Considering buying online...

[judith_arquette]

My husband has gifted me with MANY beautiful orchids since last September. Before I found this forum, several suffered cruelly before dying Thanks to fellow members and the VAST amount of knowledge I've gained reading through posts (past and current-I strongly recommend other newbies do the same ) I've managed to keep a few alive and even have one at least appear to begin thriving (I recently posted a pic of new growth that I hoped, and had confirmed, was a new root!!! 🎉
My dilemma is that all of the places I know to get orchids locally have them potted in the worst mediums possible and they all have root rot to some extent or another...
I was hoping to get some feedback as to the pro/cons of buying orchids online from people who have had the actual experiences (like y'all 😀 ). Thanks!

[Paul Mc]

I buy almost all of mine online. The only two cons I can think of at the moment are not knowing the dealer and weather issues during shipment (ie. Cold). Look for reputable growers and pay attention to the weather. Personally, I only order online when the weather starts to warm up to ensure they won't be harmed.

Otherwise, the standard rule of thumb is always keep new plants separated from the rest of your collection for a while. Everyone has issues from time to time with bugs and diseases. It can't be helped and is sometimes unseen for a while, especially when you have a large collection you are growing. By keeping new plants quarantined for a while, you can look for potential issues without introducing those into your own collection.


Paul McMahon
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[Leafmite]

When ordering online, just be certain that if you want blooming-sized orchids or orchids in bud, either order from a section labled as such or call and ask. Hausermann's in Chicago has really nice, healthy orchids and has been in business a while. Al's Orchid Greenhouse is a smaller business but Al delivers top-notch service. They both sell phals, cattleyas and a variety of other orchids. For more unusual stuff, there is Oak Hill Gardens Orchids and Andy's Orchids. Then there is Carmela Orchids in Hawaii which has a very nice variety. My Orchid society always gets the holiday give-away plants from there.
I have been happy with all of these places.
Before ordering from a new place, I google the company with the word 'reviews' and read what is said about the company.
Good luck!

[dounoharm]

ordering online is GREAT! there are some really good orchid growers who sell online, and you can get some things online that are just not available locally...I just love carmela's, and they always have really good specials! they are really great and caring people to deal with, as are hausermanns, and a lot of the online sellers....hausermanns are fantastic! for really good supplies, I always deal with kellys korner or repotme....the only con with buying online is ITS TOO EASY! lol....good luck!

[judith_arquette]

Thanks all!!! And thanks for the tip on quarantining new additions . I'm in Western NY and will probably wait until it's warm enough for my current plants to stay outside. I'm already scouting out placement
Any tips for moving indoor plants outside? I know I'll have to wait awhile before the overnight temps are high enough…

[Subrosa]

Andy's has the highest level of customer service I've experienced in an online vendor. But they carry only true species, which might not be your cup of tea. I've been very happy with my dealings with Exotic Orchids of Maui, Clown Alley, and Sunset Valley Orchids as well.

[Corsetière]

Kawamoto on Ebay is great to deal with too. I always get perfect, healthy plants from them.

[Sekhmet121]

Originally Posted by Corsetière

Kawamoto on Ebay is great to deal with too. I always get perfect, healthy plants from them.

I've gotten several plants from them and they have always been big, beautiful and very well packaged. Amazingly, they also get to my door in two days. I can't express just how happy I have been with Kawamoto.

[Paul]

I rarely buy online -- I like to inspect the actual plant I will be purchasing, and it "kills" me to "waste" money on postage that could be used for more orchids instead. So I have acquired most of my orchids at orchid shows.

A good option to explore before hitting the "online wagon" are orchid societies. Google for NY orchid societies for one(s) within driving distance and then attend a meeting. It is very common in most orchid societies, -- should you decide to attend/join one -- for orchids to be auctioned off, used as door prizes, or straight up sold at the meetings. Particularly if the society has a number of older members, there is a reasonable chance of some of the older, no longer produced but quite lovely hybrids may come up for sale or auction. Prices will typically be far lower than any vendor would sell them and you get to inspect the plant as well as talk to the person who grew it for any needed cultural info.

Ebay:
A caveat or -- perhaps better -- a cautionary note should you consider that route:

1) Do not fall for the "rare" hype -- on Ebay it seems EVERYTHING is "rare" or "ultra rare" when it fact little of it is.

2) If you are the type of person who can get carried away at an auction, SKIP Ebay entirely. Many folks windup spending far more than they should or intended to on Ebay because they get so caught up trying to "win" that their common sense flies out the window.

3) Shop around FIRST. Check out the plants offered by orchid nurseries and their prices (including shipping). Then you can hit Ebay and see if you can happen upon an actual good deal. Keep in mind that if you order from an overseas vendor, you will incur additional expenses beyond the plant and shipping fee and should something go wrong, you will likely never see your money ever again.

4) If the deal seems too good to be true it likely is.

5) Many Ebay sellers inflate their shipping fees to make extra profit off buyers.

[Paul Mc]

The same goes for Amazon as well. Research the seller and don't fall for marketing hype. In fact, recently there has been a seller based in Taiwan claiming he/she sells orchids at literally just a few dollars and will ship them to you. I wouldn't trust that source due to regulations of plant trade across countries. Buy from within the US only unless you can verify their reputation.

My experience with Amazon has been a mixed bag. They are usually very small baby plants and most are supposedly near blooming size (albeit 5 years later and still nothing on some). That being said, there are some reputable dealers on Amazon and EBay and Amazon has allowed me to collect some orchids as babies at a fraction of the cost if I were to buy a mature on. For example, one I bought ranges between $150 and $200 on the low end if mature, but bought it for $25 on Amazon as a baby.


Paul McMahon
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