Collection question with a difference - what would you not buy?

[Jennyfleur]

Good Evening OB

The last few days I've been thinking - we all read in the posts comments like 'Ooo, there's another one for the wish list' (.. I know, I've made comments like that myself!), but I was wondering if there were any orchids out there that you wouldn't include in your collection.

This could be for a number of reasons. For example - you don't like the shape of the flowers/ foliage/ growth pattern/ etc, they're not suitable for your climate, or you're worried that you won't be able to give them the attention they require.

Now, obviously there's nothing we can do about the actual characteristics of the plants themselves (although, I'd still be interested in peoples' views), but maybe there are people out there who are put off by an 'Alliance' (or members of one) because they don't think they have the right conditions, when there's someone down the road who might cope wonderfully.

So, instead of what makes you go '' or '', what makes you go or ?

[Angurek]

The funny thing is, I used to not like paphs, but ever since I got my first four, they've become some of my favorite orchids (they're nowhere near as disease-prone as my pescoroids have proven to be, and they don't mind temperature differences). I'm gonna say what I'm about to say with caution, because if I read too much into these plants, I'm gonna end up wanting them when I break my hiatus.

Pretty much the only orchids I would never buy are the Oncidiinae (I've had a lot of problems with this group in the past), Masdies, Draculas, and Disas. I also don't like itty bitty miniatures (If you have to bust out a magnifying glass to see it, it will never be mine).

Another iffy group for me are the stanhopeinae. Since I bring my plants inside during cold snaps, their awkward blooming/growth habit would be tough for me to accomodate inside. And, as beautiful as their flowers are (and judging from what I've heard), their flowers are too short-lived. If I'm gonna wait several months for flowers, I'd rather have them last for at least two weeks.

[Daethen]

Oncidiums for me. I do own several but they are just barely hanging on. The only ones I do well with is the twinkles and my sharry baby is doing ok. Otherwise it is shrivel or rot. I just don't know what I do wrong.

[Eyebabe]

Masdevalias are a big No-No for me. My growing conditions are totally wrong for them and their flowers do not WoW me like the Cattleya alliance does.
I like Phrags but not Paphs....probably because I tried Paphs and could not get the conditions right to re-bloom them.
Lastly, another big No-No for me is Miltoniopsis. I adore the blooms but buying one is like a death sentence for the poor plant.
I also don't like plants with ity bity flowers even if they are numerous and in abundant sprays so I avoid those plants as well. They are messy to me especially when the flowers die off

[camille1585]

Orchids that I don't like:
I really don't like waxy looking paphs, I think they're ugly. Especially the Maudiae types.

I also don't like most of the frilly Catts. Some are nice to look at, but I would never own one.

I'm not too keen on most of the pleurothallids, most of them have very very small blooms.

Then there's the stuff that I like but give me a huge headache to grow:
Standard Cyms- I do everything by the book, yet I have a very hard time getting blooms.

Miltionopsis and Burr Nelly Isler- I can't keep them alive, no matter what. Most here are sold with sphag plugs at the core of the roots, but even when I get a freshly arrived plant and repot asap, it always dies. A shame, I really love Nelly Isler. I do badly with Onc types in general, unless they have thicker roots.

Love Neofinetia, but never got a single spike.

[Andrew]

I have very few places to grow warm-growing orchids so I usually don't waste my time or money buying Phals, Phal type Dens, Catts, Vandas etc. I've all but given up on Caladenia. They suit my conditions but they're just too finicky to grow. I like Cymbidiums but I tend notto bother buying standards as they're just too big. When I look at the Cyms I'm currently growing to humour my wife, all I can see is wasted space.

As for what I wouldn't grow because I don't like them, while I'd probably grow more Phals if I had a heated area, I don't understand the appeal of Phal equestris. I also don't really like Epidendrums and Encyclia. The vegetative form vs flower habit of Epidendrum makes them look kind of scrappy and Encyclia are a little too plain for me. The only reason I'm growing Epi ibaguense is because a friend gave me a peice and she'd probably notice if I threw it out; even if she did believe that I could actually kill ibaguense, she'd probably just give me another plant. I'm indifferent to Brassavola species but I don't get the point using it to turn Cattleyas into Brassocattleyas. Paphs are a mixed bag for me. A friend recently got me hooked on Parvisepalums and while I like some Paphs, like Cochlopetalums, I find others, like Brachypetalums, kind of ugly. Of course, I would buy a NOID. I don't actually have anything against NOIDs but when you divide them up, it's hard to give them away let alone sell them.

[silken]

I don't buy many oncidium type anymore as I just can't grow or bloom most of them. Having said that, I was just given a large healthy piece each of Miltassia Royal Robe 'Jerry's Pick' and Dark Star 'Darth Vader' I really like them, but will see how long before I kill them. On the other hand I totally love Miltoniopsis and so far, have grown them OK.

I wouldn't buy a vanda just because of the space and culture it requires. I don't care for most of the miniature orchids but think the mini phals are really cute. They aren't as tiny as many other miniature plants tho. I don't really care for the almost slimy looking ones-whatever they are.

[quiltergal]

I don't do big standard floofy Catts. In fact I've sold off all the big ones I had. Floofy Catts in general don't appeal to me regardless of size. I have a few that are borderline that I keep because I like the color or the scent. I can't grow any of the true cool lovers so that eliminates some Masdies, Pleuros, Dracs, and many in the Oncid family. Summers are way to hot here. I'm really not that much into hybrids anymore. I'll keep the ones I have that I like but probably won't buy anymore. I guess some would say I've become a species snob.

[lepanthes89]

I'm a total "species snob" (Ha Ha),so no hybrids of any type.Also no Vandas and other large ,hot growing plants, because of my growing conditions.
No standard Cymbidiums (too dull,like Impatiens).
I am "afraid" of Dendrobiums, but I,m slowly getting into them.

[jeffg]

Interesting thread idea. I guess, like others, I have learned what I can / can not grow by killing plants. This, more than anything, has shaped my collection.

Especially true with some Onc. - like another poster, either they rot or shrivel. I do have a few, and I think they are hanging on because I neglect them - leave them leaning against a window, under-watered, under-potted etc. Apparently, they like this.

As much as I love the Masdies, and find their flowers intriguing, they come in and die. Catt's (which seduced me in early purchases) are too leggy for the house, and luckily my mentor is willing to attend to them in her GH and call me when they are in bud. Milt's come in and die, so no more of them. I'm trending to smaller plants (except for some of my beloved Phrags), so as to maximize space, and those that do well with subsidized lighting. I'm at about 230 in the house and have room for...well, some more!