The lengths we (and our friends) go to for orchids

[Yukonphal]

So.....its April and I live it the far far north of the Yukon.
We dont have much for selection of orchids to buy here, some Phals and the occaisional Cymbidium,and only then when they can send up a heated truck .
Orchid withdrawal in overdrive....so I phone a friend in Saskatchewan because I saw that the Regina Orchid Society is having a show and sale.
Not such a big deal until you realize that Saskatchewan is almost on the other side of the country from me.
My friend agrees to go to the show and purchase some babies for me , and ship them up.
Heres where the good picture comes in .
Imagine the highly tatooed, heavily muscled, Harley riding Lesbian friend picking her way through the delicate seedlings and flowers of an orchid show,just to get some babies for her flower deprived friend all the way up at the top of the world.
Is that a friend or what?

[camille1585]

That's a good friend indeed! Poor you, having to live so far away from places that have orchids. I hope your friend sends you lots of new orchids, that should help with the withdrawal symptoms somewhat. Is it ever summer in your part of the world?

[Yukonphal]

LOL no Camille its not even really spring here yet...its still at freezing overnight here.. we only get hot in June/July and August .. but between my friends down South , and getting my Import Permits for flasks, I hope to fix my orchid shortage soon

[The Mutant]

Don't lose that friend of yours! She sounds amazing.

It sound like you have it a bit worse than we do, the temperatures have stopped dropping below 0*C during the nights now anyway, and buds have started to burst all over the place, so it will be Spring really soon.

[camille1585]

You're not in the latest plant project, are you? Perfect excuse to order more orchids! We'll hopefully be voting very soon.

[Yukonphal]

Plant Project? Whats that?

[camille1585]

We started it a month ago. Basically we look for orchids that meet criteria we set (price, size, temperature, available in canada, US and EU). Then we did a first vote before easter to find out who the favorites are, and for the past week I've been busy contacting growers to find out if they have enough of each candidate. For now it looks like we'll be voting between Sophronitis cernua, Paph purpuratum, Bulbo lobbi and maybe Angraecum didieri. Then everyone buys the winning plant and we compare notes growing it. Technically I've closed the sign up, but it's only because there are too many americans! (major trouble finding 35 of each candidate!) But fine if you want to join, canada has 6 participants so far.
This was our first poll: Spring 2012 project- FIRST POLL (participants only!)
Some info about projects in general: Projects - What Are They & Previous Project Plants

[Yukonphal]

Thanks Camille....but even if there were any to buy here right now, we only get NOIDs...not a variety name in sight

[camille1585]

Everyone is ordering online. In Canada the winning plant will come from either Paramount, ForestView Gardens, or Hawaiian Botanicals.

[WhiteRabbit]

what a great friend! Does she have a list, or how does she determine what to buy?