How did I get on an old poll? This poll was on my reader and I replied to it and now I'm reading the thread and have realized, I pulled up this old thread! Sorry! Be that as it may, I buy orchids based on flower production, easy care, and ability to survive in Fort Wayne, Indiana. But I buy Neofinetia falcata based on foliage. Neofinetia have pretty much the same flower--with some exceptions, like the much desired Neof. falcata MANJUSHAGE 曼珠沙華. This plant has three nectar spurs. Because of its progeny, it can only be called a MANJUSHAGE 曼珠沙華, once it's bloom is verified. Why is that so important? A verified MANJUSHAGE 曼珠沙華, costs at least US$100, but anything less than three spurs and its value decreases by half! So I suppose in this particular example, I would buy this plant based on the flower.
Did I confuse you, yet?