Purchasing from a reputable nursery

[kel80]

What do I look for when I shop for orchids? How do I know if it is a reasonable nursery?

Any tips or pointers?

I just did a search on google for nurseries in IL-and Hauserman's is only a 20 minute drive from me. Anyone else been there or bought from there???

Thanks!

[Vivienne]

While I've never done business with Hauserman's, at 20 minutes away, I would be visiting every day!

[fred]

When purchasing orchids from any nursery I would have a good look at the orchids on offer pick out the best looking plant and go with that one.

the plant may be in flower and it may not.

nice dark green foliage means a healthy plant.

I hope this helps

[Sharyn]

Kel80: Hauserman's is located in Villa Park, IL. They are a reputable grower and have been in business for many many years. I envy you being only 20 minutes away.

Oak Hill Gardens is located in West Dundee - also not too far for you. They too have been in business a long time and have a very good reputation. I've ordered from them online, but have yet to visit the location. Plan to make a trip soon.

[kel80]

Thanks everyone! I am really looking forward to next weekend. I'll make a day of it.

Sharyn, thanks for the tip on Oak Hill Gardens.

[arleneg]

Hi kel80,

In addition to the other suggestions on how to choose an orchid from a nursery, see if the roots (exposed/aerial) looks healthy; make sure the pseudobulbs aren't too shriveled and the leaves don't have too many blemishes; pick one with medium green leaves.

HTH

[kmarch]

I did a whole post on another thread on how to pick out a good healthy orchid. Give it a read. You should be able to find it using the forum's serch feature. Try a keyword like "choose" or "Choosing Orchids"

[Sharyn]

kel80: Perhaps this link will help you. Kevin & Jerry both have some excellent advice in selecting orchids. I think there's another thread too regarding this, but I haven't found it yet. Good luck.
How To Select Orchids ???
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[PhalPal]

I think I am really sick here. I live in an area with lots of orchid farms and huge shows, yet find my self being jealous when a member talks about a greenhouse that I can't visit! I want them ALL near ME ME ME so I don't have to pay shipping! Either sick OR horribly spoiled....

[Vivienne]

LOL PhalPhal. I think it's part of the orchid addiction. While I don't have lots of orchid farms or shows near me (by any stretch of the imagination), I just adore my atrium. I'm constantly jealous of folks with greenhouses! At the OS meeting today one lady was talking about her greenhouse with it's 25' ceiling. Can you even imagine that!?!

[PhalPal]

Vivienne - I may be the odd man out here, but I have never drooled at the thought of a having my own greenhouse. I love living with my plants in the house and on my patio where I can see them; it's just too easy to do here. With a greenhouse comes a multitude of other problems that need dealing with and as much as I love my orchids, I have too many other hobbies to make them my only time-bandit! I love to visit atriums; the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park have a huge atrium with lots of the world's endangered plants growing inside. (including LOTS of orchids and a carnivorous plant bog) ALL I want is for ALL the growers to be near ME so I can browse their farm and pick what I want from thousands of plants. Am I asking to much?!!?
Interesting fact: as famous as the SD Zoo is for it's animal conservation and breeding programs, they put the same energy into plants and spend a lot of time and money saving plants from extinction. The PLANTS at the zoo are worth 100X that of the ANIMALS! (monetarily speaking)

[evelinn]

......lift the plant right out of the pot to show you the root system! Try it.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by kel80

What do I look for when I shop for orchids? How do I know if it is a reasonable nursery?

Any tips or pointers?

I just did a search on google for nurseries in IL-and Hauserman's is only a 20 minute drive from me. Anyone else been there or bought from there???

Thanks!

If you only live 20 minutes from Hauserman's then you're really close to some of the best orchid nuseries in the mid-west. In addition to Hauserman's you have Fox Valley (housed in Hauserman's), Windsong Orchids, EFG, Natt's Orchids, and Oak Hill Gardens. I've bought from all of them and they're all good.

Once a year all these places get together and host the Chicagoland Orchid Festival in September. Other sellers from all over the country (and internationally) also come. It's a weekend long orchid buying frenzy.

I've posted a bit on this forum about how to pick out a good healthy orchid maybe you can find it wiht the search feature.

Happy Growing (and shopping)