So disappointed about these vanda seedlings; need to vent!

[Bud]

Too bad you took down your first picture. It was a clear proof of the sick seedlings you got. The latest pictures you posted are scary. The leaves and the roots are showing symptoms of infestations and starting black rot. Your instincts are correct = you must not let it get in contact with your other plants.
Email the vendor and attach the pictures you got. The seedlings that arrived to you is unacceptable. Its a shame they sell those kind. You want a healthy clean unblemished plant. You paid for it with your hard earned money.

[Leafmite]

I think I would send pictures and simply ask the vendor if the seedlings will be okay and what he thinks has caused the damage and how to get the orchids healthy. The first looks as though it will easily be fine. With the second, are all the leaves like this? How are the other four seedlings?
When I buy orchids, I don't expect perfect leaves but if you think a disease or pest is involved, it is best to take care of it before adding it to your collection. However, if the second has good, green leaves as well as those, I am thinking that simply asking for help from the vendor might be a better approach then asking for a refund. The vanda in the first picture looks really healthy.

[NYCorchidman]

Yikes! How terrible!!!
I wonder if they ever look at the plants before sending them out for sale.

[nikkik]

I heard back from the vendor and they are going to except a return. Yay!! This is the first time I have ever wanted to return plants that I have purchased. I have had my problems from other vendors with bad roots, misrepresented sizes, a pest or two and blemished leaves, but never to this extent. These seedlings were in rough shape from the roots to the leaves. I feel that if I pay full price for plants they should be healthy and I shouldn't have to worry that my new plants may die in a week! These weren't clearance plants that I expected to rehab and if I saw these plants in the clearance bin for $2 a piece, I still would have taken a pass because I don't like dealing with fungus or bacteria (as I'm sure most of us don't).

Thank you all for posting and reading this! I appreciate your thoughts and input.

[NYCorchidman]

Happy to know how it turned out for you.

[smweaver]

Good that you were able to return them to the vendor. Just a friendly suggestion to remember the old adage that you get what you pay for. While $65 for a group of seedlings may sound a little steep, you could probably get a healthy, blooming-size plant for the same price. Have you looked at the website for RF Orchids? If you like vandas, they're the place to go. Their prices aren't inexpensive, but I haven't gotten a plant from them yet that wasn't completely healthy (and frequently they arrive in spike, which is a nice bonus), and their customer service, in my experience, is exemplary. Good luck with your next batch!

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Happy to know how it turned out for you.

Thank you so much!!!

---------- Post added at 08:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 08:06 PM ----------

Originally Posted by smweaver

Good that you were able to return them to the vendor. Just a friendly suggestion to remember the old adage that you get what you pay for. While $65 for a group of seedlings may sound a little steep, you could probably get a healthy, blooming-size plant for the same price. Have you looked at the website for RF Orchids? If you like vandas, they're the place to go. Their prices aren't inexpensive, but I haven't gotten a plant from them yet that wasn't completely healthy (and frequently they arrive in spike, which is a nice bonus), and their customer service, in my experience, is exemplary. Good luck with your next batch!

Thank you! I enjoy seedlings that's why I ordered them. I have ordered a ton from R.F. and my last order of seedlings from them was much cheaper and I received 4 more plants, their plants were also much bigger then what I just returned. I believed this vendor would have spectacular plants because they have a great reputation. They also have crosses that R.F. doesn't and I like variety. With all my respect, I'm confused about how the "old adage" applies to this situation when I paid more for a fewer number of plants?

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by nikkik

With all my respect, I'm confused about how the "old adage" applies to this situation when I paid more for a fewer number of plants?

Hi, Nikki. I just meant that $65 for an adult, blooming-size plant might get you more per dollar than a bunch of seedlings (although I too like variety and it's quite exciting to watch seedlings grow up to see what kind of flowers they produce). Sorry if I offended, as that was not my intent.

Steve

[nikkik]

Originally Posted by smweaver

Hi, Nikki. I just meant that $65 for an adult, blooming-size plant might get you more per dollar than a bunch of seedlings (although I too like variety and it's quite exciting to watch seedlings grow up to see what kind of flowers they produce). Sorry if I offended, as that was not my intent.

Steve

Thank you!! No problem, I understand what you meant now!