Good websites to order orchids?

[tucker85]

I don't buy seedlings anymore. I hate waiting 2 to 4 years and then having the plant die before it ever blooms. Here are some of my favorite vendors. I've had excellent results with all of them.

Normans Orchids at Orchids.com - great plants and service
Carmela Orchids - great plants and service also. Even though they're in Hawaii the plants arrive very quickly.
Orchids by Hausermann - great plants and service
R.F. Orchids - a well known vanda breeder. a little expensive
Ruben in Orchids - Has cattleya species and encyclias.
Carter and Holmes - I've never ordered from them but they have a nice web-site.

[Leafmite]

I ordered from Al's Orchid Greenhouse before Christmas and the plants he sent were amazing. Service and shipping is top-notch. His plants are well worth what you pay for them. Hausemann's and Oakhill has cheap, younger plants and I have been very satisfied with what I've gotten from them. I haven't tried any of the others...yet. Another great way to get cheap plants is to join an orchid society. Good luck!
Leafmite

[GardenTheater]

I've gotten plants from Fenders Flora, Hausermann and Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. Fenders has a big selection of compact sized Potinaras for those growing in a small space.

[Cym Ladye]

Holly, I love it! Some young women get a puppy to go into training for motherhood. You are getting young orchids! What a great idea. You rock, girl!

CL

[HollyMStewart]

LOL Cym! I already have a 2 1/2 year old.. believe me, the orchids are much easier to care for! I have always been into orchids since childhood (my grandmother grew them) but officially didn't get my own until this past fall. I have gotten more interested in plants and gardening in general over the past year, since growing my first (and very successful!) food garden last summer. Now I am in a rush to get all the plants I want to get so they can be settled before the baby comes, and get this years garden planted!

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Also, I have contacted a local orchid society here in my area.. but haven't heard back from anyone, its been weeks. Tried a couple different methods of contacting them too.. kinda disappointed about that. I wouldn't mind joining AOS, but they don't have alot going on in my area, so I hate to spend the money on it.

[Tindomul]

Congrats on the coming baby!! I know all my plants, especially my Masdie collection, have suffered since my newborn came home.

[Daenerys]

I had a really good experience with Marlow's Orchids. The selection is not the biggest, but the prices and plants were great.

[rangiku]

Hi Holly, the AOS site has listings for affiliated orchid societies by state. I'm not sure which is closest to you, but here are the three in your state. I suggest you just show up at a meeting.

Company: Memphis Orchid Society
Contact: Charles Pintner
Email: chuckpsinbox-memphisorchids@yahoo.com
Phone 1: 901-755-7742
Phone 2: (901)755-7742
Website: Home
Meeting Info: 4th Sunday, monthly, 2:00 pm, Goldsmith Civic Garden Ctr, Botanical Garden

Company: Orchid Society of Middle Tennessee
Contact: Steve Burger
Phone 2: (931) 394-2713
Website: Orchid Society of Middle Tennessee
Meeting Info: 3rd Tuesday, monthly, 7:00 pm
Mailing Location:
Address: c/o J.A. O'Neill, Treas.
City: Nashville
State: TN
Zip Code: 37215
Country: United States

Company: Smoky Mountain Orchid Society
Contact: Angela Snow
Email: smos.orchids@gmail.com
Phone 1: 865-494-0852
Phone 2: (865)523-9771
Website: smos.orchids.googlepages.com/
Meeting Info: 4th Thursday, 7:30 pm., Room 117 of the Veterinary Sciences Bldg. on the Univ. of Tennessee Agriculture Campus
Mailing Location:
Address: 82 Fishermans Cove Lane
City: Andersonville
State: TN
Zip Code: 37705-3427
Country: United States

[HollyMStewart]

The Smoky Mountain Orchid Society is closest to me.. I emailed them on two different addresses to find out more info, and no one ever got back to me.

[Cym Ladye]

Originally Posted by HollyMStewart

The Smoky Mountain Orchid Society is closest to me.. I emailed them on two different addresses to find out more info, and no one ever got back to me.

Since orchid societies usually turn over their volunteers on a frequent basis, many times the contact numbers are waaaay out of date. I agree with the suggestion to just "drop in". They always welcome guests.

On the shipping question: assuming you are dealing with a reputable firm, many vendors will not ship during cold weather. If, on the other hand, they just ignore you, I suggest trying other sources. My recommendation here in California, but I know they ship all over the states, is Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. Many different genera and very reliable. Old time family company.

Cym Ladye