Hey Orchid Experts. Was I cheated? Miltassia Shelob from SecretGarden

[Chiru]

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

That's probably a bit too strict of a definition.

Many orchids only bloom once a year or only bloom seasonally. So, it seems reasonable to classify an orchid as blooming size if the grower suspects it will bloom within the next year, give or take.

The next size down then would be near blooming size. By mutual exclusion, that would mean the grower reasonably expects it will take more than 1 year to bloom.

More or less what I mean. I know that many orchids bloom once a year, and many bloom multiple times per year. What I mean to say is that I personally believe that if a plant is labeled as "near blooming" it should reach maturity or be capable of blooming within a year or so, give or take. If it is labeled as "blooming size" it should already be of maturity or capable of blooming. Due to when your orchid blooms, it's reasonable not to expect a bloom given a period of time, as you may have purchased it right after it finished blooming, so a "blooming size" plant may not bloom for another year. My thinking is mostly related to maturity, not immediate blooming results. In otherwords, as long as my orchid is capable of producing flowers, whether that would be the same time next year, I would say its definitely blooming size.

[SaraJean]

Originally Posted by Chiru

What I mean to say is that I personally believe that if a plant is labeled as "near blooming" it should reach maturity or be capable of blooming within a year or so, give or take. If it is labeled as "blooming size" it should already be of maturity or capable of blooming.

How most nurseries do it is
Blooming size = capable to bloom within the next proper season.
Near blooming size= capable of blooming in season within 12-18 months under ideal conditions. I would consider the one in question to be near blooming size.
Large Seedling or Seedling= 2–3 years from blooming in the proper season (or longer as is the case of my Paph sanderianum which hopefully will reach blooming size before I die...)

Now maturity is a different animal. Many places will list something as blooming size because, technically, it is able to bloom within the next 12 months with good care. It may not be ‘blooming size’ at time of purchase, but it can reach that size within the next 12 months. Blooming size doesn’t always mean it’s a mature orchid though. Some places will make the distinction between a young blooming size plant (may be a first bloom) and a mature blooming size plant. Mature size usually means it is at its max height, has previously bloomed, and has several growths capable of blooming that season in the case of something like a Dendrobium, Cattleya, or Oncidium.

[Chlorophile]

I will never order from SecretGarden again. I purchased a few orchids from them and they were all extremely tiny and in pretty poor shape. The macodes I ordered was COVERED in mealybugs and when I contacted them with photos they told me it was cold damage and refused to refund me. Just not worth it to save a few bucks per plant IMO.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Chlorophile

I will never order from SecretGarden again. I purchased a few orchids from them and they were all extremely tiny and in pretty poor shape. The macodes I ordered was COVERED in mealybugs and when I contacted them with photos they told me it was cold damage and refused to refund me. Just not worth it to save a few bucks per plant IMO.

What Chlorophile says. ^^ One go-round with them about fifteen years ago was enough. It was also a mealy bug issue, with excuses and no refund.

Edited to add: Not saying yours look bad Chiru. They look just fine. Just wasn't my experience with them.