Hi all...yes, I think it may be best to wait for better weather to ship. Meanwhile I have my books to go thru.

MN Tomato...Thanks for thinking of me, but I am a couple of hours north, and don't go to the cites often, so am afraid I will have to decline for now... but will read up on them!

I often order plants in the winter and I have not had any trouble... even when the package has been delayed. Most vendors wrap the heat pack and the plants in newspaper (or other paper) so that the heat pack does not harm the plants and the plants have extra protection from the cold. Do make certain that the vendor does automatically include a heat pack and does not make you order it separately (as they might forget to put it in). Some vendors will say not to order when the weather is cold and it is wise to heed their warning (fortunately, my little banana plant is recovering....).

I just ordered from Hausermann's. I know that they will hold the orchids if they do not feel it is safe to ship (they once held an order from early November until late March due to a terrible winter) and, unless some disaster strikes, the orchids will arrive with the heat pack still warm.

Spending a lot of time looking at Hausermann's. Frustrated that the descriptions don't give much size info. Pot size yes, but how big will it get? Have to do a google search, then just get the same pics and little info...compiling a list of hybrid parents of ones I know the size of to get some idea of what might be the sizes of siblings. ISH Learning...

Does anyone else forget to breathe when they get on a good page?

Try looking up the hybrid on OrchidRoots. Find the ancestry and look up the species on IOSPE. This has helped me figure out possible plant sizes.

OrchidRoots
Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia

Also, when you can ask here... likely someone has experience with the general group if not with the specific plant, and can give you an idea of what to expect.

Thanks...kind of what I am doing. I figure if I know what the ancestors are I can get a good idea. Still frustrating that people don't list how big a plant might get in the description.

Yep, though I expect many growers don't feel like they should write a book.
I, however, am with you, I would appreciate learning from their experiences.

I agree that would be good, but - and maybe I'm incorrect - I believe that most grower/sellers expect their customers to have some understanding of the plants they are interested in acquiring.

What's that ad slogan? "An educated consumer is our best customer."

Nobody is born knowing this stuff. My suggestion is, when in doubt, ask! Most vendors are very happy to respond to email inquiries. I can't speak for Hausermann's because I don't have experience with them, but I do think that others have found them responsive. I know that Fred Clarke of Sunset Valley Orchids is very willing to advise on any questions about his plants.

Plants grow to different sizes in different conditions. Most orchids in a home don't get as big as they would in a perfect environment. People have different ideas of what "big" means. Some orchids can be kept smaller than usual if divided and repotted frequently, but others don't bloom well kept like this.