How many orchids is too many? If there is such a thing....

[Nlamr]

Is there really such a thing as having too many orchids? Hehe..... Just curious how many plants people have in their private collections? I have between 60 and 70, but many of them are clearance phals that I knew were destined for the dumpster....

[mere_dog]

My spreadsheet says 170. Not bad, considering at one point my 1st collection had over 200. A few a dupes, but because they are from different sources, they each get their own line. And then there are some dupes from the same source, so they don't get their own line.

I wish I could remember that I already have 'that' orchid, I'd have fewer dupes, and then I'd have more room for ones I don't have!

I don't max out by number, I'm running out of room. So now I buy mini's for my terrarium ;-)

[Roberta]

It started with one... about 25 years later, right around 1700, give or take a few. There is always room for one more. (Fortunately, I live in an area where I can grow a big variety of orchids outdoors...now more and more into species) Small greenhouse that's crammed. I don't get warm-growers unless they are minis.

[Ray]

At my peak, about 1000. After downsizing and relocating, now about two dozen, but creeping upward.

Lord help me when I have to bring 'em in off the deck.

[rbarata]

Not too many, around 25, one of each genus.

[WaterWitchin]

Somewhere between 100-125. No duplicates. Always try to keep total under 75. How am I doing at that?

The phals don't count. I bring them back to health and give them away. The tolumnia don't count because they're so small. Ones that aren't old enough to bloom don't count. Anything that isn't doing well in my care doesn't count... never sure whether they'll stick around or not.

So around 125 that count. My husband will have a different opinion when they have to come back inside for the winter. I'm with Ray on that one... I think they multiply by themselves when they're outside for the summer.

[Nlamr]

Hahaha! That is absolutely hilarious!!

[Bulbopedilum]

You people have so many orchids!!
I currently have 26 different species of orchids, but more individuals.

I also have 3 "special aroids", but those aren't orchids.

[PaphMadMan]

I had about 250 pots or mounts at one time, but quite a few were multi-plant compots. I think "too many" means you reached a point where you can't care for them on an ongoing basis, or it actually decreases your enjoyment to have to do so. I know I reached that point several times, when I could manage routine care but when a pest or disease problem emerged it was more than I could handle.

[Mountaineer370]

I have 16 right now, and due to severe space limitations, I could probably max out at no more than about 20. I'm just flabbergasted to hear some of you have collections numbering in the hundreds or even over a thousand! Of course, I can see how that's possible with a large greenhouse, but it still sounds like a full-time job.

Simply put, I think it's too many when you are unable to properly care for all of them and/or when you no longer get any enjoyment out of caring for them. That number will differ drastically among all of us.