Oak Hill--Another one bites the dust?

[smweaver]

The website for Oak Hill Gardens states that they're no longer shipping (as of October 31) plants, and only selling to the local community at their location. Has anyone heard whether or not we're getting ready to lose another commercial orchid vendor? I always enjoyed talking to Herman whenever he would come to town for a show, so this will be kind of sad if Oak Hill is going the same way as many other commercial vendors.

[Ray]

I wonder why?

I have emailed them to inquire.

[katrina]

Maybe just a winter thing?

[Leafmite]

They have stopped shipping during the winter in the past. I did hear something, though, about them perhaps closing a greenhouse? Maybe that is why their orchids have been on a huge sale? They might be trying to save some money over the winter with heating costs, perhaps?
They are a really wonderful place from which to obtain orchids. I am very pleased with everything they have sent me. Their selection is very good, the plants sent are suburb/very healthy. It is one of my favorite places from which to buy orchids. If all goes well with the OS group order, I should be getting two more from them at the next meeting.

[Paul]

Originally Posted by smweaver

I always enjoyed talking to Herman whenever he would come to town for a show, so this will be kind of sad if Oak Hill is going the same way as many other commercial vendors.

Oakhill has not been owned by Herman and family for some time now.

It is most likely that Oakhill is now closed for good. If so, I, for one, am not the least bit surprised.

Based on conversations I have had with a number of other vendors who had talked to the new owners (Garden Centre & Nursery) while at shows, it seems that GC&N bit off more than they could chew when they acquired Oakhill. Prior to the acquisition, GC&N entire focus was on production of flats of common outdoor bedding plants -- and that as mainly if not entirely a wholesaler. The folks I spoke with said it was pretty obvious that GC&N did not realize how different the orchid biz is from bedding plant production...
1) For example, with your average bedding plants, there is typically not a lot of info one needs to transmit to the customer. (Look at any tag on flat of petunias or marigolds -- other than light requirement and size there is nothing else generally mentioned.) With orchids, however, a vendor must be prepared and willing to go into detail not only about light requirements and size, but also blooming frequency, years to bs, what media is best used, temperature requirements, dormancy (if any), watering needs, etc.
2) Then there is the reality that, as an orchid vendor, one is not likely going to sell 3 or 4 flats of plants to a single customer. This necessitates keeping a wide array of stock which, in turn, requires the seller be more knowledgeable because of the reasons stated in #1.
3) From #2 arises yet another issue -- that wider array of offerings requires the seller to be willing and able to provide for the various needs of the orchids. By and large, the large scale production of bedding plants is brain-dead simple in comparison (generally all the plants in a greenhouse can take all the same conditions).
4) And let's not forget, the fact that orchids take so long to reach bs means that the seller will have to invest a great deal more time and other resources per plant.

[Leafmite]

Oak Hill Gardens does a great job as an orchid vendor and orchids are in the Acker Family. I would hate for them to quit selling orchids.
Yet, I understand a decision not to sell orchids. With bedding plants, you start them in March and that is when you begin heating the greenhouse. With orchids, you have to heat the greenhouse five extra months and through the coldest weather. People tend not to be as picky about bedding plants, either, as they are gardeners and have seen quite a few plants in their lifetime. With bedding plants, your main selling season is over by mid-June/early July and then you just have basket arrangements, replacement plants, and gardening paraphernalia to sell. Orchids are an all-year-round deal and then you have the shows. If a bedding plant dies, it is usually pretty obvious why (not enough water, late frost, too much water, etc) where, with orchids, people tend to blame the vendor. A greenhouse that sells annuals and perennials for the garden is a much simpler prospect than one that sells orchids. Someday, all of our orchids will either be mass-produced or come from Asia and many of the not so common species will disappear forever from US markets.

[smweaver]

Originally Posted by Leafmite

Someday, all of our orchids will either be mass-produced or come from Asia and many of the not so common species will disappear forever from US markets.

I think that's why it's extremely important that there are many hobbyists that maintain diverse collections of other than the "Lowe's orchids" (hybrid phalaenopsis, dendrobiums, etc.). If all of the specialist nurseries disappear, maybe we'll still have each other to trade plants and keep the more uncommon orchids in cultivation (just my opinion).

[Leafmite]

That is true...as long as the older collections are preserved and passed on to younger people who have a passion for them instead of being neglected or tossed.
I am glad I bought from Oak Hill Gardens when I could. I just looked at their website and I think you are right, that they are finished. How sad. I have a few from the old Oak Hill and quite a few from the new.

[smweaver]

I too have some of their plants, so at least I'm glad for that.

You bring up another critical point: how do we get the younger generations interested in the hobby? I periodically go to a local meeting and it's like walking into an interactive museum exhibit. I'm frequently one of the youngest attendees, and I'm in my late forties.

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by smweaver

You bring up another critical point: how do we get the younger generations interested in the hobby? I periodically go to a local meeting and it's like walking into an interactive museum exhibit. I'm frequently one of the youngest attendees, and I'm in my late forties.

I'm over 50 and I do not attend meetings nor belong to any OS. Just not my cup of tea, and increasingly not something younger people do. They congregate, just not at meetings listening to speakers or browsing displays.

A good educator can get people interested and maintain a higher level of interest. You're not going to get everyone but you can cultivate the ones who shows some enthusiasm.