Do you ever buy orchids for their foliage?

[Paul]

Twas just musing about this. I realize blooms are generally the name of the game. However, occasionally I find myself looking at a plant not for its blooms but rather because the foliage or growth habit is just so (in my opinion) attractive, unusual, or just plain cool -- and I'm not talking the jewel orchids here. It's what led me to trade for a Dockrilla cucumerina.

Thought I had created such a poll on OB years back, but can't find it if I did. So.............

[AnonYMouse]

Have you not witnessed the foliage craze going on in the Vanda/neo forums?

[Jayfar]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Have you not witnessed the foliage craze going on in the Vanda/neo forums?

Exactamundo! I'll just copy/paste/edit here from a previous post.

With Neofinetia, flowers are just icing on the cake. That's one of the things that first intrigued me before I started my collection. At Satomi's (of Seed Engei) presentation at SEPOS, when she explained that the major annual Fukiran judging event in Japan takes place at a time when the Neos are mostly not yet in bloom, a light went on in my head. With my Phal growing space often appearing as a near unbroken sea of green, I figured I should go with the flow and focus on a genus where it's the foliage (and root tips, tsuke, etc.) that matters above all else.

So yes, I used to often unintentionally acquire plants for their leaves, now I do it on purpose.

For anyone who is not familiar with the growing Neofinetia/Fukiran orchid subculture, take a look around this section of Orchid Board:
Vanda Alliance - Neofinetia - Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web !

[nikkik]

Great poll! I typically buy plants because I like the foliage and/or growth habits. If I think the plant is boring when it's not in bloom, I either have to put it on a creative mount or I just won't buy it. I have to like the complete package in order to purchase a plant. F

[Paul]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

Have you not witnessed the foliage craze going on in the Vanda/neo forums?

Nope. Vandas rarely impress me and Neos I kill just by looking at them. So I almost never bother with the Vanda/Neo section of the forum.

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by Paul

Nope. Vandas rarely impress me and Neos I kill just by looking at them. So I almost never bother with the Vanda/Neo section of the forum.

The Japanese seem to prize foliage as much as the flowers. If Neo's don't do it for you, there are the Den. moniliformes and the Sedirea japonicas with beautiful variegations. Some Cyms, too.

Others I acquired for their non-flower qualities are the Isabelia virginalis, Angraecum distichum and a couple of Leptotes.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

The Japanese seem to prize foliage as much as the flowers. If Neo's don't do it for you, there are the Den. moniliformes and the Sedirea japonicas with beautiful variegations.

It's not a matter of not liking Neos (though I think some folks are crazy for the prices they will pay for some of them), but rather the ease with which they expire in my care.

[Leafmite]

Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Hildos' has cool, patterned leaves, the reason I bought it.

[billc]

The phals and paphs with mottled leaves are very attractive when not in bloom. But to purchase one just for the foliage ?? not sure that would be enough for me.
Although I do have some that are reluctant bloomers so the nice leaves are a bonus and possibly save them from the compost heap.

Bill

[Sharry]

As an indoor grower, the plants are always on display, sopatterned leaves are nice so that they are still interesting when not in bloom. Also, the proportion of a plant is as important as the flowers to me.