How much is your collection worth?

[Angurek]

Just curious...how much do you estimate your collection to be worth? In other words, how much money have you spent on orchids?

I have a small collection, but I've calculated its worth to be $484.90, not counting the plants that died in the past or the shipping charges for plants I got through online vendors.

I'm pretty sure larger collections are worth thousands of dollars, and growing in value with the addition of each new plant.

[ronaldhanko]

?

[Angurek]

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

No good orchid grower will ever want to calculate what his collection is worth - it might take away from the enjoyment of the hobby (after all orchids only cost a few dollars each, so another one never hurts). Besides, one's spouse might find out, and then what? They might no longer believe our answers to the question, "Is that a new orchid?" - "Oh, I've had that for a long time (i.e., since 3:30 this afternoon when the mail came and I sneaked it into the house." This thread is irresponsible, just plain wrong, and should never have been started.

I never started this thread with the intention of being irresponsible, or to detract from the enjoyment of the hobby. I just thought it would have been something interesting to think about. Moreover, there is no need to be defensive...I am neither insulting anyone nor trying to make anyone feel any guilt or remorse.

Anyway, this implies that I grow orchids just to make money, to "invest." Nothing could be further from the truth. I grow orchids because I enjoy them, and because they are fascinating plants that bring color and intrigue into my life. Call me a "bad" grower if you wish, but I know I did nothing wrong.

[ronaldhanko]

Originally Posted by Angurek

I never started this thread with the intention of being irresponsible, or to detract from the enjoyment of the hobby. I just thought it would have been something interesting to think about. Moreover, there is no need to be defensive...I am neither insulting anyone nor trying to make anyone feel any guilt or remorse.

Anyway, this implies that I grow orchids just to make money, to "invest." Nothing could be further from the truth. I grow orchids because I enjoy them, and because they are fascinating plants that bring color and intrigue into my life. Call me a "bad" grower if you wish, but I know I did nothing wrong.

I was trying to be funny - apparently I didjn't succeed. No intention to offend.

[cb977]

Originally Posted by ronaldhanko

No good orchid grower will ever want to calculate what his collection is worth - it might take away from the enjoyment of the hobby (after all orchids only cost a few dollars each, so another one never hurts). Besides, one's spouse might find out, and then what? They might no longer believe our answers to the question, "Is that a new orchid?" - "Oh, I've had that for a long time (i.e., since 3:30 this afternoon when the mail came and I sneaked it into the house." This thread is irresponsible, just plain wrong, and should never have been started.

Guess I wasn't quite fully awake when I posted my response earlier because I would have commented on this post first...I'm hoping that it was meant to be humorous (that's what smilies are for )but in case it wasn't:

1. I happen to think I'm a good orchid grower...and I disagree with your opening statement
I would love to know what my collection is worth

2. If our spouses aren't on to our addiction by now...they're in denial

[Roy]

I did an estimate on my collection a few years ago, wish I hadn't, it worked out that I could have had a 6 mths trip around the world.

[Erce]

i cant put a price on my chids - i think i used like 300 dollars - but they are worth so much more to me

[camille1585]

Calculating how much I've spent on my orchids is something that I'm afraid to do. I don't want to know how much I've spent, LOL! I don't get expensive orchids, but a few € here another few € there probably adds up to a substantial amount. I don't care how much I spent overall, what counts is the pleasure it brings me to pick out my next orchid and then take care of it until it gives me blooms!

[Roy]

I just had a horrible thought, Think of the money spent on the plants you have lost !!!!

[cb977]

My mind won't let me go there!