Seattle orchid feedback?

[judith_arquette]

I went on a crazy, impulsive shopping spree the other day at Seattle orchid and long story short, am now expecting 4 new additions Wednesday. I've since learned (thanks Phillip ) that they don't grow their own orchids, they "flip" them. Any feedback from members who've purchased from them in the past would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[cbuchman]

I bought one item from them and was very satisfied. I went looking for another mini and found it for 1/2 Seattl'es price at Ecuagenera, but had to wait for them to come to the US for a show before I could pick it up (they ship too). Turns out Seattle buys from Ecuagenera and sells this orchid for $50. I bought from Ecuagenera directly for $25 + $2 for the CITES certificate. Since I picked it up from them there were no shipping costs. I think if I had it shipped it was another $12 (they ship when they are in the US). So it still would have been substantially less.

So bottom line for me, is that Seattle has quality stuff at premium prices. With some internet sleuthing, you can save substantially.

[judith_arquette]

Thanks! Unfortunately I'm mostly an impulsive shopper but thanks for the tip, if I can restrain myself next time I'm sure you'll save me some $$$

[TOMMYMIAMI]

Always nice plants, I bought from them many many times, never got anything that would not be great! Yes, they do resell Ecuagenera plants, however this is not some fast make a cash resale, they do buy from Ecuagenera and keep the plants for weeks and months to establish them and make sure they are healthy and happy to go to new owners, so that's what you pay for, I do buy directly from Ecuagenera and I can tell you, many plants will die in a matter of days after the pick up, no matter how good they may look at the pick up day!

[VMStearns]

I am fortunate enough to live in the Seattle area and of the two orchid retailers here, Seattle Orchid is definitely my favorite. Orchids that need TLC for what ever reason are offered to local shoppers at a steep price reduction. Several times I've purchased one or two orchids at the regular retail price and brought home a couple "free" plants that need some rehab.

They are not the least expensive, but they take pride in their product and are always available to help.

After hours of research when I was assembling my small passive orchid terrarium, Alan at Seattle Orchid made some excellent recommendations based on his current stock and worked with me to custom mount the micro-miniature orchids that are now blooming after only a few weeks (assembled in mid-April).

You can check out the terrarium's progress at http://www.orchidboard.com/community...terrarium.html

[Bud]

Fast Smooth Transaction always. Well packed fresh plants that never experienced the stress of travel. And I live the opposite of the continent from where they are.

[judith_arquette]

Thanks everyone for the input. Waiting impatiently for Wednesday's post, can't wait to see my newest additions! Here's hoping I don't kill them! <3

[judith_arquette]

Finally received my plants (they all ended up on back order) and must say that they're are as described and all have some good, viable roots with new growth. No complaints here other than the back order issue but I guess that should be expected when buying from a vendor that gets them from another source.

[AnonYMouse]

They have a rewards program, too.

[astrid]

I have yet to buy an orchid from them, but I have talked on the phone with them about some plants, and they were very knowledgable and spent 10 minutes with me each time discussing ways to treat my pest issues and about what media would be best for my plants and so on.

I do have one small complaint is this: I ordered some potting mix last Tuesday from them with a 2-day shipping option. They ship Monday and Wednesday, so I should have had it by Friday for sure. Well, it is now next week - a week from making my order, and I still don't have my potting mix.

That was very frustrating for me but the fact that they were so wonderful on the phone makes up for it.