I just don't get it

[smweaver]

I have to admit to the guilty pleasure of spending probably too much time looking at the orchids on EBay. EBay can be a lot of fun, and sometimes it's rather fascinating too. For instance, the link below is an example of a plant currently for auction by a grower that frequently has "rare" and "select" cultivars of a variety of cattleya species. And while the bloom pictures are always attractive, the plants, by contrast, always look like they've just been rescued from the roof of a flooded farmhouse by a disaster relief helicopter--or perhaps the family dog got hold of the poor thing maybe thirty minutes before the picture was taken. What's equally astonishing is that the auction prices on these beauties often go sky high by the end of the auction. So, I'd like to ask my fellow OB members if they've ever purchased plants that appear to be in similar shape--and, assuming you've seen it beforehand, why? I'm not trying to be a complete smart ass (just a partial one), but I just don't get the appeal of orchids that look like this.

Cattleya Warscewiczii "Fabio Nahas" RARE Species Cultivar | eBay

[Subrosa]

Would you rather drive a mint condition Yugo or a dinged up Porsche? Personally I'd take the Porsche, especially if good maintenance could allow it to repair its own dings.

[Bulbofett]

I've done it when I know there is probably no other way I'll get to own one without spending hundreds and hundreds of dollars. I purchased one back in July, actually, that had no roots and one viable eye. Now THAT was a leap lol

I like Subrosa's analogy. I'd rather have a dinged up Porsche too

[Jungeoma]

I looked at those pictures very carefully, the first two are the same plant, however the next two are different plants, even from each other and not at all healthy looking. No dented Porsche there and a total waste of money.

[AnonYMouse]

To answer your question; no, I would not buy anything in that condition. I don't even consider free rescues a bargain.

Just out of curiosity, I did some pricing of others of the species. One reputable (but pricy) vendor has plants ranging from $100 to $1400. The variables are seed grown vs divisions, different cultivars and sizes. I would never expect this vendor to sell anything like the actual plant in the auction. They would be embarrassed.

Another vendor starts at $35, probably per growth.

I have purchased plants from both vendors, I would categorized them as high end but I would never have to worry about what I'm getting.

Based on what I read at one shop, the ebay plant is 1-2years from bloom size.

I could see myself paying that much for a plant but it would look a lot better.

That auction item @ $150 might be a bargain for the right person, IDK.

Of course, the seller could be hoping a couple of bidders looses their minds and start a bidding war.

[RJSquirrel]

I wouldnt buy anything that looked like that as I think most of you know how much I cant stand ugly plants in general.
now if it is RARE and a breeder would want to breed the plant, it might be worth it to them to stick in out in the greenhouse and tend to it for its progeny.
150 bucks is a lot of cash for any plant for a hobby player. You have to get more return from a 150 dollar plant IMO than just taking a bloom once or twice a year to the OS meetings and getting all the OOOooo AAAAHHs. That stuff aint worth a dime to me.


I dont get a lot of blooms but damn I got some good looking orchid plants

[Fairorchids]

Originally Posted by Jungeoma

I looked at those pictures very carefully, the first two are the same plant, however the next two are different plants, even from each other and not at all healthy looking. No dented Porsche there and a total waste of money.

First two photos show mature plant in bloom. Next two show the plant for sale, which is a backbulb plant with one smallish new growth. That is not what I would call a lead division, but it is not entirely untrue either, since the new lead has grown to a reasonable size.

Since meristems can vary from the original plant, a backbulb plant is often the economical approach to a mother (non-meristem) division. And yes, for breeders $150 is not unreasonable for a rarity.

[Leafmite]

If I was very serious about getting a certain orchid for use in breeding, I would prefer to deal with a vendor that I knew I could trust so I could depend that I was getting exactly what I wanted and that it was free of virus. The same would go if I wanted the orchid to show off at the OS meetings.
Fortunately for me, I save quite a bit of money by not being a serious orchid collector.

[smweaver]

Thanks for all of your replies. It's good to get a variety of responses and always interesting to get other growers' opinions on what they would and wouldn't purchase.

I like the Porsche analogy too. But if a car dealer had this many beat up Porsches for sale on their lot, I would be a little skeptical about buying from them. That being said, it would also be entertaining to set up a lawn chair across the street to watch the die-hard Porsche fans who might come along to browse.

[PaphMadMan]

It can be hard to tell from photos. A Cattleya division can look pretty beat up but be perfectly healthy and capable of blooming in a year or 2. Especially if someone is taking back-bulb divisions from mature plants I wouldn't expect them to look fantastic, but if that was the way I could get a special clone at an affordable price, I'd try it. The success of a first purchase from such a vendor would determine if there would ever be a second purchase.