My First Oncidium

[orkie]

I've seen Zygopetalum (the one I bought there is blooming for the 2nd time!), Miltoniopsis, Onc./intergenerics (including Twinkle, also blooming for the 2nd time!), Paphs, Cymbidiums and of course phals and dens at the TJ's in Brooklyn. Sometimes they have tags and sometimes they don't.

[Louis_C]

TJ probably one of the best for walk-in orchids shopping. Wal-Mart probably the worst... Most of Wal-Mart I visit... they kept vegetable in direct sunlight. All those package are bleach out by the sun.

[stefpix]

Did you see the Zygopetalum today or yesterday? does it need cool temperatures? how do you grow it?
i amy go tomorrow to TJ...
but the only store that sells good Orchid mixes for cheap is Lowes...
Biked to the NY Botanical in the BX saw some great looking mini phals for sale but 18 bucks each... and they had some amazing Catt type hybrid I did not dare to ask the price... but got 3 Tillandsias for 2/3 $ each!!! some were 20$ but you gotta dig in the basket.
I thought I would see more orchids there...

[orkie]

stefpix:

I got the Zygo at TJ's last October or November, so it was a while ago. I'm summering it outside on my fire escape and it's re-bloomed for me and grows, so it's doing ok with the temps here. I think a night time drop in temp helps. Sometimes when I go there all they have is phals and dens, it's a bit hit or miss.

I think the Brooklyn Botanical Garden has better orchids (and is probably the best place for supplies around here, including vanda baskets and good mixes and it's way cheaper to get in) than BX does, both for sale and in the collection (their vanda collection is amazing!). I've seen Zygoneria Cynosure 'Blue Birds' for 20.00 or 25.00 at the Brooklyn Bot. Gardens, plus they put all their non-blooming plants on sale. They also usually have Catts there and various Oncs.

[sheiman]

Originally Posted by orkie

I've seen Zygopetalum (the one I bought there is blooming for the 2nd time!), Miltoniopsis, Onc./intergenerics (including Twinkle, also blooming for the 2nd time!), Paphs, Cymbidiums and of course phals and dens at the TJ's in Brooklyn. Sometimes they have tags and sometimes they don't.

Wow I've only gone to the TJ's in Manhattan, I need to check out the Brooklyn one!!

[sheiman]

Originally Posted by orkie

stefpix:

I got the Zygo at TJ's last October or November, so it was a while ago. I'm summering it outside on my fire escape and it's re-bloomed for me and grows, so it's doing ok with the temps here. I think a night time drop in temp helps. Sometimes when I go there all they have is phals and dens, it's a bit hit or miss.

I think the Brooklyn Botanical Garden has better orchids (and is probably the best place for supplies around here, including vanda baskets and good mixes and it's way cheaper to get in) than BX does, both for sale and in the collection (their vanda collection is amazing!). I've seen Zygoneria Cynosure 'Blue Birds' for 20.00 or 25.00 at the Brooklyn Bot. Gardens, plus they put all their non-blooming plants on sale. They also usually have Catts there and various Oncs.

I bought my first orchid (a phal) at the BBG and it died about a month later. I don't think it was healthy when I got it. But being that it was my first, I didn't really know what to look for in terms of health. I need to go back there and look again!

[orchidsamore]

White Onc Twinkle bloom this time of never and the red variety seems to bloom in January. There is also a new yellow variety that is not generally available but will be over the next couple of years.

I think they smell more like vanilla than chocolate so while I can safely say the smell nice, members should realize the fragrance will vary depending on you individual sense of smell.

Your plant is a first time bloomer and you paid about what it is worth. I have never seen them sold for over $15 unless it was a very large plant. Even modest size plant can have 6-10 flower sprays and 200 flowers.

It is a great plant.

[stefpix]

Had a free day wanted to check the Botanical garden in the Bx that if way larger than the one in Bkln.

Anyway the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is free on Tuesdays - so if you can make time you can skip the admission. and probably you can get to the store without getting into the gardens...

Anyway I was disappointed by the NY Botanical garden with all the perfectly trimmed lawns around wild trees. More of a suburban yard esthetic than recreating a natural environment. And using all these TV people like Martha Stewart or Mario Batali as testimonials for their herbs / veggies exhibits...

Anyway may try to stop at TJ today.

for sure the store in Brooklyn as a shorter and faster line than the one in Manhattan. It seems larger and more registers. But they can't sell wine!

stefano

[sheiman]

Originally Posted by stefpix

Had a free day wanted to check the Botanical garden in the Bx that if way larger than the one in Bkln.

Anyway the Brooklyn Botanic Garden is free on Tuesdays - so if you can make time you can skip the admission. and probably you can get to the store without getting into the gardens...

Anyway I was disappointed by the NY Botanical garden with all the perfectly trimmed lawns around wild trees. More of a suburban yard esthetic than recreating a natural environment. And using all these TV people like Martha Stewart or Mario Batali as testimonials for their herbs / veggies exhibits...

Anyway may try to stop at TJ today.

for sure the store in Brooklyn as a shorter and faster line than the one in Manhattan. It seems larger and more registers. But they can't sell wine!

stefano

Yeah the Manhattan one is nuts. I went in there three times wanting to get an orchid before the line was short enough for me to deal with. Terrible.

[Windy]

Originally Posted by stefpix

Trader Joe's has the best prices - saw Dendrobiums in Brooklyn for 8.99.same ones you can get at Lowes or Ikea for 15$ or more.

And the Trader Joe's ones looked in way better condition. nice blooms, not overwatered nor soggy/rotting roots...
Should check more often. What else do they have?
stefano

Do they have Trader Joe's in Italy? Geesh, why can't they put one in Oklahoma, perferably Tulsa? Been to Milan and loved it...maybe I should go back so I can shop at Trader Joe's.