I use an Excel spreadsheet with all sorts of categories and photographs inserted. So far, it is working pretty well, though it has some flaws. My comments section is getting awfully large, and it is difficult to navigate through because it is so big. I was also keeping track via some detailed plant tags, but that plan backfired on me and I've recently nixed it, partly due to the tags being so big in some of my seedling pots, I almost knocked them over when I accidently hit the tag watering! :? Doesn't matter anyway, I was finding keeping track in one place is more than enough work let alone two.

Does anyone recommend any particular collection software out there? I checked out that CattleyaLog (or whatever it is called) but it is not MAC compatible, which is a prerequisite for me.

Thanks, and also, just curious to hear how others out there (with large collections) keep track of them, and what types of information you like to track.

I bought a copy of CattleyaLog but I should have had it before my collection got so large. I have yet to try and reenter anything since my old computer crashed. No big loss, I only had a few entries.

I use Microsoft Access 2003. I also have Orchids1.1 but too lazy to install. :roll: I think I like Orchids1.1

I use Microsoft Access 2003. I also have Orchids1.1 but too lazy to install. :roll: I think I like Orchids1.1

Um, how do you know if you haven't installed it? LOL!

And where did you find it? (had to ask....)Forget it, found it by a simple search. Not compatible for me. Grrrr. (and don't start w/ me on that....!) :cheeky:

Um, how do you know if you haven't installed it? LOL!

And where did you find it? (had to ask....)Forget it, found it by a simple search. Not compatible for me. Grrrr. (and don't start w/ me on that....!) :cheeky:
:cheeky: :cheeky: :cheeky:
A friend gave it to me a about a year or so ago and I saw it on his PC and it looked very nice and useful to me. :cheeky:

A friend gave it to me a about a year or so ago and I saw it on his PC and it looked very nice and useful to me.

Oh. I agree, though, I liked Catlog quite a bit, but after emailing the developer, sounded like it wouldn't work for me and I can't very well keep my database in Virtual PC - we both know how slowly that runs for me! :roll:

I need something similar, but for MAC. :?

I have an Excel spreadsheet listing all orchids by Family, Subfamily, Tribe, and Subtribe according to Dresslers last revision. I have taken that sheet and put it on my Palm Pilot since I have it on me at all times and update every new one directly onto the PDA. I haven't used the original CPU copy in over a year...so I should probably hotsink(backup) it soon. I have not tried any of these other programs listed...but I might have to now to compare(but I really like my Excel)
Jon

I have the latest software along with 6 NASA computers working overtime compilating data., 54 retired scientists documenting the data, and 1 monkey inputting it into my commodore 64.

OK, I lie. If it blooms I look at the tag and read it and say "hmmm, I didn't know I had one of those."

I actually spent 3 long weekends last year writing down plant names and finally gave up!

Hey Almond Joy! Can I borrow the monkey?

Sure, his name is Jojo and he likes peanut butter and Corned beef sandwiches. If he get's mad just stay out of throwing distance!

I don't.

I look at the tag

I keep track of my plants with an Excel spreadsheet and ankle bracelets.

I have an excell spreadsheet for inventory and blooming status of my slipper species. I put this together primarily for pollen exchange. Otherwise I keep a log book (narrative) on my collection in generall.

We're very intimate. I remember them all. Many I don't even need tags for.

We're very intimate. I remember them all. Many I don't even need tags for.

I'm finding the same, actually, and I am very new. However, I am
also anal and finding I should be sure by way of documentation if anything goes amiss!

Twenty years ago I could memorize a local phone book, Now I can't hardly remember where I set my car keys in the morning, let alone remember the birthdays of my kids.

I keep track of my orchids with MS Access 2003. I like the database because I can keep pictures and cultural data in another folder and make hyperlinks to them so the database itself doesn't get clogged up with all that information. Plus I can easily make inventory table printouts in any format I like. You do have to know a little about MS Access to do this but no rocket science you can't easily teach yourself with "Help".

I keep track of my orchids with MS Access 2003. I like the database because I can keep pictures and cultural data in another folder and make hyperlinks to them so the database itself doesn't get clogged up with all that information. Plus I can easily make inventory table printouts in any format I like. You do have to know a little about MS Access to do this but no rocket science you can't easily teach yourself with "Help".

That is also why I like using MS Access 2003 and welcome to the forum!

I have excel so I just divided the sheet into sections ie number, name of group,name of plant,where I got it,how much I paid for it,& notes -date,sdlng or mature etc & lastly a column that I just write pic in if I've taken one.Just a Rube Goldberg kind of thing--not fancy.I'm really not to computer saavyI back it up on a floppy after I make a few entries incase of a puter problem.When one dies-heaven forbid :D I just delete it & renumber again .Everything is alphabetical- from a to z in each category.

would you guys that use access, be willing to share that file .....

Looseleaf notebook. A page per plant. I tried using an Access program that I purchased as well as just making an Excel sheet. Found I was making notes in my growing area on scraps of paper then carrying them to the computer to enter. Now I've just eliminated a step. Although I do keep a master list of plants in an Excel sheet and a little have/want/synonym list on my PDA.

Mark

For me this isnt very good idea Id have to confront the number I lose
as it is when one departs I get to relace the spot it took .and no one asks any questions :-dance:
billie

I'm going to try the looseleaf notebook method, but I'm usually good in the beginning and then I get lazy.

Just a simple Word document and tags, though I could name most of mine on sight, too.

Robin

Park Bear--I'll bet you could keep up with it to some extent. Each page just has the plant name at the top and two columns. The left column is just wide enough for the date. The first entry is usually a description of the plant when I got it, where it's from, how it's potted, how much I paid, etc. I'll make a note when I repot, when I see a bud, when a flower opens and so on. In spring and fall when I move the plants indoors or out I like to sit down and go through them making notes on their size to see if they're growing. I've started making an asterisk to the left of the date for each blooming so at a glance I can tell who's being "difficult."

If I miss something I don't consider it a really big deal. More than one page has an entry like "Flower opening, didn't record when bud was seen. Oh well."

Mark

If I leave the notebook with the orchids then I might be able to keep track. Thanks for the tips on what to write down.