To buy or not to buy???

[calypsoB]

ok, So this garden shop I visited has some amazing phals and a couple of oncidium (not sure no tags) type orchids. The phals were relatively cheap for the size 5" pots with HUGE flowers and good leaves over all. They also we growing nice big root out of the pots. Now with this said, they are in sphag. Tight. I kill anything in sphag, and they are still in bloom and growing roots that have attached to the pots. Is it worth it to buy them if they are highly susceptible to root rot? Also the Oncidium type (hybrids for sure) are only 3.5" pots but are between $35 and $45, is this normal price range for these (I'm in Canada). I have to say that they did have some beautiful slipper orchids too...light pink and HUGE flowers too for the size of the rest of the plant
Anyway, just curious what others would advise...

[Kelo]

As for the prices I'm in the UK but I imagine that they are the correct prices but don't tell anyone I said that. If the phal is in sphag you can re-pot it right away as phals are very forgiving. I can't stand sphag to grow in but that's only because mine goes like green cement which is down to me. You can trim the roots or place the pot in warm water to soften the roots and remove them from wherever they are attached. Then just pot them up in your preferred medium.

[quiltergal]

If these are named plants I might plunk down $35. If they are NOIDs no way. That's way too expensive. If you want to spend that much on a nice plant whose parentage is known then why not check out Clouds Orchids, or Paramount.

Paramount Orchids - Plant Listing

Cloud's Orchids

[sii]

Calypso,
I would agree with Kelo that you could repot them right away. You're probably saving it from a speedy death.

I find that my phals that are in sphag and in clay pots do well. I like how they dry out evenly. I use a chopstick to see when they need a drink. (I finally learned how to care for my phals!!!)

As for oncidiums, I bought an oncidium for $20 (1/2 price) because it had finished blooming. I can wait for the rebloom.
For my nelly isler I spent $35. But it was worth it for me because it was fragrant and beautiful. As I learned from here and quiltergal mentioned it as well, go with a plant that has a name.

Where do you get your orchids?

[calypsoB]

All the plants are noids as far as I'm concerned-no tags on any. I have purchased some from grocery stores/home depot (all died eventually except the mini I have now). I have also purchased from my local orchid society and they tend to do very well under my brown thumbs but they are off for the summer I am always hesitant to order online ( I think I might get addicted ) The phals were only $24 but were definitely ready for bigger pots!

[sii]

Originally Posted by calypsoB

All the plants are noids as far as I'm concerned-no tags on any. I have purchased some from grocery stores/home depot (all died eventually except the mini I have now). I have also purchased from my local orchid society and they tend to do very well under my brown thumbs but they are off for the summer I am always hesitant to order online ( I think I might get addicted ) The phals were only $24 but were definitely ready for bigger pots!

I have never ordered an orchid online, but I think if you do, go by someone's referral. Some members order from Paramount in Calgary (I ordered KLn from them). I don't know where in Canada you live, but someone might be able to help you out if you go that route.

Also, when it comes to moving up a pot size, base it on the root size, not the leaves.

[Eyebabe]

I would not buy them unless you feel confident in your ability to repot the plant (phal) and nurture it to perfect health

That said, my assumption is the NOID phal is about $20 or LESS.

Pass on the oncidium...$35-40 for a NOID Onc is too much

[prc11]

If you wait till they are not blooming, stores can knock down the prices 50 to 90% off. I have gotten healthy orchids for $5 that were $50, just because they weren't blooming. I have also been able to talk some stores down too.

[Lagoon]

I bought 3 phals from a local garden center. They wanted 25$ for them all had double spikes and they were just beautiful. I wouldn't pay that much for a NOID. I told one of the sales persons they are priced to high they have NO names, most people won't buy them.
She said ... yes we've had them for couple of weeks now and only sold a few. it's to bad, they're so pretty she said.
Then she said I'll go and talk to my boss and tell her what you told me.
So off she went and I did some shopping in another area. Within 40 mins they were knocked down to 14.99.
They were worth it to me even tho' I had to repot them.
Tell them they're to high and see what they say ...you never know you just might get the deal of the day

[calypsoB]

I was going to tell them that the prices were high on the oncidium Hybrids (they didn't even know what they were!). The flowers looked like they were on the way out too. But I did want to get something different from a phal. Which one reason I walked away with none. I also wasn't sure about what kind care it would need. Another nursery sells there out of blooms for $17. I think that is a bit high too. For some reason where I live they don't mark down the orchids no matter how dilapidated.