Two New Cattleyas from Hawaii

[escualida]

Originally Posted by SJF

Hi
Unfortunately they, Kawamoto, do not guarantee their orchids to be virus free. I bought several on eBay and they looked like they had viruses and had some insect issues. When I sent them pictures and asked about viruses they told me that they don't guarantee them to be free of them. I wish they would state that in their listings. It would have saved us both time and them in the end money. They, without me even asking, refunded the total of my order and told me to dispose of the plants. I will get rid of them as to not risk the insects or possible/probable virus. It really is a shame.

I bought quite a few orchids from them from eBay and have tested them all and all have been virus free. I have to say that for them to just give you a refund without even asking for tests or anything and not asking for the plants back is actually what growers who do guarantee virus free orchids would do anyway, except most of them want some kind of proof that the orchids are virused. So I'm actually really impressed that they did that.

I'm actually in a bit of a dispute with an eBay seller who sold me a phal that had BOTH ORSV and CymMV and won't give me a refund until I send her the plant back. I told her that I would send a sample to Critter Creek if she needed proof, or asked if she could test one of the other clones of this plant that she still has in stock instead of making me go out and find a big enough box (it's got a big spike), packing materials, take the time to pack it, and then walk 20 minutes in order to take it to USPS to send it back to her, and she refused and got really defensive and threatened to open a case against me. She also threatened to open a case against me if I didn't send the plant back in "perfect" condition, well I had to cut a little bit off of one of the leaves in order to test it so that would be impossible.

But the whole thing makes me super suspicious - why is she INSISTING on having the plant back when there are other ways of proving that it is diseased? And why would she need it back in perfect condition? Well the only answer that I can fathom is that she wants to sell it to someone else when it really should be thrown away. So I stood my ground and now there's an open case and we'll see what happens.

Anyway the whole point of me telling you this is that it seems like even though Kawamoto doesn't "officially" guarantee virus free plants, it seems like they behaved really well with you and that is a plus for them in my eyes.

[SJF]

Originally Posted by escualida

I bought quite a few orchids from them from eBay and have tested them all and all have been virus free. I have to say that for them to just give you a refund without even asking for tests or anything and not asking for the plants back is actually what growers who do guarantee virus free orchids would do anyway, except most of them want some kind of proof that the orchids are virused. So I'm actually really impressed that they did that.

I'm actually in a bit of a dispute with an eBay seller who sold me a phal that had BOTH ORSV and CymMV and won't give me a refund until I send her the plant back. I told her that I would send a sample to Critter Creek if she needed proof, or asked if she could test one of the other clones of this plant that she still has in stock instead of making me go out and find a big enough box (it's got a big spike), packing materials, take the time to pack it, and then walk 20 minutes in order to take it to USPS to send it back to her, and she refused and got really defensive and threatened to open a case against me. She also threatened to open a case against me if I didn't send the plant back in "perfect" condition, well I had to cut a little bit off of one of the leaves in order to test it so that would be impossible.

But the whole thing makes me super suspicious - why is she INSISTING on having the plant back when there are other ways of proving that it is diseased? And why would she need it back in perfect condition? Well the only answer that I can fathom is that she wants to sell it to someone else when it really should be thrown away. So I stood my ground and now there's an open case and we'll see what happens.

Anyway the whole point of me telling you this is that it seems like even though Kawamoto doesn't "officially" guarantee virus free plants, it seems like they behaved really well with you and that is a plus for them in my eyes.

Yes, they did handle it well. I just think that they should be upfront in their listing and say that they don't guarantee virus free plants instead of saying that they are 100% healthy. I would not have bought the plants then. I am hoping the snails, scale and whatever the other larger fast moving bug were didn't spread. When I sent some of my pictures they sent the refund without me asking for it. I wanted to discuss the situation with them prior to leaving negative feedback. I won't post any feedback now. The pictures must have shown them that the markings on the plants are clearly very characteristic of a virus, otherwise I can't see them just refunding the money. Three plants look to be viral. Well, back to the search for good, healthy Cattleya and their clones.

