Buying bare root orchids

[LavendarSunset]

OK, so now that I have officially become an orchid addict , I find that buying orchids 'locally' pretty much limits me to whatever is available at home improvement store nurseries (which is usually a small selection of Phals.) I have been researching online, and see that there are some nurseries that will ship orchids bare root.

Has anyone purchased and received bare root orchids? Is is a good idea to buy them this way? Is there a greater risk for disease and/or other problems?

Thanks for your input!!

[31drew31]

I prefer buying all my plants bare root. I can pot them in my preferred media and get to inspect the roots at the same time. Also shipping is generally cheaper due to a smaller box and less weight.

[tucker85]

I've purchased bare root orchids and they were fine. If you're fairly new to orchids I would caution against buying seedlings. Bare root seedlings are cheap but they can take three or four years to reach blooming size.

[Daethen]

Same here. I have purchased them potted and bare root. As long as you have some potting materials on hand so you can get them potted up, no problem.

[LavendarSunset]

I found a nursery that has a wide variety of Vandas, which is what I have been looking for. I have purchased orchids online and that were shipped in pots, but didn't know if bare root was a good idea or not.

As always, your comments are helpful and very much appreciated!

[BruceP]

Originally Posted by LavendarSunset

I found a nursery that has a wide variety of Vandas, which is what I have been looking for. I have purchased orchids online and that were shipped in pots, but didn't know if bare root was a good idea or not.

It's very likely that these vandas have never been in a pot as most are grown 'bare root'.

[dounoharm]

i ship orchids bare root when i sell on ebay, and everyone says they arrive safely....they pot them as they please in whatever media they prefer and it works out well for us both....the shipping would be much greater if i tried to ship in pot with all that media....and people like to save money where they can...dont be afraid to buy bare root from a reputable dealer!

[Leafmite]

The only problem with bare root orchids is that you don't get to spend hours removing bits of bark, trying hard not to damage the roots. It makes a few of us envious. : )
I'd go for it!

[LavendarSunset]

Oh, yes....now THERE is a big bunch of fun I'd be missing...NOT!!! )

[james mickelso]

Maybe the unasked question was, can orchids be shipped bare root without harming the orchid so when I get it it will be ok when I pot it? Sounds like a Redd Foxx song title. Anyway the answer is yes it'll be ok because most orchids grow in nature without any media or soil anyway. As long as it didn't experience any extremes in temperature and to a lesser extent, humidity. I buy orchids at the Santa barbara Orchid Estates sales which are bare root ands they pot up just fine. If that helped I'm glad. If it was a dumb answer, maybe it will be helpful to some newbee sometime.