Gary,

As long as you can deal with them, I say continue. Idle hands and minds you know.

Maybe ahead of time make arrangements with a local orchid society to take over the collection when that time comes?

If just you want to downsize and be a nice guy ;-), again a local society. If you are looking to make a few $ and get a few headaches, maybe ebay, craig's list or the like?

Good luck,

Bob

Thankfully my husband enjoys the orchids too and will maintain if I depart first.

I have a bigger problem with his collectables - power tools, tractors, etc - you know, big boy toys. The garage sale I have will actually clear out my garage so I can park my SUV inside, instead of in front of, the garage.

Brooke

Expand your collection at 70? By all means. It keeps your brain oiled, or so my doctor tells me.

As to "burdening" your wife-- maybe she would enjoy a few, or a local society would take them. I have no trouble giving away orchids. Lots of people would love to have one or two.

I am not 70, but am retired, so I have thought about that. I have an orchid friend who is the designated custodian of my orchids. She will take care of selecting a small number to be a manageable memorial for my wife to have, take any she wants and find new homes for the rest. If I am sick she will do maintenance. I will do the same for her orchid collection.

I have seen several instances where a spouse brings near dead plants to an orchid society. The collection had turned from a nice memory to a burden due to lack of knowledge.

One of the local Cymbidium hybridizers walked out of a meeting proudly carrying a particular valuable flower to use the pollen in a new hybrid. From that point on it takes 5 years to see the first flowers. No problem to people who are used to deal with this.

What makes this remarkable is the guy was on the far side of 90 when I saw him do this. That's optimism! It's not over until its over. I'm 69 but its full speed ahead, damn the torpedoes. If something should happen my Orchid Society will auction my plants.

I only fear a long lingering illness, hopefully I'll go out with a bang like our good friend Nelson. If I'm around but incapacitated it would be painful to watch the collection dispersed but what can you do.

Nick

I'm with Nick on this-- damn the torpedoes. 70 is too young to start shrinking your life in case. As Nick points out, you might have to live in that shriveled world for 25 more years.

Again, the "burden". No matter what, unless we're radical minimalists and get the Salvation Army around twice a month-- otherwise, when we die we "burden" the survivors with loads of our worthless "stuff" -- pets, recipes, clippings, pictures, books, ugly old jewelry and handbags, dusty artificial plants, shoes that were fashionable in 1975, stinky furniture, banged up pots and pans, file cabinets full of medical and other records. At least the files will have to be gone thru to make sure there isn't a check squirreled away somewhere. (Remember the Million in the Mattress recently?

Goes with the territory. Not too many people would want their loved one to shrink their lives to minimize the *possibility* of a "burden" of disposal.

Get it while you can!

I properly label each plant, including the cultivar name if known, at all times. Tomorrow may never be mine...

--Stitz--

I've been thinking about that day - still off in the future - when we downsize. I would love to get rid of a lot of the STUFF we've accumulated. But I would guess that the orchids would be some of the LAST things to go, assuming I'm still physically able to take care of them. I've been shifting more from big honkin' tropical foliage plants to smaller orchids, easier to handle, take less room.

I have actually visualized myself as a little old lady, shopping for an assisted living place, and explaining to the nice saleslady that, "You know, I really need a southern and an eastern window for my orchids..."

I do fantasize about travelling or becoming a snowbird when I retire. But who will care for the orchids if I'm gone very long? Guess I better make some really good friends at the orchid society!

i like the idea of an orchid buddy. i guess when we have something we really enjoy and love, we worry about their survival/welfare when we take our next journey. similar to when our children were young - we had to appoint guardians for them in our wills. so i guess we need to appoint guardians for our 'chids. i would say, expand and enjoy. and make a will.
sue

I'm past Medicare age and I think about the end. So I've told my husband, give them to the Orchid Society or sell them whatever you want. The only real difference is I'm buying bigger plants because I don't want to wait for baby plants to bloom. I'm getting rid of other stuff though, I don't want my kids to look at it and say what did she keep this junk for!

'I'm buying bigger plants because I don't want to wait for baby plants to bloom.'

Reminds me of that comedian George Burns who when he approached 100 stated that he won't buy green bananas any more.

Buy little plants on purpose, it will force you to stick around to see them bloom!

