Christmas means new orchids? Noid or not to Noid?

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Cym Ladye

Buying plants without names only puts money in the pockets of the off shore mass marketers with thousands of clones of the same plants. Buy orchids with names and support reputable growers and hybridizers in your own country.

A plant with a name such as Brqssia 'Toscane' indicates not a registration, but the clonal or mass marketing name given the mericlones of a plant. You will not find it registered when the name is in single quotes.

CL

That is nice in theory, but there are those of us that take what they can get. If I want to buy from a grower I can go to a show once a year, and the selection is limited. One grower was blaming Walmart because they sell all those cheap Phals, but the fact is they only sell Phals here, and maybe the odd Cym. If I get orchids mail order, it cost's an arm and a leg.

[Rowangreen]

Guess who went shopping today *G* Apologies, but I'm going to do this over more than one post, so I can attach the photos at appropriate points...

1st to Columbia Road... Freezing cold, so I doubted my chances of getting much of interest! Sure enough, nothing I hadn't seen before. All noids, phals (got plenty of those), Cymbidiums (can't provide the right conditions), and some Oncidium hybrids (nothing I fancied). Some dendroniums were more expensive... and again I've previously decided I probably don't want to move that way because of the different care needed.

But I couldn't leave without spending a fiver could I?

[Rowangreen]

Hopefully the cold hasn't done too much damage! They look fine so far.

So, later, off to the local garden centre... It's only a really small place (I'm city centre here), and I think most of their clients are the rich of N1 wanting plants as part of their decor, rather than just plants. Bearing that in mind, I think they do live up to previous votes of garden centre of the year... the place is just full of gorgeous things, including planters and seasonal decorations as well as plants, seeds and tools. The stock is healthy, and there's always something different and often surprising. I think they've also taken note after some conversations I've had and are now starting to ask their suplier the varieties of orchids: besides Toscane there was some labelled phals in today, and the labels are the shop's, not the suplier's...

Anyway, of course, I got my Bratonia... Took a while choosing, with 2 to 6 pulbs, 1 to 3 spikes, some more flowers open than others (none more than a couple open), some with new growth... I think one I saw the other day had even more pulbs, but if I'm remembering correctly that one's already gone. I eventually choose the one with most spikes: 3 spikes, no flowers yet open, but one cracking, 4 pulbs, no new growth.

Here's some pics...overview, pulb close up and cracking flower. Last one shows something I didn't notice until I was home and taking the pictures!

[Rowangreen]

So make that 6 pulbs, including one new growth and one tinee tiny one the size of my fingernail! The little old one appears to have had it's top cut off, but it looks like it may be growing a new leaf from inside the cut.

I think that's a nice plant! It did cost me £22, but I think it's quality enough that I don't feel too bad paying that.

PS: Vanda lover, over here I think the range of orchids available in local shops/markets is improving. So hopefully that will be a pattern there too. Though I could say maybe it's a price you pay for living somewhere gorgeous! (I've been to Vancouver, though not across to the Island. Just off the coast whale watching. Can't do that in London)

[Carpe Diem]

Nice plants you've got there! I have no selection here either. Got 4 orchids from the local Florist and they order their orchids from Kalapana Tropicals. My other 16 orchids were purchased on Ebay and they were all happy, healthy plants, some in spike. Of course I check the sellers feedback and read the comments buyers leave. Have not had a bad experience yet.

[Vanda lover]

Originally Posted by Rowangreen

So make that 6 pulbs, including one new growth and one tinee tiny one the size of my fingernail! The little old one appears to have had it's top cut off, but it looks like it may be growing a new leaf from inside the cut.

I think that's a nice plant! It did cost me £22, but I think it's quality enough that I don't feel too bad paying that.

PS: Vanda lover, over here I think the range of orchids available in local shops/markets is improving. So hopefully that will be a pattern there too. Though I could say maybe it's a price you pay for living somewhere gorgeous! (I've been to Vancouver, though not across to the Island. Just off the coast whale watching. Can't do that in London)

Your Bratonia looks interesting. I haven't seen that cross before but I do have a Brassidium that I love. It has a nice fragrance.

You are right, we do pay a price for living in such a beautiful area. We used to live in Ontario where there were a lot more orchid shows, but we haven't regretted moving here. Everything is vivid green in the winter, and it's nice to still see some flowers blooming outside.

[Eyebabe]

Originally Posted by Vanda lover

That is nice in theory, but there are those of us that take what they can get. If I want to buy from a grower I can go to a show once a year, and the selection is limited. One grower was blaming Walmart because they sell all those cheap Phals, but the fact is they only sell Phals here, and maybe the odd Cym. If I get orchids mail order, it cost's an arm and a leg.

That's a shame it cost so much up there to get plants mail order. I got myself some seedlings from Fender's Flora and paid a flat $15 shipping for six of them and could have really loaded up more...doesn't seem too fair for you
Yet there are some that charge much more for shipping, certainly something to pay attention to if you mail. And most of my very interesting plants have come either from the mail or a show.
I have some new ones though that I have gotten from my orchid society friends. They are luring me away from the catts a bit with decent success

I concur that if you don't have an orchid in bloom for the holidays, it is essentially mandatory to go buy one that is in bloom.

[Rowangreen]

Carpe Diem: I looked up that orchid site, and they have an interesting range! A Zygopetalum is definitely on my list, and they have some... Maybe you could do a deal with your florists to bring some in for you on their order?

Vanda Lover: it has a very slight fragrance: I'd say greenery with a hint of pepper and very slight touch of spice. Not strong though.

The brat now has one flower open, two nearly and the rest cracked. Might post pics but...

I actually work long hours over Christmas. I'll hardly have time to eat over this weekend, and probably won't be getting a full night's sleep! So excuse me if I don't post. I will try and pop in at least for a quick read and lurk, and would still love to see pics if anyone else has Christmas orchids!

[Vanda lover]

The Brat will likely bloom for quite a while, so maybe you'll get pictures later. I'm curious to see that.
With the Brassia, the fragrance is a sweet floral, but only subtle and not at all over powering. It makes a nice air freshener.

[Rowangreen]

Originally Posted by Eyebabe

I concur that if you don't have an orchid in bloom for the holidays, it is essentially mandatory to go buy one that is in bloom.

I have to admit to having a Ludisia and a Phal in bloom. But they are both with all flowers open and dropping off one by one, so I can't guarentee they'll last. That's my story anyway...

Definitely a good policy.

I took some pictures at different stages of the blooms opening last night, and am about to fill a gap in the sequence with another flower. Quite interesting... I should really have gone Christmas shopping, cleaned my flat, and planted some tree ferm spores this free afternoon I've just had. Not done any of it! Think I at least have to get myself out shopping... I think it will be after rush hour now though. Sorting some stuff for work now...