Orchid Patience

[Brutal_Dreamer]

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

[Mehera]

I chose near blooming size, because that's what most of mine are, but I actually like to have a few younger ones in the mix because it's also fun to see them develop!

[Gin]

I chose near blooming size because some seedling are soooo slow . But I like both . Gin

[IdahoOrchid]

I selected in bud, but I mean really low bud. That means that the flowering could take weeks or months. I have had some problems with the plants I prefer (paphs) in high bud blasting after they get here.

[alwizbme]

We normally would rather find "a near bloom size" or one that already has buds... but it is more expensive to buy one that already reach that stage.. anyhow, a seedling is much cheaper, though it really try your patience but once you got it to produce buds, the satisfaction is out of this world and when it finally blooms you will definitely smile from side to side...

[Piper]

That's a hard question to answer, Bruce, since you never have all those choices available for a given orchid at any given time.

I chose in bloom, because high bud is so sensitive to changes in conditions. I've had so many blast their buds simply because of that. And that sort of shoots the purpose for buying it in bud...

While near-blooming-size sounds good, vendor's standards vary widely, and I've had NBS plants that have taken 1-3 yrs to bloom.

I always want a more mature plant when available. Who's to know what will happen in that plant's future (whether self-inflicted or no), and I think young seedlings tend to have a higher percentage of weaker plants that will struggle or simply won't survive. That's all been sorted out by the time a mature plant blooms.

Anyway, I have them all - just hoping they all carry on to bloom for me!

McJulie

[Diane]

I like NBS or PB (previously bloomed). Lots of vendors give good buys on plants that they failed to sell in bud/bloom so you get a good price and you know the plant should produce next cycle. I've raised my share of seedlings in the past, but don't buy them now. No room for that - Perform or YOU ARE COMPOST!!!

[orchid-man]

I gone for other as it depends on the plant/s and what I want the plant/s for.
So I may choose a plant from any catagry even if its a little ornament .

[Hoa Tony Nguyen]

I vote "getting silk/ plastic orchid blooms"!!! Heheheeee, who has the time to bloom 'real 'chids' anyway ... so much work ... heheheee .. and just as pretty and stay "fresh" like "almost forever" ... DA BEST CHOICE ... heheheheee ...
I bet many folks around here agree ... heheheeeheee ...
Doc Spock ...

[bench72]

I vote "getting silk/ plastic orchid blooms"!!! .. and just as pretty and stay "fresh" like "almost forever" ... DA BEST CHOICE ... heheheheee ...
Doc Spock ...

You Sir, are the naughtiest!!!!

I chose seedlings... I buy plants of all sizes but I do get such a thrill when I buy little babies and three / four / gawd knows how long afterwards when they do finally bloom, there is just this tweak inside that makes one feel so proud!