Desperately seeking a particular hybrid

[Sotetsu]

Hello everyone,

I’m a newbie, and I’m desperately seeking a particular hybrid, and was wondering if anyone knows anywhere in Europe where I can buy it? I’m in England, and the only place I’ve found it is in the US or Taiwan, and the costs and minimum orders are far too high, so I’m seeking it a bit closer to home; anywhere in Europe if possible?

It’s Doritaenopsis Acker's Sweetie 'Dragon Tree Maple'. The other issue is there seems to be a few versions out there that are not identical, but do have the same name. The one I’m after looks like this one someone else posted a while back in the link below.

Doritaenopis Ackers Sweetie 'Dragon Tree Maple'

That picture in particular shows one of the reasons why I like this clone so much if you look at the right petal, top part, and the markings seem to almost be on the verge of turning into Chinese script characters, and there is even a 5 pointed star in there too!

And the same clone here (click the photo in the page for a larger view) Doritaenopsis Acker's Sweetie

If anyone can give me any pointers on where I might be able to get this clone, I will be very much appreciative.

I'm also seeking this little beauty too, Phalaenopsis Taida King's Caroline

Many thanks.

[Triffid]

Yes, search and buy! As a beginner myself I know how you feel.
The best advice I can give is contact some UK based Nurseries and see what they can offer you, or even try Orchid shows and societies as sometimes you may only be able to get hold of certain Orchids from Collectors who may have a keiki going spare or for exchange. Be patient though and just keep an eye out, you never know.

For now though I can offer these links to help you on your way. But remember if you are looking for rare Species and or Hybrids you may end up having to pay out more than you budgeted for, just a word of caution there.

The RHS has a list of recommended UK nurseries
Search results | RHS Nursery Finder | Royal Horticultural Society

Burnham Nurseries have come highly recommended by others on this site. (also by RHS)
Home - For everything you need to grow your orchids

and two UK based orchid societies to check out
Orchids for beginners, Orchids help and advice
South East Orchid Society - Home Page

I hope that helps in some way

PS: As for Shop in the EU I believe the NW Orchid Society link has links to some European shops as well. So may the others.

[RosieC]

Sometimes Nursaries will either have orchids that are not on the website OR will offer to try and get hold of one for you from their contacts.

I found Burnham really helpful and I got great orchids from them when I visited them in March. I've heard others recomend their mail order. See the link in Triffid's post for them.

Also David Steed Orchids is very good. I got good quality plants from them mail order and when I was looking for a particular orchid David was willing to see if he could source it for me. David is something like chairman or something of the British Orchid Growers Association.
http://www.davidsteadorchids.co.uk/

Both of the above growers told me that they have a lot of orchids which are not on their website, they only put the ones they have most of and/or the ones which are in flower/bud on the website, if they just have a few of something they don't put it on the website. They both seperately advised that calling them and asking is always a good idea if you want something specific.

[Sotetsu]

Thank you Triffid and Rosie; I will take a look at those and send some emails with pictures.

I did send out some emails to some Dutch orchid nurseries, even translated the emails into Dutch too, but none of them replied. I found phoning them was the only way to get in contact, but then if here is no one who speaks English there it can be quite difficult.

I will persevere, and see what I can find, thank you again to both of you.

[Triffid]

Hope you acquire those pretties!

[JayB]

Hi Neil
I had been on the look out for this hybrid for a while now.
Anyway, I thought I would drop in on my local garden center to see what phals they had (they usually have a good range of hybrids), I got to their orchid section only to find a few white and pink phals. As I was walking to the exit I noticed that they had a some new stock just arrive and right in the middle of the batch was this (see pic). I couldn't believe my luck and for only £8 I soon snapped it up.
There was no label with it to say where it had been grown but there must be some more of this hybrid around the UK so there's a good chance that you will be able to find one at some point.
Good luck with your search.

[Sotetsu]

Hi Jay,

That is awesome, and I’ve sent you a private message.

Wow, you are lucky, and what a good one you have. Those makings are amazing! I must have sent over 30 emails to loads of different nurseries here and all over Europe and no one has been able to help, and now it turns up, wow. I hope I can get hold of one too. And for just £8, I’m green with envy, what a cool plant!

[Triffid]

I don't mean to be a party pooper but....

Did the Label say "Doritaenopis Ackers Sweetie 'Dragon Tree Maple" ?

Or

Phalaenopsis/Moth Orchid?

The reason I ask is that though the plants look similar, the colours are not an exact match and there is a good chance that the Plant picked up for £8 was a Noid.

Unless it names the Hybrid on the Label is is unlikely to be a True Hybrid but rather one of their descendants, and thus unfortunately classed as a Noid.

(I think I'm making sense and sorry if I don't)

....Hoping I'm wrong here

[JayB]

The colour looks more pink in the photo because I photographed it in my conservatory and the sun was going down so it messed up the lighting.
It is definately more dark purple/magenta in colour.
Even though it didn't have a label I am more than happy with my new purchase.

[Sotetsu]

Originally Posted by Triffid

Did the Label say "Doritaenopis Ackers Sweetie 'Dragon Tree Maple" ?

Or

Phalaenopsis/Moth Orchid?

The reason I ask is that though the plants look similar, the colours are not an exact match and there is a good chance that the Plant picked up for £8 was a Noid.

Unless it names the Hybrid on the Label is is unlikely to be a True Hybrid but rather one of their descendants, and thus unfortunately classed as a Noid.

Hello Triffid,

I understand what you are saying, that there are hybrid seedlings out there that are not clones but are similar descendants. I have to say, I am positive this is the real deal. It has the exact hallmark fractal-like crisp makings as the hybrid, and branches out in the exact same way. I have some photos from Japanese growers, and they are an exact match for Jay’s plant in all the above.

As for colour, I have found they are never photographed the same. I’ve had the same problem with some of my other orchids using different cameras, they all come out differing shades of purple-pink, and that seems to be a common problem with some orchids and more to do with camera technology, lighting, time of day and colour temperature settings in the camera and on the monitor, not the orchid itself.

There are some seedlings out there of this hybrid, but they can be recognised by their quite different appearance. Here is one from a Dutch grower, ‘Elegant orchids’, and they call it “Elegant Dragon Tree” (scroll down to image 34) As you can see, it’s not the Doritaenopsis Acker’s Sweetie Dragon Tree Maple. The blocks fade out as if they were painted on watercolour paper and they’ve started to run; whereas the real deal is crisp and they almost start to become Chinese characters or mini fractals.

The other thing I’ve noticed is when supermarkets, Homebase and garden centres do bulk buy they very rarely have the actual name on the plants and often only have “Phalaenopsis orchid” and no more. But this one Jay has, I think I would spot at 300 yards away.

The only other thing is I am not after it for its name; I like it for its patterning, form and habit, what ever name it’s given or no name at all, I love it.

I just hope I can get one now!