Christmas means new orchids? Noid or not to Noid?

[Rowangreen]

I had promised myself a cheap noid from Columbia Road flower market this weekend.

But I couldn't resist going into my local garden centre... they have a range of gorgeous unlabelled paths, oncs and phals (gorgeous small red flowered one of the latter...I've resisted those for months!). Today they also have some labelled plants: labelled Brassia 'Toscane'. I believe that should be Bratonia but never mind! Easy Orchids stock the same plant cheaper... but I'd have to wait months, and the plants are beauties: lots of fat unwrinkled pulbs in each pot, some with new growths, flower spikes just opening with one or none flowers open on each spike.

I have a feeling I may end up with a Columbia Road noid AND something from the garden centre...

PS: Anyone know if 'Toscane' will qualify as a none-noid? I've found a few references to it, but it doesn't seem to be RHS registered?

[quiltergal]

Just say no to NOIDs! Treat yourself to something with a name.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

Just say no to NOIDs! Treat yourself to something with a name.

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

[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.

[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]

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...

[Paul Mc]

NOID's actually have names, but the growers often dont give them. I say, if you like the bloom, NOID's need homes too.

[Gage]

I do appreciate having a name with any orchid I buy, it's so nice to be able to know the exact lineage. But when it comes down to it, I pick the plant I prefer regardless of whether it has a name or not. After all, I'm the one that's going to be watching it all year round. I may not be able to show it formally or tell people its proper name, but I don't grow them for others, I grow them for my own pleasure and delight. However, if I was growing for resale, I would definitely make sure I am providing orchids with names. So my advice is buy what you really love and don't settle for anything less, noid or named. And please post pics of your choices!!!

[Paul Mc]

It's the holidays! We all need love, lol...

[Rowangreen]

I will post pics of whatever I get... Would be lovely if everyone posted pics of any Christmas pressie orchids too!

Meanwhile... I think I just accidentaly identified the red phal!

Doritaenopsis Black Bird | Flickr - Photo Sharing!
Shop - Orchideen Lucke

I think I will now be continuing to resist the noid versions of that and making an order from Orchideen Lucke once the spring arrives...