Ascf. Lion Star x Neof. falcata var. Amami

[MattWoelfsen]

Originally Posted by Hiester

Kawamotoorchids has a great selection to choose from, and all offered on EBay are free shipping, which for me is a valuable plus and a sort of built in discount. The plants I have received from them have all be first rate.

I've been trying to decide between a few different V.(N.) falcata as well as some hybrids. I just want to try a couple to see if I can grow them. There's way too many to choose from!

I wish all the vendors I deal with on eBay have free shipping like Kawamoto. I do not know how they manage to keep their prices so low and provide free shipping. I have looked at the same plants available from other vendors and they charge $6 or more to ship their plants and their plants are often more expensive.

[NYCorchidman]

Well, nurseries usually have TONS of plants they started really cheap as seedlings, so they still make profit.

Regarding shipping cost, while many sellers on eBay are reasonable and honest, some are cheating customer by charging more for shipping than necessary.
This was a big problem in the past and has gotten better over time, but there are still coo coos out there! lol

[Hiester]

Originally Posted by MattWoelfsen

I wish all the vendors I deal with on eBay have free shipping like Kawamoto. I do not know how they manage to keep their prices so low and provide free shipping. I have looked at the same plants available from other vendors and they charge $6 or more to ship their plants and their plants are often more expensive.

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Well, nurseries usually have TONS of plants they started really cheap as seedlings, so they still make profit.

Regarding shipping cost, while many sellers on eBay are reasonable and honest, some are cheating customer by charging more for shipping than necessary.
This was a big problem in the past and has gotten better over time, but there are still coo coos out there! lol

Kawamoto is apparently a large operation, and family owned. In a recent correspondence Reid stated their inventory is nearly half a million plants. So I think in the retail sector they can afford the lower prices simply because their volume is high. It is more difficult for smaller operations to absorb the costs of shipping, since they likely have a greater per plant investment.

It's also a bonus to have knowledgeable people who are willing to give quick, concise answers to orchid cultural questions.

[NYCorchidman]

You are right.

But they are very small compared to some other giants, but big enough for me. lol
Maybe that is also why their plants are super healthy looking. Smaller operation means easier maintenance. Everything I buy from them has been in such great shape, leaves and roots.

Their location is such that they do not need much to grow orchids. Especailly the climate.
Imagine how much money some other big growers will have to spend to keep their plants warm enough during the winter time.

I wonder if that's why plants are so expensive from Orchid Limited.