I think I will downgrade my collection

[rbarata]

That's right!
I need to reduce the size of it. The problem is not only the size (which is not that big) but the genus variety together with the fact that I live in a flat without any suitable conditions to have lots of plants.
All the different requirements gives me a lot of work (in summer, when I get home from work, I spend almost two hrs watering...everyday) and the lack of conditions makes a lot of the tasks seem like a nightmare.
In conclusion: it is becoming more of a stress source than a pleasure.

In the meanwhile, there's an Ansellia africana for sale where I usually find the best specimens.

[ArronOB]

Good idea. I did the same thing. Initially I was fascinated by the variety in the orchid world and tried to grow one of each genera I came across. I think I grew them all badly as I have only limited growing environments. Now I concentrate on two alliances, one major and the other minor. If any of these don’t fit into my general growing conditions I weed them out without any sentimentality.

I’d rather have a narrowly focused collection grown exceptionally well.

[rbarata]

I have been sucessful with my growing and that is one of the problems. Some plants are getting so big and unruly that are becoming difficult to handle.
They were better in a greenhouse for sure...

[camille1585]

I think everyone goes through that, at some point. After a forced downsizing (insects, disease and neglect wiped out about two thirds of my collection - during my PhD orchids were on the backburner) I've now rebuild the collection, focusing on Phals, Neofinetia, some Dens, and assorted hardy miniatures. There comes a point where diversity causes more headaches than it gives pleasure.

What plants are you looking to get rid of? (I could be interested, depending on shipping costs )

[Leafmite]

I have been steadily downsizing the orchid collection, too. I keep going through them and getting rid of a few here and there. At one time, I had ninety-six orchids and I found them to be a pain. Now, I probably have less than fifty, most of them miniatures in the twenty gallon tank.

My most rewarding orchids are in the table-top greenhouse and the twenty-gallon tank. They need very little time or care and yet reward me with blooms, some of which are fragrant. For the tank: Five minutes, max, a day, spraying the mounts with a water bottle, fertilizer and additional water added to the bottom of the tank once a month, oyster shell twice a year. Table-top greenhouse, water added once a month, slow release fertilizer every three moths, oyster shell twice a year.

I also have a few other orchids...the Vanilla, the Cattleyas, Angraecums, 'larger' Dendrobiums, Phals, Nelly Isler, a Brassavola, a psychopsis, and the Neos. These and the table-top greenhouse fit on a four-foot shelf.

[Mountaineer370]

It sounds like several of us are downsizing for a variety of reasons. I probably have a smaller number of plants than anybody else here, but I've learned, painfully, that I just do not have the conditions to grow most orchids successfully. So I'm taking a couple each month to my society's raffle table, where, hopefully, they will find better homes. I plan to keep my two original Phal. hybrids, which are the only ones that have ever rebloomed under my care, and I have a few other Phal. hybrids that I haven't had long enough to know how they will do here. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for them.

I think it's disappointing for all of us when this happens, whatever the reason. I can still remember the excitement I felt several years ago when I first "discovered" orchids, that anticipation when a show or open house was coming up, the enjoyment of selecting a new plant to bring home. I was really happy about the prospect of a new hobby, then reality slowly set in.

[Leafmite]

Sorry to hear, Mountaineer370. I understand perfectly how you feel. I grow quite a few different plants but I thought orchids were really going to be really special. Like you, I have many that just won't bloom for me. All of my other plants bloom and produce fruit with the same conditions and these orchids just won't. So, off they go and the ones that bloom will stay and be better appreciated.

Leisurely just had a thread where he mentioned he had unloaded his 500+ collection as he was getting to the age where he felt he needed to plan ahead. He had a really NICE collection so that was sad. He currently has some miniatures but is eyeing giving them to a friend.

[tellmewhy]

I want to downsize my orchids collection too.
But I’m having a hard time to letting them go.
So right now I’m still taking care of them.LOL

[rbarata]

I hope I haven't opened the Pandora box.
It seems a lot of people is thinking the same as me.

What plants are you looking to get rid of? (I could be interested, depending on shipping costs )

Well, I don't know yet. As all my orchids are blooming it's hard to let go of them and say this one and that one etc...you know.

[greenpassion]

I too will be downsizing my collection, but I'm going to wait until Jan or Feb, when, if things go as they have for the past 4 years, I will have 28 phals in spike and bloom. They will be much easier to give away if they are in flower.
For me, I have begun an additional project in hopes to make it a business, and I just don't have the time, and like some of you here, there are days when it's more of a chore and it is enjoyment.
I also have to admit a strange quirk in my character, or brain (not sure which) but once I have something down, and am confident in what I'm doing, I tend to move on...AHHH. This is not to say by any means that I have growing orchids 'down'-I could spend a lifetime learning, but as far as getting my phals to spike and bloom reliably every year, well, it's just not as exciting as it once was, and this kind of plays against the drive to spend as much time as I have caring for them. Awful to admit, yes?