Dilemma- 2 vendors, same plant (Purple Martin) help!

[gmdiaz]

Mine only cost $15 little smacks. Which is frankly quite a lot when you think about how small it is. But I am WAY beyond sticker shock.

And I saw that Pink Panther too. . .but it was only in bud. Since they were all in bud, I just picked the one that said it would bloom in the most colors.

Just checked out your link to Pinky Pantera! OH that's a nice one. . .good thing Fantasy Orchids is so far away. . .course, there is mail order. I should have bought that one too!

[Cookiemonster]

well I certainly want the purple martin, the debate is now either this phal from big leaf or this one from nortons...


ORCHIDS.COM : SHOP : : SEARCH RESULTS

or

Phal. Yin's Green Jewel 'L' - Big Leaf Orchids

[Dorothy]

I say .. get BOTH (and the purple martin, of course)
and a Tolumnia

[Cookiemonster]

hahahaa.. .Dorothy I want to actually eat food this month, getting two phals and supplies will already cut into my budget, Im having such a hard time deciding...
I called norton and they told me its already in bloom...
Im sure some of the flowers may survive, but many others will abort or die....
ahhhhh this is too hard

[lauraja]

I have had mixed success, but at this point, too many negative experiences from Orchids.com, so am swearing off for now. (One of the problems was a mealy bug-infested Blue Martini, so be careful!) I don't know anything about Big Leaf Orchids, but if reviews say they are reliable, I would try them. I am looking at the same orchid at BLO myself - the price sounds just a little high for a "one-inch" (pot?) plant, compared to what I am used to - but maybe not, for this particular plant(?)
LA

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

Greetings everyone,
Im looking to buy a Dtps Purple Martin.
Its being sold by orchids.com and bigleaforchids.
I've had a eh experience with orchids.com *1 plant came well the other was a mess*. I've never ordered from big leaf.
The orchids.com plant is in spike/bloom, the one on big leaf seems really small- young... I fear I'll destroy it....

I'll share links, I'd appreciate input! Thanks

ORCHIDS.COM : SHOP : PHALAENOPSIS : SEARCH RESULTS

Dtps. Purple Martin 'KS' - Big Leaf Orchids

which would you pick and why?
Thanks

[lauraja]

P.S. One of the reasons I am looking at the Purple Martin, is b/c my Blue Martini from Norman's is in the final stages of dying! (And orchids don't die on me often.)
LA

Originally Posted by Cookiemonster

Greetings everyone,
Im looking to buy a Dtps Purple Martin.
Its being sold by orchids.com and bigleaforchids.
I've had a eh experience with orchids.com *1 plant came well the other was a mess*. I've never ordered from big leaf.
The orchids.com plant is in spike/bloom, the one on big leaf seems really small- young... I fear I'll destroy it....

I'll share links, I'd appreciate input! Thanks

ORCHIDS.COM : SHOP : PHALAENOPSIS : SEARCH RESULTS

Dtps. Purple Martin 'KS' - Big Leaf Orchids

which would you pick and why?
Thanks

[Cookiemonster]

Thats horrible, that its dying out on you! Try to rescue it...
I've had a 50-50 thing with norman's - I've only made two orders, one order was eh and the second so far is okay...
I got Peter's plant from BigLeaf- Goodness is this thing bloody tiny, Im terrified of killing it so Im being very nice lots of humidity, light, love.

If your really looking for the blue-purple color get it, if not maybe pass or wait for a larger size plant to roll around.
Honestly if I had known this plant was so tiny, I probably would have passed... But if your quite experienced, I'd say go for it !
Good luck

[caseydoll]

Hi guys! I just wanted to say the I bought the purple martin from Big Leaf too. I have to admit that this thread "made" me do it! While it is kind of small I have gotten phals much, much smaller and those were definately seedlings. This is pretty much an adult plant but still has a little growing up to do. It's a compact phal but I'm not sure what it's max size is. Cookiemonster, I wouldn't worry about it too much. I am not an experienced grower by any means and I have phal seedlings that I've grown for about a year with no difficulties. They are a lot hardier than you think! I just keep them a tad more moist than the older ones. I'm really happy with Big Leafs phals though. Everything arrived well packed and super healthy!

p.s. Did you get a bonus phal with your order Cookiemonster?

[Cookiemonster]

No I didnt... it seems like everyone else did. and I also ordered another plant, now Im annoyed ....
Yeah I've noticed that they need more humidity than regular orchids- thanks for your advice. I think this orchid might get a bit bigger, but not huge by any means...
Did you get a bonus plant or ?...

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I've never bought from Big Leaf, but they seem to have a very wide assortment of Phalaenopsis hybrids. More so than Norman's Orchids (orchids.com).

Now, I live in Southern California about 1/2 an hour away from Norman's Orchids and can say, he does have good stuff. But the Phals he has are not necessarily all in good condition. Part of the problem is he grows them potted in moss, and probably is shipping them out in it too. Growing Phals potted in moss is not the best way to grow them. Many times if you pull the plant out of the pot, and get rid of the moss, you'll see root rot, because the medium stays too wet for too long, without a whole lot of air circulation around the roots because of the pot its in.

In fact almost everything Norman's Orchids grows is potted in moss (except his Paphs). I personally don't like this method of growing. So every time I buy from him, I immediately remove the plant from the pot and remove the moss. Then I grow how I normally grow them.