Would you keep a non-performer?

[GreggC]

I have to say that they plant does not look in bad shape in the first photo. If it does, that is a completely different thing. If it looks like it tangled with a weedeater or something or if the leaves look very dehydrated and the roots are in bad shape, as sometimes happens if someone gives you plants because they don't want them anymore, then this is different. By the way, congrats on the plant. Looks beautiful now.

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by GreggC

I have to say that they plant does not look in bad shape in the first photo. If it does, that is a completely different thing. If it looks like it tangled with a weedeater or something or if the leaves look very dehydrated and the roots are in bad shape, as sometimes happens if someone gives you plants because they don't want them anymore, then this is different. By the way, congrats on the plant. Looks beautiful now.

Thank you. I'm so proud of her! Three years ago she looked pretty sad with only 3 shriveled pseudos and no viable root system.

[libby]

Junebug - That is a beautiful catt. I'm glad you didn't trash her too. Do you happen to know the name of it?

[susiep]

Wow, June! That is a beautiful plant in every way! I agree with holding on to the non-performers (until they are truly dead). Sometimes they reward you 10 fold!

[Junebug]

Originally Posted by libby

Junebug - That is a beautiful catt. I'm glad you didn't trash her too. Do you happen to know the name of it?

Thank you, Libby. I've done much pondering over the name of this one. The tag was lost ages ago and at that time I didn't realize their importance. I do seem to remember when the Catt was being gifted to me that it was mentioned that it's name included my recently deceased mother's name, Edith. I noticed a chid on ebay described as a Catt. Pot. Edith North 'Danny Adams'. They showed a photo which is deeper in color intensity. I did a little more on-line research and have seen other photos of the Edith North and depending on the photo lighting there is a striking resemblance to mine. I guess I'll never really know for sure.

[epiphyte78]

A performer for me is an orchid that survives outdoors year around. Thriving is the primary reward, surviving is the secondary reward and blooms are the tertiary-not-required-but-nice-reward. So if an orchid thrives but never blooms I'm still very happy with it. Non-performers are the orchids that are unable to tolerate our climatic conditions. Before a non-performer kicks the bucket I usually try and sell it, trade it out, or give it to a friend with a greenhouse.

[quiltergal]

I'm a dumper, though I only have a couple of non-performers. I agree with what many have said. Lots of my plants have suffered under my "care". In the beginning I didn't know what the heck I was doing. Now that I have the cultural stuff under control I'm giving some of the poor old things a chance to recover. I estimate that for most it will be at least a 2 year wait that's how bad some of them were. I figure it's the least I can do. If after they get healthy and they still won't bloom then that's when the either go to a new home or hit the trash can. I have a Den. that hadn't bloomed for 3 years. It would start a spike and then a few weeks later it would blast before it got going. This year it did the same thing. I told it (yes I talk to them sternly now and then), if you don't do something pretty soon your next stop is the trash can. The next week it sent up a spike and it actually bloomed out. I think I scared it. I would have been sad to miss this.



That said, I have given away a NOID Phal. to a friend who was thrilled to death to get it. My son has been the recipient of a very large Laelia, and a Paph. that looked too much like one I already had. So things that don't fit in my space find a new home.

[Bell_bella]

well, as for me, I'll just keep them until the end of its life.. *wink* My aunt has a lot of non-performers but still keeping them. Some of them are dying though. I wanted to help her, the problem is I don't know the sp. She likes orchid but don't really bother about the sp. So how should I help them?- (beginner) I juz got myself a Vanda lamellate and a Dendrobium genting fragrance which are not flowering. I have no idea on how to take care of them. need advice pls?

[Paul]

A difficult Q to answer as others have mentioned. On the one hand there is "always the hope" .... on the other -- why waste your space?

Sometimes I dump them. Sometimes -- either because it's something I REALLY REALLY want to bloom or because the stupid thing manages to hit my "stubborn as a mule" button -- I find myself keeping it when I know I should throw in the towel.

[quiltingwacko]

I am an optimist. I always think that someday that sucker is gonna bloom!