How do you limit your collection?

[theloyalplum]

You don't.

Lots of mini's and lots of sacrifices in terms of kitchen and windowsill space. And somethings desk space.

[Orchid Whisperer]

1. I've stopped impulse buying. In fact, I haven't purchased any plants at all this year.

2. When I do buy, I stick with plants whose cultural requirements I can likely meet.

3. Sometimes I'm given plants whose requirements I can't meet; I try to give those away to friend that can meet their requirements.

4. I also give away plants that are duplicates, or that for one reason or another, I just no longer care for.

5. I don't acquire "rescue" plants, focusing instead on plants that are healthy.

6. I maintain a "wish list" of plants that I have decided that I really do want to acquire. I look for sources of these plants. Next time I do buy a plant, it will be from my list.

7. My indoor and outdoor growing areas are of limited size. I keep my plant collection at a size that will fit my growing space, rather than expanding my growing space to accommodate more plants.

[bethmarie]

I'm outing myself as, umm, very OCD when it comes to orchids. I'm moving out of the obsessive-impulsive phase, thank ya lord, but the OCD--not so fast.

I grow indoors with supplemental light in one room--- water source is in another room. Plants have to travel to the water source, and I'm the only form of transport I've come up with. It's become very labor intensive with the number of plants I have and I'm slipping. Plants are going too long without water. I'm feeling guilty.

This is how I learn, generally. The hardest way. I'm passionate about my passions and have a hard time setting limits when it comes to them. (So, so glad I'm not passionate about Jimmy Choo )

So I'm selling some plants here and there, giving some away; generally pruning the collection back to something manageable.

That's how I unlimited and then finally limited my collection. I went full tilt until I hit the wall. Now I'm putting a bag of ice on my hard head and trying to find the balance.

As a method, I don't recommend it. Go with the sane responses.

And if you lean toward obsessive or compulsive and you're not already hooked...

Flee! Run like the wind!

Collect daisies, or ground covers or something similarly non habit forming. And, ahem, pm me for my address and send me your orchids. I promise I'll water them.

[estación seca]

I'm not asking why we limit our collections. I'm asking how we limit our collections. In other words, how we decide what we are or aren't going to add, and how we keep ourselves disciplined.

[Optimist]

I have recently started to collect mini-orchids too. warm growing low light so far. I also keep my budget to a certain amount per year. I had not realized how many tiny orchids were out there, and decided that I would only collect a few more Paphs in regular size. My whole thing now will be to learn and know the plants I have already to a high degree, and get them to be cooperative with me.

[ThePinkCucumber]

I write down a wishlist, go through it several times, then I visit nurseries/shows to see what the plants look like in real life and I scratch out those I'm not blown off by. Price is of course a big factor for us, so the only time I'm allowed to go nuts is once a year when I get birthday money from in-laws!

[AnonYMouse]

I don't limit my collection, mine evolves.

[Oscarman]

The word limit would imply restriction. Was never a big fan of restriction! lol

Totally depends on:
1. Grow room space
2. Financial resources
3. Will there be an opportunity to purchase desired plant in the future

[ula]

I compliment Everyone on their willpower to show restraint and planning. My most limiting factor right now is financial, I think I would go nuts otherwise- there are SO many orchids to try!

[tropterrarium]

Oberonia.

One genus only, and difficult to find in the trade. There are 300 species, but I've only found approx. 30 in the trade over the past 5 years. Most vendors don't carry any, and new ones are very uncommon to appear. I can buy every plant I see and still hardly spend any money. Many are mini to at most modest size.