That is the sound that S makes when I get in a new orchid, or divide them when they overgrow their pots badly enough to require it. Think of it as the sound a large umbrella makes when popped open. Yes, this is an orchid related entry, so I’ll put the rest of it behind a cut.
Last week, I divided and repotted a cattleya. Flup! This week, I received an order for two standard cymbidiums (as opposed to miniatures, if you can call any cymbidium a “miniature”), from Frank Schimpf at Chesterfield Orchid Company in Crosswicks, NJ. UPS delivered them to our side door while we were on vacation, but these babies can tolerate light frosts, so it didn’t really matter how many days they’d been sitting there.
S rolled his eyes, and said “Flup . . . flup!” as he brought in the box and handed it to me. I replied “So what? They’re relatively small for cymbidiums. Besides, they were only $17 each, and won’t need repotting for another couple of years.” Neither is in bloom, but they will be next year.
These were advertised as being overgrown in 4″ pots, but arrived freshly repotted into 5.5″ pots. I’ve been ordering orchids from Frank for years. I’ve had mixed luck with phalaenopsis and cattleyas from him surviving for more than a few years (some do very well, and others eye me with suspicion, so to speak), but every cymbidium and phragmipedium I’ve ever bought from him has been a real trouper. It’s the same deal with vandas his vandas.
Frank’s not my only orchid dealer, but his prices are fairly low, given the size of the plants, and his shipping costs aren’t unreasonable. There are two orchid dealers within a few miles of my new house, one of which is open to the public on certain hours/days of the week. I must visit that one soon.
Still, I usually mail order my orchids, because I’m normally hunting for something specific. For instance, Frank hasn’t carried phragmipediums for years, but Porter’s does, and not too many dealers stock coelogynes, which I love. Oak Hill Gardens is one of my favorite vendors, with a wide variety of stock, but their plants are generally on the small side, which is reflected in the price.
In general, I prefer to grow species orchids, because they’re a bit more of a challenge, but I have some extremely reliable hybrids as well.
In case anyone happens to be interested, some of my favorite orchid dealers are:
- Orchids Limited, in Plymouth, MN (very expensive, but occasionally worth it)
- Parkside Orchids, in Ottsville, PA (reasonable prices for the plants, but shipping has gotten rather stratospheric) Tom Purviance and John Salventi run the place; they and their staff are very knowledgable and helpful.
- Oak Hill Gardens, in Dundee, IL (prices and shipping are reasonable, and they have lots of species, as well as hybrids) Liese Piggors Butler, and her husband, Greg Butler, run the place, while Liese’s father, Hermann, mostly does lab work nowadays; all are great at what they do. Liese’s a doll.
- R.F. Orchids, in Homestead, FL (very expensive, but occasionally worth it for a stellar vanda or cattleya) Bob Fuchs is well known within the orchid industry; his hybrids have won many awards.
- Andy’s Orchids, in Encinitas, CA (species specialist with a huge variety; reasonable prices, and reasonable shipping for the size and quality of the plants) Andy Phillips runs the place, with his brother Harry. Often, Harry, or a staff member will give you a follow-up call to check on your order — whether it arrived on time, how you like it., etc. There’s no such thing as a bad order from these guys.
- Exotic Orchids of Maui, on Maui, HI. They mainly supply warm growing hybrids, but also some species. Prices are low, as is the shipping cost to the mainland. Shipping is quick, reliable, and the plants are packed so well that it may take half an hour to carefully extricate them from their packing material.
- Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, in Santa Barbara, CA. It’s a great place for cymbidiums. Prices aren’t low, but aren’t too high. You’ll get quality for your money.
- Sequoia Orchids, in NoCal. They specialize in cymbidiums for wholesale to nurseries or other orchid dealers, and those who can get together enough orders to meet the minimum wholesale order. Occasional specials are offered to the general buying public. No online ordering is available, but there is a toll-free number to call for U.S. customers. Their standard cyms are top notch.
I’ve ordered from other places over the years, with less success. Carter & Holmes in SC specializes in floofy hybrid catts. Their plants are small for the money, and shipping costs are really high, but if you really want a specific plant, and nobody else has it, then go for it. C&H “dug-ups” seem to be the best value for the money, IMHO. There’s nothing wrong with their plants, but they really are too expensive for what you get.
Norman’s Orchids, run by Norman Fang, is, at best, so-so. He can get really nasty if you email him to question him about the condition in which a plant arrived. His hybrids are grown and offered for resale at many other orchid dealers. Witness all the plants offered for sale elsewhere that carry the name “Fangtastic.” I just get the feeling that he doesn’t give a crap about an average retail customer who orders a handful of fairly expensive plants, one of which arrives in lousy shape. He won’t make good on it, even if you offer to ship him back the one in question, for an exchange, which frankly, no other dealer would even bother to demand before shipping a replacement.
gorgeous flowers. I wish I had the time and energy to put into flowers like that.
I segregate them by light and water requirements, and just know which ones can get tossed out on the patio for the summer. It’s not rocket science.
The whole reason that I got into growing orchids is that I kill most houseplants by forgetting to water them. “You want water? Stand in line, buddy.”
Most orchids are pretty tough customers. Those that require pampering, I won’t grow.
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Jesus, sometimes words fail me (sort of)!