I was just wondering what kind of records you guys keep for your collection of orchids. My book mentions keeping records and the importance of it, yet gives no examples of it! Do you keep files in your computer or in a book. What kind of info do you keep if any?

Thanks!

I think it depends from grower to grower...some file them on book by hand and some on computers...mainly plants names...species or hybrids....number of growths...when they bloomed etc.

Thanks!

What does "number of growths" mean?

Keeping track of how many new growths the plants produce every year and when they mature and bloom...every grower does it differently so it depends.

I keep a list of my collection on microsoft word

I use Microsoft's Access to store all my data but lately I have been slacking off, sometimes it gets quite tedious and becomes more of a chore, so I become lazy and just basically memorize everything which I know is not a good thing. I should really start updating my database.

I used to try to keep some sort of organization of my plant inventory, but at this point I just try to keep up with growing the plants well. I guess that's the down side of having a greenhouse full of plants, but I have a good idea of what's out there, when they bloom, and whether they need repotting.
Some people will mark their plant tags with details such as potting date, blooming times, etc. If I bloom something exceptional or with good potential, I put another tag indicating the details.

I was just wondering what kind of records you guys keep for your collection of orchids. My book mentions keeping records and the importance of it, yet gives no examples of it! Do you keep files in your computer or in a book. What kind of info do you keep if any?

Thanks!

I keep track on when I got it, who I got it from, what size (#of growths), was it blooming, how much I paid.

I keep track on when I got it, who I got it from, what size (#of growths), was it blooming, how much I paid.

If I kept a record of how much I paid for my plants I think I would shoot myself. Between the money spent on plants, lighting, supplies -- I wonder how many thousands I have spent over the years.... shhh, our secret.

Christian

Oh, I record names, clonal names, parents if a hybrid, repotting info, and bloom info.

I keep a record of my plants with each on a separate sheet in WordPerfect (a word processing program). I add a photo and sometimes I add another when it blooms again, or maybe a pic of just the plant. In the 'Other Info' section I make notes. I print out a copy and file it in a lose leaf note book. If I have added a lot of new info I may print out a new sheet.

I also have a record in Excel with name, parentage and clone name, price paid, size, each blooming date, and other info. I can go to the Excel file and look up info much quicker than going through each page in the book, and I can also print up a list from there. That is expecially nice to have that list if I go to a show. I always know if what I see at a show is different than the one I have. If a pic is posted on the forum I can quickly refer to that file to see if it is a different cross than mine.

I make notes as I go along and then enter them into the computer when I have time. I works well for me. It sounds like a lot of work but it really is not. I just make sure my hand written notes contain what I want recorded at a later date when I find time.

All my photos are saved in a JPEG file as I take them.

Hope I haven't sacred you with all this. I have about 400 orchids and I can always refer to whatever info I want very quickly.
My info form:
- - - - - - - -
Photo


Name:
Genus:
Sub Genus/Section
Parentage:
Hybrid or Species:
Purchased From:
Date Purchased:
Pot Size:
Medium:
Repotted-Date:
Normal Bloom Time:
Date Mine Bloomed:
Color:
Light Requirements:
Temp Range:
Watering Requirement:
Dry or Wet Growing:
Humidity Requirement:

Any Other Info:

I keep a record of my plants with each on a separate sheet in WordPerfect (a word processing program). I add a photo and sometimes I add another when it blooms again, or maybe a pic of just the plant. In the 'Other Info' section I make notes. I print out a copy and file it in a lose leaf note book. If I have added a lot of new info I may print out a new sheet.

I also have a record in Excel with name, parentage and clone name, price paid, size, each blooming date, and other info. I can go to the Excel file and look up info much quicker than going through each page in the book, and I can also print up a list from there. That is expecially nice to have that list if I go to a show. I always know if what I see at a show is different than the one I have. If a pic is posted on the forum I can quickly refer to that file to see if it is a different cross than mine.

I make notes as I go along and then enter them into the computer when I have time. I works well for me. It sounds like a lot of work but it really is not. I just make sure my hand written notes contain what I want recorded at a later date when I find time.

All my photos are saved in a JPEG file as I take them.

Hope I haven't sacred you with all this. I have about 400 orchids and I can always refer to whatever info I want very quickly.
My info form:
- - - - - - - -
Photo


Name:
Genus:
Sub Genus/Section
Parentage:
Hybrid or Species:
Purchased From:
Date Purchased:
Pot Size:
Medium:
Repotted-Date:
Normal Bloom Time:
Date Mine Bloomed:
Color:
Light Requirements:
Temp Range:
Watering Requirement:
Dry or Wet Growing:
Humidity Requirement:

Any Other Info:

No, you definitely didn't scare me! I'm impressed though. I wanted to get a feel for what info I would need/want to keep. Thanks! I have been enlightened!

For larger collections, I can see maybe a list of the plants you have, but honestly, I don't keep track of anything. I know what I have, I know when they are supposed to bloom, and I know their relative size. And I hope i know the flower color since thats the reason I bought them. Stuff like pbulb count and number of new growths, you dont' really do much with that information. I kinda see it more as, at least for people with smaller collections, just another way to fuss over the plants. To each his own, :-dance:

I'll admit I did keep track of what I had and when it bloomed, but like peter, it did get a bit tedious, and I didn't do anything with the info i collected, so I just quit doin it.:confused:

Ralph, everyone has given you great info. I mark each pot with permanent marker. That matches each plant group in my pc, leaving atleast 20 extra numbers for addition.
I also have an index file with all the info about the plant as well. Hope this helps you.:cool:

John

If I kept a record of how much I paid for my plants I think I would shoot myself. Between the money spent on plants, lighting, supplies -- I wonder how many thousands I have spent over the years.... shhh, our secret.

Christian

Oh, I record names, clonal names, parents if a hybrid, repotting info, and bloom info.

I like to know what I spent, especially compots, because I do sell from time to time & I can't remember if it's not recorded.
And I didn't want to know how much I lost when the thermocoupler went out in Feb.! There was that SLIGHT chance that homeowner's insurance might cover something - it didn't happen!