Hello!!! New from San Jose, CA

[jhy1]

Hi every one, i'm new in orchid growing, I like to learn more form all you experienced grow, Thanks every one first !!!
I received some orchids I ordered online, One ('BALDANS JEWELS') of them had 2 small spikes, 5 leafs look healthy but 90% of the roots were dead, I repot him right a way. The other plant, GINING ALICA, had some dead some dried roots so I repot them also.
I email the grower told them what I found and what I did, below is the replied from the grower :
Everything looks fine the new roots are coming in there just the old roots ..you can just cut them off it's normal..Now on to the species you do not repot that Gining Alicia..They don't like repotting at all..that is how they grow roots will hang out everywhere it's a species.As long as you don't mess with the GINING ALICA. It will be fine and they get yellow spots and dark spots on the leafs sometimes that is normal for these species you that my happen in the future don't worry.I suggest you read up on species .You must not repot them .Remember in the wild that's how they grow on trees they don't get repotted..And don't cut the spikes NEVER.The livio jewels are fine they ere just repotted 2 months ago it's fine to have dead roots that's normal. Please don't repot the orchids they just traveled you will kill them...HIGH BRYIDS AND SPECIES DO NOT LIKE REPOTTING so soon..

Where can I find the info. of "species", so I can read up ?
Are those roots looks "Fine" ? I know they will make it, But is this what should I expect when I purchased Orchids from the grower online ?

[mayres]

I can't speak for the two plants that you have not shown the roots of, but the first pic with all the rotten roots is TERRIBLE. I would definately complain (and have in the past in similar situations). There is no excuse for a plant to be sold with this kind of a root system - looks like it was planted in sphag (?), which I have often found plants to have a large percentage of rotten roots when purchased. I will not purchase another plant in sphag without pulling it out of the pot and checking (if purchased in person). The last plant I thought was from a reputable grower so didn't check - the plant itself looked very nice - but when I got home I pulled it out of the pot and it looked similar to your plant - Sad. I would repot immediately as you did. NO, you should NOT expect this quality of plant from any grower.

[jhy1]

Hi Mayres,
Thank you !!
I think he or she is a reputable grower base on the 99.8% feedback. But who knows. I purchased about 50 plants online in the last three weeks, I'm very very disappointed about the quality of the plants. From now on local grower only !!!!
Would you check my other post (Crown rotting) and give me you valuable opinions ?
Thanks,

Jim

[Hummer344]

Welcome JHY1,
The people here are very helpfull and friendly.
I am also from San Jose. I have found some very nice, inexpensive orchids from a seller at Campbell Farmers Market. Also, there is a very knowlegeable seller at the Mt. View Farmers Market who has some unusual varieties. Be sure to go to the San Francisco Orchid Show in Feb. Its at Fort Mason. There are only two ways to survive the onslot of orchids there. Bring LOTS of money or leave all cash and credit cards at home. LOL. Half the warehouse is display orchids, the other half is vendors. don't miss it.

[jhy1]

Hi Hummer344,

Thank you very much for the information. I went to Campbell farmer's market two weeks ago for the first, I could not believed the price and the variety they offered. I will try Mt. View when I have chance. Also next Orchids show in S.F.

Have you ever buy from a grower in Gilroy ? Between Masten and 10th st exit, I think the name is South Pacific Orchids, they grow lots of HUGE Phalanopsis, I bougth some with 18 to 20" leafs span with 5" flower.

thanks,

Jim

[PhalPal]

Hello jhy1 - First of all, Welcome to the forum!!

