How do you limit your collection?

[ccrow]

Limit? That's crazy talk...

Money, space(including light as I'm a windowsill grower), cultivation requirements

[Leafmite]

I now buy small or mini orchids that are either fragrant or bloom multiple times a year. The only orchids I have bought recently that will grow larger were the two Angraecums (sesquipedale and magdalenae) and a Dendrobium hybrid.

In the past, the orchids all had to be fragrant and I had quite a few large, once-a-year-blooming Cattleyas. The only one I now have is the C. mossiae.

[lotis146]

If I'm going to be honest then I'll admit I'm with Beth as I have been rather impulsive for some time now. While I have many nice orchids I don't recommend this either.

My most limiting factor right now is tied between INDOOR space & finances, time spent caring for orchids is a very close second. Don't get me wrong I do love my orchid time but until it starts making me money I do have to pull myself away before the end of the day.

Finally I'm "trying" to limit my collection period until I've learned what I have better, but that's a hard thing to do. But I also join the ranks of people who tend to avoid NoIDs, I'm just a nerd like that, I really like to know their names which means I can research them...when I get some time outside of watering!

I too applaud all of you with discipline. Great question!

[Leafmite]

There is nothing wrong with impulse buying until you discover what works for you and what your tastes are. I still love and treasure some of those impulse buys and they certainly taught me what I could grow and what I really do like.

As for NoID orchids, what I do not like about them is that if you lose one (say, by your kids knocking them over so many times they just cannot recover), you may never be able to replace it. A named orchid, if rare, might be challenging to replace but, at least, you have a name to help.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

There is nothing wrong with impulse buying until you discover what works for you and what your tastes are. I still love and treasure some of those impulse buys and they certainly taught me what I could grow and what I really do like.

As for NoID orchids, what I do not like about them is that if you lose them (say, by your kids knocking them over so many times they just cannot recover), you may never be able to replace it. A named orchid, if rare, might be challenging to replace but, at least, you have a name to help.

I totally agree, my first several purchases were all completely on impulse. Some worked out, some didn't. However I'm not insane by the classic definition of performing the same act over and over and expecting a different outcome! Use the experience you gain to control your impulses!

[Leafmite]

I think I have finally gotten over the insane impulse buying. I was buying far too many orchids that failed to keep my interest. Now, I have given some thought to what I like and am selecting stuff that actually fits what I really want to collect. I really love the smaller orchids that bloom most of the year and I prefer them to be fragrant but, if they are almost always in bloom, that works, too. So now, if I 'impulse buy' it is usually because the orchid already meets my criteria.

[wintergirl]

My space is limited so first is size. If they are too big or have really crazy long spikes they are not for me.

Then I have to really like the orchid. It has to appeal to me personally and the culture has to be achievable in my home.

Extra preferences: fragrance, species, and something too beautiful to resist. Then if the price is right, it's mine

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by tropterrarium

Oberonia.

My house is situated and built so almost none of the windows gets direct sun for very long. There are so many places I could put a terrarium. You and TommyMiami are making me start to sweat... and twitch....

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by estación seca

My house is situated and built so almost none of the windows gets direct sun for very long. There are so many places I could put a terrarium. You and TommyMiami are making me start to sweat... and twitch....

Oh just add some lights to your racks like I did.

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

Oh just add some lights to your racks like I did.

I wouldn't need the lights! I get bright indirect light through most of my windows! A few get direct sun in the morning and later afternoon. That's where I put my Vanda seedlings.