Paramount Orchids - Orchid Board

Ironwood · #1 10-19-2006, 11:44 PM

I am surprised that Parmaount Orchids has not been mentioned before this as they would appear to be Canada's largest orchid vendor, based on their orchid selection. Here is a link to their site.
http://www.paramountorchids.com/Main.html

My experience with them has been positive. Bryon, who handles the orders has been very helpful with any questions I might have (pests, culture, product).

Like some others their order system is dated.

My biggest concern with their listings is the size of the plant in the listing. For the most part there is no way to tell if the plants are seedling stage or blooming size ( no SS, MS, LS, NBS, or BS designation for most)

orcdfrk · #2 10-20-2006, 08:25 AM

For the most part, if the plants are seedlings then it usually says so. Paramount is the best. About 90% of all the orchids I get come from them. Its also nice when you can drive down and see everything they have to offer but then one tends to buy way more than planned.

Ironwood · #3 10-20-2006, 12:14 PM

My thoughts are; there in lies the problem. I presumed if they were not marked that the plants would be near blooming size to blooming size, but alas, such was not the case for my spring order. Many were smaller than I expected, but that would be my fault for not inquiring as to their size. To their credit though, I see more now have a size rating than in their listing this spring. They still have a long way to go, and it is an extensive listing.

I do agree that it is much more fruitful if you can go to the nursery and make your own choice. Unfortunately where I come from I would have to drive hundreds of miles to find a small operation with limited stock. Keeping in mind it is no short hop from Edmonton to Calgary, but ohhhh the rewards when you get there. I also know that people from the West consider a drive like that just a little Sunday Outing. So for the most part I am stuck with online ordering. This is why I like to see all the information right up front in the listing.

I have no qualms about their quality and packaging for shipment. Their shipping rates are basically what the Post Office charges.

cb977 · #4 10-20-2006, 02:11 PM

During the decision phase of our most recent OrchidBoard project, we used Paramount as the vendor for our Canadian participants. Our list was comprised of plants that could be found at Oak Hill for those of us in the States and also at Paramount for our friends to the north.

I think we need to start another project

orcdfrk · #5 10-20-2006, 07:55 PM

I think so too Sue; hmmmm I have so many from Paramount I wonder what kind of a headstart I might have on everyone else if we picked one I already have

Oscarman · #6 10-20-2006, 07:58 PM

Paramount is a regular seller at our monthly society meetings.

Via email, Bryon is very helpful and would be able to plant sizes with cost upon request. Certainly it would be nice to see it all online and be able to use secure online ordering also. Happily Calgary is a day trip for us.

Appartently they just increased their greenhouse space....added something like 2 new ones. It certainlly looks like they have increased their selections.

cb977 · #7 10-20-2006, 08:07 PM

I would love to have another project going...but, the last time, we spent A LOT of time and effort coming up with plants available at both places to accomodate our Canadian friends and as far as I know, only 1 or 2 actually ordered. We also had a number of people here in the States decide not to order because the plant we chose wasn't what they would've chosen on their own...which misses the entire point of doing these projects

Tony · #8 10-20-2006, 08:23 PM

Let's do a Brassia project.

Wendy · #9 11-02-2006, 11:06 PM

I've had a couple from Paramount. They were healthy and happy ,but as mentioned, I thought they were a bit small. Still, i was happy overall.

Was there actually a Canadian growing challenge? I didn't think it had started yet. Next time I will pay attention better.

Toddybear · #10 01-09-2007, 06:30 PM

17 of my orchids have come from Paramount. It's a great place to shop in person as Bryon is very helpful and you can pick out the large plants. Only once did I order via mail-order. Most of the plants were quite healthy if perhaps a tad smaller in some cases than I thought they would be. But like Wendy, I was overall quite happy with the plants.