First Cymbidium - Orchid Board

Micro · #1 12-03-2012, 11:09 PM

So seeing as I just recently started my growing orchid collection, I stumbled upon the info for a local orchid nursery near my home after looking through a local orchid clubs website. After going to at least a dozen nurseries within a 10 mile radius of my house with very little luck finding any orchids with the response "they are not in season", I finally found a local place that not only had, but specialized in orchids. I went there last Wednesday and found that i lived not even a mile from this nursery for the last 21 years and never knew it was there. Sadly the Nursery was only regularly open to the public on Saturdays so i had to wait until then. Come Saturday after work, i decided to stop by the nursery again to look around for a few minutes before going out to lunch with my girlfriend who was waiting at home for me. Suffice it to say that i left the place almost 2 hours later with a new cymbidium, which turned out to be bar far their specialty (Yowie Flame 'Waikame' x Panther Beauty 'Apricot Flame') after talking for most of those two hours with an older gentleman name Tony. As it turns out, Tony is the genius behind the hybrids and propagation at the nursery, he was the President of the CSA at one time and now judges and speaks at many cymbidium and orchid shows. I did not find out his 'credentials' until later in our conversation, but it was great to see his love and passion for the plants as we walked through the rows of different Cym. hybrids, all of which he knew the details on. The plant that I ended up taking home was Tony's first choice for me after we walked around and discussed many of the different hybrids.
I am very excited to have found an amazing local orchid specialist near me who grows amazing cyms that are able to grow and thrive outside where i live! The cymbidium bug definitely bit me!

cbuchman · #2 12-04-2012, 10:26 AM

What a terrific resource. I try to visit orchid nurseries on my travels ( as well as locally) and talk to everybody I can. I always learn some really good stuff. By visit orchid houses while traveling, I see many different species/hybrids that I see locally. It is always a pleasure and my husband is very indulgent!

Cym Ladye · #3 12-04-2012, 01:45 PM

Carrie,

You could not have met a person more qualified to guide you in the right direction as you begin your love affair with Cymbidiums! I have personally known Tony for many years and he is one of the best.

I know the nursery you visited and the owner is another very special person in the Cymbidium world too.

If you are looking for another nursery in your immediate area, perhaps open during the week with a phone call, try Casa de las Orquideas, specializing in spotted, striped and patterned Cyms along with general high overall quality crosses. This is a family owned business and one of the best in California.

You are in a perfect area to grow your plants outside and I wish you the best as you start this awesome hobby. Be sure to keep track of the orchid shows coming up in the spring. Perhaps consider attending the big Santa Barbara International show March 8-10, the biggest show in California, and awesome for seeing new Cymbidiums, beautiful displays and visiting lots of vendors selling all genera. There are several greenhouses open on this weekend too, and all worth a visit to enhance your knowledge.

Welcome to the OB and good luck,

Cym Ladye

cbuchman · #4 12-04-2012, 01:55 PM

Cym Ladye - Do you mean to address your comments to Micro? I am in Northern NJ.

I visted the SB Orchid Estate last weekend and bought a beatiful - 2 full spikes- yellow Cym for my sister while I was there

Just spreading the love.

Micro · #5 12-04-2012, 10:03 PM

Thanks Carrie, it is really fun and humbling to visit different nurseries and see the different specialties of the owners.

Cym Ladye, I am glad to hear that you have known Tony for years and he is as liked among others as i enjoyed speaking with him. I have been looking around for different groups and shows that are local, and will be attending the LBAOS meeting here in Longbeach this coming Monday. Also i appreciate the info on Casa de las Orquideas, but sadly they are almost 2 hours from my house. Nevertheless, I will check them out the next time i go down to San Diego for a weekend

Cym Ladye · #6 12-06-2012, 09:03 PM

Sorry Carrie, yes I meant Micro.

Glad you were able to visit SBOE.

There are several excellent hybridizing nurseries between San Diego and Santa Barbara. In addition to Rudevallis and Casa de las Orquideas furthest south, there is Hatfield Orchids in Ventura and SBOE and Cal Orchid in Santa Barbara. All great for browsing, learning and, of course, buying!

Cym Ladye

gardengirl13 · #7 12-18-2012, 12:01 PM

Oh if only I still lived in San Diego! sigh. I'm hoping to visit a nursery I just found out about here a week or so ago. I had a surprise visitor this weekend or I would have gone on Saturday. I'm hoping they're not too crazy this coming weekend with the holiday busy time (they're also a florist I think) Carrie have you been there? They're in Brewster NY just off 22 and 84. We live about 10-12 miles from 22, so it should be an easy way to get there.

cbuchman · #8 12-18-2012, 02:16 PM

Do you mean Velamy orchids? I keep meaning to go there, but haven't made it yet. If you go let me know about it, please?

james mickelso · #9 12-25-2012, 12:18 PM

Micro, San Diego Orchid Society is having a great show Jan 19 and 20 in Balboa Park Casa del Prado rm 101. I hope you can make it to this one. They put on fabulous shows with lots of orchids. Great place to pick up some sales. There are numerous orchid nurseries along your route too. It is worth it. Lakewood isn't that far away.