Do you recommend mericlones?

[Cewal]

I'm not sure I understand the difference between hybrids and mericlones. I was thinking about buying some orchids from the Royal Orchid Club in Florida, and everything I looked at was a mericlone. Their orchid prices and shipping charges seem very reasonable. Has anyone purchased from this company, or is it advisable to stay away from mericlones?

[Zoi2]

A mericlone is just a cloned copy of the parent, there is no problem with getting one. Before you buy your orchids check the vendor in the vendor feedback section of the OB.
Joann

[Roy]

If the nursery your buying from has a very good name in the industry, buy from them. Regardless of the orchid genus, seedlings are a gamble as to the quality & color of the flower. Some seedlings are good to have as when you flower it, YOU are the only one that will have that plant. Mericlones are a great way to select, A. the color you want, B. the type of shape in the flower ie, show bench or pot plant, C. to cover A & B, the quickest way to build a high quality collection of orchids that are for the show bench & still very desireable.

[trdyl]

Mericlones are a wonderful way of getting high quality plants at a very reasonable price. With that being said when you order I would make sure that you order from a vendor that ships in pot if you are fairly new to orchids. It will be less stressful for the plant and in turn less stressful for you.

[Cewal]

Thanks, everyone, for your explanations. Also, thanks, Joann, for referring me to the vendor feedback section.