Bad influences, the lot of you!

[Call_Me_Bob]

when i had about 12-15 it took me 1 month to go from 12-15 to 32!!!!!!! it hasnt even stated yet!

[Daethen]

About 10 months ago I had 1. Counted yesterday and now have 81 with more on the way. I just keep looking around trying to figure out where I can sneak in the next batch, and I haven't ordered them yet. My mom in law (who we live with) has threatened to kick me out if I buy more and I have added around 30 since then. I am starting to keep a few at my friend's house till I can sneak them in. You gotta love friends.

[Barbie_J]

Oh no.

I swear I just can't figure out how y'all can have so many.

How do you keep track?
Where do you put them?
How do you afford them?
How do you care for them?

So many questions....

I don't have as many total plants, including my herb garden, as most of you have orchids. I visit my plants every day and know them so that when something new pops up or one of them looks needy or whatever, I see it immediately.

Like today, I visited my plants after work and noticed that one of the buds on one of my dwarf poincianas actually opened. I also noticed yesterday that one of my phals is getting new buds. These things are exciting to me.

Plus, caring for my plants is enjoyable. I don't want them to become a chore.

I don't want orchids to get old or common. I want to enjoy them as much or more than I do now, and I'm not sure how you all do that with hundreds of plants.

[Barbie_J]

So, here's a good question for you all...

Are your SO's supportive? How do you deal with it if they're not?

[Shann]

Originally Posted by Barbie_J

So, here's a good question for you all...

Are your SO's supportive? How do you deal with it if they're not?

Umm...well my husbands support has gone through phases. Initially he thought it was neat, then he started to worry about the size of the collection, so I organized it better, then he was okay for awhile, then we got a new house and a big yard to fill with orchids and he was worried again. When he expressed his concern I pointed out the fact that I do not spend my spare money on anything but chids. So long as I pay my bills and am not going into debt buying chids I say its a-okay!

He has learned that I am a much happier person when I have had R&R time with my orchids anyway. He no likey me grumpy!

I say don't get more chids than you find enjoyable. If it isn't fun anymore whats the point?

Shann~

[jeffg]

I'm convinced that orchids are intelligent. Too intelligent.!

Perhaps they have summons us into their world-wide propagation strategy, using us to multiply and expand.

I went from a manageable 20 or so "house-plant additions" to 250 (all grown in the house) in a year. This is a ten-fold expansion I can not logically explain. I feel as if I have been seduced by a master seductress. Granted, I am a willing to be subordinate to this strange impulse, yet, at times I feel I allocate an inordinate amount of time, attention, and love energy to these weird and wonderful beings. I have no rational explanation for this behavior, and I need none in clearer moments. I Love Orchids.

A wise friend suggested it is a "passive" outlet for my sexual addictiveness... and perhaps he is correct. All I know is I'm smitten and irretrievably beyond hope for redemption. Bring me the next plant!

[Daethen]

My hubby doesn't care one way or the other. Mom in law just thinks its too many. I still notice every little change, new leaf sprouting, new roots starting, dry, yellow, whatever. I have a psychopsis that is either starting a new growth or a spike. In the summer, my outdoor gardens are my therapy, in the winter, it is the orchids. They each have their tags and if for some reason I forget what they will bloom like, I can always look it up. I am also an information junky so I am enjoying all the new stuff there is to learn. I guess I don't consider it work, it is just my time to relax and tune out the rest of life's problems.

[Barbie_J]

That's how I view my plants. My time. :-)

[Tindomul]

Now thats getting serious.
Im pretty sure a few people have had to quite orchid board to stop themselves from buying more orchids, but,uhm.... well they always come back.

[Call_Me_Bob]

i dont have one. but my mom loves to come over and see them lol

how do you keep track- most people ( myself included ) use some sort of database

where do you put them - everywhere! i have growing shelves with lights. eventually i will get a greenhouse, but i dont have THAT many... yet


how do you afford them- i dont! lol that is why i only have 35-40. i can only really afford to buy a few at a time. and then when i see a good deal, like OS auctions, i jump on them!

how do i care for them- the same way as i had one, but maybe i dont spend so much time obsessing over one. i spread it out more evenly. i found that with more plants, you worry less.


even though i only have 35-40, i still know and care for each one individually. i know them just as well as when i had 1. it just takes a little more time, but i like it


they could never get old! things are always growing, and orchids are so diverse, if your feeling "bored" ( i have never been, at least with orchids) there are alway different genera and techniques to try out