paphiopedilum, though I do have some experince with Vandaceous and also some Dendrobiums. However, any ID will require that the plant is in bloom.

Who owns the collection now? What do they want done?

If they want to rent greenhouse space, I can help with that - at least through September, and possibly longer. Location would be at Tewkesbury Orchids (take 78 to X 24, abt 6 miles north on 517) I will be there today from 10-4 if you want to come and talk about it.

[james mickelso]

For what it's worth, I would contact the several orchid clubs around NJ and NY. Tell them there are orchids for sale and ask for their help. Most if not all the orchids would be snatched up quickly. Remember that $ should not be the object. Good care of the orchids is. I'm sure the former owner would rather they be cared for than what $ they would bring. Sorry your friend left so soon.

[Corsetière]

Wow, looks like a great collection! I would think a post in craigslist and an email to the local orchid society should safely home all those orchids in one afternoon.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Contacting a local orchid society is the best bet to get these orchids new homes asap. Like it was mentioned, it is also the fastest way to find out who's into what.

For example, I don't generally go for hybrids. I'm just not as passionate about them as I am about species orchids. It doesn't mean I don't have hybrids in my collection. I just don't go all out of my way to get them because they can be produced or reproduced at any given time if the resources are available.

[GluttonousSolarWrasse]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I have not been able to check this thread until now due to a work training I've had to attend. I guess that being that I.D. may prove to be more difficult than previously anticipated, this may be more of a sale thread or a get in contact with my friend thread, if you might be interested in some plants.

Fairorchids, I can see if he would be interested in renting GH space, but I think he was more interested in re-homing these quickly and permanently. This really should be more up my alley, as these are mostly the genera and crosses I am most interested in (oncidiums, cattleya, bealara)

On a related note-is tewksbury orchids open to the public? I LOVE to see the place at some point. I have bought from there in the past. Also, I am only 30 minutes away.

DO you have any advice for orchid societies to join in and around the hillsborough/Bridgewater area? I'd also like to do that as well.

James-He is not really looking to make top dollar with these plants, he was seemingly more interested in their well being. He did the right thing, IMHO by retrieving them from certain destruction.

Corsetière-that is exactly what he is hoping to do. there is a chance that I might buy the whole collection as well, or at least a very sizable portion of it.

King-I can see your point of view, and to each his own. I love species and I love hybrids. my dream was to one day be a plant breeder, that is what I am about to finish my degree in. perhaps this is why I like pedigreed plants, and am not just focused on species.

I sent my friend a link to this thread. It is my hope that he eventually joins this discussion here.

[Fairorchids]

Both North Jersey (June 12, East Hanover) and Deep Cut (June 10, Tinton Falls) Orchid Societies have meetings coming up. NJOS allows selling by appointment, but I believe that they are fully booked for this meeting. DCOS allows selling by members; you need to check with Larry.

Tewkesbury is open, normally Wed thru Sun, 10-4. I am there most Saturdays, and sometimes Wednesday. Over the summer, openings on Sunday might be curtailed while Hildegard recovers from surgery.

If you/your friend want a central place for people to go to buy these plants, you could bring them to Tewkesbury. We would take care of them and sell on your behalf; we would charge 1/3 on the sale amount, but no rent otherwise for 90-120 days.

[Fairorchids]

Both North Jersey (June 12, East Hanover) and Deep Cut (June 10, Tinton Falls) Orchid Societies have meetings coming up. NJOS allows selling by appointment, but I believe that they are fully booked for this meeting. DCOS allows selling by members; you need to check with Larry.

Tewkesbury is open, normally Wed thru Sun, 10-4. I am there most Saturdays, and sometimes Wednesday. Over the summer, openings on Sunday might be curtailed while Hildegard recovers from surgery.

If you/your friend want a central place for people to go to buy these plants, you could bring them to Tewkesbury. We would take care of them and sell on your behalf; we would charge 1/3 on the sale amount, but no rent otherwise for 90-120 days.

[GluttonousSolarWrasse]

I know Deep cut. I go to their show every year. I never miss it. I did not know about north Jersey. Both of those locations (Tinton falls and East hanover are not so far from me). I have been meaning to join an orchid society for some time now, and maybe it is past due.

I am going to make it a point to visit Tewksbury orchids sometime in the next month. (just not right now as I am busier than a one-legged man in an ass kicking contest. I am still awaiting ans answer from Mark on many things, and awaiting his arrival in this thread.

Thank you Fairorchids.

[howze01]

Originally Posted by GluttonousSolarWrasse

I want to buy the whole collection for myself and another friend (who is a member here)

Soooo when are we getting my little greenhouse up?? A lot of stuff there. Just itching to go root through it!