Experiences of buying bare root orchids (Ecuagenera)?

[CisTransGlauca]

Hello,

I´m planning on placing an order from Ecuagenera, and would very much appreciate if those of you who have experience of ordering from this company, to share it. If I were to place an order, I´m going to order a few Masdevallias and a couple of Laelias or Cattleyas.
Are roots susceptible to dehydration and decay or rot from only being transported in sphagnum moss? I´m not that worried about the Cattleyas nor am I worried about the Laelias, but it´s the Masdies I´m worried about.

Worth noting is that i live in Sweden, and I really don´t know when it´s a good time to order orchids, especially from overseas, as the weather is still quite frigid.

p.s. if you would know some great Masd. species or hybrids that are more warm growing, please let me know! As far as I know, M. floribunda seems to be quite a safe bet.

[MrHappyRotter]

It's hit or miss. It pains me to say that because I like them. They have some pretty incredible offerings, and generally great prices, so they do have that going for them.

Most of their stuff looks decent, but there are a noticeable number of plants that looked stressed. For instance, plants with withered, wrinkled bulbs and no viable roots, questionable spots on leaves, dead/rotting growths, etc. All of the tender/delicate stuff I've gotten from them has taken me a very long time to nurse back to health. But hardier stuff recovered reasonably well.

I'm not sure it's entirely their fault, I'm sure the nature of preparing plants to ship internationally and then extended travel times, variable weather, etc all play hell on the plants. On the flip side, I've ordered from other international sellers that import to the US, and the plants have arrived in excellent condition.

My advice would be to buy from them at a show if possible, that way you can see the plants before making the decision to buy. Their communication is ridiculously slow. Keep that in mind because it could become a point of frustration if there's a problem with your order. I've waited months for a reply to an order inquiry email. I also wouldn't order anything delicate unless they've got some guaranteed expedited shipping options to your area and the order is fully insured. If there's something you absolutely have to have, then order a few and hope that at least one arrives in good enough shape to prosper.

[CisTransGlauca]

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

It's hit or miss. It pains me to say that because I like them. They have some pretty incredible offerings, and generally great prices, so they do have that going for them.

Most of their stuff looks decent, but there are a noticeable number of plants that looked stressed. For instance, plants with withered, wrinkled bulbs and no viable roots, questionable spots on leaves, dead/rotting growths, etc. All of the tender/delicate stuff I've gotten from them has taken me a very long time to nurse back to health. But hardier stuff recovered reasonably well.

I'm not sure it's entirely their fault, I'm sure the nature of preparing plants to ship internationally and then extended travel times, variable weather, etc all play hell on the plants. On the flip side, I've ordered from other international sellers that import to the US, and the plants have arrived in excellent condition.

My advice would be to buy from them at a show if possible, that way you can see the plants before making the decision to buy. Their communication is ridiculously slow. Keep that in mind because it could become a point of frustration if there's a problem with your order. I've waited months for a reply to an order inquiry email. I also wouldn't order anything delicate unless they've got some guaranteed expedited shipping options to your area and the order is fully insured. If there's something you absolutely have to have, then order a few and hope that at least one arrives in good enough shape to prosper.

I was afraid of that being the case. I really don´t know if I am willing to take that risk of receiving the majority of the order in terrible condition and having to nurture them back to health, if that even is possible.

I have had great success from ordering orchids from within Sweden, so I might just take the safe option and order from an orchid nursery in Europe instead, albeit they don´t offer the same range of primary and complex Masd. hybrids. Although, on the Cattleya alliance side, the range of species and hybrids offered here in Europe is, for me, sufficient.

[Subrosa]

I've gotten plants from Ecuagenera twice at the SEPOS show, once by pre-order and once picking from what they brought for sale. The Cattleya were in very nice shape considering, and bloomed a couple months after I received them. A Dresslerella didn't recover. The following year I picked out a nice Phragmipedium schlimmii that was in bud from their table, and wound up with 2 plants that have both thrived. But their communication is, as Mr Rotter says, frustrating to say the least. I made a pre-order for this year's show a couple weeks ago, have yet to hear back with an invoice, and the cutoff is around 3 weeks away.

[Paul]

I do know a couple vendors who who order minis and micro minis from them ... many of which are pleurothallids. Generally they receive some very large plants (keeping in mind these are minis and micro minis) without much problem. Whether or not the fact they are doing large orders makes a difference i do not know.

Personally, I would say that I would try to get to a show they attend so you can look over the plants in person.

If you do order, I would do so in the spring when frigid temps won't be a concern.