Alaskagirl, you want some local orchid shops...let me tell you!
First, that address for Tom Ritter (who has an amazing collection of orchids through about 5 greenhouses) is not correct. He is now located in Kissimmee. His new address is:
2494 Neptune Road (yahoo maps should give good directions) They are also called Tropical 1 Orchids, so if you google them you might not find it under Tom Ritter. He has mainly vandaceous types, but gets in others like oncidiums, some paphs, and others. Even if you aren't into vandas alot just going there to walk around is awesome. It's not too bad a drive from WP either, just I-4 to turnpike for about 10 miles. Only takes about 25 minutes.
Next, there is one little shop off of 17-92 that is pretty good too if you don't want to drive too far. I can't think of the name off the top of my head right now....darn! Sorry! I can tell you though that if you came down Aloma and turned Left on 17-92 it is a little bit before HW-50 (E. Colonial) on your right hand side. It is a small little place set back but on the road it says bonsai, orchids, and tropical plants on a sign. It is in between Virginia and 50. I will think of the name and post it for you when I remember.
There is also World of Orchids in Kissimmee not too far from Tom Ritter/Tropical 1, but I have never been there. Jackie tells me it is really good and I have seen some really nice $7 plants she picked up there, so I would suggest them too. They also have lots of supplies from what she tells me.
Then, out in Clermont (another turnpike experience) is SmileysOrchids. Here is here link:
index
Her stuff is amazing, she is soooo nice and she will take you through the green house on a personal tour. It smells divine in there. Just give her a call to make sure she will be there. She has alot of vandas too,but lots of other cool/rare/unique things too. She had this one catt. that Jackie got that smelled like heaven! I got a couple scented vandas there too.
And last to tell you about, every September, the Central Florida Orchid Society hosts an orchid auction at Leu Gardens. It is on Sept. 20 from 9AM until plants run out. Here is their link:
Central Florida Orchid Society
Some of the stuff can get pricey for rare or large plants, but they usually have stuff in flask, seedlings, in bloom, out of bloom, etc. I got some really cool hybrid flasks there a few years ago.
Whew...hope this helps. Also, I frequent the Lowes by my work (Sandlake and John Young) and they get some cool stuff at times. They have some pretty catts. and paphs right now, but many are not labeled or not in my price range (for a non labeled plant). Generally about $15-$30. However, You can get 2 for that price from the growers (or more) and better quality!
Have fun! Any questions, feel free to PM me. I love to talk orchids!
In fact it it is rather treading time.. not doing too much of anything other than a sprit of growth the last couple of weeks. I'm very ancious for it to bloom again. 
I just love them and want to find a color assortment of the slippers. But I'll have to look harder for some good sales at these prices. I have to get better at taking pix of my blooms. I didn't take any at the time, I will next time. 
Haha.
Linear Mode
