Not sure where to put this thread

[Zoren]

, I'm looking for good and honest Orchid Vendors, I have been buying my Orchids at Odom Orchids, Elegant Orchids (Delray ,Fl) and RF Orchids (Homestead,Fl) I drive to them to and inspect all the Orchids I'm interested in, OH! some times I get Lucky at Home Depot. I need to find a few vendors that I can work with on-line that not only have good Orchids but they don't kill you with shipping costs. I've ordered from Akatsuka (Hawaii), I've experienced problems with all of the plants I bought from them. I like Catasetums, does Fred Clarke (Sun Valley Orchids) have good orchids and is he an honest vendor. So I could use some advice as to deal with if I'm going to purchase on line....Zoren...

[Leafmite]

If you belong to an Orchid Society, shipping costs are cheaper when doing an order with others. I have done this.

I order both orchids and exotic tropical plants and the shipping is expensive. Here are some orchid vendors that I have found to be honest and that always send me healthy orchids:

Hausermann's--I have been ordering from them for many years. The cost of their plants is reasonable but always check to make certain that it says that they are blooming size. I often get orchids in bud that are not said to be in bud or said to be a year from blooming. The roots on their orchids are usually amazing.

Al's Orchid Greenhouse (he takes the box to the post office and has it weighed so you pay for shipping what it actually costs. He also treats all his orchids as if they are a part of his private collection and, to be honest, he is very, very nice.)

Gold Country Orchids: Plants were a little younger/smaller than expected but they were also very vigorous and healthy. Shipping is super expensive, though, so definitely go in with someone else if you order.

Andy's Orchids is around $16 to $21 for shipping but, again, they are good orchids and are honest. If you ever have a question about how to grow the orchid, you can email him and he will call you and answer all your questions.

Exotic Orchids of Maui--very good, healthy orchids. They have a minimum order amount of $100 and it is thirty for shipping. I usually go in with other people when I order from there.

Carmelas--they often have really good deals, sometimes with free shipping. I have bought some very good orchids from them. If you do pay shipping, though, it is a flat rate of $30

Sunset Valley Orchids--I have always gotten very nice orchids from them but most of their orchids are not clones so the result can often be a surprise. They are honest and always send healthy orchids. I have always gone in with group orders so I am not quite certain of the order details.

Ecuagenera--if they come to an orchid show near you, pre-ordering orchids is the way to go! They are good and honest but they must bring the orchids into the US bare root which means that the orchids sometimes need a good dose of TLC. I have done group orders with others in my OS and been happy with the orchids that were shipped. This has not always been the case for others, however.

I hope this gives you a starting point.

[dounoharm]

same as leaf....but I don't have a lot of room...so when I get a bulk order, I end up selling (on ebay) all my unwanted plants.....I am a floof freak, and a fragrance freak too! I like those big deals from carmelas so its a Christmas surprise box, lol....sometimes I get two of the same thing,sometimes plants other than cattleyas....they get shipped off to ebay….so check out my listings! you never know!

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Sunset Valley Orchids--I have always gotten very nice orchids from them but most of their orchids are not clones so the result can often be a surprise. They are honest and always send healthy orchids. I have always gone in with group orders so I am not quite certain of the order details.

My go-to source for Catasetinae. Getting a seed-grown plant from one of the most creative hybridizers in the world of this group of orchids is like getting a painting from an artist. Each is unique, there are surprises, but all come from outstanding stud plants. All the the plants are healthy and reasonably priced.

[Pattywack]

I agree with Leafmite as well and I would like to add another excellent vendor to this list. They also have reasonable shipping charges. Louisiana Orchid Connection has beautiful plants and if you have any questions they are happy to email you with anything you may be questioning. They package their plants very well. I’ve purchased from them several times, always a pleasure.

[fooferdoggie]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

If you belong to an Orchid Society, shipping costs are cheaper when doing an order with others. I have done this.

Andy's Orchids is around $16 to $21 for shipping but, again, they are good orchids and are honest. If you ever have a question about how to grow the orchid, you can email him and he will call you and answer all your questions.

I tried emailing the info email on their site never heard back about a orchid I bought from them. is there a better email?

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by fooferdoggie

I tried emailing the info email on their site never heard back about a orchid I bought from them. is there a better email?

That is the email address I used but it has been a little over a year since I contacted them with email. The last time that I needed help with an orchid, I must have called them. I was quite desperate as it was something difficult to grow and not my plant (group order). Try calling them.