Orchid suppliers in Fort Lauderdale/Pompano/Coral Springs, Florida area?

[LadySoren]

Hello!

I'll be heading to my hometown after the holidays to visit family and I plan to get my sister started on orchids while I'm down. (She's a willing subject).

I didn't grow orchids while I lived there (for shame, for shame!) so I have no idea where to buy stuff other than grocery store orchids. I'd rather go to a green house or awesome nursery or something (but not TOO $$$$$$)

Any suggestions? I will be in the towns listed above, maybe even as far south as the Miami Metro Zoo (but sis won't be there and I hope to bring her to pick out her own)


As a side note- should I get her just phals or catts or what? Thinking it will be in bright kitchen window, but maybe I'll get her one she can just stick outside to enjoy the Florida sunshine and humidity.

Thanks guys!

[IncurablePlantHead]

I vote to grow 'em outside especially if she's only going to have a few. If she has to bring them in a couple of nights during the winter then its no big deal. I think they will generally be much happier outdoors in South Florida than in a kitchen window. Just my humble opinion.

[plumania]

Cattleyas , Brassavolas, Encyclias do well here, she can place them in wood baskets and hang them outside in a tree or a place where it gets enough sun without burning the plant.

Rubens in orchids would be a good place to visit. They have a lot of good size Catts and Encyclias and several plants are in bloom so she can pick what she like.They are not too expensive if you buy plant during your visit. Make sure to call them first.

There are many nurseries in Homestead area which is a bit south to Miami. For example RF Orchids( expensive to me). When you visit RF orchids, there are several Orchid nurseries in the same area where you can buy reasonably priced orchids.

Also if she has trees that she can use to mount, she can get some cheaper plants and it is real fun to see them growing with roots clinging to tree. Tree mounted one need less care, in my opinion.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Close to you is Mickey's orchids, always nice plants and lovely people there:
Mickey's Orchids - Specializing in Frequent Bloomers - MICKEY'S ORCHIDS
That's pretty much the only place I know in Ft. Lauderdale, than everything else is really South Miami/Homestead
Bonnet house had orchid show this past weekend, but they may have some orchids for sale even when you visit in regular days, worth checking with them:
Bonnet House Museum & Garden Calendar, Things To Do Ft. Lauderdale
I do grow everything outside at my balcony here in North Miami, I would definitely grow outside year round in South Florida:-)

[LadySoren]

Thanks guys, I'll check them out.

I have never mounted anything before... I would love to try though. Maybe I'll find some clearance orchids we can experiment on for that.
So, if she grows them outside, just let the rain water them unless it hasn't rained in a while? Should she move them out of the rain if it rains and rains every day (you know how that can go...)?
I know if it's in a tree it would be fine, but idk about potted.

[plumania]

Yes rain water works fine and never kills these tree mounted ones. We do get rain every now and then in winter and spring but nowhere close to summer.
If in a pot, she should use one with plenty of holes and minimum amt of media and mix should be something that dries quick like lava rock , charcoal, hydroton and may be 2-3 pieces of bark. In spring you can easily mont in a basket with just avfew pieces of media because roots start growing soon . Usually i do not need to need to bring potted ones inside but if she is worried about rot , periodicallyshe can bring them in a sheltered location during rainy season. Rain is generally good for these plants and I do not have to go out to water the plants which is a plus because it is too hot and and humid and lots of mosquitoes outside.

In January, we have Ft lauderdale orchid show and sale where she can get blooming plants at reasonable rate. There she can ask questions from vendors and other people. This is how I learned at first.
If she wants to know more she can join ft lauderdale orchid society or one close to her residence.