Great Luck at Trader Joes!

[NYCorchidman]

Yesterday I got four nice orchids and some African Violets at TJ.
One little rose/purple phal with double spike. I already have this same variety, but it has been such good grower and bloomer that I decided to get one more.
They are now actually quite common at TJ, but usually all bruised or ugly otherwise.
This was a good find.

Next two large plants: Catatante 'Pacific Sun Spots' & Wildcat 'Bobcat'

Catatante has about ten pbs with two new growths. One huge branching spike with another one on the way.
All the leaves are clean, what a bonus for me who hates those unsightly spots and marks.

Bobcat also has lots of pbs, but old pbs lost leaves too soon for the type. All the leaves had spots toward the tip so I trimmed all those off.
Three tall branching spikes. Upon close examination, I noticed many of the buds were heavily infested with tiny black things that appear to be aphids of some sort.
I've never seen such small aphids, but whatever they are, I spayed the whole plant, buds and everything yesterday afternoon. All the bugs are dead and gone.

So far, all the flowers seem unaffected by the spray while African violets are all gone. I thought I would spray them so I don't suffer the thrips on my orchids from African Violets. oh, well...

I normally see Wildcat varieties at TJ all the time but usually they have one spike with low flower count or/and seriously spotted leaves which always turned me away from these.

At least now I get to enjoy three spikes full of flowers for the next one month or two.

The last one, Dendrobium Sea Mary 'Snow King'.
Dendrobiums are rarely offered at this store and usually very poor quality. I couldn't believe what I spotted.
It smells just like Love Memory, but stronger and all day and all night on! Yay!!!
It is filling up my apartment with its sweet fragrance at the moment.
It has lots of flowers on one tall and one small cane with one newly maturing cane that will flower next year (if it likes how warm it is here in my apartment lol) and two new shoots sprouting.

Overall, great plants at great price. so happy!

Yeah, I had to have two trips back and forth to carry everything home. crazy me

[NYCorchidman]

Dendrobium

[Gage]

Love the white AV. I need a white one.

[Wild Orchid]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Upon close examination, I noticed many of the buds were heavily infested with tiny black things that appear to be aphids of some sort.
I've never seen such small aphids, but whatever they are, I spayed the whole plant, buds and everything yesterday afternoon. All the bugs are dead and gone.

So far, all the flowers seem unaffected by the spray while African violets are all gone. I thought I would spray them so I don't suffer the thrips on my orchids from African Violets. oh, well...

I killed my newly bought AVs in the same way. They seem to be oversensitive to the preventive insecticide (Safers.) I'm curious to know what others do to prevent bugs when bringing new AVs home.

[cbuchman]

I just bought 2 at Trader Joe's this morning. One even had a tag!

First photo is Onc. Green Valley Fragrant (Pupukea Sunset x Cleao's Pride "Hama'); and yes, it is pleasantly fragrant.

The second has the ubiquitous inter-generic hybrid tag, so any ID would be appreciated.

P1000336.JPG

P1000339.jpg

[NYCorchidman]

Yeah, I see the red tag saying Green Valley every now and then.
It smells very strong during the day time.

The second pic, I wish it had a name just for curiosity's sake. It looks really nice! I don't think I've ever seen that one before.

Take very good care of it.

[The Mutant]

The Phal reminds me about a certain someone I have here at home, except for the lip and the plant itself (the pulcherrima parent come through strongly in mine in the way it grows as well as the lips).

My little 'Tiny Doll' has great plans and I think it's going for a record blooming on its two spikes. I have trouble keeping up with the watering to keep it happy! But it's great when that are the only issues you have with the plants.

Congrats on beautiful new acquisitions and out of curiosity; how many orchids do you have now?

[NYCorchidman]

Thank you.
The little magenta colored phal blasted five of its flowers, leaving only one. The good news is that all the buds (about 6) on the side spike and the second spike are all doing well.

My other phal of the same kind blasted a few flowers after I sprayed the whole thing. I found some clear scars along the edge of the flowers. yep, thrips are back. nightmare begins, but so far, I haven't found them on any other of my blooms.
Please, please, all go away!!!!

I wish I had a copy of your Tiny Doll. It is the best I've seen!!!!

How many orchids do I have now?
well, I don't know, but over 100 something for sure. lol
I reduced my collection before moving last spring. but then you know how I like to shop and stuff. lol

I am wanting to buy one or two more catts, although I'm not good with blooming them.
so I got rid of one of my Amaryllis Show Master to a friend of mine. Now there's a "big" spot available on the windowsill. hahaha

[LeeB]

NYOrchidman. I bought some masdivalias at TJ and they turned out to be virused. Wrote to the vendor & never got an answer. Buyer beware.

[SJF]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Thank you.
The little magenta colored phal blasted five of its flowers, leaving only one. The good news is that all the buds (about 6) on the side spike and the second spike are all doing well.

My other phal of the same kind blasted a few flowers after I sprayed the whole thing. I found some clear scars along the edge of the flowers. yep, thrips are back. nightmare begins, but so far, I haven't found them on any other of my blooms.
Please, please, all go away!!!!

I wish I had a copy of your Tiny Doll. It is the best I've seen!!!!

How many orchids do I have now?
well, I don't know, but over 100 something for sure. lol
I reduced my collection before moving last spring. but then you know how I like to shop and stuff. lol

I am wanting to buy one or two more catts, although I'm not good with blooming them.
so I got rid of one of my Amaryllis Show Master to a friend of mine. Now there's a "big" spot available on the windowsill. hahaha

NY,
What do you use for thrips?
~SJF