Visit to Claessen Orchideeën, and some new orchids!

[camille1585]

Today I finally got to go visit my favorite grower, Claessen Orchideeën, down in the south of the Netherlands. I usually order online because it's too far to go to every time, so it was nice to see his greenhouses.

Rik, the owner, is such a nice guy and I spend a wonderful hour discussing orchids him. He was really busy today but took the time to chat with customers. Anyway, I see why I always receive nice plants from him, his greenhouses are spotlessly clean and not a single unhealthy plant in sight. I was glad to hear that business is booming for him despite the economic crisis. If anything, he wishes things would slow down a bit, as he has trouble keeping up with orders and keeping his online shop up to date since turnover is so high.

A few photos of his place. It's small, but wonderful. He has one 'large' intermediate temp greenhouse, another for vandas and a third for masdies and other cool growers (forgot to take photo of it), as well as a shop area for the usual Phal Noids and such.


IMG_1649 by Camille1585, on Flickr


IMG_1644 by Camille1585, on Flickr


IMG_1643 by Camille1585, on Flickr


IMG_1654 by Camille1585, on Flickr


IMG_1665 by Camille1585, on Flickr


IMG_1664 by Camille1585, on Flickr


IMG_1670 by Camille1585, on Flickr




Of course I didn't leave empty handed!

I bought:

*Paph Pinocchio, in bud (been wanting one for 3 years!) It might be Paph liemianum, but it's so similar, I don't care!
*Den tetragonum var. giganteum
*Den Rainbow Dance (Den Kurenai x Den unicum) in bud
*Prosthechea cochleata x Guarechea Miva Etoile Noire
*A noid antelop type Den. They are so impossible to find in Europe that I really didn't care that its nameless!

Here's the group:


IMG_1674 by Camille1585, on Flickr

Here's the antelop Den. Rik told me that he was slow to sell these, due to their Noidness. And they are rather slow growing, so not good for him either. I think it MIGHT be Den Blue Twinkle.

IMG_1668 by Camille1585, on Flickr

The two little Dens:

IMG_1677 by Camille1585, on Flickr

Paph Pinocchio's big fat bud:

IMG_1676 by Camille1585, on Flickr

As for the Prosthechea cross, it has a sheath, so I can't wait for the blooms! The cross is 75% Psh. cochleata, but the Guarianthe (ex Catt) bowringiana grandparent contributed color. Here's the grower's photo of it: Prosthechea cochleata x Guarechea Miva Etoile Noire

What a PERFECT Saturday!!