Mail ordered plants don't appear as advertised

[smokinjoe1952]

JK - Agreed.

That is why I am not pursuing with the vendor. I have had 6 out of 8 mail order plants (same vendor) that bloomed and were very close to the advertised picture. Very happy! I am only 1 day shipping away from this vendor, so that helps I'm sure.

I am now aware that you may or may NOT get what you see in the pic, and if you don't, it may be entirely out of the suppliers hands.

Also, it may come around on the second bloom cycle, depending on your culture methods, but you won't know for ~6-12 months.

I might be more sensitive to this that others because my grow chamber holds, depending on size, 15 - 20 plants. As such, I want all of them to be something that my wife enjoy, and really think is gorgeous.

I could give it to a friend, but then it would bloom again, and be the most beautiful orchid I have ever seen! :-)

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe1952

I could give it to a friend, but then it would bloom again, and be the most beautiful orchid I have ever seen! :-)

I once caught a Cattleya that was larger than the record for that lake during a tournament. Just before the photographer snapped the photo it jumped out of my hands and back into the lake.

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by estación seca

I once caught a Cattleya that was larger than the record for that lake during a tournament. Just before the photographer snapped the photo it jumped out of my hands and back into the lake.

I'd love to know where to go fishing for Cattleyas!!

[Joseia]

I enjoy the variability of blooms that come from differences in culture, and the fact that when you get a plant grown from seed, you don't really know what you are going to get. Example: I have a BLC Windward Flare bag baby from Lowes with a unique flower that I just love. Was expecting purple, vertical stripes on lower lip, but it is solid instead and looks incredible. Another example: Den Angel Kisses from C&H just gave me first blooms and was expecting some pink/purplish color in petals, sepals and lip. (Estacion seca posted pics of same plant, his looked similar to image on C&H website.) But mine is pure white with two light yellow spots in lip and pointier sepals and petals. I love it, it really looks like a classic all white cattleya in miniature.

I know we want exactly what we ordered, but surprises can be nice too.

[Leafmite]

I agree with others who have said that this is probably the right plant but that the pink did not develop because, most likely, the color either takes time to develop (as stated by the vendor) or it was too warm as the buds developed. The white is actually very beautiful and you may still get the pink. These flowers probably last a couple of months. Be patient and see what happens.

As said, I have a few orchids that have quite a variation depending on temperature. As for age, there are many orchids known to change color with age and people buy them just for that reason.

Even if you bought an orchid from a vendor, in bloom, you may not get the same colors, size or amount of blooms the next blooming if it isn't grown under the same conditions.

[estación seca]

While browsing orchid vendors online, I came across this text regarding this plant:

"Flower will first appeal white as its parent Bllra. Tahoma Glacier and with purple edge as the flower aged."

[jkofferdahl]

Hmmm. Fine print.

[smokinjoe1952]

I am patiently waiting for the color to change. If these indeed do bloom pure white, then turn to what most pictures show, that would be a really neat orchid!

Time will tell.