Buying online

[jlm086]

I've been hesitant about buying plants online, but there's some orchids I can't seem to find locally and think it might be time to try buying online. Who are some recommended vendor?

[hanzy08]

andy's orchids for species, motes orchids, orchid web and I find eBay to have a really good selection with a lot of different sellers. I have bought a lot of plants on eBay and I have had no complaints so far.

[estación seca]

A lot of it depends on what kind of orchid you want to grow. Hybrids tend to be easier to grow than species. If you like a particular kind of orchid, start with a hybrid in that group, unless you find a species known to be easy to grow.

I would also suggest you not get carried away by a beautiful photo, and buy something that cannot survive in your conditions. Figure out what kind of temperatures, relative humidity and light you can provide through the year. Then start with plants that will accept those conditions. People here will be happy to make recommendations if you tell us your growing conditions.

Vendors tend to specialize based on what grows well where they are. There are vendors who specialize in species only, hybrids, miniatures, tiny seedlings or mericlones and even individual genera. There are also vendors who try to market easy-to-grow and easy-to-bloom plants, targeted to generalist hobbyists rather than specialists.

There is a forum here for Vendor Feedback. If you click on Forums in the left menu, scroll down to Vendor Feedback. Lots of people have left lots of messages on many different vendors. You can go to their Web sites and see what kinds of plants they grow.

I personally would not recommend you start with Amazon nor eBay at first; start with established commercial growers. The reason is that, while there are very many good Amazon and eBay vendors, it is easy to get burned in this marketplace. Wait until you have more experience.

When you can grow easier plants, you might develop a taste for a particular kind of orchid, and be willing to learn how to grow something a little more difficult. Again, there are amazing people here who can help you, and from whom I've learned a lot.

If there is an orchid society near you, join it. You will learn what grows well in your area, and I am pretty sure you will come home from the first meetings with a few new gifts.

[Salixx]

I buy almost all my plants online as I can only get Phals in my area or I have to drive 2+ hrs to find anything. It is always going to be a bit of a gamble (hate to say). When you don't get to pick out the plant you want you are placing even more trust in the vendor.

Estacion has made very good points about knowing what you want to grow and then getting recommendations.

As for a vendor you would be hard pressed to go wrong with, I would second Andy's Orchids being a good place to start. He does a pretty good job describing the culture requirements of available species and also has an option on his website to select "Easy Grower." He is also quick to respond if you need help after you get your plant.
*I agree for the most part on not buying from amazon or ebay to start, however, Andy's DOES sell on amazon.com. If you are just buying a plant or two, it's cheaper than buying directly from his website once you factor shipping costs.

[jlm086]

Originally Posted by Salixx

As for a vendor you would be hard pressed to go wrong with, I would second Andy's Orchids being a good place to start. He does a pretty good job describing the culture requirements of available species and also has an option on his website to select "Easy Grower." He is also quick to respond if you need help after you get your plant.
*I agree for the most part on not buying from amazon or ebay to start, however, Andy's DOES sell on amazon.com. If you are just buying a plant or two, it's cheaper than buying directly from his website once you factor shipping costs.

I just bought my first orchid from Andys through Amazon! Thanks for the tip! Cannot beat the $6 shipping

[jlm086]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Andy's Orchids is, indeed, a fabulous place. For Phals, both Big Leaf and Louisiana Orchid are excellent. Hausermann's, Carter & Holmes, and RF are excellent. There are plenty of others as well.

Thanks for the suggestions! I did an order through Andy's. I will try out ordering from RF - I was able to visit there on vacation last year and would love to shop with them again.

[estación seca]

I was in the Miami area last week and visited RF on the first of this month. Wow! I brought home a number of bare-root Vanda and Cattleya seedlings, and bare-root divisions of Dendrobiums, as well as a few mini Vanda hybrids in pots.

[Roberta]

An addendum to buying from Andy... if you don't see what you want on the website, just ask. Only the species that he has in fairly high and consistent quantity are on the website, but he's always getting new things, and also has many species in quantities that may be too small to list but are available.The list on the website is probably about 1/4 of the species that he actually has at any time.

Another source to check out is Sunset Valley Orchids, Sunset Valley Orchids - Superior Hybrids for Orchid Enthusiasts Lots of Cattleya alliance (mini-catts especially), Catasetinae, and Australian Dendrobiums. (I don't have to mail order from there because it's relatively nearby, but the plants are superb and they do a lot of shipping to the rest of the country)

Living in an area with many vendors (including being about an hour from Andy as well as Sunset Valley Orchids), and lots of shows, I have little need for mail order. However, there are always other temptations... I have had excellent experience with Carter and Holmes. outstanding plants, very well packed (if in bloom, the flower usually arrive perfectly) and very responsive.

[Whimgrinder]

Knowing who to trust on eBay is difficult. As stated above, there are many reputable sellers who offer plants through eBay (like Waldor and Dave Off, even Jeff Bradley!) but there are plenty of jerks too - folks who steal photos for their listings and who are there to dump sick, shabby plants on unsuspecting buyers. It's a good idea to come here and ASK if a prospective seller is trustworthy before pulling the trigger.

It would be helpful if we knew what plants specifically you were hoping to acquire.

[Tindomul]

Whatever you choose to buy from you could do a search for the vendor in this forum
http://www.orchidboard.com/community/vendor-feedback/

SUrely someone has bought from them before. You can check to see other people's experiences with their purchases.