Some US ebay sellers: Anyone have any experience?

[Clawhammer]

Just say no to Marblekg

[Jmoney]

1. Seed Engei. Very reliable source for neos. I believe Satomi gets her plants from Japan, as her father runs a business there.

2. Diamond - Peter Lin (different Peter Lin than Big Leaf). This PL grows neos and some catts, among other things. I would consider this Peter Lin (of Diamond Orchids) to be very reliable and knowledgeable about what he sells. The other one, well, let's say he is generally "highly regarded" but I will never buy from him again.

3. this is a private grower. I have purchased a couple neos in the past from her. I have had no major issues but I would encourage you to exercise caution if you are contemplating purchasing an expensive neo, no matter what the source.

[estación seca]

I echo jmoney. Begin with an inexpensive, typical form Neofinetia. These plain ones are still wonderful. The rarer leaf types and variegated ones are often much harder to grow (keep alive) than typical forms. Stick with typical forms until you master bringing them through the winter. Orchids by Hausermann has some inexpensive, blooming size Neos.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

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[nhbeek]

Just wanted to add for awareness that it has become a popular business model for many eBay and Etsy sellers to flip USA sourced plants. Many vendors, including good ones and a few mentioned here are doing this.

I don't see anything wrong with it per se, but if you find yourself about to bid or drop $50 on a 2'' pot orchid, try checking Orchid Eros, svo, etc first for a better price.

[katsucats]

Originally Posted by nhbeek

Just wanted to add for awareness that it has become a popular business model for many eBay and Etsy sellers to flip USA sourced plants. Many vendors, including good ones and a few mentioned here are doing this.

I don't see anything wrong with it per se, but if you find yourself about to bid or drop $50 on a 2'' pot orchid, try checking Orchid Eros, svo, etc first for a better price.

I'm guessing you're talking about letstalkplants.

[Jmoney]

also at least one vendor buys SVO catasetinae by the truckload and tries to flip for twice the cost. seems somewhat successful. of course, all of the wise folks here buy direct!

[Clawhammer]

LetsTalkPlants is one to avoid like the plague. They buy $8 plants from Exotic Orchids of Maui, drop them into a 4" pot with leca, then sell them as 4" plants for $35. They are in horrible condition by the time they go out the door. I had a pretty contentious conversation with the owner. This vendor is a leach.

[alecStewart1]

Originally Posted by nhbeek

Just wanted to add for awareness that it has become a popular business model for many eBay and Etsy sellers to flip USA sourced plants. Many vendors, including good ones and a few mentioned here are doing this.

Very useful to know!

I think all of the ones I've gotten so far have been in the "expected" price ranges. Of the Etsy and Ebay sellers I've gotten orchids from so far, it's been:

• DavesGardenObsession on Etsy
• HelensOrchidHouse on Etsy
• MysteryGardenstore on Etsy
• Seed Engei or japaneseorchids on Ebay

All 4 seem to be in the "correct" or "sensible" or "reasonable" price ranges and the plants have looked great and haven't had any issues so far.

---------- Post added at 12:42 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:39 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

LetsTalkPlants is one to avoid like the plague. They buy $8 plants from Exotic Orchids of Maui, drop them into a 4" pot with leca, then sell them as 4" plants for $35. They are in horrible condition by the time they go out the door. I had a pretty contentious conversation with the owner. This vendor is a leach.

That's actually...bordering on shameless. I mean, you can mildly respect the hustle, but geez.

I think I remember seeing them at an tropical/houseplant show here in Texas and I wasn't all too impressed by the plants they were offering.

[Jmoney]

Tim Culbertson (twculbertson on ebay) sells a variety of nice things, ranging from paphs, catts, catasetinae, cymbidiums, etc. Many plants are divisions he is selling for friends, although I think the paphs are mostly his own. Lately he has put up a number of select catasetinae from SVO, mostly select first/second bloomers, and a few of Fred's mature plants that need new homes.