Vendors I have had luck with

[kindrag23]

Thats always a nice surprise. I orderered from KM and did not get one den I got 2.5 instead! Its also nice knowing my plants from them get to go straight to their selected place. Instead of a month long quarantine.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

I think the person taking care of eBay orders is Reid, in Kawamoto, is is always extremely helpful, in my last order I did actually buy 2 of the same plant, and his mom did not see that there are 2, and they shipped me one. I told him no worries, he can add the second plant to my next order, but to my surprise, they did ship me that missing plant that same day again with Fedex, and on the top he added the Dendro Parishii I was bidding on and didn't win, free. That's what I call service. And I do agree, their plants are always extremely carefully packed, plus shipping is really speedy. I do love these guys (but that may be said also about Andy's Orchids, Tropical Orchid Farms or Seattle Orchids). With Kawamoto, I just love to bid on his auctions, usually ending during weekend, and sometimes I do score great prices winning it real cheap, plus he always offers consolidated shipping charge!

---------- Post added at 11:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 PM ----------

I think today is also the last day for that PROLONG promo code for 20% off at Andy's, I got nearly weak again, had in my shopping cart right now 3 new mini's I have on my list for Hygrolon cylinder, and was going through the checkout already, but stopped. I am going to Aroid show in Fairchilds Tropical Gardens the 3rd weekend in September where I am picking my pre-order from Ecuagenera for Lepanthes Telipogoniflora and Macroclinium Manabinum, and I know I will go nuts at that show, and probably buy so many mini's, that I just hold myself and did not finish Andy's order (Sorry Andy).

[Sharry]

The non-Ebay vendors that I am most impressed with have been Andy's and Santa Barbara Orchid Estate. A number of other both well known and smaller vendors never responded when I have made inquiries.

For Ebay, I have had good experience with Ruben, Machiela's, Bredren and cschaz. Also it seems true, that the ones with a long history and sell their listings, have nice stuff - word gets around. I also like to take chances with small sellers with intriguing odd ball species and hybrids. This summer I got two monk orchids from a vendor anamilenapr. The vast majority have been worthwhile transactions; but I don't bid more than I can afford to lose.

[TOMMYMIAMI]

I also do try new small eBay vendors, but choosing the ones from Florida. I did purchase couple nobile dendrobiums and some cats from eBay seller located here in Florida, small vendor, only some 20 plants listed, but the plants received were absolutely stunning, great healthy condition, and she gave me so many tips and advises. But what surprised me most, she actually sent me an eBay message few days ago (some month after the purchase), asking me how are my plants doing and if I need any help. Sometimes you do find some treasures even on eBay!

[kindrag23]

I love that when you find this tiny vendor that you never heard of. I usually find them under the top rated seller area, and then find that there is a reason for that. I found this one on ebay taht has 3 seedlingish catt x schomburgkia hybrids that this person created and I got 3 for 23 and free shipping. Those should be here on Wednesday! Hurray! I also have one coming in from a "Vendor" that is not usually found anywhere!

[Kevin_PR]

Originally Posted by kindrag23

ExoticOrchidspr- While one is in questionable condition the roots are in the best condition I have ever seen, the pots are literally filled to the brim with roots; healthy roots. They are in Puerto Rico. They wrap the plants up tightly and pack the boxes tightly as well. They even place wet newspaper around the top of the pot to make sure that the plant does not suffer during shipment.

This is probably the cause of the leaves falling on your Gramm. It is a good Idea to ship orchids dry to avoid any kind of rot or fungus. All that moisture was probably steaming the plant. How is the plant doing now?

[kindrag23]

BAD! BAD!, I wound up cutting off the leaves from the gramm in hopes that it is something in the leaves. The roots are still healthy, the phulbs are beginning to shrivel a little, will post pictures post hair cut today

[Kevin_PR]

Originally Posted by TOMMYMIAMI

I think the person taking care of eBay orders is Reid, in Kawamoto, is is always extremely helpful, in my last order I did actually buy 2 of the same plant, and his mom did not see that there are 2, and they shipped me one. I told him no worries, he can add the second plant to my next order, but to my surprise, they did ship me that missing plant that same day again with Fedex, and on the top he added the Dendro Parishii I was bidding on and didn't win, free. That's what I call service. And I do agree, their plants are always extremely carefully packed, plus shipping is really speedy. I do love these guys (but that may be said also about Andy's Orchids, Tropical Orchid Farms or Seattle Orchids). With Kawamoto, I just love to bid on his auctions, usually ending during weekend, and sometimes I do score great prices winning it real cheap, plus he always offers consolidated shipping charge!

---------- Post added at 11:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:30 PM ----------

I think today is also the last day for that PROLONG promo code for 20% off at Andy's, I got nearly weak again, had in my shopping cart right now 3 new mini's I have on my list for Hygrolon cylinder, and was going through the checkout already, but stopped. I am going to Aroid show in Fairchilds Tropical Gardens the 3rd weekend in September where I am picking my pre-order from Ecuagenera for Lepanthes Telipogoniflora and Macroclinium Manabinum, and I know I will go nuts at that show, and probably buy so many mini's, that I just hold myself and did not finish Andy's order (Sorry Andy).

While I do like Ecuagenera for their variety, whenever I order from them I expect a 20%loss. Many of their plants are small an unestablished. They are an outdoors growers so expect spots on leaves. Also the whole phytosanitary process leaves them really stressed. Sometimes they lack root system(entirely). I never complain, though, they provide a great service. Shermantp is an Ebay seller that pretty much resells their plants with the ususal middleman hike up, but he does not really hold the plants to establish them. No complaint either. I ordered 5 sigmatostalix from them this past year 3 survived the 1st week to grow on. the others were too far gone. I am sure they are wonderful growers, but the whole process o importing the plants legally, well, it kills them. I try to avoid ordering sensitive plants from them or any orchid without pseudobulbs from them.

[kindrag23]

Okay I keep seeing this pop up, what is a phytosanitary form? Other then the fact that I know how expensive it may be. I'm not interested in international sellers but I am just curious.

[Sharry]

Tommymiami: I envy your location. Most of my top Ebay vendors are located in Florida. Let me know if you ever get to Rubens. What was the name of the person who sold you those nice Catts?

Kindrag: It's like a restaurant with a teeny menu but everything is done with love. The guy with the monk orchids also sells other terrestrials that I've never heard of. A positive sign is the detail they go into when you ask them a question that they have a genuine interest in your successful growing their plants.

Also people have to start somewhere.