Would you keep a non-performer?

[kavanaru]

I think it depends on the plant... I agrre with others here: a supermarket NOID or a cheap mericlon... go to the trash... a especies or valuable clon... keep it and try to find out why it is not performing... Sometimes a plant bloom without problem but it is not exactly what I was expecting to be... go to the trash... sometimes the flower has a terrible quality, but I have a special connection with the plant... be part of my permanent collection... as I said, it depends...

[shakkai]

Originally Posted by 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!

Well said. It COULD! And it has! When I started growing Cyp. calceolus, I got a plant with two growths starting. One of the growths formed a flower spike which in due course turned brown and shriveled. Then the growth turned brown and shriveled. Then the other growth turned brown and shriveled. It went dormant during the summer months. I kept it evenly moist - even though I didn't see anything at all in the pot. By the middle of August three new growths were popping up out of the compost, though they didn't have enough time to mature fully to flower, at least I knew the plant was still alive. No way was I tossing that one! Alas, the three growths did not flower this year either, but they looked very healthy and happy, so I am just guessing that it was building its strength back up. I look forward to a nice show of flowers next year. But this one isn't going anywhere until I see flowers!

[Ross]

Very interesting thoughts being expressed and a very interesting discussion (to me.) I have two expamples - I had an Agraecum monticola that set flower buds twice. Both of them dried up. I got advice from a long time grower that once this has been established as a pattern, there would be no way I could coerce the thing to finish developing a flower. I replaced it recently and the replacement has already started with a flower bud. I sent the original one off to another Board member to try her luck. Example number two - I purchased a NOID Phalenopsis (purple coloring) for my wife a few years back. It developed crown rot and a basil keiki developed. After the hail storm we had a couple years ago, the parent plant was slaughtered, but the keiki went on and struggled ever since. It puts out a few roots, distorted leaves, attempts at flower spikes, etc. Now all but the topmost leaf are extremely wilted. This one (despite it's background) is not much of a survivor, in my opinion. But I am still waiting to see what develops.

I had an Aerangis hyaloides that dwindled due to overblooming (Andy warns of this on his web site.) I finally pitched it. I had a Haeralla that never developed any size or blossoms while the other 5 I have continue to do spectacularly. It hit the trash. I had a Miltonia that wasn't doing anything but wilt and drop leaves after 4 successful years. I offered it up for free with no takers. It went in the trash. There are lots more examples, as well. I feel I am slowly adapting my collection to the ones that do best for me by culling out the "non-performers". It's fun having a new space to fill and wondering what I might get. It's fun when the plant being culled is really big and nets me space for 5-6 new minis or small-sized 'chids (especially if they are slippers.) Just my 2 cents.

[kiki-do]

I voted to dump it because of space and energy spent on something that doesn't work for you.
However, you should have had a third option....sell it on OB! That's what I've been doing. I realize too late that I had quite a few plants not suitable for my area, so I decided to sell them. Then I have money to buy what works for me. It's a win-win!

[Gin]

I voted dump it .. but .. I kept a non bloomer for almost 7 years it was a gift from a friend no tag looked like an Oncid. treated like an Oncid Wrong! moved it thought heck with it, and it bloomed . Just depends on the plant ..

[GreggC]

if they are going to commit suicide, they ain't doing it at my house. I would rather sell it for a buck than let it die on me. This of course does not include any plants that somehow contract bugs. Iff'n they got bugs, dayz in the garbage in a hurry.

[Jerry Delaney]

I have to vote yes even though most of my non performers wind up feeding the compost pile. I have a number of orchids, some of which would be classified as poor or non performers, that were given to me by other growers, some who are no longer with us. I just can't seem to make myself toss them.

[Ranchnanny]

Ross, I have had a Den for about 3 years with no growth or flowers at all. I bought it when it was not in bloom so I have no idea what it will look like. After 3 years it is finally growing a flower spike and it was after it was repotted in s/h. I hang on to them you just never know

Sheridan

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Shirley

Banana skins!! Now that's certainly a novel idea and worth a try.

To clarify a bit, in the wild many Australian orchids flower en masse after a bushfire has passed through the area. For a few of these species it has been found that storing the tubers with banana skins initiates flowering. Ethylene which is produced by both ripening fruit and burning wood is apparently the trigger for these orchids to flower. I knew my orchid was South African so I figured there was a possiblilty that flowering might be dependant on veldfires. Turns out my guess paid off. I doubt whether the 'banana method' would have an orchids that don't require fire to flower.

To contrast my Pterygodium story, there was a "Diuris sulphurea" floating around several collections in Victoria a few years ago that multiplied quickly but never flowered. When someone finally flowered it, it turned out to be a native lily! Maybe that's another point to the 'dump it' team.

[Junebug]

My choice is to be keep the plant and provide the best care possible. Patience and cultural knowledge are absolute necessities. As Suzanne mentioned, you should first select a plant that is suitable for your climate. This is especially true if your plants are grown outdoors. I had very little knowledge about my first orchids and their individual cultural requirements and as a result they suffered a great deal. Many times they were on the brink of death, but I refused to give up. I've observed that knowledge, time, and patience can be very rewarding. Orchids appear to be natural survivors. Pinpointing the cause of a non productive chid may take years, but the rewards can be spectacular when you finally get it right. I've provided some photos of a Catt. that was given to me 10 years ago. It was full-grown, with 2 blooms when I rec'd it, but rapidly declined due to my lack of cultural knowledge. For 7 years she forgave my indescretions and struggled to survive. In 2007 she produced 14 blooms and this year 22. I've included 1 photo of what shes looks like today and another showcasing her 2008 springtime display. I'm so glad I didn't trash her.