Would love some help with shopping

[IPlantWait]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post ever.

I am very new to all things orchids.

I would love to add the following to my collection but I can't find them online. I'd love some advice.

Which sources would you recommend to purchase a:

Phal Mini Mark
Phal Sweet Memory
Phal Bellina

I purchased mostly oncidiums at first, I'd love to add phals. Which vendors would you recommend? Is this not a great time to buy (so many shows were cancelled due to the pandemic I thought maybe vendors wanted to sell inventory)? I'd love to support small businesses.

Blooming size preferred, but not mandatory.

Thank you so much!

[SouthPark]

IPW ------ refer to this link here about Sweet Memory --- Click Here.

I think Bellina should be quite readily available to purchase too - ebay or some big orchid nurseries. At the moment, in ebay (australia), I can definitely see Bellina. Take a look at ebay (usa).

[Ray]

Phalaenopsis bellina is a species, so there are bound to be a few vendors with some available. They like to be REALLY warm, so if you can't provide that, hold off on getting one of those.

Hybrids can be short-lived in the sales channel. A good one comes along, so it is cloned, and lots of vendors carry them. Then a better one comes along and the prior one gets sold out and no longer easy to find commercially.

Sweet Memory is a fairly old hybrid - it was registered in 1982 - so is unlikely to be available unless you can find a grower with an extra he'd be willing to part with.

Mini Mark isn't particularly "new" either (1992), but is a popular mini, so some of the bigger-named vendors (Hausermann, maybe?) might have them.

How about another approach? Look at the online listings for Carmela Orchids, Big Leaf Orchids, and Hausermann, to name a few. I'm sure you'll find some there that really "grab you".

[Keysguy]

IPlantWait-
I know an outstanding grower in Stamford, CT (should be pretty close to you?) that specializes in Phals.
If you want to shoot me a PM I'd be happy to send you her contact info.

[camille1585]

I will second Ray that for hybrids, a lot of them have cyclical availability and it seems that either nobody has a certain hybrid or everyone has it. Check out the growers Ray suggests, and you can also have a look in the vendor feedback forum for some other good vendors. I'll bet that if you look at their offerings, you'll find a lot of other Phals that you'll love!

[IPlantWait]

Thank you everyone. I thought some of those would be included in the "greatest hits" like Sharry Baby and would be readily available from time to time.

Orchids are like life right - be flexible and open to possibilities? I am excited to look at some of the recommendations. Thank you so much.

Thank you Keysguy for the PM!

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by IPlantWait

Thank you everyone. I thought some of those would be included in the "greatest hits" like Sharry Baby and would be readily available from time to time.

Orchids are like life right - be flexible and open to possibilities? I am excited to look at some of the recommendations. Thank you so much.

Thank you Keysguy for the PM!

Correct... flexibility, and patience. And "greatest hits"... first round record seller stops being produced, because everyone who wanted it twenty or thirty years ago when it was on the top twenty list already has a copy and the record producer has moved on to a more profitable band or album. Finding someone with the old original album who's willing to share or sell it to you... may the force be with you. My husband has some old original hit albums... we don't even have a turntable these days. I'm almost sure he might trade me before he'd trade some of those old classics.

[IPlantWait]

Haha, if only I learned how to be really patient in all aspects of my life... including orchids.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by IPlantWait

Haha, if only I learned how to be really patient in all aspects of my life... including orchids.

Ha! I certainly know how to talk the talk. Walking the walk? Entirely different. I’m a VERY impatient person. I’ve learned orchids don’t care what I think or want.

[Leafmite]

Hausermann's periodically offers Phal bellina 'Star'. It has proven tolerant of cooler winter home temperatures and is wonderfully fragrant. I have this one and really love it.