Louisiana Orchid Connection

[Clawhammer]

Avoid purchasing Catasetinae (Mormodes, catasetum, galeandra, clowesia) from these guys. The tiny seedlings arrived with zero new roots and very wet. The new growth has aborted roots and is smaller than the tiny previous growth. No response when I emailed after 24 hours. The other plants I received were small, as expected, but healthy. 2/5 stars

[My Green Pets]

That's too bad. I ordered a small $12 Clowesia seedling from them in the spring and it came looking ok. It hasn't been a great grower this year, although I think it will improve.

[Keysguy]

All I can say is that LOC has always had the cheapest prices in the market for a nice variety of plants that are not always widely available.

They are "cheap" because they sell small seedlings that a lot of other nurseries would consider "not ready to sell". I'm way too old now to be buying that type of plant in spite of the attractive price but if you are experienced and know how to handle plants of that age, I suspect they are fine, although I have never ordered from them.

I received a TINY Clowesia Rebecca Northen from Fred Clarke early last summer. He brought it to New Hampshire for me with some other plants I ordered but his caveat was "I know you are taking this to Florida or I would not have brought it for you because it's too small. In FL you'll have a lot more growing time this year in perfect conditions so you should be fine"

Not only was it fine, it bloomed!

[Ray]

When I was a relatively new grower, I frequented Ward's Orchids in Louisville KY.

Ward always advised only purchasing orchids grown north of you because your growing conditions will be better, and that growing plants from vendors south of you made them struggle to adjust.

[Dalachin]

Originally Posted by Ray

When I was a relatively new grower, I frequented Ward's Orchids in Louisville KY.

Ward always advised only purchasing orchids grown north of you because your growing conditions will be better, and that growing plants from vendors south of you made them struggle to adjust.

In my case, that would mean buying from Canada. Not practical! But I appreciate the sentiment of the idea.

[Dimples]

Maybe give them a little more time to get back to you by email. The state was just hit with a hurricane. I don’t know where LOC is exactly, but maybe follow up with them in a few days?

[Leafmite]

Originally Posted by Ray

When I was a relatively new grower, I frequented Ward's Orchids in Louisville KY.

Ward always advised only purchasing orchids grown north of you because your growing conditions will be better, and that growing plants from vendors south of you made them struggle to adjust.

I agree with this. The plants I buy from California, Florida, Hawaii and anywhere else that has a warmer climate (not just orchids) take time to adapt to the newer, less ideal climate here in Ohio. I have to baby many of these new plants/orchids until they get growing...sometimes for the entire first year.

[Clawhammer]

Thanks for the discussion everyone. LOC got back with me after I posted reviews and refunded the two catasetinae.

I grow a lot of orchids and prefer to buy seedlings since I'm only 45 and I enjoy the satisfaction of blooming something after growing it out for a few years. I have purchased probably 75 catasetinae seedlings and have been growing catasetinae for 6 years, so I have some experience. These were tiny, the new growth represented the first growth post deflasking. The new growth had stunted root nubs on both plants, no roots in the media, browning lil leaves, and the media was soaking wet. They have no chance and LOC knows it.

I also got a trichoglottis and den caniculatum that were quite small, but well rooted and healthy. No blooms for years on these, but at least their success is entirely in my hands.

I just wanted to post a warning about their catasentinae this year. Maybe they will water at the correct time next year.

---------- Post added at 08:02 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:01 AM ----------

Interesting strategy about orchid buying. I grow in my basement however, so I'm not sure how to apply that rule to my setup