Looking for Chinese cymbidiums in US - Orchid Board

Dulcinea · #1 02-23-2021, 03:35 PM

I’ve been looking for Chinese Cymbidiums in the US and haven’t really found a good source. Most places I look just say sold out. Any ideas?

Dollythehun · #2 02-23-2021, 05:46 PM

I saw that Olympic Orchids had one.

Roberta · #3 02-23-2021, 11:24 PM

Try contacting Andy's Orchids... website doesn't show them but it represents only a small fraction of the available species, and he might have some. So worth an inquiry.

Once shows start happening, Seed-Engei usually has them... not on the website, they're probably not doing much importing until sales opportunities improve. Very likely the case for other vendors as well.

Tony Meola · #4 02-23-2021, 11:37 PM

Once shows start again look for Ten Shin Gardens. They usually have a large selection. You can go on their Website before one of the shows they are doing and select what you want to order, if there is anything specific you might want.

Dulcinea · #5 02-24-2021, 12:32 PM

I’m in Grand Rapids, MI. We’re a good 3 1/2 hours from Chicago and that's where the closest good show would be. You mention show, does that mean you order from these sellers and pick them up at a show? I was hoping to find some good sellers who ship. If I can’t find what I want we could always make a day trip to a seller who has good inventory.

Roberta · #6 02-24-2021, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dulcinea

I’m in Grand Rapids, MI. We’re a good 3 1/2 hours from Chicago and that's where the closest good show would be. You mention show, does that mean you order from these sellers and pick them up at a show? I was hoping to find some good sellers who ship. If I can’t find what I want we could always make a day trip to a seller who has good inventory.

Yes, when international sellers come to the US for shows, they often will also mail orders that they receive - international shipping of individual orders can be an expensive and uncertain process. IF they're importing a bunch of plants for a show, they can easily add in plants for pre-orders, and do the shipping from within the US - a much less complicated, and more reliable, process. So even you can't make it to the show, you can get your plants. Also, in the absence of shows, many (if not most) US vendors have cut 'way back on what they are importing since there aren't a lot of places to sell anything. So that's where you'll see a lot of "sold out" on websites. Once shows resume, the whole pipeline will improve.

My suggestion to check with Andy's orchids is the sheer size of the operation... the website shows maybe 10-15% of what he has, so what you want may be in the other 85-90%.

Dollythehun · #7 02-24-2021, 12:47 PM

There is a very nice show in Ann Arbor, it's small but lovely. Of course it didn't take place this year but perhaps next year. It's well worth the trip.

Dulcinea · #8 02-24-2021, 02:03 PM

Thank you all for your advice!

Tony Meola · #9 02-24-2021, 11:42 PM

Ten Shin's website does not discuss shipping. There is an email address for them so you can send them a note and ask them about shipping.

Given that there are no shows, some of these vendors might be more willing to ship. But coming from overseas, I would assume shipping wiil be way more than what you pay for a plant.

Usually I order from Ten Shin and pick up at the shows.

Roberta · #10 02-25-2021, 01:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Meola

Ten Shin's website does not discuss shipping. There is an email address for them so you can send them a note and ask them about shipping.

Given that there are no shows, some of these vendors might be more willing to ship. But coming from overseas, I would assume shipping wiil be way more than what you pay for a plant.

Usually I order from Ten Shin and pick up at the shows.

International shipping is uncertain at best. First, assume that all of the paperwork is in order... then it needs to get transported in some reasonable amount of time from the country of origin. Then it needs to get through US Customs and agricultural inspection Then get back into the hands of a carrier... who then may get it to your front door. When a vendor comes to the US, the shipment and all of the paperwork typically is expedited by a broker so that it arrives in some reasonable amount of time. (That doesn't always happen... I have seen very unhappy vendors at shows with empty tables when the shipment didn't show up on time) The odds are better, though, with a large shipment with someone managing the process at both ends. Once the plants are safely in the US, they can be packed up and shipped by USPS or FedEx, etc with 2 or 3 day delivery that is somewhat reliable if one is unable to do a show pickup. Last summer a friend and I ordered some dormant tubers of European and Australian terrestrials, from Europe. We even paid for expedited shipping. It took more than a month to actually reach us (and tracking was useless... for most of that month it supposedly had left Europe but didn't show up in the US. Maybe it went to the moon...) Fortunately, the fact that they were dormant and so didn't need water or light, they were still OK. But do that to a plant? Probably suitable for compost. I think it is better to wait.