Italian vendor Nardotto e Capello

[camille1585]

While on vacation in France visiting family, I used the opportunity to get some new orchids.

Before moving to the Netherlands I sometimes ordered orchids from Nardotto e Capello, a vendor in Italy near the french-italian border. Once I moved i stopped ordering there due to the very high shipping costs. A couple weeks ago I placed an order to be delivered at my mother's place in France, to pick up during my visit.

I got 5 orchids (but the Catt is for my sister):
Phal mannii 'Black'
Phal honghenensis x mariae
Vanda cristata x ascocentrum curvifolium
Den Hibiki
Catt Hsiang Yu Goldcoast

The plants look fantastic, with a nice size and great roots. I'm hoping that I'll have more luck with the Den Hibiki this time since coming from Italy, it is used to summer heat.

Communication with the vendor is excellent. Claudio replies very promptly to emails and let me change the shipping address quite easily. Due to the heat in southern Europe he waits for a couple days of less hot weather to ship, and he kept me up to date on the situation once I told him that the plants had to arrive before august 14th.

[WaterWitchin]

Those are some VERY good lookin' plants!

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Those are some VERY good lookin' plants!

Yep, and I think that this vendor has the best value for money of all the vendors I've tested in Europe, considering that the plants are relatively cheap. (nothing above 20€). The Den was the cheapest at only 15€.

You can see the double pot technique he uses for vandaceous orchids, along with many other types. I was inspired to try this technique myself a couple years ago on plants needing fast wet/dry cycles and good air flow, and I'm very happy with the results.

[WaterWitchin]

I do that "double pot" myself on some plants. Big glass bowl, hole in side about an inch up, fill to just above hole with LECA. Then when I water don't have to dump. It's also my go-to for some ICU root growing conditions.