Diamonds in the rough? Ever find something special from a big box store?

[Subrosa]

Just snagged two really nice bag babies at a local Lowe's. A 2" Cattleya walkeriana semi alba 'Carmela', and a 4" Blc Hawaii Stars 'Paradise'. The walkeriana has a new growth nicely underway, and the hybrid has two growths that are even bigger.

[gngrhill]

Man, how lucky. I sure wish our Lowe's ever had anything nice like that.

[Subrosa]

It's a rare occurrence, even though I have several Lowe's and HDs within reasonable droving distance. This was the first time I got them before they sat around. A closer inspection of the walkeriana makes me think "spike" instead of growth. Plus I found another smaller growth on the plant.

[Mandy2705]

I called the Sunbulb CO to see if they can ship some Better-Gro bag Orchids and there is not one Lowe's in CO on their list that they ship to. I would have to talk to the assistant manager to get him to call Sunbulb Co and work something out with them, I don't really want to do that. Is anyone familiar with this process, it seems like a hassle for the manager? Should I talk to him?


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[Orchid Whisperer]

A Lowes on my commute route home had a Dendrobium speciosum the other day plus some species i already have ("Oncidium" ampliatum, Den. spectabile). Those are different from what I've found at my local Lowes.

I didn't snag the D. speciosum, and am thinking about whether to try going back for it.

[estación seca]

If managers have authority to order goods for sale, they are concerned with whether a new product will sell. If you can convince the manager there is a market, the manager might do it. Generally they would have to sell half the product at full price to cover costs. There will be a minimum order from the supplier. How large is your store's market area? How many orchids do they sell now? Is this the right time of year & season for offering unusual impulse buys to gardeners?

[Mandy2705]

Originally Posted by estación seca

If managers have authority to order goods for sale, they are concerned with whether a new product will sell. If you can convince the manager there is a market, the manager might do it. Generally they would have to sell half the product at full price to cover costs. There will be a minimum order from the supplier. How large is your store's market area? How many orchids do they sell now? Is this the right time of year & season for offering unusual impulse buys to gardeners?

Well I think there are four Lowe's in all of Colorado Springs and the one I go to seems to get a lot of business. They do sell really nice oncidiums and phals (with tags!) and but at all times they have phals but only two small a shelves at a time. I was hoping maybe Spring would be a good time to ask them especially with Mother's Day around the corner. We also have a fantastic Orchid Society here in Springs so I am hoping that helps too. I guess I have nothing to lose, I will see about calling this week. I won't pressure the poor guy too much lol he seemed such a nice man.

[estación seca]

If he does order some, be sure your society descends on his garden center like a swarm of locusts.

[orchidsarefun]

Originally Posted by estación seca

If he does order some, be sure your society descends on his garden center like a swarm of locusts.

I love that expression having seen first hand the effects but to be honest I would have said " like a mob at a Black Friday sale"

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[pipsxlch]

For the Catt species lovers, I just found a mossiae var. semi alba 'H&R' at Lowes as a smaller bag baby. My first sighting for this species.