How do I hunt down species?

[Matt]

How do I go about getting a hold of specific species? Most floral shops only have a few at a time. I also prefer to buy when they are not in bloom, since it is less expensive. I'm on the lookout for the following species: paphiopedium glaucophillum or liemianian, cattleya skinneri, dendrobium antennatum, and oncidioda Charlesworthii 'Mishima'.

I'm also hoping that I can get good results just putting my orchids by the window.

Matt

[Matt]

I just showed the post to my mother. To her, it actually sounded like I was planning on trying to find them in the wild. No... I just don't know how to shop around when I am looking for specific plants.

[lunaticvulpine]

uhm do what i do surf the net. what are you looking for?

[Matt]

Can you even buy orchids over the internet? These are probably foolish questions, but I really don't know about this stuff.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Since I intend to collect a great many orchid species, I travel to all the big shows in Southern California, and sooner or later, the plants I want show up there (or Santa Barbara Orchid Estates on their $7.50 specials, or Cal orchids next door) at a reasonable price. I let price be the determiner of which orchids I buy when, since my want list is extremely long, and I am always willing to experiment if the price is cheap enough. Some vendors, like Floralia and Exotic Orchids of Maui are will to take preorders for pickup at the shows. Surf the internet (google) for what you want, then before ordering, do a forum request for info on the vendors. This could save you a lot of trouble in ordering from the catalog of some vendors. Cynthia

[vseraphim]

You can also go to Orchids.com where they have a nice selection. I've purchased from them before and have had a good experience with their plants. Also acquaint yourself with the shows in your area at different times of the year. Here in Florida there are a lot of shows in the beginning of the year. The beginning of March there will be another big show in Miami. Once you start going to one they'll have flyers on other shows during the year.

Good luck on your list.

Have fun.

[lunaticvulpine]

I would strongly suggest that you avoid orchids.com as far as species go. im sure you'll get a nice phal or two from them but they are very sub par in quality where as they have no problem with charging higher no matter what condition the orchid is in as far as species go i would stick to oak hills, andys and maybe if your not to against waiting for a plant to mature troy meyers conservatory

[jerrymeola]

Hi Matt

First is to decide if you really meant 'species' as it is commonly used in orchids. Most people use the word species to refer to 'species' that exist in the wild and use the term 'hybrid' to refer to crosses in a nursery. A 'species' does have to be a wild plant but only one that exists in the wild.

In your list the first 4 are species identified by the small letter in the plants species name. Charlesworthii is a hybrid identified by the Capitol 'C'.

The paphs should do well in a home. They are a very low light level plant. The cattleya and dedrobium require higher light levels to flower. They will need good window light or supplimental light. See my post on measuring light levels with a camera.

The Oncidium Charlesworthii is a hybrid and requires light levels inbetween the orthers. Most Oncidiums grow very large (I have many that are 3 feet high) but Charlesworthii seems to stay under 14 inches in height. It may do very well for your conditions.

There are over 300,000 named orchids so when I use the word 'generally' there will be many exceptions.

Generally species orchids bloom only once a year, are a but more difficult to grow, and usually cost more.

A good grower choses plants for a hybrid that add desired characteristic to the cross. So many crosses will bloom multiple times a year and be easier to grow. I have many that bloom all year long.

Whether you want to grow 'species' or 'hybrids' is a personal choice. Cynthia Prescott is a 'species' hobbist and I prefer hybrids. I am somewhat prejudiced against 'species', because too many of my customers have problems with them. Take my prejudices in mind when you consider my advice.

Buying on the internet allows the widest selection of plants but many dealers add $25-35 in shipping costs. Check the freight charges before you order. If you are ordering several plants at a time the shipping per plant will drop rapidly.

I suggest to you and everyone on these forum to list in your profile or messages, where you live. The advice you get can be more specific when you do. Something that is excellant here in Florida may not be what you want in Missouri.

This forum is a great place to ask if a desired plant will be easy to grow in your conditions before buying an improper plant and being disappointed.

[vseraphim]

TROY MEYERS!!! That's the name I was trying to think of. I've ordered a few plants from him and they were wonderful.

You're right about Orchid.com Jerry. I only ordered small affordable plants and did not delve into anything else.
They're tables at the shows here are pricey, I only get them if they're at a good discount! They're at most of the big shows.

[Susan]

Jay Phal, the creator of the Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia, (http://orchidspecies.com/) is an excellent source of species orchids. I have purchased from him, both through eBay and directly and the plants were exceptional. The site he hosts is one of the most extensive on the Internet.