How much is your collection worth?

[Erce]

Originally Posted by b amateur

They have cookies?Awww man...I like cookies.Why don't we get cookies. Hey you guys,they get cookies in Quebec Denial Land

[Roy]

Originally Posted by cb977

Nope...we still have some work to do with you

Exactly but the one thing our favour is Connie seems to be too far in to turn back.......hehehehehehe

[orkie]

Hmm, I have about 55 plants, and suspect my collection is somewhere between 1500-2000 k. That's really just a ball park though. The most I've paid for one plant is 100.00, but most were in the 20-30 range and I'd like to think they've appreciated in value as they've grown!

[peeweelovesbooks]

Interesting question, not so easy response.

The answer: I have no idea, nor do I care to find out.

Why?


Well, let's see. I suppose it's very easy to assign a monetary value on anything. Although that in of itself isn't really that easy. You start calculating the cost of the plant, the medium, pots, water, fertilizer, and all the seemingly endless accessories we deem necessary/want. How about the time that you spend taking care of orchids? If I calculated how much time I've spent on them based on how much I get paid at work, I'd probably have paid off all my student loans by now.

I think the real answer and "value" for me comes from the intangibles:

1) the discipline I've learned and continue to learn by growing orchids--each plant is a lesson in watering, tending, and WAITING, frustration, disappointment and patience. All for a bloom, or for seeing a new growth or new root.

2) the friendships I've made on this OB and elsewhere that are directly related to growing chids--it's priceless. I've learned that the orchid world is sui generis, it's weird, fun, people run the gamut from intensely competitive to incredibly generous. I've made unexpected friendships with people that I may never meet, but with whom I've formed a bond that goes beyond plants.

3) Pleasure, pure and simple. An internal reward for a job well done, I suppose. There's nothing that can compare to my beautiful Laelia blooms that are gorgeously colored and scented. Nor the pleasure of seeing the growing spike on my phal, and the promise of beautiful blooms. I was actually in a really irritated mood yesterday and I knew I had to go water my plants. Well, I went outside, and what did I see? 2 spikes on my Neostylis Lou Sneary, several rupicolous Laelias in sheath (FINALLY), two Laelia anceps in spike, and GREEN FAT HEALTHY ROOTS EVERYWHERE I turned. I was actually happy in the end. It was no longer a chore but an internal pat on the back for a job well done.


So, yes, I may never own a Firmin Lambeau or the priciest orchid on the market. But, each plant has given many, many rewards beyond their blooms.

[boytjie]

Somewhere around 110 plants, two big wire shelving racks, four sets of 4-bulb T5 lights, a humidifier, and various supplies like potting media, containers, mounts, wire, labels, etc.: I assume I'm well into four figures by now. The real-world value of the peace they bring me in the dead of winter, as well as the mental health benefits from the bit of light therapy: priceless.

[b amateur]

Thank you peewee. Brad

[Ranchnanny]

Well I have apprx. 100 orchids and have lost at least 8 which I have replaced . Its hard to put a price on my orhcids because the pleasure they give me is priceless..

Sheridan

[orkie]

It's interesting that people are reluctant to put a price on things they enjoy, does figuring out the value of a collection make people enjoy their orchids less? I'm just curious, b/c it doesn't bother me at all to think about what my plants might be worth and at the same time, it doesn't in any way detract for me the enjoyment I get from them. I (and I think many others) keep spreadsheets where they include the cost of a plant when they bought it for various reasons, so it's not as though money is totally a non-factor.

One thing people might want to consider who have large-ish collections is the insurance value of your plants though. I know I would be devasted if something awful happened, like a fire, that destroyed my plants, and while the sentimental value couldn't be replaced, having the monetary resources to restart my collection would be nice. I read a post on another forum discussing this very topic and there are many good reasons to insure a large collection, even if it's only a hobby and you aren't concerened with how much plants are worth as far as selling.

Sara

[b amateur]

I see your point,Sara.An orchid collection should be considered in setting up an insurance policy.I also collect antiques,some of which are irreplacable at any price.You just have to purchase a policy large enough to cover potential losses and hope for the best.When I think about putting a money value on something I am passionate about,I lose my bean-counter perspective.I'm passionate about my wife,let's see,the ring cost $1500,the wedding was another $6000,the honeymoon[still going on after **years] has cost...It doesn't matter to me about the $ value.We are insured,life,property,possesions.If God forbid ,disaster struck,we would simply start over.To be uninsured is insane. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

Interesting question, not so easy response.

The answer: I have no idea, nor do I care to find out.

Why?


Well, let's see. I suppose it's very easy to assign a monetary value on anything. Although that in of itself isn't really that easy. You start calculating the cost of the plant, the medium, pots, water, fertilizer, and all the seemingly endless accessories we deem necessary/want. How about the time that you spend taking care of orchids? If I calculated how much time I've spent on them based on how much I get paid at work, I'd probably have paid off all my student loans by now.

I think the real answer and "value" for me comes from the intangibles:

1) the discipline I've learned and continue to learn by growing orchids--each plant is a lesson in watering, tending, and WAITING, frustration, disappointment and patience. All for a bloom, or for seeing a new growth or new root.

2) the friendships I've made on this OB and elsewhere that are directly related to growing chids--it's priceless. I've learned that the orchid world is sui generis, it's weird, fun, people run the gamut from intensely competitive to incredibly generous. I've made unexpected friendships with people that I may never meet, but with whom I've formed a bond that goes beyond plants.

3) Pleasure, pure and simple. An internal reward for a job well done, I suppose. There's nothing that can compare to my beautiful Laelia blooms that are gorgeously colored and scented. Nor the pleasure of seeing the growing spike on my phal, and the promise of beautiful blooms. I was actually in a really irritated mood yesterday and I knew I had to go water my plants. Well, I went outside, and what did I see? 2 spikes on my Neostylis Lou Sneary, several rupicolous Laelias in sheath (FINALLY), two Laelia anceps in spike, and GREEN FAT HEALTHY ROOTS EVERYWHERE I turned. I was actually happy in the end. It was no longer a chore but an internal pat on the back for a job well done.


So, yes, I may never own a Firmin Lambeau or the priciest orchid on the market. But, each plant has given many, many rewards beyond their blooms.

Maria, that is just beautiful!