Phal. gigantea from Norman's

[Clawhammer]

That is a beauty! I so glad for you that your gamble paid off. They really do have the best selection of Asian bred Phalaenopsis.

I literally hate Norman's Orchids. They screwed me out of $600. I post negative reviews at every opportunity, I'm on a mission.

That being said, this is how obsessed I am with orchids: I placed an order with them this month... They had two plants that my heart desired that I couldn't find elsewhere:

* Phal. amabilis fma Irian Java '24 H Fragrance Princess'
* Grc.Black Comet 'Indigo Blue'

I also had seen this one online and liked it so I ordered it too:

* Phal. Yaphon Pink Bee 'Sweetheart'

I didn't hear anything from them for 10 days after I ordered. I sent a message, they replied 3 days later and shipped the next day. The two plants I really wanted were both in great condition. The Phal Yaphon was not... It was what I have come to expect from Norman, old drenched rotten sphag with a bunch of dead roots. All and all I was glad I rolled the dice.

---------- Post added at 12:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:25 PM ----------

Interesting potting method! I'm sure you aren't experimenting on your $300 phal right?

[realoldbeachbum]

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

That is a beauty! I so glad for you that your gamble paid off. They really do have the best selection of Asian bred Phalaenopsis.

I literally hate Norman's Orchids. They screwed me out of $600. I post negative reviews at every opportunity, I'm on a mission.

That being said, this is how obsessed I am with orchids: I placed an order with them this month... They had two plants that my heart desired that I couldn't find elsewhere:

* Phal. amabilis fma Irian Java '24 H Fragrance Princess'
* Grc.Black Comet 'Indigo Blue'

I also had seen this one online and liked it so I ordered it too:

* Phal. Yaphon Pink Bee 'Sweetheart'

I didn't hear anything from them for 10 days after I ordered. I sent a message, they replied 3 days later and shipped the next day. The two plants I really wanted were both in great condition. The Phal Yaphon was not... It was what I have come to expect from Norman, old drenched rotten sphag with a bunch of dead roots. All and all I was glad I rolled the dice.

---------- Post added at 12:29 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:25 PM ----------

Interesting potting method! I'm sure you aren't experimenting on your $300 phal right?

I want a Phal Gigantea in the WORST WAY, but cannot find one online. I am afraid of Normans due to bad reviews. Does anyone know of another reputable on-line seller that might have them? (My max budget is $100, so I suppose that will be a seedling?)

That being said, I will be in South FL in May -- what sellers might have them there? Would prices be better?
Thoughts, comments?

[vegetalmatter]

Originally Posted by realoldbeachbum

I want a Phal Gigantea in the WORST WAY, but cannot find one online. I am afraid of Normans due to bad reviews. Does anyone know of another reputable on-line seller that might have them? (My max budget is $100, so I suppose that will be a seedling?)

That being said, I will be in South FL in May -- what sellers might have them there? Would prices be better?
Thoughts, comments?

If you are into bidding, getzen08 on eBay in the past month has listed 2 good sized giganteas (both in spike) for bid but I missed out both time. He might have more coming. He's located I think in the Boca Raton area.

Big Leaf Orchids (Peter Lin) is a very reputable seller and use to have seedlings for sale. I don't think he does anymore but I would keep an eye on his website and ebay page in case he does release some.

It never hurts to email them to ask. Both are very friendly.

[realoldbeachbum]

Thanks vege. I will check both of them out.

[katsucats]

Originally Posted by realoldbeachbum

I want a Phal Gigantea in the WORST WAY, but cannot find one online. I am afraid of Normans due to bad reviews. Does anyone know of another reputable on-line seller that might have them? (My max budget is $100, so I suppose that will be a seedling?)

That being said, I will be in South FL in May -- what sellers might have them there? Would prices be better?
Thoughts, comments?

I've actually had relatively good luck with Norman's, probably because I live nearby and always pick up my orchids in person. But I've come to a point where I just can't take all those interesting sounding cultivar names seriously. He has a greenhouse in the front where if I walk in and see plants blooming, I could be relatively sure it is what it says it is. But tell him to pull something from the back, and all bets are off. I feel like he'd hand me a random plant with a random tag.

I swear I've seen Phal. giganteas sold in various places though. My first go-to is I would wait for Ecuagenera to restock them. I would also give Clint from Orchid Dynasty an email and see if they're in stock. He takes a while to respond, but his plant size value is first rate. I think Orchids by Hausermann or Marlow's might have them from time to time.