Nick

Hi
Find the answers interesting as I got into orchids originally because of death lol. A neighbor died and the husband gave me twenty full grown orchids. Still have four of them lol. In fact i grew them for over twenty years before buying one on my own . Was far too busy working to take them seriously. So of around 200 orchids only three have names and all are hybrids .Only four would be exceptional due to size. Would require some intense marketing and those are the ones I'd most like to keep.lol
Obviously they would be difficult to sell,let alone realise enough value to be worthwhile. I think marketing is best done while alive??lol
My youngest daughter expressed interest in them but lives in Kansas and building a GH is out of the question even with my help. Besides she's getting to be an old lady on her own lol Grandchildren express interest in bank account but not plants lol
My wife has decided her doll collection will go to a niece but we're talking a minimun of 20 grand .Big difference in value between collections lol
But I consider collections personal assets not joint and far better to go to someone who really appreciates them??
Anyway thanks for the suggestions!!! gary

As Bob says, as long as you can deal with them, continue. That's the ticket. When they start becoming burdensome, that's the time to do something. Because of poor health I was forced to whittle my collection down to ten because I could no longer give the orchids the care I felt they needed. But you can bet your bottom dollar that the ten that I have left are the knock-your-socks off plants that I truly love.

I contacted our local orchid club and told them that on such and such a date I was having an orchid sale and listed the plants I was selling. I combined the sale with a yard sale. I printed out pictures of the blooms of each plant along with an AOS care sheet. I sold most of them in a couple of hours. The ones I had left I gave to friends, which I can visit.

My DH gave me the name of a good auction house that specializes in railroad memorabilia in case he goes first. I wouldn't have a clue about the value of his collectibles.

My orchid collection is not especially valuable, so I'm not all that worried about it. I guess I should mention to him that if something happens, call the Orchid Society and have them come and take the plants away and auction them off or something.

I'm 71 but i haven't thought of leaving my orchids, i do often say i can see the finish line but no longer the starting line, i am just enjoying growing them i am not thinking of leaving them, however if or when the time comes i am sure my wife will make the right decision and if not its not like a person passing away, its like gardening, having a dog, tropical fish, etc.when you leave its over if you enjoy it i don't think you should loose any sleep about whats going to happen when your not around. Hank.....

I wish I were just turning 70! At 88, I have been painfully parting with all my cattleyas as they come into bloom, 5 at a time, as allowed at my remaining 5 orchid societies. My vandas I just can't part with, but have left instructions that the three society members who come weekly to care for my plants, get their pick, then the rest go to societies to auction.Still about 700 to go. Intergenerics and dendrobiums go as they come into bloom, too. I have had a great deal of pleasure coddling them over the years, but now that I can't care for them myself, I am happy to pass them on.

Hi
I guess there really is no answer to this question lol
have never worked as hard as you people on my collection. When it got to be work I downsized. Moved a bunch out to the trees to grow au natural. i still believe they make wonderful "yard " plants.lol
albertan that's fantstic!! i can't even find reliable people to take care of the lawn lol The people I have now do show up but only one speaks English . I have a hard time with the word "prune" they think it means whack it to the ground.lol
Had always wanted to travel when I was young not to ordinary places but New Guinea Madagascar ,maybe Congo.
70 doesn't seem like a good age to START that lol,I'm having trouble enduring the trip to Walmart!! gary

I'm 65 and use to be in orchids. Long story but now I'm in hoyas. Frequently, one has to start their hoya from a cutting. I've read it can take as long as 8 years for certain ones to bloom. I started my hoya collection this year and have great hopes of tending them and watching all of them bloom before I turn toes up.
I use to raise goats and told everyone if I was ever too sick to get out of bed, just tell me the goats were out. I'd be out the door in a heartbeat. Maybe if they tell me the plants needed watering, or one special one was blooming, it would have the same affect.

Sande

This thread is very thought provoking and also makes me rather sad. I've never thought about it, but orchids are one of the few collectibles that are alive - I'm only 23, but it's interesting to think about how the seedlings I'm raising now could still very well be in my care in 40 or 50 years, and might actually outlive me. Unlike other collections which can be preserved in a cupboard, a closet or a museum forever, these things we've doted over could be in a compost heap a few months after we go. It breaks my heart to even think about the idea that a plant someone spent over 50 years cultivating could end up like that - it just emphasizes the need to bring more young people into the hobby.

