Where to get inexpensive $15-20 orchids

[Jjspm]

Hi, I am new to orchids but already have a collection of six. I am starting to realize that they are ultra expensive when in bloom. I am wondering if there is a place I could get plants that would bloom in a year or two in the $15- 20 or less pice range. Preferably a place that will ship to Canada for a reasonable price.
Thanks

[SlipperGirl]

I dont know where you can find them that low unless you go to a big box store sometimes here in Michigan you can get them for $5. But if you spend a little more you can find alot more orchids like at Andys orchids you can get alot of plants for $24 or $28 or less. Sorry I cant help you that much good luck

[mattryan]

There's all kinds of places that you can get inexpensive orchids. I have no idea which kinds you are looking for, but the Canadian Orchid Congress has a website that lists every vendor for supplies to various types of orchids sold right across canada. From grocery store to home depot to garden centres you can find orchids just about everywhere. Most of them are inexpensive. I always look on the clearance racks at home depot and lowe's gotten several for $5. I don't know where you live in Canada, but the website will surely help you to narrow down vendors atleast.

Cheryl

[Wild Orchid]

Agree with Cheryl's post. If you don't mind them being NoIDs, look and ask around. Some local nurseries carry them and so do grocery and convenience stores. They typically don't advertise.

Safeway in BC started having some good stock but they are still too pricey for me plus orchids often are packed in moss & plastic, so the roots are compromised from the start... But then again, if you find some local store and monitor them regularly, you can learn about times when they get a new stock, like Wednesdays, and also get some discount on the plants out of bloom.

There's also Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Lowes, Wal-Mart and sometimes even Rona sells orchids. Again, in my experience, every location of the same big box store is somewhat different and some don't even have tropical plants in the winter, while others have lots of it but... on the higher end of price range and somewhat far to drive to, like Fraser Valley.

There are a few Canaidan online orchid suppliers, mainly in Ontario, but they are by no means cheap and shipping prices add up to the bill.

Good luck!

WO

[The Orchid Boy]

My vote is for Lowes. Here in the U.S., they usually have quite a few named dendrobiums, phals, oncidiums, and cattleyas. It seems they have been stocking more and more orchids with name tags. I always look at their clearance rack. Once in a great while they'll even have a maxillaria. First Rays Orchids (located in U.S., not sure if they ship out of the country) has some type of more unusual jewel orchid for $5.00.

[Jjspm]

Ok thanks everybody

[ALToronto]

Cloud's Orchids in Ontario sells seedlings for $10 and up. Most are within a year of blooming. If you're not in Ontario, your province has an orchid society that is supported by vendors. You can contact them through the society's website or meet them in person at meetings.

There are no bargains at big box stores anymore. Most have worked out agreements with growers requiring that the growers buy back unsold orchids, whatever their condition. Watch for mass market growers going out of business in a year or so.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

International shipping usually involves obtaining and paying for CITES and phytosanitary certificates on top of having the permits in hand. It isn't just about paying for the plants and the shipping and handling. It's a process.

If you're in Canada, I'd stick to looking for Canadian nurseries.

[klc1960]

I just bought 2 miniature orchids at Home Depot today and because I'm a "garden club member" I got 1 free....3 beautiful orchids for $20.00!

[The Orchid Boy]

Oh yeah! Well I got 4 phals from Lowes for $3.96.