best places to pick up super cheap orchids (clearance and bargain hunting!)
 

Hi All!

Looking for input and suggestions. I am starting over from scratch (meaning 0 collection) and want to experiment with some different growing setups and techniques. As I am experimenting, I expect to probably kill at least a couple plants along the way. and I don't really want to kill high quality expensive boutique or grower orchids, so...

Where have you found super cheap killer deals on orchid plants? Who has the best clearance rack of out of bloom plants I can try out? I am totally Ok with the Mass Market guys for this purpose.

Some extra info for reference, in case anyone has good specifics. I like Phals, dendrobiums, the occasional Catt and Cymbidiums. I like small orchids (I love mini's!)

I am in Southern Ca

One concern about getting the "cheapest" ... many are near death no matter what you do. So they may not be the best test subjects. If they survive, you know you are doing something right. But if they don't, it very possibly has nothing to do with your treatment, they may have been on the way out anyway.

Places to find good prices on orchids:

Orchid Society: Ours here in Ohio is going to have one of its twice-yearly auctions where people bring divisions or orchids they no longer want and sell them cheaply. We also have $1 drawings and I have brought plenty or orchids in the past, while I was revising my collection, to just give away to anyone who wanted them.

If you know any florists, sometimes they buy the entire orchid to just harvest the flowers and will sell you the rest of the orchid cheaply. Many years ago, before the internet was a marketplace, this and a conservatory (after the seasonal show was over) is where I bought my orchids.

Other nicely priced orchids...Andy's usually has a bare-root sale and a Black Friday Sale somewhere between Thanksgiving and February...just watch for them. The orchids are always in fabulous condition. These are not the more common orchids, though, but if you like miniatures, he has them. :)

Exotic Orchids of Maui--they require a minimum order of $100 +$30 shipping but you can get quite a few orchids for that price and they are really healthy and nice. Sometimes they might be a few years from blooming but for what you are getting.... I usually do group orders if ordering from them so that we all split the shipping.

Carmelas Orchids has some really great sales which are perfect if you are rebuilding your collection.

Hausermanns Orchids has some great sale orchids. I bought two really nice Phals from the sale section and they came in spike. $15 each plus shipping which, for what they were, was a really good price.

Good luck!

---------- Post added at 05:08 PM ---------- Previous post was at 05:00 PM ----------

Just a note...you do not necessarily need to count on killing the orchids. If you buy the orchids from a vendor, they can often give you very good advice on what will grow easily for you in your climate and the necessary care needed. When I am bored with what I am growing, I often will tell a vendor my growing conditions and they will recommend orchids exactly for those conditions and tell me what care is needed. I wish I did that with all my orchids since these recommended orchids never die. :|

Olympic orchids has small orchids cheap. They are high quality and sometimes have a 5 for $5.00 special. Selection varies, visit their website.

Leafmite:

Are all of these places online? I am a little confused

Andy's, Hausermann's and Olympic are online. The first two have bricks and mortar sites too but, you don't say where you are located (sorry, I know you asked leafmite).

If you come to the Fascination of Orchids Show Sept 29-30 at South Coast Plaza Village there are some vendors with modestly-priced orchids (some quite nice Phals). ocorchidshow.com

com visit my gardenmarket
 

last week there was a super sale for orchids

small Cattleya's 2.95
palaenopsis 3.95 4.95 6.95
oncidiums 3.95
brassia 4.95
Cymbidium 11.95 big ones healthy already the roots pusing the plant out the pot.

all healthy big and just start flowering.

i came back with 7 for €30

You might be able to find an orchid society locally and attend a meeting. Larger cities often have conservatories with flower shows (I attended Phipps in Pittsburgh, PA). Conservatories and Orchid Societies can be found with a Google search but do not sell orchids online.

Here you go for the others:

Exotic Orchids of Maui
Exotic Orchids of Maui, Hawaii - Order Orchid Plants Online

Carmelas Orchids
Welcome to Carmela Orchids

Hausermanns Orchids
Welcome to Orchids By Hausermann On-Line Orchid catalog.

Andy's Orchids
Andy's Orchids - Species Specialist - Welcome Orchids - Species Specialist - Orchids on a stick

I have actually called both Hausermann's and Andy's in the past and they have always been very nice. Andy is quite busy so I just email and he calls when convenient.

---------- Post added at 06:20 PM ---------- Previous post was at 06:18 PM ----------

Remember, Andy's has the sales coming in a few months so if you want to save money..... :)

Why would you do this? My bank account is going to be so angry with you....

:rofl:

---------- Post added at 04:21 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:18 PM ----------

So totally realized Andy's is in Encinitas (San Diego area) I have actually been past there when I lived in San Diego. I live more in the Los Angeles Area now.

I am tempted to swing by the flower district next time I am in the fashion district and see about the florists there selling plants after harvesting the flowers..... I am in the fashion/fabric district area of LA a lot (costume designer haha) never occurred to me....