I'm 50, and my collection is so big that it's a task to repot and and water them all. But I do it. And I enjoy it And I have to work full time. I collect rare cattleyas and I try to make it a point that if I have extra pieces, to give them to friends to that they will have it just in case I lose it. Good idea to have orchid partners where you can trade and share plants. I would cull down plants that are poor growers, poor flower form (unless they are historically valuable). Make arrangemens in your will how your colllection will be dispersed or taken care of.
You can donate them to the local aboreatum, or orchid society. Have them auctioned off. If they are very rare plants, have them donated to the AOS or a respectable collection. In the meantime, enjoy your plants.

it just occurred to me that for those of you who live in the climate zones where orchids can grow outside: how about having your orchids mounted or potted where you will "reside in peace"? i personally would love that. here, i can have the hardy ones from my garden transferred to mine!
sue

Hi
Sounds like a plan but since I plan on being cremated I figure I might supply a bit of fertilizer but no regular irrigation?? lol gary

Well, I am turning 58 years young this month, My children have already told me....."ebay here they come" if something happens to me. ~Charm

aren't children wonderful! they are so supportive and considerate. they enrich our lives.
sue

Well I don't mean to bring down this cheery thread but my father died of a heart attack when he was 66 and my brother died at 65 with cancer so at 67, I've outlived both of them. I wonder if I have a short life span. My friends are concerned about their parents who are in their 80's and I think 'what is that like?'
I'm just clearing out my closets of stuff I know my kids would say
'what did she keep this junk for' My husband knows what I care about and I know he'll do right by my orchids. HIs electronic hobby stuff -- I know family members will be VERY happy to inherit most of it if it's still current.

Gary,

From across the bay in Tampa (Davis Islands). You have many years to go my friend! However, you should specifically mention in your will your orchid collection. I have and have instructed my spouse if surviving to contact my clients/friends that collect orchids and share them across the board. From Schombugkias to Cattleyas; if you want 'em, take 'em.
If you want, I'll put you on my list (I'm only 51).

pssst: Put me on yours (smiling)

Enjoy,
Pete

littlem, the thing I love about adult children is the way they take in pets and then stick you with taking care of them while they move on (and often get a new one with fewer faults).

Barb, you just can't be sure. My grandmother died at 65, but my mother lived to be 91 despite a lot of physical ailments. Every day is a gift for every single one of us. No guarantee of tomorrow.

But cleaning out the junk? Have to work on that while you're still young and healthy enough to haul junk out the door. I had an orgy of throwing out useless stuff when I noticed my mother surrounded by tons of junk she wasn't physically able to sort thru and get rid of. Decided to get rid of it before decrepitude took over.

Since then, I clear out as much as I can stand to part with on a continuous basis. Your tastes and needs do change all the time. What I collect shamelessly is paper. I sort thru it and pitch all the time, but there's a constant amount of quite a bit of it. My son will have to go thru all that paper in case there's a check or some important paper in there-- my revenge for the cat I got stiffed with when he left the house :D

The orchids? I'm sure my husband would keep some that he liked best and have no trouble giving away the rest.

Orchids are not my problem, there will be no shortage of people who will be willing to take them. My problem is 'Big Bob' a 150 pounds African Spurred Tortoise aka Sulcata. He is my buddy and comes to me but relates to no one else. He is a little to big to lift so he needs to be coaxed to go where you want him to go. Unfortunately he does not know the word 'around', his favorite word is 'through', but he also relates to 'over' and 'under'. 'Around' is not in his vocabulary. Obviously he cannot be left to anyone's care, one of my son's has tentatively agreed to inherit him pending purchase of a suitable property.

'Big Bob' is still getting bigger, will probably reach 200 lbs and live to be over 100. He is 35 at this time. My entire backyard is arranged so anything he can see (he ignores what he cannot see) can be reached by him without moving a table full of orchids to the other side of the yard because the table is 4" lower than his height. Remember he never goes around, he reaches his goal in a straight line destroying everything in his way. Other than being there his main function is to eat virused orchids and to keep the grass short. A most delightful pet.

My grand kids love to ride on him, I have a picture of 4 of them on his back.

I got him 4 years ago when his previous owner died. 'Big Bob' checks my BP daily and encourages me to eat less and exercise more!

