Online Storefront Orders vs. Group Sales and Auctions

[SaraJean]

I never really saw that as an issue. I’m not really in it for awards, more just the joy of growing something I like. Kind of like the difference between buying a regular German Shepherd puppy vs a pick of the litter and/or trained GSD from a specialists. Now, that doesn’t mean I will keep a dog of a flower in my collection (limited space and all that). However, if I am looking for particular traits like extra full flowers or excellent color, I will definitely try to get one of the reserved or marked orchids by reaching out to the vendor and plan on dropping extra cash on it. Or if it’s a cross that I am particularly interested in- I’ll pick up a couple of seedlings, bloom them, and trade or sell the ones I don’t want at a society meeting. There is also the first come first serve thing. Healthiest, biggest, and best will get sent out first.

What I DO have a problem with is when a vendor sells their “premium” “reserve” orchids on their “private” page… and then the when you order that same cross or species for sale through their website (even paying extra for a premium one) you get an unhealthy load of garbage with no roots, busted up leaves, and bugs. That is definitely not cool or good practice.

Also what Ray said. I have a division of a Paph that looked awful the first time I bloomed it. Only reason I kept it was because I had seen the mother plant’s flowers with my own eyes