how much is it worth??? - Orchid Board

boabab95 · #1 01-31-2010, 01:36 PM

How does someone tell how much their orchid is worth??? because i've heard people with the same species but one is $25 and the other is $250.

cabbo · #2 01-31-2010, 02:52 PM

Usually they get more expensive as they grow bigger and more mature. More growth, more spikes, more flowers, of course...more MONEY!

Roly0217 · #3 01-31-2010, 02:57 PM

Another way of making the plant of a higher value is if this plant if awarded for example Phal. equestris versus Phal. equestris 'Dancing Girl' FCC/AOS. That clonal name was just made up but these are both the same species however the 'Dancing Girl' variety has received an American Orchid society award of 90 points or more making it a highly desirable plant due to grow and flower count, ect. So even though they are the same species a 2 inch pot of the regular equestris might cost $25 and a 2 inch pot of the 'Dancing Girl' will go for $100 or more.

swords · #4 01-31-2010, 03:04 PM

People will hate this comparison but it's kinda like a generic pair of denim jeans compared to a fancy name-brand pair of jeans. They're both blue jeans and will only stay as nice as you treat them. Subject an awarded plant to poor light or improper care and it'll look far worse than any generic species grown well.

trdyl · #5 01-31-2010, 03:08 PM

There are many factors involing the cost of an orchid. A few would be is it commonly grown or is it rare in cultivation, flower form and color are another thing to concider. The less grown plants are usually going to cost more because they are not common. Like Roly0217 mentioned an awarded plant will cost more because of its form and color. Hope this helps.

OrchidSue · #6 01-31-2010, 05:37 PM

And sometimes it is the seller. Different sellers may offer the same plant for different prices. For example:

Paph.fairrieanum var. alba /orchid species - eBay (item 320481855229 end time Mar-01-10 12:42:03 PST)

The same species with likely better quality flowers can be purchased in the United States for under $50.

Susan

kavanaru · #7 01-31-2010, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrchidSue

And sometimes it is the seller. Different sellers may offer the same plant for different prices. For example:

Paph.fairrieanum var. alba /orchid species - eBay (item 320481855229 end time Mar-01-10 12:42:03 PST)

The same species with likely better quality flowers can be purchased in the United States for under $50.

Susan

This is ridiculous!! 800$ for a simple Paph fairrieanum var. alba? And the plant shown has not even the best shape ever seen in fairreanum alba...

RosieC · #8 01-31-2010, 07:07 PM

I think that the thing is that sometimes there are good reasons for a plant to be sold at a higher price (such as award or size of the plant being sold) but sometimes there are sellers who are out to make a lot of money from buyers who don't really know what they are buying and think that if it's expensive it must be good (or like many of my friends are under the impression all orchids are expensive).

Without experience and detailed knowledge of the value of certain chids I don't know how you tell whether a plant is worth a certain price... except perhaps ask people here for their opinion before paying out $$$

boabab95 · #9 01-31-2010, 07:42 PM

how much would you say a phal. soo gotris is worth??? i have one but just want to know.

trdyl · #10 01-31-2010, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OrchidSue

And sometimes it is the seller. Different sellers may offer the same plant for different prices. For example:

Paph.fairrieanum var. alba /orchid species - eBay (item 320481855229 end time Mar-01-10 12:42:03 PST)

The same species with likely better quality flowers can be purchased in the United States for under $50.

Susan

And yes there are those people that are out to make as much as they can