Nick

Orchids are not my problem, there will be no shortage of people who will be willing to take them. My problem is 'Big Bob' a 150 pounds African Spurred Tortoise aka Sulcata. He is my buddy and comes to me but relates to no one else. He is a little to big to lift so he needs to be coaxed to go where you want him to go. Unfortunately he does not know the word 'around', his favorite word is 'through', but he also relates to 'over' and 'under'. 'Around' is not in his vocabulary. Obviously he cannot be left to anyone's care, one of my sons has tentatively agreed to inherit him pending purchase of a suitable property.

'Big Bob' is still getting bigger, will probably reach 200 lbs and live to be over 100. He is 35 at this time. My entire backyard is arranged so anything he can see (he ignores what he cannot see) can be reached by him without moving a table full of orchids to the other side of the yard because the table is 4" lower than his height. Remember he never goes around, he reaches his goal in a straight line destroying everything in his way. Other than being there, his main function is to eat virused orchids and to keep the grass short. A most delightful pet.

My grand kids love to ride on him, I have a picture of 4 of them on his back.

I got him 4 years ago when his previous owner died. 'Big Bob' checks my BP daily and encourages me to eat less and exercise more!

Nick

I have my house for sale and spent the last year 'decluttering.' We threw out, sold and gave away just about everything we collected over the years. To stage the house, they made my sunroom into a 'family room.' I sold and gave away most of my orchids. Kept about 30 and moved them outside in May. If they died, they died. I sold most of my favorites because I knew I couldn't take care when the house sold. I kept plants which I had no emotional ties to. If I have to toss them, it won't break my heart.

My husband has his photography equipment, music and piano. They can move with us (piano will go to daughter). My plants can't.

I told my kids when I die, plant me along with my orchids and my dogs ashes. No one loved them as much as me.

Jane

Pete
That's very kind of you. !! If Peter gives me a call I'll tell him you said it's not time lol the croaking doesn't bother me so much as the getting old. Really getting to be a struggle to keep up the landscape.. Difficult to find reliable people to help out.
Of my approx. 200 collectors plants only three have names and they are all hybrids . Most are grown multiple species in tree fern only four in pots. At one time i had 50 attached to an orange tree but the state helped out ,whacked that down so most of those were moved back to the shadehouse ,though, did move 25 to a Carambola tree. Though they can be removed it is tough.. certainly not done hastily lol. Most are growing along with other epiphtes and the wife hasn't a clue which is which lol.
Would seem rather silly for the wife to try to maintain a 4 bedroom house not only the maintenence but financially.
It may be a bit silly for two people to do this ?? lol
I really don't mind doing it as long as I'm able .
I had wanted to travel but doing this and keeping the house may be too much.
Nick Couldn't you donate him to a zoo?? I intend to give both the understory palms and the nectavore birds to the local. The real problem there is the parakeets . too common for a zoo, way too many for pets lol.
gary

The zoo has tons of them (literally) and would not want him. No one would want him, a real sad situation. People buy them when they are newly hatched and cute, keep them in a terrarium and then are aghast when they grow up and do their thing. There are turtle and tortoise rescue stations, I belong to one of these where these animals can go when they outlive their welcome. The same is true of Burmese Pythons which are cute and cheap when newly hatched. When the snake reaches 10', 12' and bigger people will call the zoo and get the same response. Many of these are euthanized by vets as there is limited space and desire to rescue them.

Nick

Gary, good thread. When I was newer to orchids, I would have loved some orchids with pretty flowers, even if they were unnamed. Maybe you could talk w/ the local OS now about the possibility of them taking your collection - perhaps in stages, if you get where you can care for some but not all.

Also, earlier, Jane mentioned having a weekend sale at her house because there were so many responses to her Craig's List ad. Maybe that would be an option. Again, if you were clear they were unnamed...

It might help lots to have a picture of the flower for each plant. THAT project would keep you going for awhile :), if you haven't done it already.

OTOH, some of the orchid folks who can ID a Phal, Den, etc. on sight might come to your sale 'cause they like the adventure of blooming out a mystery Phal.

If you decide on a sale, maybe selling in lots?

If neither of these appeals to you, maybe an orchid buddy would advertise in Craig's List and conduct a sale at your house for a % of sales, or make arrangements w/ AOS for pick of x # of 'chids or outright $$.

Kinda free association here...

