Ecuagenera?

[DirtyCoconuts]

mine says the same...hopefully...it is because they allow some time for revitalizing and repacking....

[MJG]

I received my orchids from Ecuagenera today! I'm posting this here so y'all know what the process is under their new distribution system.

The orchids shipped on Sunday June 14 from Ecuador to the USA office in Florida. I received a notice that it was in the mail to me on Monday night. I think it was just them generating a shipping label, as tracking showed it being picked up on Wednesday night. It arrived here in upstate NY on Saturday.

The package was well-labeled as perishable plants. Upon opening, each orchid was wrapped in paper. When I removed the papers they were all bare root. The roots were wrapped in slightly damp sphagnum, which was snugly wrapped in saran wrap.

I ordered 5 orchids. All of them arrived a little wilted, but it's nothing that an overnight soak and a day or two in the house won't cure. I was concerned about temperatures for shipping. We've been in the mid to high 80's and I had ordered 3 masdevallias. They'll all be fine.

They are healthy-looking plants except for the last one. It has a couple of leaves with some ugly-looking spots. I'll post a separate thread asking for input on it.

Here are pictures of my haul.

[Roberta]

I don't see a problem with the one funky leaf... the rest of the leaves look good. Bare-root is standard for imported plants... they can use sphagnum for moisture (but it's not particularly intimate with the plant), but any medium is a no-no. So a good soak is certainly a good idea, and then get them potted up. Plants look good!

[Jeff214]

Thanks MJG for posting your experience. The plants look pretty good!

[estación seca]

I've had good experiences with large plants bought from them at shows, but not with small plants.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I got my order as well. All look good and a little thirsty.

I got a Stan. Two miltons and an Ansellia africana

[hypostatic]

Originally Posted by MJG

Upon opening, each orchid was wrapped in paper. When I removed the papers they were all bare root.

Ah, yeah, at shows it's always bare root. I'm pretty sure this is so the plants breeze through inspections.

Originally Posted by MJG

They are healthy-looking plants except for the last one. It has a couple of leaves with some ugly-looking spots.

This looks like an oncidium? They almost always look like this before they drop the leaves in their life cycle, and is pretty normal. I usually just pull/cut them off when they get to this stage, just in case.

[MJG]

Originally Posted by hypostatic

This looks like an oncidium? They almost always look like this before they drop the leaves in their life cycle, and is pretty normal. I usually just pull/cut them off when they get to this stage, just in case.

It's actually a maxillariella, but I'm getting the same feedback about the leaf from you and others. I removed it, and the plant looks really good and solid.

Since my earlier post I've been soaking all of the orchids.
They've perked up already and are no longer looked wilted. I am very happy with this purchase.

[Keysguy]

Because I know we have a wide range of experience among the growers in our forum community here I'd like to provide some insight on an important point made earlier.

When ordering direct from a grower outside of the United States, 2 important things have to happen. The seller needs to 1) provide certification as to the source/origin of the plant (google CITES for lots more detail) and 2) all plants must undergo a USDA inspection upon arrival in a US port to ensure they are pest and disease free.
The latter step requires that the plants be imported "bare root" as the soil or potting media is most often the source of pests and disease.

Once you know how to "resuscitate" a bare root plant, it's really no higher risk purchase than a potted one that has traveled long distances. In fact, depending on your growing conditions, a bare root plant affords you the immediate opportunity to pot in your media of choice without further stressing the plant and may make for a gentler transition to your culture.
Bottom line for newer growers.....please do NOT be afraid to buy a bare root plant.

[BrassavolaStars]

My order has just shipped. I’m a bit worried about it because it is all cool-growing masdevallias going from Florida to New York at the height of the summer.

It’s not even any cooler in New York than Florida anymore.