Clown Alley Orchids?

[cb977]

Have any of you purchased plants from Clown Alley Orchids? They seem to be the only place that has Clowesia Rebecca Northen for sale but I am not at all familiar with this company.

[Sandy4453]

Sue, this is where I ended up buying my Dend. atroviolaceum from. I had one of the most frustrating/aggravating experiences from them BUT in all fairness, it just could have been 'one of those things'....

I ordered it over the phone, the owner said he was shipping it out the next day, would have it in 3-4 days. One week later, when it still hadn't arrived, I phoned him....his assistant said he was at an orchid show, gave me his number, I called and he told me that he had lost my address and didn't know where to ship it, took it down again and told me that he'd ship it out when he returned, that Monday. Again.........I waited., and waited and waited. I phoned him again (now, going on 3 weeks) and AGAIN, asked where it was. He told me that because I had expressed disappointment in not getting it when I originally ordered it, he assumed I didn't want it afterall. I reminded him that he told me he had lost my address and he told me, "Oh, that's right...it's sitting on the table and he was waiting for my confirmation"????????????????????????? But, he told me he would ship it out immediately upon his return?

OK....it could have been just one of those things.

On a positive note....I received a beautiful plant from them!

[cirillonb]

I ordered one of their "specials' and was underwhelmed with the plants. They appeared healthy enough but took forever to produce. When they did, they were somewhat disappointing. This could have been because I didn't know what I was ordering at that time. On the other hand, the shipping was swift and packaging as good as the best.
Nick

[cb977]

Thanks Sandy and Nick

Anybody else have an experience with them?

[Royal]

Not directly, but have heard that they are nice people. I think they concentrate on harlequin Phals.

[Aceetobe]

I think a couple people have Cl. Rebecca Northen for sale. I think RF orchids, probably Pineridge, and most likely Norman's. Email them, and they probably have it. Beyond that Sunset Valley has divisions of awarded plants.

[jcaesar]

I purchased some of their "sale" Catts...sunburn damage from the last hurricane. They weren' that bad and are doing well. Shipping was fine.

[DavidCampen]

Has anyone purchased from them recently? They have an extensive list of Cattleya species.

[fotofashion]

I was there just yesterday. John was off at one of the shows he sells at (he also visits OS meetings and lectures).
I have been satisfied with my purchases-I go there at least once a month and usually come away with three or four plants. They have a program whereby when you buy six plants, you can get one free. I DO take advantage of that. Yesterday's foray was for potting media, no plants I couldn't live without. His employee told me that he had taken the best ones to the show (figures).
He does not "specialize" in harlequin phals. He sells phals of many kinds but has a good selection of plants suitable for growing in our climate (warm).
As with any vendor YMMV.
Beverly A.

[Goods14]

They regularly come to two of our local shows (New Orleans and Baton Rouge), and they always bring some interesting species with them. I've bought from them many times at the shows and have always been happy. They seem like nice people, and I always enjoy talking to them and looking at their selection.