Wishing you the best, Whitecat8

Nick
I figured it would be far better to look for a home before need especially for animals. A real problem with tortoise since they live so long and get so large.
You could do what the morons in florida, do turn him loose so he can suffer much longer or worse become established in the wild. Apparently this is what has happened to the riticulated python. Estimates are a 100,000 are now roaming the everglades. .A couple here just recently lost a two year old child to a "pet" one that was kept in an "escape proof " cage. Maybe this will end the argument about whether they actually do attack humans.???
Whitecat8 sounds like a good plan except that it would require a lot of organization not to mention a lot of work lol. Just last year I started a "hedge" consisting of 4 hybrid vandas , 4 epidendrums and two epicatts.. Already so intertwined separation will be almost impossible . WOW does it look cool though lol. Thanks gary

Remember estate sales? That's what they are for, to pass things on that are no longer needed to someone else who will enjoy them and take care of them. I have a beautiful Siamese cat I aquired that way. I have also bought plants that way and think people would be happy to buy orchids. I know I would. Shirley

I am 67 have 116 orchids in a 10' x12' greenhouse, my other other past time is RVing, we love to travel and see the U.S.A. , I have taught my 11 yr old grandaughter to water the orchids, we don't usually stay away over 6 weeks or so, The wife knows if something happens to me she will get in touch with the local orchid society, that I belong to and they are to sell or give away whats left. I will keep my plants as long as I can get to the greenhouse and back.

Garyfla

Is it the Riticulated Python or the Burmese Python that's established in the everglades? The news always refer to the Burmese, either one is a giant and could cause serious damage. I know of the pet accident recently but I'm not aware of a fatality from a wild snake in Florida. We have had numerous reports of serious animal misconduct, release of Piarrahnas, Snakeheads or others. None of them managed to establish themselves. The Northern Pike established itself in a lake and short river system leading to a massive poisoning effort by Fish and Game. Twice no less in order to eradicate the beast. We have 2 large groups of tropical parrots, one in Palos Verdes and another in Santa Monica/Pacific Palisades who are cute but noisy. People generally love them. I used to live with wild peacocks whose mating screams, which sounds like some one crying 'Help', 'Help', will keep you awake at 3 in the morning especially if the lovesick male is on your roof. We also made it a point not to keep your car too clean because if a testosterone saturated male sees his reflection in a polished car door he will attack it with furious pecking.

Fun with the animals!!

Nick

Nick
i believe it's the riticulated but if one could live why not the other?? Both yellow and green anacondas have been found in canals.
In the ongoing case the snake was a "pet" R. python kept in a glass cage within the house. Have been unable to find out if the snake actually attacked the child or merely crawled on top . Death was by suffacation. A license has been required for several years for these types but the parents did not have one. There may be "criminal neglect" charges
There is a now famous photo of a python that actually ingested a six foot gator in the everglades but the gator chewed his way out. Certainly proves they can survive the winter and can get large enough to be dangerous??
i recently helped a local Tropical fish club do a survey on a local lake . Found 45 species of fish and not one native. I hear this is also true of lake Okeechobee.
Won't comment on "exotic" birds as I've contributed a few due to escapes but none on the established list lol gary

Gary,
I never would have guessed that you were that old from what you have written on this forum! Your "attitude" is so youthful. I am 56 and my husband is 78. I've been thinking about this stuff for a while now.
My sister died about 4 years ago (at 57). Most of my collection came from her collection in San Francisco. I only had a few phals before that. Anyway, she also had a lot of good books, and I spent many hours pouring over Hawkes's encyclopedia trying to identify what I had and how to care for them. I built a greenhouse and have been adding to them over the years. A few didn't make it, but I did pretty well.

A while back I saw a listing on Craigslist from the family of someone who had passed away; he had a huge greenhouse collection. They knew some things were rare, but it was clear they had no idea how to take care of them. The location was far from my area, and it seemed the quality of the plants may have suffered, so I didn't see them.

If you don't have friends or family who would take over the collection, it comes down to selling it for the money; giving it away to a "good home"; or keeping them for your enjoyment(and giving 'em away after you're gone). If you want them to have a chance at survival with someone else, I suggest writing down your wishes.

I DO recommend travel--anywhere! It's never too late! Maybe an excursion to view orchids in the wild?? Along with "no prisoners", there should be "no regrets".

Cheers and happy growing for many years to come,
Ann