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

[gngrhill]

I know most of you won't consider this a "Diamond", but my HD usually only has Phals, no tags. I was walking by the other day and spotted a smaller plant with white blooms. I was totally amazed. It is a nobile Dendrobium !!. Still no tag, but at least it's not another Phal, and I think it's gorgeous.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by 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.

After reading the above, thought it was worth a look at my local Lowe's. Sure enough, they had one left, it'mine now , for six dollars and change!

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

After reading the above, thought it was worth a look at my local Lowe's. Sure enough, they had one left, it'mine now , for six dollars and change!

Oh good! Now you can join us in the project!!! Insert pictures at link

Project 2016: Cattleya walkeriana

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by wintergirl

Oh good! Now you can join us in the project!!! Insert pictures at link

Project 2016: Cattleya walkeriana

Well, the good news is I already have some C. walkerianas for the 2016 project.

(The OTHER good news is that I just bought a C. mossiae semi-alba)

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

Well, the good news is I already have some C. walkerianas for the 2016 project.

(The OTHER good news is that I just bought a C. mossiae semi-alba)

Lol good news all around. I had walkerianas on my mind so much last night that I misread your post. I wish our Lowes had nice orchids

[No-Pro-mwa]

Some times I wish we HAD a Lowes.

[Orchid Whisperer]

At Lowes again yesterday night. Passed by the bagged orchids, one for $12.95 marked as 'Blue Cattleya' or something similar. Picture looks similar to Mem. Robert Strait. Hello - that's worth a look!

There were two of them First was a big strapping plant, leaves 30+ cm long, two new growths that look healthy. The other was smaller but a good size and also healthy, with two new healthy growths. Visible roots OK, no signs of bugs, disease, stress. The smaller one seemed to have pseudobulbs that were a bit more plump.

Let's look at the tag: hello again!! Laelia purpurata fma. schusteriana. Recently saw these starting at $50 from an online orchid nursery (SBOE). This Brazilian species is now considered a Cattleya. Pure white with a violet purple lip. Well, someone got the bigger one before I did, but I got the smaller one. Got it home, gave it a good soak, roots look fantastic. I will repot it tonight in a bark-charcoal-coarse perlite mix.

I have to say that I'm impressed by the wider selection of species that BetterGro is offering through Lowes now. The rest of the bagged orchids they had for sale included species Encyclias (one blooming) and Dendrobiums as well as the usual hybrids.

[gngrhill]

Originally Posted by No-Pro-mwa

Some times I wish we HAD a Lowes.

We do have a Lowe's, but they never have anything but Phals.

[pipsxlch]

Okay, now that I finally got a baby purpurata var. carnea I'm going to have to haunt Lowe's! Maybe a good thing I didn't see this before I bought the carnea, or I probably wouldn't have.

Checked a few nearby Lowe's, and they don't have it, rather obviously haven't restocked recently. Plants are getting pretty rough. Hopefully they'll restock soon, and in the meanwhile am going to my BIL's tomorrow so will check the 2 stores up there.

(and anybody near Oveido FL, they had an in bud Sherry Styles in the $13 bag)

Gngrhill, I *think* I saw once that you can mailorder bag babies, but I don't think you can choose by grex (or species) then- just by hangtag description (i.e. Orchid Whisperer's 'Blue Cattleyas'). You can check Better-Gro's/Sunbulb's website.

[Orchid Whisperer]

Sometimes when those bagged orchids get into the 'pretty rough' category you can get take plants off their hands for a fraction of the list price. I got a Cattleytonia 'Why Not' last year, paid either $1 or $2 for it. Dehydrated, and the leaves don't look perfect because of that, but it is growing well now and was totally worth it.

I compare the blooming size or near blooming size bagged plants from the big box stores, often nice species or clones of awarded hybrids, to the often pathetic offerings of some other vendors charging much more (see What orchids did you receive today? ). Stores carrying these orchids, and nurseries such as BetterGro that supply these tagged/named plants, will get my business. As will traditional, quality orchid nurseries.