Orchid Patience

[CatzOrkidz]

I prefer rescues (believe it or not). Recovering a plant from neglect or abuse keeps me patient and disciplined. And I am always able to learn and apply that experience to "greenhouse orchids".

[phytochrome]

If I want it and it is a small plant I will buy it and grow it on...in Montana we can't be too picky. Am headed to Hawaii in two weeks to see if my purveyor at work will take on a few more genera to have a better offering for me.

[plantdiva]

Since I replied,[/I] in bloom size, you can see I need to develop patience!

[PixieBloom]

I don't think I'll ever acquire the patience for seedlings. I have bought quite a few in bloom and since I'm new to orchids I like having that visual of a orchid in its prime to guide me in future care. Most of my phals are rescues and seeing them bloom after a year of care was truly rewarding. I like the idea of having a mix of plants in various stages of growth so you've got a nice dose of challenges and payoffs.

[panam]

I like the idea of having a mix of plants in various stages of growth so you've got a nice dose of challenges and payoffs.

That's a good way to put it - the mix of challenges and payoffs! I like it!

[Bob]

Early on I bought nothing but seedlings. I love to see the progress. But I soon found out by not being willing to put in the time, rewards were few.
Now, that I'm gaining knowledge and patience, I'm seeing results. When these more recent, more mature, plants bloom (genuflect), I'll probably get a few more seedlings and try playing mommy again.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Early on I bought nothing but seedlings. I love to see the progress. But I soon found out by not being willing to put in the time, rewards were few.
Now, that I'm gaining knowledge and patience, I'm seeing results. When these more recent, more mature, plants bloom (genuflect), I'll probably get a few more seedlings and try playing mommy again.

Orchids do teach patience!

Cheers,
BD

[poetiscariot]

I do love to watch them grow. I can hang out with my plants and just look at their shoots and leaves and root tips for ages. But I find that really young seedlings are sometimes too delicate for my still-imperfect culture, and I'm likely to lose them, so I voted NBS. I actually mostly buy plants that are sort of established but ~2 years out from blooming -- that seems to be where my enjoyment, culture style and income all meet.

And as someone else said a while back, I actually avoid buying plants in bud/bloom because the shock of changing environment is so hard on them then. Definitely when I'm ordering online, anyway. About the only orchids available locally are very sturdy phals and hard-cane dens, which I don't get into much anyway.

[Jason-UK]

Orchids teach patience, but sometimes I want what I want when I want it. This, unfortunately for me, leads to frustration. I just wondered where you folks fall on the continuum of patience and orchid growing: SO -answer this poll and lets see!

Cheers,
BD

Theres that word again LOL.
Funny how i chose "get a seedling and grow it to blooming size and know that I have bloomed it because of my care".
The reasons i can do this is because i like to meddle in things i do and break the laws now and again in certain aspects of whats right and whats wrong. I also have the time to spend with them as 95% of work is from home. The final reason is i gain a lot of satisfaction in being able to say me, myself and I made that object of beauty happen.

[Zozzl]

I like hybrid seedlings cuz you not quite sure what you are going to get. Of course you have to buy blooming size plants too or you will go nuts waiting. For those of you who like the plastic flowers you may want to add some plastic flamingos with them. It is an inexpensive way to add property value to your abode.