I have ordered several phals online and have NEVER received a plant with roots like that. Regardless of what the grower said to you, I always check roots as soon as I unpack them. 90% of the time I re-pot as well because I don't do well with sphrag moss. I try to buy all my orchids at shows, but cannot always find what I have on a wish list. If you want to buy online here is a great source:

Norman's Orchids, Monrovia, Ca (near Los Angeles)
ORCHIDS.COM join us for orchids timeless beauty, passion and charm

[sandra]

So sorry to read this jhy but it doesn't surprise me. I purchased 7 Phals from Baldan Orchids on ebay and while my orchids arrived well packed and in excellent condition, I did find the seller to do some double talking with me as well. I was supposed to receive a discount on the shipping charges and by the time I paid for this purchase, did not realize the discount was not yet applied and paid for it....my fault! They refused to reimburse me, claiming it was not their policy. When the orchids arrived, they had included an additional Phal. and as well, credited my paypal account. I assume that they may have had a moments clarity or maybe a lingering dread that I might leave negative feedback, don't know and while I didn't like what they did, I would not have left negative feedback. Afterall, I took some responsibility for that happening and did receive the plants in good condition.

You however are being fed information in their attempt, hoping you're gullible and what they tell you will hopefully stick. Between this thread and the other one you just posted, it seems that they sent you a very unhealthy plant and they should be held responsible for this. Have you already left feedback for them? In any case, I would contact them again and let them be aware that you belong to a forum and this was discussed, along with photos that you submitted to the forum showing members what you received and that this plant should, in all fairness be replaced by them at no additional costs (including shipping). Give them a chance to redeem themselves by letting them know, you know better.

Looking forward to reading what you decide. Best of luck.

[jhy1]

Thanks Phalpal & Sandra

I decide to post the email I received and the email I replied to the grower (Sandra, you are smart, how do you know who the grow is ????)

I say:
I did "not" re pot the "scarlet obrunzer", and I did not mean you packing the orchids leafs up was wrong, I'm trying to find some excuse for you why the leaf is dying. Please don't mixed up two different plants and two different issues.

I don't know have you ever see the pictures I sent to you, You keeping telling me the "yellow &pinkish" leaf was "normal", but now that leaf fall off and look like crown rot. Also you told me 90% dead roots is "OK" and "all our orchids are inspected before shipping...roots and all.." . I think most people will not agreed with you.

Please go to Hello!!! New from San Jose, CA
and Is this a crown rotting ? see the pictures in your own eyes.

If you feel you owe me a new plant or two, Please ship it to me with my "last" ordered. If you want me to ship those two plants back to you to get the refund, Never mind !!! I don't want to pay double the shipping plus take another chance, the odd is not on my side so far.

Thank you and have a nice weekend !!


Jim


He said earlier :
----- Original Message ----
From: "BALDANORCHIDS@aol.com" <BALDANORCHIDS@aol.com>
To: ( Email Address Edited )
Sent: Saturday, November 17, 2007 12:27:04 PM
Subject: Re: You've received a question about your eBay item, ORCHID BALDANS KALEIDOS...


We always pack the leafs up you have to....Please get a book on orchids because everything you are asking is normal..and you cannot repot orchids that are just shipped they will die to much trauma.And all our orchids are inspected before shipping...roots and all..We are sending you your invoice for your new order .2 are bare root species they are full grown species as big as they will ever get the others are potted do not repot them they have just been repotted,its fine if there are dead roots leave them alone...The only one you should repot if you like is the lake view splash..and that as well is full size..We have to check out the nurseries to see if we have anymore of the scarlet obrunzer.If not we will refund your money and you can ship the one you have back to us.

THANK YOU
BALDANORCHIDS

[Hummer344]

JHY1
Sounds like a bunch of double talk to me. Listen to the people on this forum. There are many experts here.

As far as South Pacific Orchids on 101, I haven't stopped there recently so don't know what their pricing is like now but, in the past, I have found them to be pricey. They do have some nice plants.

[jhy1]

Hi Hummer344,

Between $10-20 for a two years old phals. I have been reading this forum for a while, Finally I decide to postting even I don't know much about the orchids, I think this is the good way to learn, I will ask many more questions in the future. Thanks everyone !!! especially Baldan Orchids !!!

Jim