Where to Buy?

[butterfly_muse]

Evening, everyone!

I am pretty new to the hobby, and I was just wondering where people buy their orchids online? I have only acquired my guys from big box stores, as it were, and I'd like to see what else is out there.

So, naturally, I've spent this evening putting off a very important paper to surf Google and other forums and search through this board for lots of orchids to try and buy at some point.

I have seen a lot from Hausermann's and have read that they are reputable, but I was wondering who else is out there that is reputable and fair with cost? How can you tell? How do you value what an orchid should even cost or is worth (if you can do that, I guess)? How do you know who is any good? Do you test the plants as soon as you receive them?

And how do you recognize what places/dealers to stay away from, other than the obvious crap looking plants? What do you do if you receive one?

I am going to try to contact the MD Orchid club here at some point when my life slows down, and I plan on searching out some local nurseries after my move...but since not everyone in Maryland is going to have everything I'll ever eventually want, I wanted to ask for some advice.

Advice? Stories?

Thanks in advance!!

[SJF]

Carter & Holmes,pay attention to size, some are years away from blooming
Sunset Valley Orchids
First Ray's
Hausermann's

I do not recommend Logees in CT
Look through the vendor feedback forum. It will give you good and bad reviews. Google and research vendors before you buy. Some have sickly or virused plants and lousy customer service

[butterfly_muse]

Oh no whyyyyyyy did you have to show me Al's!? Leesburg isn't that far. <__________< I may have to go on a road trip in the near future...

[tucker85]

Like SJF said, pay attention to the plant size. Many online vendors sell very small seedlings that take years to bloom and will probably die before they ever bloom. Look for blooming size or mature size plants.

Aside from Hausermann's, that you already mentioned, I've had good results with Norman's Orchids at Orchids.com, Carter and Holmes, Carmela Orchids, Gold Country Orchids (especially for compact and mini-cattleyas), Kawamoto on Ebay, Odom's Orchids and there are many more.

[orchidsinstl]

Marilyn Ledoux at Windy Hill Orchids has wonderful plants, although the website isn't glitzy. She also seems to have quite a bit that doesn't show up on her web list, so you can call or email if you're looking for something in particular. She's very responsive.

[Jayfar]

For Phals, Peter Lin's Big Leaf Orchids is my favorite for novelties, species and primary hybrids. He also has a discussion board with a lot of good Phal breeding discussion.

[NYCorchidman]

Orchidzone in California if you like paphs.
I also bought from Kawamoto both on and off line, and I don't have any complaints.

Komoda orchids in Hawaii.
I bought miltoniopsis and dendrobiums from them.
Very nice.

[The Orchid Boy]

Tom Kalina at Fox Valley Orchids- Has many paph and phrag species and hybrids from flasks, compots, seedlings, to big blooming sized plants. The prices are very fair and he is very helpful.
Leo Schordje at schordje.com- A smaller seller with many hard to find orchids for the best prices. He has more than what's listed on his website, just contact him. He has 2 growth Paph. sanderianums for only $125! May seem like a lot but most other people sell ones that are 2 years from blooming for the same price.
Randy Tajima at Mid-Pacific Orchids- they have lots of great phals, catts, and dendrobiums. Also has a good selection of other orchids. Specimen plants available.
Sam Tsui at Orchid Inn- He has just about every paph species and loads of hybrids from flasks to blooming sized. Also has lots of phrags. Some of the best slipper orchid breeding, prices are a little higher but the plants always have excellent bloom quality.
Ray at Great Lakes Orchids- Has great cypripediums (hardy slipper orchids). He is very helpful and has a great selection and fair prices. He makes growing cyps easy.
eBay- Has good orchids for great prices. Make sure you see or ask to see a recent picture of the actual plant.
Piping Rock Orchids- They have really good slipper orchids and masdevallias for good prices.

[Discus]

Try Orchid Map™ | Locator: Orchids and then google for reviews of the various finds

It's well worth joining an OS; try the one closest to you, and if you don't like it, try one slightly further afield. Local growers will tell you all the best places near you, give you advice, and often, spare plants.

[SJF]

Originally Posted by butterfly_muse

Oh no whyyyyyyy did you have to show me Al's!? Leesburg isn't that far. <__________< I may have to go on a road trip in the near future...

That would be great. I am too far to drive there. Look at his online pictures on his website. His greenhouse is so clean. He is a one man show and therefore, ensures quality. He is on Facebook too. He is a nice guy and answers all questions very promptly. He will even tell you if a plant doesn't look good enough to him to ship.

He has a lot more varieties and plants in the greenhouse than he says he can list on his website. I think buying plants in person is the best way to purchase them. If you go please take pictures to post.

The other place that you could buy orchids is local shows. That way again you can see them before buying. You can look at overall health, new leads and ask questions.

Do yourself a favor and just research online vendors really well prior to purchasing. I have had a couple of bad experiences that have wasted money, brought diseased, insect infested orchids into my home and caused aggravation.