The problem with that is if a plant is not available at any vendors, then only the people able to pre-order elsewhere to pick up at a show can get that orchid. Everyone else is stuck with no guaranteed way to get the plant.

And I also think it's nicer if everyone gets their plants within a few weeks of each other, rather than some in february or march, and the rest in april or may.

Agree, I think it has to be a bit later for this.

However, if the seed grown hybrid idea is still of interest to folks, then we could start thinking about that, and it might involve picking stuff up from shows early next year for some folks *G*

Yes, you are right. I am a little spoiled as we have four shows take place (four societies) in a two-and half hour radius. The idea was a terrible one. I admit it.

No, not a bad idea! Being able to preorder would save those people a bit of money.
Lucky you to have so many shows nearby! In the Netherlands the societies don't really have shows, and the Netherlands Orchid Society only hosts one (very small) show per year. Other than that, I'd have to travel to the UK, Belgium, France or Germany, and that would cost me way more than just paying for shipping!

Actually it would be great if we had a winter show! Good for the vendors. I know someone who's just set up an orchid-selling business (Home - Phalaenopsis and More) and winter coming is a bit of a worry.

Perhaps this had already been discussed, and perhaps this is the wrong place, but I am not sure where to post this.

My question is how much space and what is required for this project initially and over the long-term? Further, what kind of conditions are needed?

For me to make an educated decision on joining this project, I think I would need the answer to these questions. My apologies if these have been answered in this thread or another thread, I've been terribly busy and unable to read through them all.

Hi Paul,

Is this a question about the flasking project? I see you've been discussing space over there. The Summer 2012 project never went ahead, but I know you're looking at joining the Spring 2013 flasking one.

Initially it might depend how many plants there are in your flask. With phals you are probably going to get 4 to 6 in a small pot to start. You'll need some means of keeping them in a protected enviroment: I'm using a cheap unheated propogator, but I've heard people do it as simply as using an upside down clear plastic cup as a cover, or even a bag.

Temperatures between 18 and 23 degrees C worked fine for my last lot of pals.

Later on it's up to you whether you keep all the plants to flowering or dispose of some. Eg you could post them on ebay, take them to an orchid socity or give them to friends. If you decide to only keep one or two to flowering that's fine!