Collection goals

[Bulbopedilum]

What are your orchid collection goals? Some people for example, want every e.g. green orchid. What are your "goals"? Mine are:
-Every distinct paphiopedilum. Distinct is the key word here. Since paph glaucophyllum and chamberlailianum look very similar, they are not "distinct by my definition. In other words, orchids that are different to the casual visitor.
-Every "ultra unique" Indonesian orchid. Ultra unique means that there is nothing like it. Phal. Amabilis is not ultra unique, but Dend. Taurinum is ultra unique.
-Every orchid with strong, PLEASANT smells.
That's it for now.

[orion141]

I haven't completely established my goals yet (other than getting plants that will consistently bloom for me). However I have become focused purely on miniature species orchids.

[murph7]

Just starting thinking about it.

Mine so far:
1- To have all the species of a particular genus. There are many monotypic genera and some with just a handful of species, so I should be able to do it in a few cases.

2- To have native species from Argentina, Greece and Japan.

That would be great.

[estación seca]

1 - Not to kill them

2 - See them flower every now and then

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by estación seca

1 - Not to kill them

2 - See them flower every now and then

Exactly.

[Bulbopedilum]

Originally Posted by estación seca

1 - Not to kill them

2 - See them flower every now and then

I forgot to add this one:
-Every warm-hot growing "tiny-flower" orchid e.g. spiranthes graminea

[jkofferdahl]

OK, I'm about to go to bed but don't want to leave this thread on a totally playful note. I think your question is a serious one. The main thrust of my collection is the genus Phalaenopsis. I love them. Over the close to 38 years in which I've been growing orchids, Phalaenopsis, and especially Phal species, have been my obsession. At this point I've grown most - gigantea and appendiculata being two polar opposites I've not grown - and am still learning every single day. (By the way, in these years I've found dead orchids to be great teachers.) For at least 25-30 of those years I've also always had at least one Zygostates (always alleniana) and one Neofinetia among my plants.

In the past few years, I've become more interested in miniature Phalaenopsis - appendiculata still being one that scares me. The miniatures are utterly spectacular in their cuteness. In with my miniature Phals I have about six Sederia; I know a lot of people group these in with Phals, but I just can't quite buy that the Sederia flower structure quite fits into the Phalaenopsis genus. My interest in these has also led me to explore other miniatures, such as another Zygostates (lunata), Aerangis, Amesiella, Haraella, and several other genii. I'm also a bit embarrassed to admit that while I've had a Neofinetia or two among my plants, I only discovered in the last year that there are Neos and then there are Neos - I had no idea that there was such a variety among these plants and so have been acquiring these. I can't quite, though, call all of this verbiage "collection goals" so much as collection trends and interests.

[Melian]

I'm glad you asked this question and I'm very interested in reading the replies. I love to read about other people's plant collections.

I'm just starting out with orchids and due to current space limitations have been buying only miniature and compact orchids. At first I thought I wanted a wide variety of these minis, but have found it a little daunting to try and learn and keep track of their different care requirements. I've decided to focus on mini phals and catts for now, at least until I gain more experience and hopefully in the near future will be moving to a place where I have more room.

[Cym Ladye]

Orchids are not plastic flowers and they all have different cultural needs. Therefore, my goal is not to amass so many of this or so many of that, but to collect only those orchids which will thrive and bloom in my environment. This approach is far better for the pocket book and my emotional well-being, and certainly better for the orchids!

[Dollythehun]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

Orchids are not plastic flowers and they all have different cultural needs. Therefore, my goal is not to amass so many of this or so many of that, but to collect only those orchids which will thrive and bloom in my environment. This approach is far better for the pocket book and my emotional well-being, and certainly better for the orchids!

I agree. I don't mind adapting my conditions somewhat but, for instance, I would never bring home a Vanda to my intermediate conditions. Even with lights, Catts are a stretch for me. Know what you can grow should be my motto.