Favorite vendors
 

Dear Orchidboard folks,

I am just now returning to the hobby of growing orchids and I am looking into vendors. I used to buy all of my supplies from a company that sold their own plants and orchid-growing equipment. It turns out that they don’t sell as much stuff as they used to and I am now looking for a new place to buy plants/materials.

Do you have favorite vendors that you buy orchids and orchid-growing stuff from? I can visit vendors in the southeast. Anywhere else I would need a catalogue to buy from. I’d love to subscribe to a good catalog too.

Thanks,
David

Welcome back to orchid cultivation!

I generally shop based upon alliance/ species vs hybrid / availability. I tend to order as close as I can to home to insure the plants arrive quickly, they tend to be grown closer to my climatic conditions, lowers carbon footprint.
That said I have had great experiences with those all over. I’m not in the habit per se of ordering supplies from my grower unless it is something unique to their practice.

Generally what are you looking to grow?

ALSO. There is a vendor thread up to check out experiences people have had. Wish I had checked that prior to my last purchase ;(

---------- Post added at 11:58 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:55 PM ----------

http://www.orchidboard.com/community/vendor-feedback/

So far my most positive experience has been with Andy’s, Marlow, Dynasty, and Santa Barbara. I’ve spoken to them all over the phone, all have been very willing and knowledgeable when answering my questions (extensive at times) despite their limited time.

Thanks, Jmbaum! I am looking to grow anything that can do reasonably well in the Florida Panhandle and indoors. So far we are able to do good with bulbophyllums, encyclias, dendrobiums and a couple of other types. I have a Cattleya skinneri that has been pretty resilient and a neofinitia falcata that does very well too. My mom loves Vandas, so I will probably buy one of those pretty soon.

There’s quite a few Floridian growers on here that will be be well versed in the vendors regionally. I do recommend Louisiana Orchid Connection they have many species for very good prices that I’ve not seen elsewhere, especially at those prices. The plants that I have received have all been well cared for and on the smaller size but extremely good value considered.

Sunset Valley Orchids
Hauserman Orchids
Carmela Orchids
Waldor Orchids
Ecuagenera (great selection, long transit)
Andy's (mounted orchids)

For bulbos, dendros and neos, you might look at New World Orchids. Although not as local, ive never had a bad plant roll through, even the one I ordered in winter time was completely unscathed. Plus Kristen is just a friendly person, one of the easiest going vendors I've dealt with. Louisiana orchid connection is also a good one!

I'd add J&L to the list.

Exotic Orchids of Maui
Tropical Orchid Farm
Andy's
Carmela
Kawamoto?

are you willing to make a field trip to go to places and to do pick up?

I love many of the vendors on this thread- ecuagenera is my favorite and they import to apopka- a stones throw from you and I so the shipping is much faster than for most and you can pick up if you like.


there is a ton of options down south in the redlands and homestead but you have to go in person.

i think moats does shipping so look them up too


welcome back to the hobby



also, there is a bar near the water that is walking distance from the Courthouse...i had the best grilled oysters of my life there!!charred filled with butter and garlic!! i still think about them often LOL

Choosing vendors that have a similar climate means that the plants do not need to adjust to new conditions which leads to less stress for the plants.

Different vendors have different specialties. For example:

Hausermann's--Cattleyas and Phals (they also have a nice variety of other orchids)

Sunset Valley Orchids--Cattleyas and Catasetum

Andy's Orchids--Mounted orchids (Bulbophyllum, Dendrobiums, miniatures, etc. Unusual stuff can be found here)

Santa Barbara Orchid Estates--Laelias, Cattleyas, Cymbidiums (They do have many others)

J&L: Miniatures, other orchids not easily found elsewhere

Ecuagenera: Just about everything. Many other vendors get their orchids from Ecuagenera

New World Orchids:Vanda falcata (they do offer other orchids, too)

Orchids Limited/Orchid Web: Specially bred species, Amazing Paphs and Phrags, other orchids

Fox Valley Orchids--Paphs

Roberts Floral Supply--cyps (and other orchids)

Vanda falcata as well as other orchids

Carmela Orchids Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Vandas as well as other orchids