Do you guys ever get strange looks when buying orchids?

[Bulbofett]

I figure of all places, an orchid nursery would be the last place I'd get a few sideways glances. At C&H yesterday though there were a few people that couldn't believe how many orchids I was getting.....and it was under 15 orchids.

These people were not orchid growers. They were there for the 40% off house plant sale at the open house. I drove up for the 25% off orchids deal. Not to mention, HEY its C&H, who wouldn't want to go?

Anyways, they asked me what I'm even going to do with that many plants. I laughed it off saying I'll have to kill off my others to make room I guess. Not even a smirk so I kind of left it at that. Then one of the ladies said, "you must have really good success if you're buying that many plants". Maybe I was just sensitive, but I took it as an underhanded compliment from the way it was said. Not to mention right after that the other lady piped up and said, "yeah they're all so big! They'll probably cost a lot".........They're all seedlings except for one. So, I said, "Actually these are all babies". She just kind of looked at me.

SO, welcome to the crazy orchid asylum. My name is Keris and I'll be your guide!

[DweamGoiL]

I don't really have a nursery nearby so I usually shop in plant stores. In the Spring, they usually have plenty of orchids although predominantly Phals and Dtps. This year, I was lucky enough to score a really nice complex Paph and last year I got a Paph of the maudiae type. I usually walk in, they kind of know me. I usually take my time and inspect the pot, roots, well, you know the drill. In their eyes, I lurk...lol. I usually end up getting something so they tolerate me, but I can definitely tell I am being watched. Needless to say that because of this and the limited selection, I'd rather buy online

I totally understand how you feel, and congrats on the haul...umm...so where are the pictures?

[Subrosa]

Never, but I do get interesting comments from my wife when she sees the receipts/invoices!

[PaphMadMan]

With people that clueless and rude I would have had to spin some story about orchid leaves being made into the latest designer drug, or something like that.

[Bulbofett]

Originally Posted by DweamGoiL

I don't really have a nursery nearby so I usually shop in plant stores. In the Spring, they usually have plenty of orchids although predominantly Phals and Dtps. This year, I was lucky enough to score a really nice complex Paph and last year I got a Paph of the maudiae type. I usually walk in, they kind of know me. I usually take my time and inspect the pot, roots, well, you know the drill. In their eyes, I lurk...lol. I usually end up getting something so they tolerate me, but I can definitely tell I am being watched. Needless to say that because of this and the limited selection, I'd rather buy online

I totally understand how you feel, and congrats on the haul...umm...so where are the pictures?

This is me at my local garden center as well. They identify me by name, and tell me if a new shipment has come in, or what they think I'll be interested in. Usually, I just get my potting supplies there because they don't really have anything I lust after. The plants come from Owen's Orchids, so they're super nice, but they're mostly Oncids and Phals.

I do buy a lot online, but going and inspecting the plants to choose the best out of each one has always been my preferred way to shop. Sometimes you can't find what you're looking for in the stores.

Oh yeah, Pictures! I'll upload in a sec.

[Leafmite]

I used to get looks and comments like that when I went to our local herb place (now out of business, so I have to order my stuff from Companion Plants). Not everyone grows stuff like wormwood, rue, woad, soapwort, Valerian, etc. In fact, the looks might have been a little worse.
I buy most of my orchids online so getting looks at a store isn't the problem...it is my daughters and husband. They do understand when the orchids are phal-type Dens, Cattleyas or a pretty phal but some of the other ones get that look that says...'maybe mom isn't quite okay'. I just recently ordered a Mormolyca ringens from Andy's and it came in bloom. When I showed the youngest daughter (the other two are away at college) and husband the flower and told them about the mimicry, they were definitely not impressed. :|

[Bulbofett]

Here are my newest additions in all their splendor I'll edit this with the names.

Blc. Kitty Matheny 'lenette'
Blc. Melinda Wheeler 'mendenhall'
Peristeria elata
Coelogyne panduarata 'mendenhall' x. Coelogyne South Carolina 'mendenhall'
Paph. Prince Edward of York
Blc. Spring Dawn 'Top Row'
Blc. Traveling Star 'lipstick' x. Bc Deborah Smith 'mendenhall'
Maxillaria variabilis 'Yellow' x 'Black Eyed Susan'
Blc. Carolina Orange D'Or 'Lenette' x. Pot. William Farrell 'Apricot Orange'
Brassavola Glauca 'Woltman' x. self
Paph. Lalita
Odbrsa Pisgah Recluse
Phal. gigantea 'Johnette' x. self
Blc. Grezaffi's Blue x. Lc. Egerland 'Blueshape'




---------- Post added at 02:32 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:27 PM ----------

Originally Posted by PaphMadMan

With people that clueless and rude I would have had to spin some story about orchid leaves being made into the latest designer drug, or something like that.

I'm no good at comebacks, but if I would have loved to see their faces if I said something like this!

Originally Posted by Leafmite

I used to get looks and comments like that when I went to our local herb place (now out of business, so I have to order my stuff from Companion Plants). Not everyone grows stuff like wormwood, rue, woad, soapwort, Valerian, etc. In fact, the looks might have been a little worse.
I buy most of my orchids online so getting looks at a store isn't the problem...it is my daughters and husband. They do understand when the orchids are phal-type Dens, Cattleyas or a pretty phal but some of the other ones get that look that says...'maybe mom isn't quite okay'. I just recently ordered a Mormolyca ringens from Andy's and it came in bloom. When I showed the youngest daughter (the other two are away at college) and husband the flower and told them about the mimicry, they were definitely not impressed. :|

Yeah the stranger ones are always hard to explain to people that don't grow them. That's why I love coming to OB, because all of you guys appreciate the weird, crazy, and smelly orchids! I have a Bulb. echinolabium and that was the first one my mom looked at me like I had been ripped off for buying a rotting egg. So don't worry Leafmite, you're among friends here

Love Andy's btw, I had to get a couple during his sale too

[Leafmite]

Stinky bulbos, eh? I admit, I would probably get a few of these if my spouse wasn't so against them. Someone posted one that was absolutely gorgeous but said that you could smell it a little ways away and it was drawing plenty of flies. Yeah, I did not write that one down even though I really liked it.
I bought one that was labeled 'fragrant' but no idea what that means. Hopefully, my spouse will forgive me if it draws a few flies and beetles as I did not knowingly buy a stinky one. Then there is the mini noID that smells pretty strong of damp earth in a cave or forest (?) that I begged from an Orchid Society member because I fell madly in love. Hopefully the family will just think it is the soil from the other plants. I did start out well, with an ambrosia.

That sale at Andy's completely broke down my resolve not to get the morm. I kept telling myself it was just too strange, too odd, not at all my usual taste. Just why would I want an orchid like that? Ha ha. I love it!

[MattWoelfsen]

And then there are fellow orchid growers who look cross eyed at me every time I bring another Neofinetia falcata in bloom to our society's show and tell. I am the ONLY Neofinetian amongst a society of Paphiopederelicts and Phragmipederasts who constantly yap about how lovely red, deep red, crimson red, neon red their Phrag. bessiae bloomed! And NEVER, EVER bring up Paph. korvachii (and all of its hybrids)

But it is all good fun.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I have just never worried about looks/comments from strangers all that much. People that know me know that I am . . . (pick favorite descriptor here; few brick shy of a load; half a bubble off-center; not playing with a full deck). Those that I consider friends don't care.

I will say that on my most recent trip to Carter & Holmes, I had a nice chat with the folks at their front office. After our chat, I was handed off to one of their other staff for assistance in finding plants, with the comment ". . . he's a grower". I was certainly not a big customer, but got great customer service!