"Strategies" for "rescuing" orchids from grocery stores/big box stores

[camille1585]

Having had the chance to speak to a grower, I was surprised to hear that he's doing a lot better than I thought he would be, given the economy, raise in heating costs (especially with the long winter we've had). No he's not rich, but doing well enough to live comfortably and is actually surprised at how how well his orchid business is doing. Sometimes the amount of internet orders is almost too much to handle for the 3 people there.

Another issue about making his own crosses and also seed propagation of species, he told me, is that you really have to judge which way the market is going. Some things will be really popular for a while, and then not so much. So he sticks to a lot of the 'classic' stuff, to cover the risks of producing new crosses or unique species.

So he's doing very well, in a country that is one of the major worldwide suppliers of mass produced orchids. The Netherlands is literally flooded with dirt cheap Noids, yet somehow the small growers are doing very well.

[Paddle_grl]

Wow, ok, well I'm late to the discussion. All but 2 out of 10 orchids are rescues. I just can't part with the money it costs to own orchids. $2.00 is waaaaaaay better than $30. Yeah, I don't own some of the "cool" orchids, but I love getting one from the half dead rack at Lowe's, not knowing what it looks like. Then when it re-blooms (maybe 2 1/2 years later) It's like a long awaited treasure! Lowe's is the only store around here that will mark down half dead plants. I always feel so sorry for all those plants! (this is coming from the person that can't throw away a jade plant leaf or cut from it without feeling really sad and planting it. In fact, I adopted out an african violet because I couldn't trash it).

It looks like you got most of your questions answered, but I just take them home, pick off the mealy bugs and make sure there aren't any other pesky critters, take them out of the moss and plant them semi-hydro. Every orchid I own except one is S/H. They usually perk up. I've only ever lost one. (that one was really bad, thanks mom and dad plant killers).

I would never be afraid to ask a store person. They can always mark it down for you. I recently just asked a store clerk to knock a few bucks off a wilty, on it's way to the half dead rack, and she did. Go for it!

[Stray59]

Wow this thread just keeps plodding along doesn't it? There have been some really valid points brought up by both sides - pro & con for the rescue plants. But in reality, there are a ton of small growers that are making money and doing quite well - Hilltop orchids is one; on the other end of "doing well" are houses like Hausermann's who has kept a consistently high quality stock and has made a family business into a multi-million dollar business without selling unnamed clones.
And then for the big box stores - our big box stores has been carrying a lot of species orchids and they get marked way down or thrown out just like the mass produced phalaes. I have salvaged quite a few species-type that were considered "past their prime". I also have salvaged some really good old hybrids, like LC. Drumbeat "Triumph" - one of my favorites.
Just as the mass-produced orchids have also brought a higher orchid-awareness in our communities, while selling a lot of orchids that are NoIds, there are two sides to every coin.
This is the way with a lot of things and again, each orchid collection is as unique as the person collecting them; no two collectors will have the exact likes or dislikes when it comes to what they collect - and they shouldn't. No one has the right to determine what I "should" collect and shouldn't, unless it is illegal to own the plant. That is some of the excitement of the game!
So, regardless of your opinion on mass growing, etc LadySoren's question had to do with "How do you rescue plants: not "SHOULD you rescue plants". I hope she feels that this thread has answered her question. Everyone needs to hold to their own beliefs, without threatening or feeling threatened by someone else. Good to have some strong opinions out there, but that's all they are - opinions. Be happy with your collection, regardless of cost - the orchids don't seem to know what they cost - they just keep on doing their thing.
Again, just two more or my cents!
Steve

[The Orchid Kid]

In response to the original query

Originally Posted by LadySoren

Thank you all for your input!
As you've said, a lot of them are probably in bad shape so, cut off the bad parts, repot, and love water and love. About right?

I think this is a sound approach. I am delaying repotting IF the plant is OK and the medium is fine, so it gets used to the new environment. However if the medium is obviously causing issues with the roots I repot the same day. Dust rotten parts in cinnamon, don't fuss them and just keep my eye on them.

I find the 'supermarket' orchids good to bag if you can get them at a cheap price. Personally would not buy at full price as for mass produced NOIDs in the UK they are pricey (£12ish for random phal at M&S). I stocked up on a few such 'rescues' just as I was getting into orchids. I saw it as a economical way to LEARN without killing a £30 beauty!

Now, having a few orchids from specialist nurseries I appreciate the difference between a plant properly grown and one 'factory farmed'. My rescues will always have unsightly wrinkled pbulbs and damaged leaves. The specialist ones have had a few years TLC and are vibrant and healthy. With only limited space I predict the cheap ones will slowly be given away when in bloom to friends and family, while I concentrate on getting a truly quality collection.

I guess my point is my tastes are quickly getting more refined to yearning for orchids that are more unique. I will probably always be a sucker for the bargain bin, but I see it now as a learning tool and something I can nurture to then give joy to someone else. Also I can use them to try different techniques, mediums, light requirements, without the financial risk if I do lose them. The process of recognising the reason for ill health and correcting it is also a good pedagogy.

The irony is it seems silly for a beginner like me to start with sick orchids. Like I am making it double hard for myself right?! Beginners should be starting with a few healthy orchids surely! My first two were standard Phals from Ikea that were and still are very healthy. Then I got some poorly ones to try different varieties for cheap and now I am more inclined to go to a small specialist.

And yes, I probably contradicted myself a hundred times in this post.

[Wild Orchid]

Original point deleted. To each its own.

[SlipperGirl]

changed my mind

[Wild Orchid]

Original post deleted. Changed my mind about further participation in the discussion.

[SlipperGirl]

changed my mind

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

This is a bit of a tangent, but I'm aware of how Hausermann gets the majority of his Phal hybrid stock...

I used to work for Norman's Orchids, (this was where I learned how to grow Phals). Norman used to make his own crosses, that's why you'll come across a few grexes or cultivars with names like Fangtastic or something like that - Norman's last name is Fang. He doesn't do it anymore for whatever reasons, (most likely because he can't compete in pricing, or maybe he got tired of it because the process was so tedious). Norman's imports their hybrid Catts and Phals from Taiwan. Norman then ships out to local The Home Depots and such, but he'll ship out a few boxes to places like Hausermann's. The rest, is Norman's stock.

Now I don't know how much Hausermann really breeds his own stock, but the majority is not his breeding stock.

I'm not knocking Hausermann's Orchids, he's a pretty good vendor to buy from, but I'm just saying because I've pulled the order for him before.

If you guys are willing to support the smaller companies through their breeding stock, find out which orchids are from their line, and nobody else's.


In regards to the original query, the sticky "The Phal abuse ends here." can pretty much answer some of the questions regarding how to save a dying Phal. There are also a large number of posts on the OB in general that answers those questions too. Take your pick, there's no shortage of answers to your questions regarding this subject.

[james mickelso]

Maybe the moderators can delete this thread as it is not adding anything new to the discussion. But I have gotten some good info and enjoyed the debate. I like to see spirited discussions here. It makes it interesting. Thank you all.