HBI Inc. / Mick Fournier

[shadytrake]

Hi All,

I just found this new orchid flask vendor and Mick has some stuff that has been on my want list for a long time.

So I took the plunge. The reviews online that I found were pretty good with only one bad one from a long time ago.

His website is very nicely done and the communication was very prompt.

I can't wait for the flasks to arrive. Here is the website link.

HBI, Producer of Fine Orchids in Flask

[orchid-eric]

I just checked it out, looks nice!

[camille1585]

So what did you order?

[Ray]

Mick was very active for a long time, then dropped off the face of the earth for quite a few years. I'm glad to see he's back in business.

[shadytrake]

Originally Posted by camille1585

So what did you order?

I'm on the waiting list for C. iricolor (just missed the last flask batch apparently)

I'm getting C. velutina, Paraphal denevi (so excited about this one), and Paraphal laycockyi. I have serpentilingua and I'm not a big fan of labukensis (but it is readily available).

Once I get these, if I feel like it I'll get labukensis and then I'll have the whole genus! Isn't that exciting?!?

I love the way they look.

He has a couple other Cattleyas that I like but I don't HAVE to have them right now.

The biggies are Paraphal denevi and C. iricolor. The others are traveling companions...we always have to have traveling companions.

[camille1585]

Yes, you always gotta have TCs!
I'm not familiar with Paraphals (though have heard of them). Looked yours up, they are so darn cute! Especially denevei. I think I want one, lol

[shadytrake]

I have to give a very positive feedback for Mick / HBI.

The flasks arrived today and though the agar shook loose on 3 of the Paraphals, the size of the plants more than made up for that.

These guys were more than ready to come out of flask.

Actually 2 of the denevi seedlings are almost the same size as my Paraphal serpentilingua NBS that I bought 2 years ago!

Here are some pictures. I soaked and cleaned all of the agar off because I have had some issues in the past with fungus on the seedlings. I soaked in a solution of water, a drop of anti-bacterial soap, and a splash of Daconil.

They are mounted on tree-fern with coconut husk basket liner strips tied on top. I have found this method encourages quick rooting.

I will definitely give HBI the two thumbs up.

[camille1585]

They look great!!! Those are quite large flasklings, hopefully they won't take too long to bloom.

[zxyqu]

Gotta love paraphalaenopsis. Only problem is they sleepwalk in terms of growth habit... But I agree, it's gonna be cool to have all of them. Good luck, as you might have to share one of those mounts.

[WhiteRabbit]

very cool!