Rhynchostylis Gigantea pricing

[Longroots]

I have just found, finally, a Rhynchostylis Gigantea on sale in the UK. I'm very excited. However before I buy it, I want to price check it with others. It's currently £42 including delivery. It's FS and it's foliage seems healthy.

It's also mounted in a plastic basket so I will be removing it from that and putting it in semi hydroponics.

Is £42 too much for it? I wonder if I'll ever find one so I don't mind over paying a little.

[jcec1]

If you're willing to pay it - then it's not too expensive.

I would say that it is probably 2 or 3 years away from flowering size.

If you look at Orchid Garden based in Poland, where I suspect this reseller sources their orchids, it is £10, but they don’t ship to the UK.

[camille1585]

I looked around at EU vendors (yes, I know you can't shop in the EU anymore), and they sell for anywhere between 20 and 35€. If you factor in the shipping costs you would have had to pay for a cheaper one from the EU, the one you found doesn't seem as overly expensive as it seemed at first reading of your post. Considering how limited your options are, that seems like a nice plant.

The other question is, do you know and trust the vendor? Is that a photo of the actual plant, or a sample?

[Longroots]

This is a recurring theme for the UK orchid vendors... A little overpriced and not quite accurate on their flowering listing...

---------- Post added at 02:47 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:44 PM ----------

Originally Posted by camille1585

The other question is, do you know and trust the vendor? Is that a photo of the actual plant, or a sample?

I ask them if that's the actual plant. They had another Rhynchostylis for sale that was in worse condition so I assumed it was the actual stock...

[Shadeflower]

yeah that is no way flowering size.

I bought one last year shipped from Thailand, sent as flowering size,was smaller than your picture - is probably now the size on your picture but nowhere near flowering size. I complained and got the full price refunded but it was so cheap to send back then, I doubt a seller would be as accommodating on a £42 item.

That one on the picture is phalaenopsis size however and I wouldn't be surprised if it arrived even smaller. It needs to get at least 40cm leafspan from one side to the other, that one looks 10cm.

I'm 99% sure Spiceotics will get a gigantea in again eventually.I would try emailing them, and ask them. If they say no chance then maybe get this one.

One thing I can pretty much guarantee is that this listing won't go anywhere anytime soon. I think it is too expensive.

[Longroots]

I've found a Coelestis on the website for £36 I've attached. I was planning on owning a Gigantea but I wouldn't mind a few Rhynchostylis (hopefully their fragrance is palletable for me) as in the future I may have access to a larger growing area in the future.

[Shadeflower]

I think the coelestis is a great candidate.
The coelestis can also handle much cooler night time temps.
I have both and although neither has flowered for me yet the coelestis will no doubt win the race, it is a faster grower than the gigantea.

[Longroots]

I think I'll buy that one then... Although cool temperatures aren't too much of a problem. I'll definitely have to try force some day/night temperature differences a bit more

[Longroots]

I've now recieved it and it's in decent condition. How and when should I go about unmounting? Rhynchostylis I know is a bit phinicky about its roots being tampered with

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by Longroots

I've now recieved it and it's in decent condition. How and when should I go about unmounting? Rhynchostylis I know is a bit phinicky about its roots being tampered with

Looking at your original photo, you could clip away the plastic basket as much as possible without disturbing the roots so getting it into your s/h container is possible. If any of the plastic is firmly attached just leave it. It won't hurt anything. I would love to see your new s/h setup when you are done.