P
PHRAG
Guest
For me, there are specific reasons why I grow what I grow.
With Japanese orchids, I am fascinated by the history and compact growing habits of the plants that I have. There is enough diversity in the species that I wouldn't have to buy hybrids to keep me interested. I have a few hybrids made with Neofinetia, but if they die I am not going to replace them. Added to that is the great scent of the Neofinetia, which is the best orchid scent on the planet (ok, so I can't really know that, because I haven't smelled every orchid scent on the planet).
I branched out to Phrags in January of this year. I knew instantly that besseae was my favorite species Phrag. I bought quite a few besseae plants, and many besseae influenced hybrids as well. Now, I realize that some of the hybrids are fantastic, but most of them are not going to interest me after they bloom. In the future, I will stick to just besseae species plants, focusing on growing the natural style, flavum and a few of the current breeding stock. I just don't find the long petaled Phrags appealing, which may be related to my growing area and how small it is.
Which begs the question, why did I get into Oncidium intergenerics and Paphs, which both seem to be large growers?
I think the reason I like the Oncidium intergenerics is because they are hardy, and constantly in bloom. I like having something that I can be successful at growing without really trying.
With paphs, I took the suggestion of many forum members and bought what I thought I might like. I know for sure that philippinense is a favorite. And I am sure rothschilianum is going to blow me away. I have avoided most of the other species since they are either too expensive (sanderianum) or too big (kolopangii) or both. I would like to try growing a wilhelminiae but I can't find any for sale. I also think the complete opposite about Parvisepalum paphs than I do about Phrags. The species Parvisepalums don't interest me because of their rumored difficulty to bloom. I have many of the hybrid Parvis including many primary hybrids, and these are just fine for me.
With phalaenopsis, I have about half species and half hybrids. I only purchase what I like in Phals. If the color doesn't interest me, I don't buy it. If any of these die, I won't replace them either. They are just for fun.
So, I am definately not a species snob, and I am not a completist. I think I can honestly say I grow what I like (or think I might like based on photographs). Over the next year, I am not going to buy any more orchids. I am going to focus on growing what I have and making sure that I know what I am doing. After a year, I expect to have more space as some plants die. Then I hope to be able to buy only plants that I have seen bloom and know for sure that I can grow.
With Japanese orchids, I am fascinated by the history and compact growing habits of the plants that I have. There is enough diversity in the species that I wouldn't have to buy hybrids to keep me interested. I have a few hybrids made with Neofinetia, but if they die I am not going to replace them. Added to that is the great scent of the Neofinetia, which is the best orchid scent on the planet (ok, so I can't really know that, because I haven't smelled every orchid scent on the planet).
I branched out to Phrags in January of this year. I knew instantly that besseae was my favorite species Phrag. I bought quite a few besseae plants, and many besseae influenced hybrids as well. Now, I realize that some of the hybrids are fantastic, but most of them are not going to interest me after they bloom. In the future, I will stick to just besseae species plants, focusing on growing the natural style, flavum and a few of the current breeding stock. I just don't find the long petaled Phrags appealing, which may be related to my growing area and how small it is.
Which begs the question, why did I get into Oncidium intergenerics and Paphs, which both seem to be large growers?
I think the reason I like the Oncidium intergenerics is because they are hardy, and constantly in bloom. I like having something that I can be successful at growing without really trying.
With paphs, I took the suggestion of many forum members and bought what I thought I might like. I know for sure that philippinense is a favorite. And I am sure rothschilianum is going to blow me away. I have avoided most of the other species since they are either too expensive (sanderianum) or too big (kolopangii) or both. I would like to try growing a wilhelminiae but I can't find any for sale. I also think the complete opposite about Parvisepalum paphs than I do about Phrags. The species Parvisepalums don't interest me because of their rumored difficulty to bloom. I have many of the hybrid Parvis including many primary hybrids, and these are just fine for me.
With phalaenopsis, I have about half species and half hybrids. I only purchase what I like in Phals. If the color doesn't interest me, I don't buy it. If any of these die, I won't replace them either. They are just for fun.
So, I am definately not a species snob, and I am not a completist. I think I can honestly say I grow what I like (or think I might like based on photographs). Over the next year, I am not going to buy any more orchids. I am going to focus on growing what I have and making sure that I know what I am doing. After a year, I expect to have more space as some plants die. Then I hope to be able to buy only plants that I have seen bloom and know for sure that I can grow.