Pls Help TO BUY or NOT TO BUY phalaenopsis!

[PhalPrincess]

Hello fellow orchid lovers, newbie in a bit of sticky wicky.

Q. Whether or not to buy a beautiful Phalaenopsis or Phal. from my local nursery tomorrow?

Attached are 4 pics, the first is of the 2 spikes with numerous flowers and buds ready to open the other is my dilemma. There are 3 very large leaves out of 6ish or 7 that look damaged or unwell - not sure. In the beginning I would pick my purchases by the flowers but as my collection grows to 23 now I focus more on the number of leaves and how healthy they look. I'm only a beginner to this (only started 5 months ago) but should I buy this beautiful plant judging by how many spikes and flowers there are currently or dismiss it because of the leaves?

If anyone knows what they are please don't hesitate to put your 2 cents into the subject as I am deeply torn because it's sooooooo beautiful. But again for $50.00 I want to make my choices wisely as they are quite expensive here and I have purchased 9 Phals from the same nursery in excellent condition so this is a little disappointing. I live in a small country town with limited access to orchids so it's one of the few I frequently visit.

I would love everyone's input on the matter and what you would do in my shoes staring at the pretty flowers. Thank you.

[kmarch]

Is it named? If it is not named, $50 is far too expensive. You can go to a whole host of excellent orchid nurseries and get pristine (not banged up), named hybrids, in flower, and often with multiple spikes, for less than $50.

[delphiguy]

I would buy it not because of the current spike it has now but because of the beautiful
blooms it has. Usually when I buy orchids in bloom most of the time the flowers just
fade because of change in environment, thats why I bother looking at the current blooms.
Its a beautiful phal, so take it, if the blooms dont last expect a much more better blooming next time. As for the leaves, they're just mechanical damage I wouldnt put much
on it... although for 50$ thats a lot of money, for that amount I would expect a much more
presentable one, without the leaf damage.

Also im with Kevin, for that amount I would get a named one.

[sunshine]

I agree with kmarch and delphiguy

$50 is way too much for a noid phal or any noid orchid. Check around some of the local nurseries/greenhouses and the florist section at your local grocery store. My rule of thumb is no more than $20 for a NOID. Now when it has a hybrid or species name tag what I will pay will depend on the size of the pot , is it is spike, blooming size, seedling (2-3 yrs before you see the first bloom) and over all health condition of the plant. Oh, yes lets not forget the factor

[BluPeaches]

Agreed. I wouldn't pay $50 for a NOID.

[berniep]

G'Day PhalPrincess

Welcome to the forum. I am amazed that a nursery would offer a orchid in that condition or if it does would certainly expect a huge discount on it. I am with the rest $50 is far too much for a noid! But having said that it is entirely up to you.

Cheers
Bernie

[tansyflower]

$50 is a lot for that particular orchid. Bunnings and Big W sell similar ones for around $20.

However, if you can't find others in your area, and it makes you happy, go ahead.

BTW, you can buy blooming phals on ebay, probably cheaper than that (including the postage), and they'll be named. You will just have to wait until they are posted out.

[-k-]

Yup.... Way too expensive. You could order several online and even with shipping still come under $50! A few places by us (garden centers) sell NOID phals, I've seen them priced at $70 in some cases which is simply craziness!

[syndywindy]

Way too expensive for an unnamed phal! There has to be some on line orchid growers in Australia whre you can probably get 2 named orchids for that price. The damage on the leaves looks mechanical, but again, for that price that shop is asking way too much.

[Phalcycle]

$50 is way too expensive for a NoID.
Try going to big box stores to buy noids for a lot cheaper. I don't know what kind of big box stores your have in Australia, but Im sure they would sell noid; or even super markets.


Looking at the blooms, I see that it has bloomed all the way, meaning it won't last ver long in your house. I also notice lots of defect in the leaves. When I buy plants in person, I look for plants with no defect.
Also look at the roots too, you might find a really good looking plant with bad roots because someone oever watered

[amersault]

ditto the above - $50 is too expensive for a NOID (no ID) plant in the condition it is in. you can several wonderful named plants - Phals or not - at the same price range. i suggest saving your money for a more worthy investment

[Ron]

$50 is a lot for that particular orchid. Bunnings and Big W sell similar ones for around $20.

Hi Welcome to the forum, lots of good comments above, for me, $50 far too dear and the flowers do look as they are very old and on the way out.
As spring sets in Wollies/Big W., Kmart /Audie etc will have lots of these 'not named' orchids from around $20.
If you have any of these stores in your area, ask the staff or manager when and if they are getting them in and when.
be the early bird to get a good bargain, I have seen over the years some of the local Wollies store bring them in by the pellet load from around $18-20 each, by the end of the week sold down with flowers on them for around $15
Best of luck as the are a wonderful plant to grow and the flowers are long lasting and beautiful
Cheerio
Ron

[dillon935]

Welcome to the forum as you see the Geeks are really helpful. I agree with everyone $50 is too much to spend on a noid phal. Keep searching and if you buy a noid make sure it is in pristine condition with lots of buds and you love it.

[vanda_obsession]

$50 is too much. If they give you a very generous discount then maybe. But I would pass on it.

[lmartiny]

Hi and welcome. I agree with everyone above. I'm not willing to spend $50 even on a named one. If it is special enough, maybe one day. I've killed a $30-$35 one and have maimed another nice one (with help of spider mites). I still lose my share and to lose one at that price would bother me. I recently visited an orchid grower and bought several plants. I asked about Schomberkia (sp?) as I'd like to have one and they wanted $50.00. I couldn't do it. I have not learned enough and am not attentive enough yet.

[PhalPrincess]

Hello and many thank you's to the following orchid geeks;

kmarch, delphiguy, sunshine, BluPeaches, berniep, tansyflower, -K-, syndywindy, Phalcycle, amersault, Ron, dillon935, vanda_obsession & Imartiny for your warm welcomes and wonderful advice.

As such I have come to realization that yes $50 is too much for a NoID and have decided not to purchase the phal.

Cheers everyone and enjoy your lovelies - one of my favourite things to do after a long day at work is to sit and look at my pretty phals. Always cheers me up!