Question about gift for Mom :-)

[corundogs]

HI THERE, Orchid Geeks

I just joined what looks to be a really wonderful forum, to ask the EXPERTS a couple of questions!!!!

You can see this is long, but I figured might as well give you all of the information at one time instead of questions back and forth, making what could be 10 posts all condensed into one. Bare with me, please??

My Mom has the worst Brown Thumb you have ever seen...except she has somehow been able to keep orchids! No idea how, but they are her favorite flower...from the time I am old enough to remember, for any party (and we had MANY when I was younger) she would order an orchid in a china cup for my bathroom and other arrangements in the house. But that orchid in the teacup is such a fixture in my memory! And in later years, she has been given/bought orchid plants and has kept them well.

So I want to send her one for Mother's Day My parents just adopted a homeless dog (about 6 months ago) and I have been involved in rescue for about 5 years...and have BEGGED them to get a dog. She refused, because it was so hard on her when we lost our last dog - when I was in high school (I will turn 39 next Friday ) And Lucky has completely taken over her life...it has really given us something to bond over. It's so wonderful

I am going to send it from "Lucky" - as a "it's our 1st Mother's Day, thanks for saving me...Sister helped me, and we both love you". Hard to believe, but yes, she refers to me as his sister...which is shocking because I have tried to call her "Grandma" to my Kids (dogs to many - 3 Boston Terriers and a Golden Retriever who is my Service Dog - but I can't have children) and she would get really upset

Still with me, or bored to death yet? hehehe

Which brings me here...and my questions are as follows.

1. What type of orchid should I get her?

2. Where should I get it?

I can tell you her tastes are VERY SIMPLE BUT ELEGANT! Her house is done top-to-bottom in shades of white. (Do you all know how many shades of white there are out there? I swear there must be 10,000 ) Her favorite color is green. I don't live close, so I can't go buy one and take it to her - it must be delivered. We live in Texas, if that matters (her about 100 miles from Dallas)

Can you help me out here? Do I buy from one of the "big florists"? (1-800Flowers, FTD, ProFlowers, etc.?) Or do you have a great supplier where I can buy just ONE???

One more piece of info...I know...this is SO LONG and I do apologize! I am disabled, on a low income. I really can't spend more than about $60 - and if I can spend less, it would be fabulous!!

Your help for a is much appreciated!!!
Brenda
aka Corundogs

[11Orchid126]

It's difficult to suggest an orchid without knowing what kind of light she can give it or even what part of the country she lives in.

You might check these people out. They ship blooming orchids:

1-888-Orchids.com - Orchids and Cut Orchid Flowers - Send Orchids Online

[Celcat]

Welcome to the forum corundogs

I should admit, I am a bit like your mum, althought I am pretty good with vegetables, but regarding green plants and roses, I am a slow death for them and I still don't know why But orchids, I can keep them alive and make them flower again

If your mum had already orchids in the past, why not treat her with a orchid that she never had yet?! I am sure she will love the challenge.
If she likes green, you could get Dendrobium 'Anna' Green, see the pic. I am sure you will find more option wait and see what the other members will come with

[PhalPal]

Hi Brenda and welcome to the forum!
My Mom always called my pets her 'Granddogs' and Grandcats.' I don't have children so this is what she is stuck with, my four legged fur-people.

You can try ORCHIDS.COM join us for orchids timeless beauty, passion and charm, Norman's Orchids in California. They ship 'gift wrapped' plants and I am sure will have lots of specials with Mother's Day approaching. I have bought from them before and I'm always happy with what they send me. They have a lot of Phal's but do carry other orchids as well.

Please let us know what you decide; I think your idea of sending it from Lucky is wonderful.

Try this one, $39.95! ORCHIDS.COM : SHOP : GIFT BASKETS : SEARCH RESULTS

[janet_a]

another option is to go thru the list on here (ctrl + f is your friend )

The Orchid Mall - Plant Sources


and see if there are any nurseries local to her--there are a bunch in TX; then you could maybe send her a gift cert to one of them if the above suggestions don't work out.

[fred]

Hi Corundogs
I was so moved with your post if I lived close to you I would give you an orchid for your Mom.

I hope you can keep us informed as to how you get on

[janet_a]

then again, there's always fuchs:

RF Orchids

[berkeleysgr8]

Big Leaf Orchids is in Texas and I've heard GREAT things about the owner from others on this board. I'll bet he'd be willing to help you out if you contacted him! They specialize in Phalaenopsis. Big Leaf Orchids - online phalaenopsis store

[articuno75]

Here's a suggestion. Does your mom like chocolate? If so why not buy her an orchid that smells like it when in bloom? A Sharry Baby would be perfect and they are easy to grow. Also you can get them at just about any vendor for a very reasonable price. Our own Geek member Jerry Meola has them as well. The fragrance is one of the strongest that mother nature can put on a plant. Just as powerful as a rose's scent.

There are variations of Sharry Baby as well. Red Fantasy and Sweet Fragrance are two that I know of, but there are a couple of others as well.