Changes in collecting habits

[Optimist]

For awhile, I have pondered how my collecting habits have changed over the years. When I started about 4 years ago, I basically grabbed any orchid that was cheap. These were mainly No-Id phals, and sick plants. Obviously, a lot of these plants died on me, as I did not have the knack yet.

I then began to be more careful, and also to experiment with various types of orchids. I worked on my first terrariums, tried to raise my first minis, and ordered my first plants on line. Also, I started to collect books on orchids, and did a lot of on-line reading.

My next stage seemed to be in building up my "special interest" orchids. Paphs, Phrags, Cattleyas, and Bulbophylums, as well as continuing to care for the orchids I had already.

I am now at a stage where quality is more important than quantity. I will be doing my first down-sizing, and also buying orchids that are nearly "specimen" size, and which cost more (often due to age/size).

I wonder if those who read this can relate their own "stages" in orchid collecting.

[jkofferdahl]

A very interesting topic!

I suspect that many, if not most, of us begin in the hobby grasping at anything that says "orchid" on the label. I know that when I started my goal was to collect and grow the pretty flowers! As with others, then, I bought what looked pretty. And had all sorts of trouble.

Eventually I realized that different orchids need different conditions. Thus, I evaluated my conditions to determine what sorts of orchids I could most successfully grow. Phalaenopsis fit into this category, and before long I became a full-fledged Phal Phreak. Almost 40 years later my passion for the genus is still strong.

Of course, I couldn't just settle on Phals. I added the occasional other genus, especially Neofinetia and Zygostates. Over the last year or so, the latter two genii have peaked my interest in various forms of tiny plants, and so I've been collecting more miniatures - which, of course, has included miniatures Phals.

[sruther4d]

I would argue that the process you describe is similar to collecting anything. I am being more picky in my collecting due to how I care for the orchids and what works best. I killed a lot of phals this winter and I have very poor luck with Neos and Miltonias. I, like you, also having less patience for the cheaper, not blooming size plants.

Going through a similar culling down period with my wrist watches. Have about 30 of them that I would like to get down to about a dozen. Most are cheaper models that I liked the face. After wearing all of them for a time, I plan on getting rid of the ones I don't wear as often and those that are not comfortable on the wrist.

[Pattywack]

Interesting indeed! I am not nearly as seasoned as most of the members here and I've appreciated all the helpful information I've received.

I began growing orchids 3 1/2 years ago with a Miltoniopsis as a gift from my husband. I took that as a challenge, I had grown many other house plants, never an orchid! I did a lot of online reading and searching for information, and was surprised at how well my orchid was doing. Sooo, I had to have more. I added an Oncidium noid as I loved the yellow dancing ladies, next I added a Phal surf song with big beautiful flowers. I also picked up a few mini Phal noids from Lowes and I believe that is when the mini orchids fascination kicked in for me.

The inter webs are amazing and I soon discovered Andy's Orchids. Holy Crap, I was in awe! Most of my collection is miniature, in terrariums and countertop greenhouses, in windowsills in our kitchen and shelving in our dining room. Always something in bloom it seems and always exciting. I discovered many other wonderful vendors and of course, Al's Orchids just a short drive away. One of my favorite things to do on a Saturday afternoon.

My latest change in collecting has been Neofinetia and I love them. I've only collected a few in the last 5 months, they are not as easily obtainable. The history behind these plants fascinates me as do the many forms and beautiful flowers. I do wish there was more information available for Neofinetia.

Maybe my Neofinetia collecting will be what slows my buying down a bit. I am anxious to watch my plants as they enter this growing season.

[Leafmite]

I have always collected plants. Most of my indoor plant collection is made up of plants that have usable leaves, flowers or produce fruit. The orchids are quite an exception to this rule (unless we consider that the guinea pigs do enjoy eating the flowers when they are just beginning to wilt).

In the case of orchids, I started by buying what suited my own tastes. After joining here and an Orchid Society, I was influenced by what others considered to be worth collecting. I soon found I did not really enjoy the orchids as much. I even thought about quitting the hobby. It took me a while to realize that my tastes in flowers do not really agree with the popular standards held by the orchid world. After much thought, I decided to collect orchids I like without care of how anyone else will regard the plants. I am not saying that I buy the orchids because the flowers are 'pretty' as that would eliminate my Lepanthes gargoyla and the Bublophyllum from the collection but I am buying the orchids because I love them, just as I do with my other plants.

I must say that, after doing this for the past year, I am really enjoying my collection much more. Sure, these orchids will produce flowers that will incur little enthusiasm by others but I certainly find myself excited about them.

[Fernando]

just four years! lol

[Dollythehun]

I started with phals maybe 10 years ago. When I tried to Branch out my choices didn't work out so well. A couple of years ago I found a denphal and then some bag babies followed me home. Success! I visited a supplier who gave me a reed stem epi and then I connected with a small local grower. I joined the OB to figure out the ID of a start I bought and now I am hooked but not as bad as could be.lol I try hard to grow what suits my conditions.

[Salixx]

I responded to this earlier and apparently just closed the tab without submitting it.

Gist was, I went crazy a year ago and bought everything that was cheap and now have a bunch of plants I don't really want but have some weird feeling of attachment too but am getting really close to giving them away or selling them.

I now hardly ever look twice at a plant that grows more than 7'' tall, and prefer Pleurothallids and Laelias. I do get the occasional 'other' so as to be a well-rounded orchid collector.

I will note that my "specialization" is not causing me to spend any less money.

[bil]

I started when an online friend explained that phals were simple, as long as you potted them in coarse bark and followed a few basic rules.
I was hooked, got into phals, and then thought I would try my luck with a couple of Cattleyas.
I immediately realised that I would need a greenhouse to get them thru the winter, so I built as large a greenhouse as I could get away with/afford.
I found that the local garden centres had a few den phals, den nobiles and two or three paphs, and since all those grew, I started stretching my wings a bit. then I discovered the joy of mounts, and picked up what dendrobiums I could and a few miniatures to boot.
The greenhouse is getting pretty full, but I have discovered 'Close Orchid Packing.'
Those who know a little of atomic structures will know all about face centred cue packing and HCP (Hexagonal Close Packing.) which allows for the greatest number of spheres in a box (think packing oranges)
The introduction of intestitial compounds allows ever denser packing, and this can be applied to orchids, where the large mounts are hung on extension hooks to cover the back wall, while smaller orchids are hung between the big mounts.

I has enabled my collection to expand.

My OH cried when she hear this. I had no idea that she would be so happy for me!

[murph7]

I am still in the buying-anything-cheap phase. Although I am slowly changing this. Becoming more interesting in miniatures and if I could in Japanese orchids.

Unfortunately here in Switzerland I need Cites for "everything" outside, so not so easy or cheap to buy from internet providers.