Den. Red emperor "prince"

[quiltergal]

This conversation has raged before up in the beginner forum. The basic problem is the big box stores and apparently now some greenhouses are essentially selling live orchids to the cut flower market. They don't expect it to live, in fact they hope if it doesn't live you will throw it out and buy a new one.

For some stores they only have to pay the vendor for what they actually sell. The vendor doesn't want a bunch of sick plants back, and the store doesn't want to pay the vendor full price for a plant they marked down to sell. Hence quite a few of them end up in the dumpster.

IMO if you continue to buy orchids from stores in this scenario you are perpetuating the problem. Instead, seek out reputable orchid greenhouses and buy from them. They sell healthy plants that they actually expect you to take care of. When was the last time you saw a detailed culture sheet at Walmart? So please support the small growers, not the giant conglomerate. They do a super job, and actually care about what happens to their plants.

[gmdiaz]

Most of my orchid bucks go to Andy's Orchids, Oak Hill Gardens, Big Leaf and New World Orchids. . .they do their best for their plants. I like to support them for their healthy plants and work ethics.

[orchidhunter]

Support the small orchid growers! Orchid hobbyists of the world unite! Our passions are not expendable temporary displays. It takes love and commitment. Like a puppy, an orchid is not just for Christmas/Mother's Day/table decorations.

So damn wasteful!

[PAorchidman]

I won buy my orchs from a walmart or any other big name store. i like the little whole in a wall nusery. Another ? for yall. The Den. in question that i rescued. I cut the rotten roots. repotted it, restaked it, and cleaded any wounds. and othe advice you guys can give? Ivve never grown this kind. eveeery Den i own is draping with fine stalks. this thing is huge with thick stalks.

[allaKAZAAM]

Originally Posted by PAorchidman

I won buy my orchs from a walmart or any other big name store. i like the little whole in a wall nusery. Another ? for yall. The Den. in question that i rescued. I cut the rotten roots. repotted it, restaked it, and cleaded any wounds. and othe advice you guys can give? Ivve never grown this kind. eveeery Den i own is draping with fine stalks. this thing is huge with thick stalks.

This is a "Hard Cane" variety...probably a deciduous variety. Will like LOTS of light, but not direct.
I live on the second story of a condo, facing east. Getting morning sun till about 11am, then just really bright light. All my Dens are closest to the window for max lighting.
From what I have been told, this kind of Den likes to grow and thrive in Spring/Summer/Fall...then shed its leaves and flower after a Winters rest period. During the growth season you water/fertilize as usual. Once it starts it's rest period, water very little...IF AT ALL! Otherwise you will get Keikis instead of flowers.
Others with more know how on Dens will be a better info base, and look up on the forums (or Google Dendrobium cultivation and/or goto Dendrobium Wiki site).
I am very happy here in the OB, the peeps are FANTASTIC and very helpful!

allaKAZAAM

[PAorchidman]

thx allakazaam. pretty much what im doin with them now.

[Rothie]

Originally Posted by quiltergal

This conversation has raged before up in the beginner forum. The basic problem is the big box stores and apparently now some greenhouses are essentially selling live orchids to the cut flower market. They don't expect it to live, in fact they hope if it doesn't live you will throw it out and buy a new one.

For some stores they only have to pay the vendor for what they actually sell. The vendor doesn't want a bunch of sick plants back, and the store doesn't want to pay the vendor full price for a plant they marked down to sell. Hence quite a few of them end up in the dumpster.

IMO if you continue to buy orchids from stores in this scenario you are perpetuating the problem. Instead, seek out reputable orchid greenhouses and buy from them. They sell healthy plants that they actually expect you to take care of. When was the last time you saw a detailed culture sheet at Walmart? So please support the small growers, not the giant conglomerate. They do a super job, and actually care about what happens to their plants.

Terri-
This is an excellent approach to this situation,and any other where "live" goods are dependent on where the buyers spend their money.
Sue

[quiltergal]

Thanks Sue. The only way to prevent this kind of terrible waste is to hit those stores where it hurts....their bottom line. Rather than rescue their half dead plants at full price tell everyone how rotten they treat their plants, and give alternative places to buy. There will always be those who just want a pretty flower and really don't care about keeping it alive. As hobby orchid growers we should only support places that treat orchids as well or better than we do. Gosh, sounds like I need to join the ASPCA! Prevent cruelty to orchids!

[allaKAZAAM]

Originally Posted by PAorchidman

thx allakazaam. pretty much what im doin with them now.

DOH!
Keep forgetting that I bookmark EVERY site/page I find good info on!
So here's one page that is fairly extensive on just Dens:

Dendrobium Orchids and Grow Orchids with Bribie Island Orchid Society

Another GREAT source is the AOS website...cannot get any better than that for quick easy access to species cultivation info!

allaKAZAAM

[OrchidAngel]

I know someone that used to work at Home Depot, they told us this about the mark down situation. "Why would we mark them down when we can get full credit from the vendor? If it dies or is damaged that what we do."

Although I have seen some markdowns at Wal-Mart on orchids I guess it depends on which manager you talk to. I did get my Phal marked down from there. But the last time we saw an abused Dendrobium (It was laying on its side on the shelf....without a pot and no empty pot in sight) they said they would just get credit from their plant company....."sorry", they said.