Deciding what to get rid of... - Orchid Board

RandomGemini · #1 01-29-2015, 07:42 PM

Oh no... I've gone and done it. I knew I would. I believe I have run out of space.

I have to get a new drip tray for the lower shelf on my rack and that may make some more room for me, but I only had to move two plants out of quarantine today. I still have three others that aren't quite out of quarantine yet and one that I brought downstairs, because it was in bloom that is in a 7" pot. I have some plants that I am not 100% in love with. Some that have not rebloomed for me yet, but I was going to give them a few more months before giving up on them. I think once I get through that process, I will have only plants I like and space enough for all of them, but wow... what a mess.

Ooops!

How do you decide what to get rid of when your collection exceeds the limits of your space?

astrid · #2 01-29-2015, 08:29 PM

Lol my phals would be the first things to go. That, and anything that wasn't thriving and blooming regularly. I'd rather have plants that are doing well and not depressing me.

That said, I have not yet reached critical orchid mass, but I did get 4 new ones this month to make my collection a whopping 14 plants strong!!

Haha but really though some of you people have 300 and I don't even understand.

Maybe once I've graduated and have big people money, I, too, will get too many orchids.

Leafmite · #3 01-29-2015, 08:46 PM

I know exactly how this goes. I have had to do the same over the past years. First it was the NoID Phals and Cattleyas. Then it was the large Oncidiums. Lately, it has been the large, bloom-once-a-year Cattleya hybrids.
Now, however, it begins to get much more difficult.
Most of my orchids are mini or small orchids, most are either primary hybrids or species and most are ones I really like. I am guessing that I won't be buying too many more orchids. :|

---------- Post added at 07:46 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:39 PM ----------

See? You already have fourteen. It creeps up on you. Give it a few more years and a house and see what happens.

kindrag23 · #4 01-29-2015, 08:57 PM

Well before I lost all but 2 of mine (I had a Black Pearl CTSM. That had something wrong with it and even quarantined somehow it spread and I lost most of my plants with it) and I was at close to 50 plants...so before then it would most likely have been my den. Nobile type that was giving me fits. My gramms as I could not keep them warm enough during the winter (and I tried), plus they get huge! My oncidiums I could not find the exact spot that they were happiest. That's about it. Now I only shop for ones I REALLY want not only to save space but Also my patience. :-) but my list is growing rather quickly again so it won't take long and I will having the same issues....

lotis146 · #5 01-30-2015, 12:56 AM

This is a great question I've wondered myself. I feel bad at the thought of giving up on some of them! Lol.

However I have several Paphs I got in bud on a whim, all vinis, all different to some degree but compared with the thousands that exist they look a lot alike. So I would probably have to get rid of a couple of them to make room for more variety. Then I'd have to agree with some of the others and get rid of some NoID Phals. I've got some mini Catts I've yet to see bloom and once I do I'd get rid of the ones I don't think are awesome.

Not that I'm not grateful for all of my Orchids but I quickly learned what it means to feel "so-so" about some of them. By this I mean - for myself at least - plants I've seen bloom and feel like "eh, okay, what's next?" Honestly I have other Paphs I feel this way about even when I thought Paphs would be the best because their leaves are beautiful.

But RandomGemini, if you're like me, even these points of "uninterest" stop when I say, "But what if I can grow this so well that I get many spikes at once!!" Doh! I hope you'll keep us posted on how you get this figured out, no doubt you must because their are so many to be enjoyed! (I bet it'd be even better if you find someone else who'd really love to have a plant you feel luke warm about!

)

RandomGemini · #6 01-30-2015, 01:58 AM

I have uh... I lost count when I hit 50 plants. Probably close to 70. Where I have gotten in trouble are the big Oncidium hybrids. I have a whole shelf for them and I bought some that I am not in love with on impulse. I love the fragrant ones. I love bold color. I have several of these sitting in quarantine. I was going to stick to twinkles, but I cannot seem to pass up them up when I see them. It's like an addiction!!

Subrosa · #7 01-30-2015, 07:44 AM

Any children in the house you can rehome to free up some space?

Atzau · #8 01-30-2015, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Any children in the house you can rehome to free up some space?

Lol!

ula · #9 01-30-2015, 09:25 AM

I bet it's very hard to part with any specimen of the collection.
I hope I never get to that point (though I know I will)...then I remind myself that collecting gone wild is also called hoarding

. I know it might be a bit cruel to say this, but when the time comes for me, I'd get rid of my ICU orchids first...followed by everything that has never bloomed.

plantbuddy · #10 01-30-2015, 10:48 AM

Just like buying orchids, disposing of them is a very personal decision. But, unlike pets, the plants don't care, so don't feel bad about it.

With a self-imposed maximum of 30 plants, if I want to buy more, and who doesn't, some have to go. Sad, but true.

Sick ones get hucked out. Good ones go to the orchid club sales table.

Spring is coming and orchids will need to be bought. Get ready.