Clear-bag species orchids at the Depot!
 

I was at the Home Depot in Palm Harbor, Fla. today, and decided to browse the clear plastic bag orchids that they hang on the racks. You know, the near bloom-size ones that are usually drying out in the bag! Well, low and behold, I noticed they now sell species orchids in those bags, for like $13. I picked up a Den. speciosum var curvicaule and Enc. cordigera var rosea. They also had some Angraeceum, and I even saw Iwanagara Apple Blossom. There as a pile of them....mostly hybrids, but there were some species plants. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised!:drool:

Wow...he he...only in Florida could you find such a thing at a big box! SCORE!

I need to visit this florida

I have family on the other side of the state (Stuart) and the HD over there also stocks bagged chids including catts and all kinds of hybrids. The nice thing about these bagged chids is that they try to put a picture of the actual plant on the bag and/or have a name tag inside that you can read.....can you believe that!!! I know this because I called them to find out if the pic and plant were the same. And, if you get there at the right time they are still in pretty good condition. I believe they get them from Sun Bulb (Better Gro) in Arcadia, FL. I see them up here in Michigan sometimes but most never get purchased and they look terrible!

How many months / years before those, "You know, the near bloom-size ones that are usually drying out in the bag!" plants may bloom??

It depends on how mature the particular plant needs to be before flowering, the conditions, etc...its hard to give them a specific blooming time. The better condition is the plant when you receive it, the sooner it will bloom for you, instead of trying to revive itself.

I've had some bloom within a few months. But I've also had some take forever just to start to snap out of it and start growing for me.

I have a couple of them for over a year and have not gotten them to bloom yet. Although I did see one B. nodosa bloom inside the bag.

My HD is an expert in dehydrated bagged orchids. They are always the same though.

:rofl: :rofl:

Its interesting that you have quality orchids at HD! Even here in Hawaii, I noticed that H&R now supplies our local Longs Drug Stores with their plants! I wonder if big chains are starting to do more deals with better nurseries as the consumer gets more 'orchid savvy.'

I've even seen Max. tenuifolia at Wal-Mart (in bloom). I've always bought the bagged ones, it just amazed me to see some of the ones I did....it's usually all hybrids.

All I have at my HD are catts ........ Maybe I can order something else. Will have to check and see.

amazing....I've seen lots of catt, oncidium and vanda in bag. Personally I've picked up an Oncidium Sweet Sugar with its bloom just faded in a supposedly NBS orchid for about $11. But I'd like to see more variety in the HD at my place though....You guys are lucky!

Jason, are you talking about the Better-Gro orchids? I've bought a few of their Catts in the past and they were pretty decent. The last time I was at HD tho, their display was filled with scale so, be careful what you bring home!

I've been tempted with the Iwanagara Apple Blossom. I'll have to see what the other HD's in my area have!

Enjoy!

I bought a Blc. Waianae Leopard 'Ching Hua' last July from them and it bloomed it's little head off this past summer!

I have a few from there that have bloomed, one has three spikes on it now....and I haven't seen what it looks like yet!

I bought some of those and they're doing great! I got an Appleblossom, brassavola, and dendrobium speciosum.

I am visiting Naples FL in a few weeks. I have seen both the bagged ones and those in pots at one of the HD. The potted plants didn't look too bad. We are driving this time so I thought to pick up something. Am I safer with healthy looking bagged plants vs. the potted ones since nothing will be happening to them until I get home and the trip itself is 2 days.
Nick

If you are coming to Florida, I would suggest looking up a local grower, not just limiting yourself to the Depot. There are many great orchid greenhouses in just about every major city. I would hate to see you come all the way down here for Depot orchids!

Not necessarily safer Nick. These bagged plants don't have an indefinite shelf life, they're not meant to stay bagged and you'll notice, they're tied loosely so as not to cut off their need for air. If you do buy one or some:D in the bags, you'll want to pot it up into fresh medium when you get home. They'll definitely survive the trip. Coelogynes are the only ones I can think of now that wouldn't be happy with all the traveling.

Enjoy your trip and leave plenty of room in the back seat for lots and lots!

ME TOO!!!!

ah.....can't beat the price at Depot hehehe....
kidding....I heard that many orchids nurseries at Florida are pretty good too. Odoms, Fender's Flora, J&P, Krull-Smith, Orchid Mania, ... those are what I heard the most. Have fun at the orchid heaven lol...

Yes, coming here and not visiting a greenhouse would be like going to Hawaii and not getting layed.....the flowers, people!:biggrin:

There are 2 listed growers on the eastern-most extremes of the Naples area. We didn't look them up last time. Wish I could persuade my wife to go to Homestead...but then again the temptation might be too strong.
Nick

You will be passing right by either Tampa or Orlando.....or better yet, by Tampa on the way down, and Orlando on the return (or vice-versa):biggrin: . If you time it right, there is an orchid show at USF, in Tampa, starting on Halloween!

thanks,
Nick