How many of you grow multiple of the same plant?

[drtd]

I only grow about a dozen actual "types" of orchids, but have multiple divisions of each. I do this to experiment with light levels in various areas of my house, mounts vs potted, hanging vs table top, etc... I also have been trying out a new mix of media on a few of my new divisions to see if I want to switch. It's always good to have an extra of something laying around in case something goes horribly wrong (for those of us with pets and young children know that this could happen at any time!) I don't have a huge growing area by any means, but I do manage to cram a lot in my E/SE living room window

[My Green Pets]

I bought my first flask in March (Cattleya rex) and now have about 20 seedlings of various sizes from 1 cm all the way up to 15 cm. I have learned so much from them and have enjoyed watching them grow, and I will be keeping ALL of them, at least until they are bloom-sized! Maybe after they flower I could let some go, but for now...they're all mine!

[LovePhals]

Originally Posted by The Mutant

I really don't like having duplicates, mostly because it just doesn't appeal to me having two too similar plants.

I can see and appreciate the logic behind having backups of your favourite clones/species, it's just not for me.


BUT (there's always a but), of course I have exceptions:

5 Phalaenopsis equestris (2 'blue lip', 'apari', 'apari pink', and aurea).

4 Paphiopedilum appletonianum (appletonianum, cerveranum, "robinsonii", and hainanense. These all have rahter different foliage, although their flowers are very similar).

4 Paphiopedilum rothschildianum (all four from different vendors, and none blooming size. The funny part; I don't even know if I can flower them!).

Then I have some unplanned doublets, where I bought one, and then later on, received the same species as a freebie. In one case, Paph schoseri, that's great since I've almost killed the one I bought originally. The other case, Paph venustum var. alba, is also okay, since I love venustum.

LOL. Never, oh unless it's my favorites

---------- Post added at 10:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:12 PM ----------

Originally Posted by drtd

I only grow about a dozen actual "types" of orchids, but have multiple divisions of each. I do this to experiment with light levels in various areas of my house, mounts vs potted, hanging vs table top, etc... I also have been trying out a new mix of media on a few of my new divisions to see if I want to switch. It's always good to have an extra of something laying around in case something goes horribly wrong (for those of us with pets and young children know that this could happen at any time!) I don't have a huge growing area by any means, but I do manage to cram a lot in my E/SE living room window

I do a lot of craming too : )

[Skycat]

I have two Dendrobium nobile keikis, but the cane they were growing on died, so I don't know how long I can keep them going.

Also, since most of my Phals came to me already out of bloom, some of them may or may not be duplicates.

[Paphluvr]

Originally Posted by LovePhals

I was just wondering, b/c I was considering of getting another Vanda Coerulea from a different vendor. I wonder how many of you on this forum grow the same plant but with more than 1 b/c the color, form, growing style ect. was different. Why do you chose to get more than one of the same plant. Does anyone with not a lot of growing space do this?

Certainly, especially in the case of favorite plants. I'm always looking for one with better size, form, color or whatever, so having more than one is necessary. I'm a windowsill grower (slight misnomer since the plants are on bakers racks near the windows) so space is a consideration. Picking and choosing carefully is a necessity.

[Fairorchids]

I have multiples of many orchids, but for different reasons.

Half my collection is Paphs. They are not being meristem propagated, since results are not reliable. Thus, to get good plants, you either have to pay 4 digits for divisions, or buy multiple plants/compots/flasks, and select as they bloom.

I do some breeding (Paphs & Vandaceous). To have enough parent plants to work with, I often buy 2-3 plants of the same clone, and frequentle multiple clones. For example, I have two Neostylis Pinky 'Starry Night', as well as one solid red and one with cream/yellow flowers with light stippling.

[tropterrarium]

I do much experimental growing of little-known orchids, so I generally start with 5 plants (if I can get them). I also get plants with that allegedly are the same species, but because mis-identification is rampant (90% mis- or no-ID) I get all sorts of surprises. Then I also like to look at variability of a given species, so try to get the same species from different vendors, so likely from different strains. Also sometimes, the plant from one batch performs well, from another not so much. No idea why. Take Oberonia disticha I got in May, survives, but does not do much else. Same species (only one occurring in that region: Madagascar), same vendor, order from October, and I have several spikes and new growths. The May and October plants literally sit next to one another.
I think the max I have of one species are about 25 plants.

[Corsetière]

I have 3 Monn. Millenium Magic 'Witchcraft'. I bought the second one when I mistakenly thought the first one was dying (it was just stressed from travel). But I ended up liking it so much that I bought a third one just because they are so fabulous and I wanted to make sure I would always have one in my collection.

Orchids trigger my hoarding tendencies because sometimes certain plants just become unavailable. And it would be super frustrating if your favorite orchid died and you could not replace it!

[judith_arquette]

I have 4 Sharry Babies. 2 'Red Fantasy', a 'Sweet Fragrance ', and a 'Velvet Maroon'. They pretty much all have very similar blooms. Even though I don't think they smell particularly "chocolaty" I do find it very pleasant and love how their fragrance just fills a room.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

I do occasionally to try plants in different locations. I have a thread somewhere around here on some Leptotes bicolor I did it with. I'll dig it up later.

Here it is:Leptotes bicolor Experiment