Online ordering from Paramount?

[rfenwick]

I saw a few comments about good experiences with Paramount Orchids dealing direct with their shop. I'm considering an order with them and would love some feedback from anyone with experience ordering online from them (packing, shipping to USA, delivery time, plant size and condition, etc.) Thanks!

[Lady_Vamp]

I didn't deal with them neither online nor in person, but here's what I know of them :

Paramount Orchids order disappointment

If you search Paramount on the forum you might find other opinons but that's the latest I've heard about them.

[rfenwick]

Thanks for the help, LV! I missed that thread.

[silken]

I don't know about shipping to the U.S. but I have bought orchids and supplies from Paramount a number of times. I sort of have mixed feelings! When you are there in person they seem very nice and they certainly do have lots of plants to choose from. Most of them are fairly healthy looking too. However, my friend ordered from them and Clouds (in Ontario) and Paramount wanted to charge somewhat more for shipping for a smaller order than the one from Clouds so she cancelled the Paramount order. I have my sister who lives in Calgary pick me up things sometimes, and I almost feel like I might not be getting the largest or nicest plant when I am not there and they are all selected and just waiting for her to pick up. The zygo I just got had 2 totally leafless pseudobulbs and 1 leafed new growth with spots on the leaves. I paid $36.00 for a blooming size plant. I also got a vuylstekeara of a certain variety this summer and it looks nice. But I saw their article in the newsletter the Alberta Orchid Society puts out just last week and they were going on about the great spikes on those exact plants. Mine has no sign of blooming and I do grow it in a greenhouse in good conditions. Same for several other plants. And when I e-mail them they are very curt and almost rude sometimes!

So I really flip flop back and forth between liking and not liking them.

Just my

[rfenwick]

Thanks for taking the time to write, Silken! Your comments are VERY helpful.

[silken]

We're kind of caught between a rock and a hard place. Even tho they are 6 1/2 hours away, they are the closest large source for named orchids. So if I could shop elsewhere I might, but we have few options and need to do business with them. Our orchid society buys some supplies from them (I do that buying but need a minimum $500.00 per single purchase to get a discount and we aren't a large society). But over the years out of necessity I have been a good customer and don't always feel like they appreciate it.

That being said, they have great selection!

I am the one who had bad experience with Paramount from the thread Lady_Vamp is referring. Vanda cristata didn't make it, the black stuff on the stem rotted it away from roots and top remainings were too small to hope for new roots, but v. roeblingiana with one root still hanging around and even started to grow a new leaf (of course growing another root would be smarter). I wish I spent my money at Clouds where I could get larger and healthier plants for much less.
If you absolutely want to buy plants from Paramount - ask for the pictures of exact plants that you will be getting. At least that's what I would do now with them or any new vendor.