In search of P. cochleata for delivery to OH

[Mountaineer370]

Well, interestingly, I had occasion to visit Porter's Orchids in Michigan last weekend for a sale they had going on. Their website indicated they had Encyclia cochleata, and based primarily on recent discussions here, I had also become very interested in acquiring one of those, since it sounds like something that might do well in my growing conditions and seems suited to someone who is still more or less a beginner.

When I asked someone there about it, he said he was sure they didn't have any left but that there certainly had been a lot of people asking for it that day! Hmm, I wonder why there has been a sudden surge of interest in that particular plant?

[Leafmite]

Some types of orchids are everywhere for a while, then you cannot find one, then they are everywhere again. I am sure that in a couple of months, this one will be everywhere again as this is an old favorite. In the meantime, you could probably find something else that is just as rewarding.

One way I like to find something interesting to grow is to go to Andy's Orchids

Andy's Orchids - Species Specialist - Welcome Orchids - Species Specialist - Orchids on a stick

and, in the right upper corner of the home page, I find and click on the search link. I click on all the options that matter to me and then click 'search'. If nothing comes up, I make a compromise or two and try again. I have gotten some fun orchids this way.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Another place to look is your local Lowes. This is one of the most common species offered at Lowes as Better Gro -branded orchids in a bag. I've acquired quite a few orchid species and hybrids this way.

[KokeshiHappyGreen]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer370

Well, interestingly, I had occasion to visit Porter's Orchids in Michigan last weekend for a sale they had going on. Their website indicated they had Encyclia cochleata....

When I asked someone there about it, he said he was sure they didn't have any left but that there certainly had been a lot of people asking for it that day! Hmm, I wonder why there has been a sudden surge of interest in that particular plant?

Heh. Yes, I wonder 🤔

Steve (King_of_Orchid_Growing) you have created a ...cochleata-gotta-have-it-monster!!! 😱😂

---------- Post added at 03:59 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:58 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Some types of orchids are everywhere for a while, then you cannot find one, then they are everywhere again. I am sure that in a couple of months, this one will be everywhere again as this is an old favorite. In the meantime, you could probably find something else that is just as rewarding.

One way I like to find something interesting to grow is to go to Andy's Orchids

Andy's Orchids - Species Specialist - Welcome Orchids - Species Specialist - Orchids on a stick

and, in the right upper corner of the home page, I find and click on the search link. I click on all the options that matter to me and then click 'search'. If nothing comes up, I make a compromise or two and try again. I have gotten some fun orchids this way.

All very useful suggestions! Thanks!

---------- Post added at 04:00 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:59 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Another place to look is your local Lowes. This is one of the most common species offered at Lowes as Better Gro -branded orchids in a bag. I've acquired quite a few orchid species and hybrids this way.

In future I'll keep an eye out there then.

In fact, my B little stars that's doing so well and I'm focusing on, was from BetterGro seedling/young plant in a bag 👍🏻

[Mountaineer370]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Some types of orchids are everywhere for a while, then you cannot find one, then they are everywhere again. I am sure that in a couple of months, this one will be everywhere again as this is an old favorite. In the meantime, you could probably find something else that is just as rewarding.

One way I like to find something interesting to grow is to go to Andy's Orchids

Andy's Orchids - Species Specialist - Welcome Orchids - Species Specialist - Orchids on a stick

and, in the right upper corner of the home page, I find and click on the search link. I click on all the options that matter to me and then click 'search'. If nothing comes up, I make a compromise or two and try again. I have gotten some fun orchids this way.

I can see spending quite a bit of time playing around with the "Power Search" on that site. Thanks!

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Another place to look is your local Lowes. This is one of the most common species offered at Lowes as Better Gro -branded orchids in a bag. I've acquired quite a few orchid species and hybrids this way.

I probably just don't get to Lowe's often enough. I'm betting they sell out quickly when they get a new shipment in. I usually don't see anything of interest, but I probably should check a little more often. Thanks for the reminder!

[lithopgirl]

I've been in search of a virus-free Prosthechea cochleata (Encyclia cochleata) for two years now. I have bought three plants, from three different vendors (two online and one very reputable greenhouse in the midwest) and ALL have tested positive for ORSV. I've been driven a bit batty by it--I figure I've spent in excess of $100 on trying to get this orchid (and testing the plants). So, two questions: one, does anyone have a suggestion for where I purchase a virus-free P. cochleata (or a place that takes returns; two of the places I bought from in the past year were listed among the vendors in this thread)? And two, can anyone speculate as to why this orchid is so virused? Is it particularly susceptible, or is everyone getting them from the same sick mama, or has this been just a case of strange bad luck?

[estación seca]

Originally Posted by lithopgirl

I've been in search of a virus-free Prosthechea cochleata (Encyclia cochleata) ....

Are you buying seedlings, or divisions? Divisions are more likely to be virused due to many years in cultivation and more time for exposure to viruses. Buy a seedling and grow it up.

Why are you worried about viruses unless they harm your plants? Could you tell they were virused before you tested them? Until we are moderately good growers, we should not suspect poor plant growth is due to a virus rather than our poor care.

ALL potential human mates have DNA viruses in their genomes. This is not a useful selection criterion for a mate. It seems not to affect our reproduction nor beauty.

Good growing hygiene keeps viruses from spreading to nearby plants. Unless you're a commercial nursery and you commit to not selling virus-free plants, I don't see much reason to worry about viruses in an orchid collection. Growers of other kinds of specialty plant don't worry about viruses nearly as much as orchid growers. I suspect this is because we are the most high-strung of plant nuts.

Likewise, you'll never wash all the bacteria off your hands, the kitchen counter nor your toothbrush. You'll never kill all the bugs on your plants, let alone the ones in your kitchen and packaged food.

[Dollythehun]

Well said.

[Mountaineer370]

Lithopgirl, I'm curious, too. Did all three of your plants show symptoms of having a virus before you tested, or did you decide to test for some other reason? Did you end up discarding these plants, isolating them, or what?

This plant is one I would really like to acquire, and I'm trying to decide how much I should worry about a virus. I tend to agree with estacion seca that viruses are everywhere, we can't totally eradicate them from our own bodies, our pets, or our plants, and if they're not causing any harm and we use proper hygiene procedures, we shouldn't worry too much about them.

On the other hand, if you're saying you got plants from three different vendors, and all of them exhibited symptoms of being sick pretty quickly, that would be good to know. I'm just trying to be as well-informed as I can if and when I purchase this particular plant.

[ShadePlant]

I admit I jumped on the bandwagon for P. cochleata within a few days of the King mentioning it. I found mine on Ebay.