Do you guys ever get strange looks when buying orchids?

[ddivey36]

I found a yellow Phal with two nice spikes and a baby third spike at the box store and I got real excited at this NOID, because I wanted a yellow one and this one's color was very unusual and because the roots and plant looked great after I pulled it apart out of the pot looking and the third bonus spike! so I forked the $15!!! Normally I wait till they hit the clearance out of bloom rack and snatch them up for $5.... The leaves have some red spots like it was in high light...this box store is using a new vendor from Miami and from what I have seen the Phals look healthier than their other mass growing vendors. I inspected almost all the plants.....

[killer_orchid_killer]

Lovely reading this thread on my commute to work. It was quite entertaining to read about personal experiences.

Well, I have one to share as well. I work a few blocks from a flower wholesale market where they have tons of vendors selling decorative wood, cut flowers, petals, etc. there's also a few orchid vendors selling from the standard phals of various colors and sizes to more fancy oncidiums, slippers, catts. Some are with tags, most phals are not. One of the stores has out of bloom orchids for $.50! So yeah...

First time I discovered it I came back from my lunch break with a tote bag full of outcasts for about $3! Tons of weird looks from my team in the office. I've stopped explaining since then or else they've not cared!

I call them my practice orchids once they spike again for me, they're definitely to be repurposed as gifts with a nice cache pot.


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[Pattywack]

I purchase most of my orchids on line from Andys or J&L. No odd looks or comments. I do however live about 30 minutes from Al's Orchid Greenhouse in Leesburg Virginia. I have been there twice and it is smallish but the most beautiful, tropical paradise in Al's back yard. I could live in there, just love how clean and organized it is. He has beautiful plants but not very many minis for sale.

On my first visit I had a list of minis I was looking for. Everything I wanted Al had "red tagged", not for sale. I would ask about a particular orchid and he would give me this look. I felt like I was trying to buy his children, lol. Al is a very nice person and knows everything about orchids, I could talk to him all day. He did sell me two plants that had been red tagged. I've been able to buy several orchids in my two trips and hope to go again soon. He has beautiful orchids and his large plants are impressive. Fun to visit and you can take pictures!

[Leafmite]

Al is very nice! He treats all the orchids as if they are his children. We stopped there once while traveling and I have ordered from him, too.

[Pattywack]

I would never order from Al's! Pass up the opportunity to visit that wonderful greenhouse? I've spent hours in there each time I go. Al enjoys talking about orchids and if you buy a plant and pot from him, he will repot your orchid for you.

[kdennis14]

Hi,
I am all in!!