YOU picked 'em, I bought 'em!

[JonnyBravo]

MANY many many thanks to those who lent their expertise and suggestions to my "Pick my next orchid!" post! There were so many incredible choices, I could never have gotten them all (but will definitely try over time!). I am enchanted by the Grammatophyllum and Paraphalaenopsis that were mentioned, but have found almost none available for purchase. These will have to be something I keep my eye out for at future shows... or anywhere they happen to show up. The nursery I went to had some seedling Grammatophyllum, but I was unfamiliar with the species and so turned my sights elsewhere.

Here's what I got: Stanhopea wardii, smallish but blooming size with a spike. Will let it bloom out and repot, since it is almost overgrowing its basket. I think I have found a new love with this freaky genus. Psychopsis Mendenhall 'Lace' X Mem. Bill Carter 'Mendenhall', 2 spike plant, looks pretty hardy. I'd have preferred a "pure" species plant, but this thing is just plain sexy. Psychopsis has become another possible avenue for addiction. Epidendrum diffusum, ok nobody suggested this one, but I'm an Epi fan. The foliage and individual flowers may be modest, but that spray of flowers is just ridiculous. Can't wait for the 3 spikes to bloom! Aerides houlettiana, my Aerides odorata is doing very well, which is how I justified going over-budget as this one caught my eye on my way out the door. The flowers are gorgeous on 2 different spikes, and smell like a spicy citrus-peach blend. It's almost bloomed out and therefore not as pretty as she could be, but I'll post pics next time she pops. Promise.

And lastly, here's a plug for the place where I got my new 'chids- I had never been to Tropiflora in Sarasota, FL, but have seen their website and been referred there by one or two people. Their on-site orchid houses are actually owned by a separate company, and Tropiflora tends to specialize more in other epiphytes and different tropical plants. Still, I was impressed by the size of the place, health of all the plants, and friendliness and knowledge of the staff. I got to tour the orchid greenhouses with Ty, who was extremely enthusiastic, honest, and really knew his stuff. The only drawback to the experience was the pricing-- some of the plants could have been a good bit cheaper (while others were perfectly reasonable), but I don't mind that so much when I'm not paying shipping and get to hand-pick my plants. Also, veeeery few of the orchids are available for online purchasing at the Tropiflora website for those who don't live within driving distance. All in all though, I had a great time and am extremely satisfied with my purchases.

Thanks again to those who helped get me into Stanhopeas, Psychopsis, and the other freaky genera I'll be hunting down! You guys rock!

[Nokomis.FL]

The orchid grower there is Plantio La Orquidea.

Did you talk with Rafael or Ty?

[JonnyBravo]

i spoke with Ty. he and i seem to have very similar taste in orchids, and a similar enthusiasm for them... when i told him the list of genera i was interested in, i somehow forgot to mention Psychopsis, which was the ONE orchid i definitely wanted to get. i later asked him, "if you could send me home with any one orchid, what would it be?" he brought me right over to the Psychopsis, of course. he was a really cool guy to work with (and home-brews beer, which when combined with a love for orchids brings him to near-godlike status in my book). overall, i was very impressed and had a lot of fun.

also, i should mention that the only orchids that seemed slightly overpriced were the ones being retailed by Tropiflora- my four new babies cost me a shade under $90.

[Nokomis.FL]

Plantio La Orquidea and Tropiflora are two separate businesses, which may explain the price differences. Ty is very knowledgeable and as you said, enthusiastic.

Have you made it to Louis Del Favero Orchids up in Tampa yet?

[JonnyBravo]

no, but i got a plant from them at a small show, and remember being impressed by them though the details are hazy. all i remember is that i drove for about two hours to get to a "show" that was positively tiny and they were the only people who had product worth looking at. that will probably be the next place i check out.

[Nokomis.FL]

Which was that?

The next show to put on your calendar is the USF show in October.

[camille1585]

Very nice choices! Psychopsis is a must have, I've been drooling for one lately, so it won't be long until I get one! Will you be posting any pics of all your new orchids?

[JonnyBravo]

nokomis- don't know which show it was. i found out about it online on a friday night, drove there saturday, was sorely disappointed. this was over a year ago.

camille- you know i will be posting pics! the aerides was just about bloomed out when i bought her, and the last 2 days of rain have pretty much wiped out the remaining blooms. so she'll have to wait til next time to show off. the other three plants all have spikes, will snap and post as soon as they open. can't wait! though it'll probably be a while before that Psych opens up...

[Don Perusse]

I know Rafael as he come to our show in Tallahassee, Fl. every year. His merchandise is really good and the busiest of 6 or so vendors we have every year. I bought a Phychopsis this year at the show which was in spike and bud.....blooming now and so glad I did. Eat your heart out Camille LOL!! I'll have to check out the one in Tampa on my next visit. You made some good choices. Good luck with them all.

[shadec]

psychopsis mendenhall!!!
my flask of these arrived today from north queensland, they are AMAZING (the plants and flowers, these ones are just seedlings, and nothing special :P)
apparently, its not uncommon for them to flower for around 12-15 YEARS consecutively!
Dont cut the spike unless it is entirely brown, as they can come back from almost anything, and will flower continually all the way down the spike.
im so excited, but annoyed that they will take so very long to flower...