Where should I order flowers online?
 

:hello 2 questions: First, I live in New Jersey, any suggestions as to reputable online stores I should order from? Second, I'm still very much a beginner and trying to learn how to grow these amazing things. I have several phals and one dendrobium. Should I stick to these 2 for now or are there any others that have similar growing requirements that I could venture into trying? I'm interested in a vanilla orchid but think it might be too much lol!

Hi, welcome to the OB!

Everyone has their own favorite vendors. The Orchid Mall has an excellent resource for finding one: The Orchid Mall - Plant Sources

I've personally found out through trial and error.
I've ordered from Orchids by Hauserman, CLAN tropicals, and Carter and Holmes among others. All had good plants. In fact, I made another order to Orchids by Hauserman just two days ago. I selected standard shipping and it is scheduled to come tomorrow! (I live in NH)

The only vendor I've used that I would NOT recommend is Aloha Orchid Nursery (HI). They never shipped my order and I had to report them to the BBB for a refund.

If you're interested in trying some new things, I'd recommend Maudiae-type paphs--most have similar requirements to phals. Also, try some oncidium intergenics--I tried those and succeeded before I tried dendrobiums and I've had trouble with dendrobiums in the past. Those need brighter light than phals.

Parkside Orchids in Ottsville, Pa is the best in the area with five greenhouses. It's 45 minutes from Trenton. I don't know where you are in Jersey. Main Street Orchids is not too far from Parkside, a smaller place but with exquisite plants. The next place is Silva Orchids in Neptune, NJ, and the next is Caldor Orchids down near Atlantic City. If I want
anything, I can usually drive to any one of them. But they all ship, and they all should have websites.

What type orchids you can grow will depend on what you can offer them. What type of light do you have, east, west, north, south? Will you be growing under lights? Light is the most important element in orchid cultivation. Right now you're growing phals, which don't need much light, and dendrobiums, which need a lot more. Bear in mind you can grow lovely green plants with not enough light, but they will never bloom.

Check out the vendor feedback section of this board- you'll find lots of threads about the good, the bad, and the ugly. :)

Many Oncidiums and Oncidium alliance inter-generics do well on windowsills as well. There are also several "sections" within the Dendrobium genus - I am infatuated with Dens in the latouria section - they grow well on a window sill. Some can be quite large, but there are also diminutive ones.

If you like phals - there are many different ones as well.

Oak Hill and Andy's are good vendors too. Lots of species.

See if there are some Orchid societies in your area, and find out if and when there are orchid shows - frequently many top vendors will be at shows - you can browse around, ask questions, and save on shipping fees ;)

I really like Andy's Orchids, Oak Hill, and J L Orchilds. Good luck

Tadah! : New Jersey Orchid Society!
North Jersey Orchid Society - Home Page

OBers are the best! :lovesite

Orchid 126: I currently have them in an east facing window, my Dendrobim is placed where it gets the most light, and I have the phals back a bit where it's more indirect. I bought the plant in bloom and it seems to be liking the environment, but the real test is when it's time to rebloom of course!
THANKS EVERYONE! I'll let you all know how I make out!

what about waldor orchids? they are very old and respected growers. they are in linwood nj. idk how close that is to you

ive ordered from kawomoto on ebay

hauserman's is good and actually,. everyone listed here is good