Seedling size for cheaper worth the wait?

[gardengirl13]

OK another I really want is this one

Phal LD's Bear King 'RK-4' [MO74] - $150.00 : Big Leaf Orchids, Fragrant and Novelty Phalaenopsis

but again I'd be totally paranoid about killing a plant this expensive!! But it's so nice looking!!

And yes while I'm arguing with myself over which few I want I'm scared someone will buy one out from under me. The pressure!!!!!!!!!!

---------- Post added at 01:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:22 PM ----------

Here's what the shelving unit looked like last year in the old house.

149170616 photo - gardengirl13 photos at pbase.com

Here it will not be against a window, just in the living room, which we have a north facing wall with a large slider, a large window and two triangle windows in the top near the ceiling. Even today with it mostly overcast it's very bright in here. Not plant bright, but on really sunny days it's almost squinty bright.

[tucker85]

I agree, that's a beauty! I would be interested in that one at a slightly lower price. Some of Peter's plants are from the famous breeder Joseph Wu. Years ago, when I didn't know much about orchids or orchid prices, Joseph Wu had a booth at the Redlands Orchid Festival. I saw a little yellow phalaenopsis, at his booth, that had one very pretty flower and two small leaves. I almost fainted when they told me it was $250. I put it down very quickly and very carefully. I didn't have any idea that a seedling phalaenopsis could be that expensive.

[gardengirl13]

Yeah to be honest, and I shutter to say this, if he had it priced at $100 I'd get it. Sure I'd still be paranoid, but I'd still get it. There is one that is similar and cheaper at $85, but it doesn't have the lovely pointed petals and that great lip! I'm still tempted, but it's just too much when I'm looking to buy a few more as well.

I do have two catts I want, both say windows are good, one even says stay away from bright light for better results!! So hey, maybe I can have a catt or two!

I'm also going to get some baskets to hang. I'e always wanted to try a phals in baskets since they can look so nice flowing down, especially the schilleriana. Are there some phals that won't do well in baskets? I know watering will be more like daily for them, or at least good long soaks a couple times a week and daily misting. But I want to put the right ones in and not get the wrong ones mad at me!

OK so aside from the schilleriana, who is still pouting, the two other non-flowering phals just sent up tiny little new leaves over night!!! Yea!! The one bloomed last spring and again this past fall so I think he might be tired and waiting. But the other I'm not sure, but at least he's got new growth in leaves and roots!

also just looking there is active growth in both the bllra and the onc! So maybe they just needed to get settled into their new house!

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[gardengirl13]

OK so I got some moss, baskets, bark and charcoal in addition to orchids, so that raised the price a bit. But I hit my limit for online ordering!! My parents just bought a new bed and I'm making a quilt for it and for my time (which I said I'd only charge them for the fabric) they sent me $300 to spend on plants! I couldn't believe it! Plus I have some money to spend since my husband spent some for our anniversary (it was 20 years back in feb!!) so I still have a bit left over for local shopping this weekend if I see a plant or two.

But since I got smaller plants for the most part I'm going to need to get some sheers for the west windows until I can get grow lights for the shelves! Which I may get this weekend if they have good prices.

But here's my loot!!! Holy cow it's a lot!!!!! My husband is going to roll his eyes when he sees it all! But it's still cheaper then just that one that I want!!

So from Hausermann's:
Phal. (violacea var. borneo x violacea var borneo 'Pacific Isle')
Dtps. Surf Song
Phal. Sogo Grape 'Y-N' AM/AOS

from Carter and Holmes:
Phalaenopsis Baldan's Kaleidoscope 'Golden Treasure' AM/AOS
Phal. Green Tetra
Phalaenopsis violacea magenta x sib
Phal. amboinensis 'Yellow Jacket' HCC/AOS x Phal. amboinensis 'Golden Chalice'
and for a lower light catt I got the
Lc. Hawaiian Satisfaction 'Romantic' HCC/AOS

and from Big Leaf I got:
Phal Princess Kaiulani 'Chin Yo' AM/AOS
Phal Kuntrarti Rarashati 'Copperstate' HCC (equestris X venosa)
Phal Liu's Berry 'Yaphon'
Phal (Chiada Stacy X mannii) #1
Phal Donna's Delight (equestris v. alba X finleyi)

Wow! I just doubled my collection! But two that I have here at home will be on the yard sale table this summer, so that means I can get two this weekend! 13 is my lucky number so this is good! Now I hope I didn't jinx any of this by telling people before I get everything!! Wish me luck and if anyone has any of these and have any advice I'm all ears!!

[quiltergal]

Just as an FYI violacea var Borneo has been bellina for many years. I love Hausermanns, but geez change your tags already!! You will love this one.

All the rest are really great! I'm very interested to see what Donna's Delight looks like when it blooms. I love what finleyi contributes to breeding.

I have Liu's Cute Angel cousin to Liu's Berry. When I repotted I found 3 separate plants in the pot! Bonus!!!

[gardengirl13]

Donna's is REALLY cute!! I can't wait to get it to bloom! They have the cousin too, it too me about an hour to decide between the two! Ha, I'm horrible with that stuff!

[dounoharm]

for the beginner grower, I recommend blooming size plants, getting budded ones is great! that way you know what you are getting, and it is much less trouble to keep a mature plant growing....the young ones take a lot of coddling to get good results....I recommend one of carmela orchids specials...they sell nice size plants at a good price....after spending a couple years with mature plants and successfully reblooming those, you might wish to try some younger ones...good luck!

[terracotta7]

Great choices! Enjoy!

[Joseia]

I am curious to see how quickly you get your orchids shipped by Carter and Holmes. I ordered two phals from them this past weekend and received an email confirmation of the order, but still no shipping information. Their website says they generally ship within two weeks, so I am probably being impatient, but I am curious if anyone has any experience with C&H - did it take a few weeks to ship your order?

[james mickelso]

GardenGirl, I like your photography. Wish it were easier on you. I too am a photographer. I shoot large format (4x5 to 11x14 B&W) landscape, flowers, abstracts. Like to see some more of your images.

---------- Post added at 12:17 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:12 PM ----------

As for seedlings vs nearly flowering plants, space can be a factor. Do you have the space for foliage or do you also have room for both? I really like to get flowering or near flowering plants for grats but since I have mostly rescues I can't be picky. But getting orchids to flower is relatively simple. Knowing what they want and giving it to them will help them to flower. I think too many people emphasize humidity too much. Watering and light along with temperature are the most critical parts of flowering orchids. And joining an orchid club. There are many folks around you that grow and flower orchids. Meeting them will really help you to grow in your endeavors. This board is a great resource. And we LOVE pics.