Need Vendor suggestion for orchids in bloom

[JaneEyre]

I am getting married this September and would really like to use live orchids for centerpieces. It will be a small wedding, so not many plants needed, about 15 or so (maybe even less) but I am on a tight budget. Ideally I would get those from local Costco for about $12.99 each, but there is no guarantee Costco will have them in stock by then or have the right colors. Any suggestions for a California vendor?

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

Congratulations!

What kinds of orchids are you looking for?

[WhiteRabbit]

there are some orchid growers in northern California, and central coast - I don't know if any might do something like this

one that comes right to mind is Rod McLellan Co (they supply to stores in the area) Our History
guess it can't hurt to contact them and ask

also try web searching for growers in Nor Cal
and hopefully some other members will have suggestions

oh - congrats on your pending nuptials!

[JaneEyre]

Originally Posted by King_of_orchid_growing:)

Congratulations!

What kinds of orchids are you looking for?

Thanks
I am not picky. I was thinking purple phals but any orchids will do really as long as they match. I made/making my own invitations and save the dates with cymbidium flower design but I don't really need to match that. My fiance thinks I'm obsessed...

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

there are some orchid growers in northern California, and central coast - I don't know if any might do something like this

one that comes right to mind is Rod McLellan Co (they supply to stores in the area) Our History
guess it can't hurt to contact them and ask

also try web searching for growers in Nor Cal
and hopefully some other members will have suggestions

oh - congrats on your pending nuptials!

Thank you
I forgot about Rod McLellan. I was under impression that they do wholesale mostly these days, but like you said, doesn't hurt to ask. They may have a small store somewhere in SF. I'll check it out.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

You could try asking the following vendors closer to the time you are getting married to see what they have available in bloom that fit your needs:

Santa Barbara Orchid Estate
Orchids of Los Osos
SLO Gardens
Andy's Orchids (SoCal)
Hawk Hill Orchids

There may be a couple more, idk.

[RJSquirrel]

you could try some of the greenhouses in Hawaii. They sell 12,24 or 36 count orchids in spike/bud/bloom. You have the option of picking them or letting them pick the creme of the crop for you all one kind or a happy mix.

for example.
Hilo Orchid Farm

They offer a 24 pack of plants delivered to you for a total of $288 (Special rate, packing and FedEx 2 day shipping included).

Most of the wholesale greenhouses will sell to you as long as you buy the minimum which is usually a few hundred bucks. Your'e going to spend at least that much with what you want. With 2 day delivery you are guaranteed fresh beautiful flowers and I'm sure you can designate budded or bloomed. Bloomed plants are hard to ship anywhere keep that in mind and not guaranteed to have the bloom intact when they get there. So order a little sooner plants in late bud. You could run into some issues with anything you decide to do other than having blooming plants delivered that day to you, and at no doubt an exorbitant rate. A lot of the good stuff in the USA is coming from Hawaii , its just orchid heaven

Kalapana Tropicals Orchids - Hawaiian Live Orchids

they have some very nice wholesale packages also. There is no link as you will have to contact them with your email to receive the latest list. Pricing is similar. And their plants are outstanding

[WhiteRabbit]

there's also Gubler's in So Cal

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

If you're going Hawaii...

Kawamoto
H & R Orchids
Tropical Orchid Farm
Exotic Orchids of Maui

[Daethen]

There are also some places that will let you rent live blooming flowers for special events. Unless of course you are using this as an excuse to own more plants. Obsessed, NEVER!!

[JaneEyre]

This is a good list of vendors for me to start with. Thank you everyone for suggestions. I know I will be busy this weekend