Where to get inexpensive $15-20 orchids

[Wild Orchid]

Originally Posted by silken

That's why I mentioned these ones. You can download their price lists from their websites but basically Ching Hua has bloom size plants for 8 to 10 dollars for a lot of them. They add a buck or two for shipping and handling but I don't think I have ever paid more than $15.00 for a plant from them. They charge a little more for the ones on their vendor tables at these shows so its best to pre-order and you get more choice that way too. There is a Paph I want from them that is $75.00 so I guess I will pass but Paphs take more import permits etc. Ecuagenera and Ten Shin have many in the 20 dollar range and larger ones for more if you want them. Clouds here in Canada has small to large seedlings for from $10.00 to $15.00.

An orchid show is always fun to go to anyways and a great chance to see many different orchids in bloom and get some hard to find ones.

I would also suggest to the original poster that if there is an orchid society near you, to consider becoming a member. Ours has a sale table where member's sell divisions of their plants or ones they no longer want and we have raffles for some as well.

I'll also add that it is very impractical to consider getting your own shipment into Canada because you need to pay for the import permits such as CITES and Phytosanitary papers and I know one of those is around $85.00 if not more. And then hire a broker or go thru the thrill of clearing them thru Customs yourself. So that negates the inexpensive prices right there. That is the beauty of attending an orchid show or being in a society that orders from one. There are many vendors from places like Ecuador and Taiwan to pre-order and buy at the show from which you could never hope to buy from as an individual. They are doing all the paper work and paying the shipping on hundreds or thousands of plants and you get the benefit of that by only paying a small mark-up on their prices.

It would be worth to put this infor under Vendors list here, on the Forum.

Thanks!!!

Lilia

[Wild Orchid]

Originally Posted by dickjo

They people that bought Oak Hill Orchids were selling species seedlings for 10 for $40.00. If you look up Oak Hill you can find them

Unfortunately, those do not ship to Canada.
I just contacted them before Christmas, and this is a standard reply that I've got from many other US vendors.

"Unfortunately, shipping to Canada requires permits that are costly and can take a long time to get. We don't ship anywhere that requires that type of documentation. The previous owners did ship to Canada for some time, but eventually gave it up. I wish we could help you! Hopefully, you can find an orchid business in your area or one that will ship.

Best Regards and Happy Holidays,
Linnzi Hodel
Assistant Grower

Orchids Garden Centre & Nursery, Inc.
(parent company of Oak Hill Gardens)
4823 CTH Q
Waunakee, WI 53597
ph: 608-831-4700
f: 608-831-4704
email: orchids@chorus.net
website: oakhillgardens.com

[Jjspm]

Wow, I don't go on orchid board for a day and like a billion responses. Thanks for all the help! Clouds orchids looks like one of the best places for me because I'm really into catts which aren't very common where I live. They are also soooo inexpensive! I will definitely be going to the orchid show in edmonton because I just happen to live there!

[silken]

Originally Posted by Jjspm

Wow, I don't go on orchid board for a day and like a billion responses. Thanks for all the help! Clouds orchids looks like one of the best places for me because I'm really into catts which aren't very common where I live. They are also soooo inexpensive! I will definitely be going to the orchid show in edmonton because I just happen to live there!

I hope I didn't throw you off by mentioning Cloud's and the Edmonton show. Cloud's won't be there. But they ship across Canada and out of country from spring to fall and charge reasonable prices for it. However if you haven't looked, you should check out the list of vendors and consider a pre-order from some as they can't bring everything to the shows. Ching Hua has lots of Cattleyas for good prices. There are others too. the show is called Orchid Fair and if you can't find info I will add a link to who the vendors will be. Edmonton also has a wonderful orchid society and you should look into joining while at the show or before. There are many expert growers in it.

[Wild Orchid]

Originally Posted by silken

I hope I didn't throw you off by mentioning Cloud's and the Edmonton show. Cloud's won't be there. But they ship across Canada and out of country from spring to fall and charge reasonable prices for it. However if you haven't looked, you should check out the list of vendors and consider a pre-order from some as they can't bring everything to the shows. Ching Hua has lots of Cattleyas for good prices.

I want Phals and Phals only! looking for my blue dream - blue Phal!
Any suggestions re shipping to Vancouver?

[silken]

No such thing as a really blue Phal. Just the kind that have dye injected into their spikes. There are some little almost blue ones. Try kingfisherorchids@gmail.com He doesn't have a web site but you could ask about blue ones. I think some Phal lovers order from there.

[Wild Orchid]

Originally Posted by silken

No such thing as a really blue Phal. Just the kind that have dye injected into their spikes. There are some little almost blue ones. Try kingfisherorchids@gmail.com He doesn't have a web site but you could ask about blue ones. I think some Phal lovers order from there.

Oh, please, give me some credit!

I'm talking about those lavender/blue (depends on the personal opinion):

-Purple Martin x Fire Cracker
-Tying Shin Blue Jay
-Dtps. Kenneth Schubert 'Blue Angel'

or these:

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...aby-blues.html

Thanks for the email reference. Would they ship to Canada?

Happy Growing!
Lilia

[silken]

Originally Posted by rlilia

Oh, please, give me some credit!

Lilia

There have been a number of threads on here about people buying the dyed blue Phals, or there partners thinking they were finding a wonderful unique gift and the person having a rude surprise that is only a white Phal with dye. So that is all I was saying in case you didn't know. I have no idea of your growing experience. But now I do

[Jjspm]

How would I go about per ordering orchids from Ching hua? If I pre- order am I obligated to buy them? And on their website it doesn't say the prices. How much would a typical blooming size Catt cost from them?

[Ordphien]

Do you have something similar to Trader Joe's up there?
Down here they have an extremely wide and varied selection of all types of orchids for about $5 - $10... you can get group plantings of 5 different phals for about $20....
I can't really help beyond that. Even my Lowe's and HD have big selections but the prices never go above $15 for the bigger plants.


On a random side note.... I hate to hijack but you seem to know your stuff... is this phal blue?
My purple walls lightened it a bit and made it a tad pinker than normal.
There's great debate amongst family and friends.