The $1800 Phragmipedium

[Selmo]

Looking back at some old threads , I came across a very interesting thread about some high priced plant ($10,000 plant on EBay) that raised the blood pressure of a lot people. It got me thinking about how much someone would pay or have to pay for an orchid. I have heard of people offering plants for sale at extremely high prices. And have wondered if it was a very rare and desirable plant or if it was to pay the legal bill, because some idiot had collected illegally. We have never payed more than $75 for an orchid, which we bargained down from $100 (in bloom vanda), so apparently that is all we are willing to pay for one. But I did see a $1800 Phrag. (Phrag. mem. Dick Clements 'cardinal') a few months back at a local grower in the area. It did start up a conversation and found out he really did not want to sell it but if there was a fool and his money. We now get most of our new plants by bartering and trading, but sometimes you have pay cash for them so your local grower can pay the bills and stay in business. Saying all that, what is the most that you or anyone you know has spent on one orchid (or at least admit to), and why?