[GardenTheater]

Beautiful orchids. Love the colors. Great choices!

[pheli]

The third one may be Pot. Shinfong Lady.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by SJF

Yes, they did handle it well. I just think that they should be upfront in their listing and say that they don't guarantee virus free plants instead of saying that they are 100% healthy. I would not have bought the plants then. I am hoping the snails, scale and whatever the other larger fast moving bug were didn't spread. When I sent some of my pictures they sent the refund without me asking for it. I wanted to discuss the situation with them prior to leaving negative feedback. I won't post any feedback now. The pictures must have shown them that the markings on the plants are clearly very characteristic of a virus, otherwise I can't see them just refunding the money. Three plants look to be viral. Well, back to the search for good, healthy Cattleya and their clones.

I would still leave a positive feedback with a description of how they handled the case. It only helps other consumers I think.

Have you got your plants tested for virus? You can't just look at symptoms and know for sure that plants are virused.
The fact that they refunded money just show that they are good people, and I think they did so mainly for the purpose of avoiding potential friction with a potentially difficult customers. It's best to refund and make customers happy when they are not happy instead of losing or upsetting customers. simple and easy that way. and smart.

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by escualida

I bought quite a few orchids from them from eBay and have tested them all and all have been virus free. I have to say that for them to just give you a refund without even asking for tests or anything and not asking for the plants back is actually what growers who do guarantee virus free orchids would do anyway, except most of them want some kind of proof that the orchids are virused. So I'm actually really impressed that they did that.

I'm actually in a bit of a dispute with an eBay seller who sold me a phal that had BOTH ORSV and CymMV and won't give me a refund until I send her the plant back. I told her that I would send a sample to Critter Creek if she needed proof, or asked if she could test one of the other clones of this plant that she still has in stock instead of making me go out and find a big enough box (it's got a big spike), packing materials, take the time to pack it, and then walk 20 minutes in order to take it to USPS to send it back to her, and she refused and got really defensive and threatened to open a case against me. She also threatened to open a case against me if I didn't send the plant back in "perfect" condition, well I had to cut a little bit off of one of the leaves in order to test it so that would be impossible.

But the whole thing makes me super suspicious - why is she INSISTING on having the plant back when there are other ways of proving that it is diseased? And why would she need it back in perfect condition? Well the only answer that I can fathom is that she wants to sell it to someone else when it really should be thrown away. So I stood my ground and now there's an open case and we'll see what happens.

Anyway the whole point of me telling you this is that it seems like even though Kawamoto doesn't "officially" guarantee virus free plants, it seems like they behaved really well with you and that is a plus for them in my eyes.

They grow almost all their stuff outdoor, so bugs and disease can be very much possible. As I mentioned, some plants looked bad (although this doesn't necessarily mean plants are diseased), most looked very healthy and good.
The ones in eBay greenhouse were especially nice.

I'm glad you got all the healthy ones from them.
I bought quite a few catts from them. I didn't keep all. never tested them for virus.
I do have two. One is Toshie, look super nice and blooming again. (I have posted a seperate thread on this). The other is one of the two I posted on this thread. Cherry Suisse, which is starting two new leads. Yay!!!

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by GardenTheater

Beautiful orchids. Love the colors. Great choices!

Thanks! I love them too!

[NYCorchidman]

Originally Posted by pheli

The third one may be Pot. Shinfong Lady.

It is not. It had a tag saying what it is and I don't remember but I know it isn't that.

[Lagoon]

Its hard to pick a favorite, both are just beautiful, love the colours!

[ccpxjaas]

i am new here, i am also new in orquids and i am fascinated by them, hope to learn abut them with all your help. I will be posting pic of the ones i have.

---------- Post added at 11:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:29 AM ----------

those are beautiful.