Erm... How do you control your spending?

[Salixx]

Hi All,

I have a major problem (read = pleasure ) in that I can't seem to stop buying orchids. In April, I had five NoID plants, 4 of which I had for three to nearly 10 years.

Now, by next week most likely, I will have surpassed the 50 plant mark. I know I'm a small fry by some standards, but I just can't seem to stop buying them. I try to avoid ebay and vendor sites... but, somehow, I end up there and next thing I know, I just have to have something.

It's not that I can't afford it, but I should probably do something more 'adult' with my money like pay off my car or something... but the green crack is so much more fun.

So, maybe no one can help me... but...

What do you do to avoid buying plants?

[MrHappyRotter]

Run out of space and/or money -- it's super effective.

[bethmarie]

Control orchid spending? Ha! You must learn to eat less, drive less and keep the A/C in the 80s.

[PaphMadMan]

Control? Spending? On orchids?

If I could do that I'd be retired.

[Salixx]

Originally Posted by bethmarie

Control orchid spending? Ha! You must learn to eat less, drive less and keep the A/C in the 80s.

Well... I am a mail carrier... so if I drive less I can't buy more orchids... and then the AC can't be higher than 75 or the Masdevallias will pout and/or die...

Soo... Ramen noodles it is!

I once told my boyfriend to stop me from buying more orchids. At some point, I also told him not to bother anymore... I was just doing it while he was sleeping, eating, working or otherwise too busy to notice that I was orchid shopping. He still offers once and a while to stop me and I just laugh.

[stonedragonfarms]

Specialize...you'll still buy plants, but when you grow just one form of something or a narrow set of plants, you'll spend more time tracking down what you don't have than buying one of everything...

[Pattywack]

Oh I have to agree with specialize, definitely. I mostly grow miniatures and I am not growing all over our house. I grow in our kitchen, in terrariums and window sills. So besides sticking to miniatures I'm limiting my area. Believe me, I've got some ideas for additions as far as containers and I am still adding plants. I've only been growing orchids for a couple of years and they were more of an accident than a planned hobby. I thoroughly enjoy them every day, several times a day. They are "right there" always present and I am amazed at their strength and beauty. Such a peaceful hobby, relaxing for me.

Orchids helped me to end my addiction and collecting habit of a much more expensive hobby. I have a large collection of antique miniature oil lamps, mostly from the 1800's. Night lights. I've collected them for 10+ years and spent hours online shopping, mostly eBay or from other collectors. I filled a large curio cabinet and began adding them to mantles, tables and anywhere I could safely display them. I still have a huge fascination with these antique treasures BUT I haven't purchased a single lamp since I started growing orchids! I'm saving a lot!

I am retired and the green crack makes me happy, I just have to understand my limits.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I have way more important spending priorities than orchid buying. Buying plants, or supplies, really does come close to last on the priority list.

I have quite a few plants, but acquired over 30+ years, and many are divisions from friends. Others were acquired at low cost as seedlings. So, I probably spend well under $50 / year on plants.

As my blooming-size plants get larger, I will likely start dividing and selling mature divisions to offset orchid spending. I've done at least a little selling already, and one day hope to sell often enough to make my hobby self-supporting.

[Ray]

I don't even understand the original question...

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

I have way more important spending priorities than orchid buying. Buying plants, or supplies, really does come close to last on the priority list.

I have quite a few plants, but acquired over 30+ years, and many are divisions from friends. Others were acquired at low cost as seedlings. So, I probably spend well under $50 / year on plants.

As my blooming-size plants get larger, I will likely start dividing and selling mature divisions to offset orchid spending. I've done at least a little selling already, and one day hope to sell often enough to make my hobby self-supporting.

I'm in the early stages of implementing this strategy, but generally a lack of winter space keeps me in check. Plus an unexpected free haul from Ray's downsizing has provided me with lots of plants to sell and trade to acquire the ones I want without draining my bank account!