Would you keep a non-performer?

[karren]

I'm pretty persistant but I just can't get the right conditions for all different kinds orchids. Some kinds do really well under by conditions, La Tour Dendrobiums for example. After 3-4 years and no new ideas maybe the plant deserves someone else's conditions. I just put a someof my non-preformers in the local society auction and came home with others non-performers or kiekis or divisions. Even came home with a vanilla orchid vine, the ex-owner said he was out of room.

[susiep]

I could never dump any of my babies! I will be stuck with them forever. Eventually they either thrive and bloom or waste away and die. I am the person that other people dump their "non-performer" plants on and I love it! I get the biggest kick out of these plants when they bloom! It is easy to grow a greenhouse raised orchid, at least for a while. Most will live for a year or two with even mediocre care. The challenge is bringing them back from the (almost) dead! They are my Frankenstein monster orchids! Frankenorchids!

[Dorothy]

or Orchidsteins ...

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by addictedcountryman

I would probably give them away in hopes someone would have better luck than i do.

I find giving such orchids to newer growers almost guarantees the plant will start to grow well and flower profusely.

[addictedcountryman]

I also said what i said because i was lucky enough that several people have/had been very generous to me when i first started out with orchids and I want to be able to do that some day. Granted they were beginner orchids or orchids that they no longer found challenging, I was able to save money and make new friends. I think I am also too stubborn and a pack rat, so it would be very difficult for me to give an orchid up. But if I could make some novice as happy as I am with my freebies, I would do it in a heartbeat.

[GreggC]

Can they sing and dance? LOL!! Just kidding. Usually, if I am having problems getting them to perform, we have a 'shoehorn sale' at our orchid society every November. People are allowed to buy any plant, but if that does not work, we just sell them outright to the highest bidder. I usually donate my money to the society.

[cb977]

I voted for dumping a non-performer because with so many plants to care for, I don't have the time or energy it takes to continue caring for a plant that is not happy. I don't dump them right away...only after all options have been exhausted. I only share healthy plants with my friends (or try to anyway) so if I don't get them to grow and they continue in their march towards death, I just put them out of their misery.

A few of the replies here mentioned not being able to get a plant to grow in their conditions...which is why I say once again...don't buy a plant that is not suited to your environment. I learned that lesson after trying to force a few chids to adapt and it not working Now, I put a bit more thought into what I should or shouldn't add to the collection.

[libby]

I would have a hard parting with my babies, especially if they remain healthy, but I think when you get really tired of fussing over a plant that does not perform, if you just put it "on the back burner" and not fuss over it so much any more, it seems like that is when the silly thing will surprise you with blooms. Sometimes I think orchids just like to mess with our heads.

[(..._...)]

I guess it depends on who you are talking to-- I mean it you are an experienced grower, and can bloom any plant, then an orchid that does not perform is easily disposed of. But for beginners and those with only a little experience, it is probably that the plant does not have the proper conditions. So if a few alterations are made, then the plant may grow and bloom.

Also, there are so many orchids being killed from overwatering, or not sold at stores, and while we, and I, love orchids, its not a bad thing to dispose of an orchid. . And also, while everyone who says they want to 'save' orchids from department stores, by 'picking them up for free' are actually mad at the fact that the store can't give them a dying plant for free. Well thats how I feel anyways. They had three large cattleyas in my local home depot. and they were there dying for 5 months, and still full priced at 68$. I wanted to save it, and by save it... I mean I wanted a free orchid ,ok?

[sucuz]

Oh yeah, I tend to keep them until they turn to sticks. Even then, I sometimes tend them ju-u-u-st a little longer. You never know, something good might happen. Seem to have a stubborn streak of optimism that doesn't want to let go because just maybe..... Hey, it COULD happen!