Got my first order from Andy's Orchids!

[Royal]

OK, we joke about the OB being a bad influence -- but seriously, you make it hard to resist. So, I caved. I'd been eying Andy's Orchids website for a while now. I'm really into species, so I get lost for hours there (there are a few on my list I can not find ANYWHERE!). Great site! Sooo many to chose from. A little pricey for my taste, too. But I know some of you highly recommend them, so I was almost there.

Then, on Monday, I saw it... He actually had what I've been searching for! Caularthron (Diacrium) bicornutum. He didn't have it last month. SLO Orchids had it listed, but wouldn't sell me what they had. I found it at Floralia in Brazil, but I would have had to wait until October when they came to a show, get it mailed, 100 dollar minimum, yada yada. So, it needed a traveling companion, right?

I finally settled (more like closed my eyes and pointed) on Laelia gouldiana. First of all, it shipped immediately. It came expertly packaged. The C. bicornutum is mounted and is very well established, nicer than most all of my mounted orchids. Some roots dangling down about a foot were unharmed in the mail. Amazing! The Laelia is potted in a 4". It too, is very well established with several old bloom spikes and one just coming up! These both have clearly been grown very carefully and aggressively. I was literally stunned. No more ebay for me, I'm just gonna save up for Andy's.

[Ross]

Royal, you get what you pay for (in my mind.) I just don't get those that want the cheapest price they can possibly get and then expect to keep the plant forever? Doesn't calculate. Andy and Harry are really friendly to talk to, really ready to go in to long discussions (sometimes really long) and you can count on getting a follow-up call from one of the clerks to see how all is doing. If you have any problem whatsoever, speak up when she calls! Andy or Harry will call you back to discuss. You won't get this kind of service from E-Bay! One more thing: if there is something you are really hunting for, just call them. Not everything they carry is on the web site. Limited supplies are not listed. If you are into a certain type of orchid (say rupiculous Laelias) then call and ask. I've only had a couple die on me and that was no-doubt my problem, not Andy's. And I must have at least 50 from Andy's right now!

[Chubidubi]

That's great Royal you had an amazing experience.

[Becca]

Yes Andy's Orchids is very addicting! Great choices by the way....I will be patiently waiting for yours to bloom so you can pollinate it!

[Royal]

Originally Posted by Becca

Yes Andy's Orchids is very addicting! Great choices by the way....I will be patiently waiting for yours to bloom so you can pollinate it!

Am I that predictable?

[cb977]

Wonderful!
I love Andy's...Laura and I are putting together an order this weekend

They're great folks and have really cool plants
I'm pretty sure the lady that does the one-month check-up call is Andy's wife. I get a big kick out of that call

[kiki-do]

Royal, You should post pics even if they aren't in bloom yet. I also got the Laelia gouldiana from Andy. Mine was on a stick and had a stalk with 4 buds ready to pop open when it arrived, however, that was back in October when they are in bud/bloom. Nice choices! Post pics!!!!