What orchids did you receive today?
 

Remember the vendor rating site that was around circa 2000-2002? Unfortunately, the site is gone. Apparently some vendors were not happy with negative comments or rating.

So I got a package from Norman's Orchids today. Instead of complaining or praising, I am just going to post pictures so that you could be the judge. Often times, we hear bad things or good things about nurseries, but it is just a hearsay. I believe pictures would be worth a thousand words.

So here's the rule:
1. Post pictures of plants you received along with some data (i.e., name of plants, value, etc.)
2. No negative comments, please. We are all smart enough to make judgments if we see.

I may add more, but I want to keep this very simple.

So these are the ones I got. I received four plants instead of seven I ordered. Two were out of flower, and the other sold out.
1. Catasetum tenebrosum 'St. Francis'AM/AOS
Option: Jumbo in bud/In spike ($65, I think)
Buds lost.

2. Den. linawianum ($25)
Option: Near mature size

3. Holcostylis M.S. Sunlight 'Sweetheart'
Option: Mature size
The box this came in was clean.

4. Epi. floribundum ($35)
Option: In bud/In spike
This orchid did not come alone.

BTW, I knowingly purchased #4, but this is not a species. It is Epicyclia Belmont.

Apparently, these are not boisduval scales, according to the folks at Norman's Orchids. They did not tell me what, though.

An update. This the second response from the sale rep:
"We have discussed your photos with a grower and they informed us that there is no Boisduval scales on your plants."

I am not sure if they discussed after examining the second batch of pictures. At any rate, I uploaded pictures at bugguides.com for a positive ID. I will also contact University of Kentucky Extension Entomology.

There will be a surprise for them, which I am not going to elaborate at this point as well.

It's great that you sent them pictures of your plants and are keeping a line of communication open. Please keep us in the loop about any resolutions; I've not used this vendor--nor do I know that I would.
Adam

I actually got this message like a minute ago:

Consistent with the quality of plants and customer service that Norman's has become famous for.

From SLO Orchids:
Address: 955 Branch Mill Rd, Arroyo Grande, CA 93420
Phone: 805-489-3319

Received on 6/9/2016
1. Encyclia profusa ($20)
2. Encyclia rhynchophora ($25)
3. Encyclia Chien Ya Smile ($15)
4. Dinema polybulbon
Plus Bonus Enc. Isle of Skye [mooreana x (mooreana x cordigera)]
Shipping charge: Apparently free, but plants are mostly out of pot.

You be the judge!

I would say this comment is perfect because it is neutral yet it means something for those who have had experience with them :bowing

A little update. Apparently, they had a surprise visit by a nursery inspector from California Department of Food and Agriculture in San Bernardino County this morning. I wonder how it happened. I do not how it went, though.

I was also asked to submit pictures, which have been sent to the state lab in Sacramento. I was told they were not one of the cooperating nurseries and have been cited or documented before about mealybugs in sales area.