This is something that is so hard to put into words, but is such a wonderful discussion topic.
I have always loved most living things (with the exception of some people
) plants and animals alike. I have always found most plants in some way or another to be quite intriguing. I was lucky enough to grow up with a mother who had quite a green thumb and got me hooked on plants too. One day she was given a beautiful orchid by my father for an anniversary gift. I thought it was beautiful, but at the time I was still quite young (9 years old or so) so I didn't get into learning much about it then, but admired it's beauty nonetheless.
I got hooked by accident when I purchased my first one for it's beauty. It had spider mites and I had to fight to keep it alive. I think that was what hooked me because it was a challenge and didn't just sit there looking pretty.
So, I think I enjoy the challenge of orchid growing, as well as the constant learning and, of course, their beauty. My friend (who in essence got me hooked unknowingly) had sent me a gift card to Target for my birthday one year, and that was what I used to purchase my first orchid. I told her what I bought with the $ and she kind of laughed. She had worked at a florist shop for several years and said, "I hate to tell you this, but after the orchid is done blooming they just sit there all year and look really ugly." I couldn't disagree more. I love to watch the new growth, the new root development, repot them, mount them, etc. I just love to work with them, around them, look at them, etc. I can't wait until I have a big enough collection to sit surrounded by them and just read a book or something while admiring their beauty. One day....