Getting clowesii and clowesii - Orchid Board

NatalieS · #1 04-08-2012, 08:06 PM

I am expecting my first online orchid purchase to arrive next week, a division of Miltonia clowesii, and the anticipation is KILLING me! It's made worse by the fact that it's a public holiday tomorrow and there won't be any postal deliveries until Tuesday. So it's out there, somewhere, and I'm hoping it's going to be in OK condition when it does arrive.

For those of you who are old hands at ordering online, what condition can I reasonably expect the plant to be in? It was posted on Wednesday.

Angurek · #2 04-09-2012, 01:01 PM

It really depends on the vendor. In most cases, you'll be shipped a healthy, disease-free plant, so you don't really have to worry about getting something sub-par (unless the vendor has a bad track record). On the rare instance that you do, however, you can usually ship it back to the vendor and have it replaced free of charge (or you can ask for a refund, if so you wish). Congrats on your new acquisition, by the way.

NatalieS · #3 04-09-2012, 02:32 PM

Cheers for the info!

Since the vendor is reputable, I suppose I'm more concerned about the length of time it would be in transit. What is the norm? And at what point does it look likely that you're going to end up taking delivery of a pile of dead stuff?

Obviously, I will learn this for myself after my first few online purchases, but it's always good to hear other people's experiences.

WhiteRabbit · #4 04-09-2012, 03:06 PM

I can't speak for shipping in your part of the world, but most online sellers will ship some type of 'priority' or 'express' - usually 2-3 day shipping. Barring the package being misrouted or lost, or extreme weather conditions, most orchids are fine with a few days in transit, especially if they are potted. Bare root ones are usually ok, tho sometimes the roots suffer during transit.

NatalieS · #5 04-09-2012, 03:25 PM

Thanks Sonya. That's what I was afraid of...

With it being easter weekend, and it being shipped last week, if it gets delivered tomorrow it will have been in transit for more than six days. It's bare root as well.

WhiteRabbit · #6 04-09-2012, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatalieS

Thanks Sonya. That's what I was afraid of...

With it being easter weekend, and it being shipped last week, if it gets delivered tomorrow it will have been in transit for more than six days. It's bare root as well.

oh - that's too bad - most vendors I have bought from avoid shipping ahead of a holiday to avoid that. Good news tho - I think your part of the world is cool and damp ? which would definitely be a benefit. Also good news - in my experience most Oncidium alliance are quite resilient.

Almost 3 years ago I got a bare root Milt. flavescens division with not much going on root-wise, was only 3 growths - today that plant is over-growing it's six inch pot, and has I don't know how many growths - I don't think it was in transit as long as yours, but climate here can be quite warm and dry.

It's quite possible yours will be fine - give it a good soak when you get it before even potting it - add some plant hormone supplement if you have it - if you don't, I wouldn't worry about it. Take a pic when you get it, post, I'm sure you will get opinions and advice! Good luck!

NatalieS · #7 04-14-2012, 06:03 AM

Thanks for all the advice! The miltonia clowesii was delivered on Thursday while I was at work, but my husband very kindly rang me and I talked him through putting THEM in some tepid water with a few drops of seaweed extract.

Yes THEM. What was meant to be a 3-4 pbulb division was two small divisions with 2 pbulbs and 1 small growth each. I was not impressed, but the vendor has agreed to compensate.

All-in-all, their condition is not bad, and I can see new root growth. I've been keeping them warm and damp and out of direct sunlight. The smallest looks like it has some of the oncidium leaf-spotting, but if the newest growth has it I will probably bin the plant just to be safe.

I will post pictures when they have perked up a little bit.

Neferet · #8 04-09-2012, 03:56 PM

I really avoid getting plants that are shipped bare root.
The most i've waited for plants would be 15 days from Orchideen Zentrum. The result was 1 of the 3 plants arrived frozen and dead and i'm still trying to get the Blc to fully recover.
Bottom line is heat packs and proper packaging really make the difference. I would suggest trying out the various internet shops till you find the one that suits you best.
Schwerter is my personal favourite.

Cheers

NatalieS · #9 04-09-2012, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neferet

I really avoid getting plants that are shipped bare root.
The most i've waited for plants would be 15 days from Orchideen Zentrum. The result was 1 of the 3 plants arrived frozen and dead and i'm still trying to get the Blc to fully recover.
Bottom line is heat packs and proper packaging really make the difference. I would suggest trying out the various internet shops till you find the one that suits you best.
Schwerter is my personal favourite.

Cheers

Sorry to hear about your plants! 15 days is a lot. I will avoid bare root in future unless it's coming from the UK. Schwerter's shipping is very expensive for me, but based on what you've said, it might be worth it.