Estimated cost of cattleya/orchid collection?

[CR7cristiano]

My impression was that he was curious of the values of each of our collections. That's my final impression.

[Ferns Daddy]

In the last 2 years I may have spent $400. on my Orchids, I do a lot of trading for them, most of them are still 2/3 years from blooming, that's OK I like to watch them grow

[MrHungx]

Originally Posted by CR7cristiano

My impression was that he was curious of the values of each of our collections. That's my final impression.

Yes, that's what I'm curious about.

[Ordphien]

I spent maybe $150 so far.
I'm cheap and would rather buy the NOID that looks like the plant I want rather than the more expensive named variety.
Plus I'm impatient and do not want to buy plants that aren't blooming size.
And I like hand picking my favorite one and inspecting the health of each plant.

As far as catts....
I really only have two standard sized.
No one kill me... but I really dislike the look of most catts.
Mini catts are another story. I don't know why but once it's smaller I adore the things.

Most of my mini catts are available locally for around $10. With tags... and blooms lol...


Of course I've never been much for online shopping. I like to see it on person first lol.

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk 2

[MrHungx]

Originally Posted by fotofashion

A "collection" is a varying entity. We don't just say "I want to collect XX number of plants and spent YY on them".
Many of us have to limit our collection due to space considerations, time restraints, and available money. Then there are those who are certified addicts and keep on collecting with absolutely no thought to the above considerations. So, how much space do you have? How much time, how much discretionary income available.
The cost of a plant can vary tremendously.
Did any of you see the auction for a Dend. anosmum hybrid from Kawamoto this last week? There was obviously a bidding war going on because the plant went for over $200. I just shook my head in amazement. I got the same plant, same size, same vendor for $70 last year.
So, your question really has no answer. Just "depends".
Beverly A.

I find Kawamoto orchids to be a bit expensive in regards to size of the plant. I can often buy a blooming size cattleya for $30 (sometimes as low as $25) from my local orchid nursery, while Kawamoto sells the same hybrid for $20 plus shipping and the plants often need a few more years in order to flower. Plus, I can choose my orchids and pick healthy ones. So I think I got a better deal in regards to buying orchids online in general.

As for joining an orchid society, it's a bit complicated since I don't think my parents will let me join one. They already think that I have too many orchids (I have 25 orchids). Maybe next year when I go off to college.

Actually, the answer to my question would not be "It just depends." Like I said, I'm only curious as to how much YOU have spent for your entire orchid collection, not how much a collection would generally cost. By collection, i mean the orchids in your immediate possession, not including orchids you want to collect. I hope I'm clear enough. At least I know that I'm not the only one who has spent $400+ on orchids.

[CR7cristiano]

Honestly..don't even bother to think about it after passing the $10k mark...maybe if I was selling my collection I'd consider it.

[MrHungx]

Here's a list of how much I've spent so far. The NOID cattleyas I received weren't very healthy, so the nursery owner had given to me for free. I'm still looking to buy a blooming size Lc. Orglade's Grand for $35. The nursery owner was kind enough to not charge me sales tax since I paid in cash.

Blc. Ju Shen "Pink Empress" - $40
Yellow NOID phalaenopsis - $25
Pot. Shinfong Beauty "Tzu Wen Rainbow" - $50
Blc. Mem. Anna Balmores - $25
Blc. Shinfong Luohyang "Golden Tree" - $15
Cattleya NOID - $20
Blc. Hwa Yuan Grace "Cat King" - $25
Lc. Purple Cascade "Fragrant Beauty" - $25
Phalaenopsis Amabilis - $10
Cattleya NOID - free
Cattleya NOID - free
Blc. Magic Meadow "Napoleon" - free
Oncidium "Sweet Sugar" - $10
Oncidium "Sweet Sugar" -$5
Oncidium NOID - free
Oncidium NOID - free
Dendrobium white - $15
Lc. Hsinying Excell "NN" - $25
Oncidium NOID - free
Dendrobium NOID - free
Blc. Pamela Finney "Bigger Ox" - $75
Phalaenopsis NOID - $5
Lc. Taida Swan "Taida" - $30
Phalaenopsis NOID - $10
------------------------------------------
$410

[CR7cristiano]

Oh you meant entire collection of all genus!?
Well then in that case I'd rather not say the value of my collection then. Its just waaay up there...and its about the love and not the long term costs.

[MrHungx]

Originally Posted by CR7cristiano

Oh you meant entire collection of all genus!?
Well then in that case I'd rather not say the value of my collection then. Its just waaay up there...and its about the love and not the long term costs.

I was looking for either the cost of your entire collection, or just cattleyas. My list happened to include orchids from a variety of genera.

[Oscarman]

I would peg the number at a very conservative $8000.00+ for 400+ plants. I have a collection ranging from seedlings to flowering size, species, hybrids and awarded clones of mostly Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and a mixed bag of other genera (Angraecum, Coelogyne, Chinese Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Oncidium Tolumnia, Vanda, Zygopetalum......).

Hope that helps answer your question MrHungx