The $1800 Phragmipedium

[estación seca]

I think, if it was really expensive the first time, it's called deaccessioned and not second-hand.

[Helene]

I understand orchids being sold for a high prize, if they are truly special. And of course, a big plant takes longer time to nurture for, so that I understand aswell.

As Terryros says, its like art.

But I dont like when people try to scam people to buying a normal plant for an expensive prize, being told it's very special. I dont like people not being honest.

I would not give that much for an orchid, but for now I have plenty of cheaper ones I like. Still fascinating plants out there, maybe that will change one day, maybe not.

People collect stamps, coins, all sort of things. I find plants a bit more fascinating collecting. Even though they require more space than stamps😜
But I understand some people collecting rare orchids, and being pleasured if they can manage to flower it. Or maybe even breed it, some for the pure reason of selling- but I believe most passionate collectors would breed it to help endangered species survive, or to let more people enjoy the beautiful plants.

Anyway, part of me thinks its crazy how high prizes some orchids are, part of me still understand why.

Well, hope everybody enjoys their collection- cheap or expensive- the plants are kinda cool😎☺️

[Selmo]

Thanks to all who have been willing share their opinions on this topic. I guess it depends on your point of view as to how much you would be willing to spend on a particular plant, if you are a breeder, or serious collector, or a hobbyist, or just enjoy the beauty of them, you will spend what ever. There is always just one more. Thanks agian to all

[Ray]

Back In the mid-80's, I received an offer from a collector in Indonesia for a blue Phalaenopsis violacea of $30,000 (over $70k in current dollars). It was wild collected, and upon that, the entire population was collected.

I certainly couldn't afford it, but whoever did must have come out like a bandit, as that is the source of all of the blue genetics in phals.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I think the most expensive plant I have was purchased for $30 in 1985 dollars. $30 would be much more today in inflation adjusted dollars. However, the cost for a typical orchid (Cattleya) would be lower now. Still, this plant is near impossible to find now (Cattleya Wayndora). I just divided this plant, have not decided what to do with the back bulb division if it survives and does well. Give away? Sell on Ebay? Who knows.

[Leslie]

As a serious collector of Neofinetias, I have been known to spend up to USD$3500 for a plant. And I'm looking at one over $10K. These living antiques are treasures and valued high in sales and trades, like fine art. On occasion I do divide and sell pieces to make some money back, many times I make the investment back, sometimes more. But it's not about that... It's about enjoying and appreciating the beautiful plant and it's qualities.

I also have a connoisseur cattleya collection (over 80 plants) and the most I have spent was $1000 for a division of the C. trianae trilabelo 'Lea' (shown on earlier post).

That said, I have spent on many $20-50 plants on the rest of my collection like miniatures and phals! So I feel it's balanced lol...


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[trdyl]

So far the most I have paid for a "plant" is $325 for a small keiki of the only FCC awarded Vanda tricolor and felt like I had just won the lottery. For very special plants in certain genera I'd be willing to pay more. Granted I'm not able to do that often. But it is like collecting and appreciating fine art.

[My Green Pets]

Originally Posted by Optimist

I actually have some orchid zone plants bought on the second hand market. It is like a used car, yes?

If they are healthy and well grown, orchids appreciate in value with age. They become larger, more robust, and produce more flowers. Plus, they make more of themselves, which can be divided and sold or traded.

Cars, on the other hand...

[u bada]

I worked on a project for a client years ago who paid 10's of thousands for different cycads. Considering how painfully slow and rare many of them are, it certainly made sense. With orchids it's interesting because to a certain degree it's about conservation and then it becomes about the market. Those two parts of it make it a very unique situation. I can tell you the potential for hybridizing cycads and selling to mass markets is well, pretty low... people buy them though.

For conservation sake I think orchid collecting/ cultivating, and pretty much many tropicals from decimated rainforests is pretty important- besides the value of conserving diversity in species alone, the answers for medicine or for ecology in studying them is crucial, so spending money for growers and nurseries that grow these is a good investment.

Because I work with plants for a living, buying plants for this and that for whatever price is actually more of an issue when there is a budget in mind... so orchids then really should be looked at as art, priceless, and one of a kind. But as an artist (type) never having enough money, i do like to make my own art, or at least start the process myself... so i generally like to start with small, sometimes pathetic things and let them grow. but that said, i've spent up to 40 for a plant, a neo, tamakongo, and it died 6 months later.

[Orchidbyte]

I've seen large dendrobium speciosums in bloom at local high end nursery with a price tag of 650.00 u.s., and they sold, I have a huge dendrobium speciosum in a 30" pot, I imagine that must be worth over 1000.00, it blooms with over 30 spikes every year, have had in collection for over 8 years. I bought a paphiopedilum rothchildianum for 175.00 in spike at show, large plant, still have in collection. Been growing orchids for over 30 years, I use to go to Stewarts orchids back in the 80s and they had a Blc. Ports of paradise for 350.00 in there catalog, today they are 20.00 on eBay. Saw a show on tv a long time ago and they showed a 50,000.00 dollar paphiopedilum.