Is this normal? What should I do?

[xineann]

I received four orchids from Huntington Beach Orchids yesterday ($72.80 including shipping). From left to right: laelia ft. caroline, laelia ft. caroline, beallara, dialaelia. These sure don't look like the orchids that come from SBOE or Andy's. Is it normal to receive orchids with sunburn and bites out of leaves and pseudobulbs? I'm not as pretty as I used to be either...

I'm going to keep them rather than hassle, no matter what. Besides, they're abused orphans. Should I cut off that psydobulb with the big bite out of it? Will the beallara come back to the color of the one in my bathroom (it's not wrinkled yellow like this).

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Actually I have received worse than those two laelias from SBOE, as they grow their Laelias out doors, and I expect Huntington Beach Orchids does the same. The leaves that are the worst are very old leaves. I figure 6 years old for the worst one. That leaf is going to fall off soon from old age. The rest look like high sun, but not actually sunburn, as they may or may not get worse (turn brown and fall off). I don't expect anything beyond 4 years old to look very good, and often remove these when I repot. Don't remove bulbs with bites out of it just because it has the bite. And certainly don't remove the leaves. When you repot and take off back bulbs, as that left plant will no doubt require when you repot, the back bulbs are more easily started with more plant mass. Cynthia

The only one I feel uncomfortable with is the Beallara. I would call the seller, and tell him that you are concerned with this plant because of the color. And that if it goes down hill from here, you will let them know and will ask for a replacement. Forwarning them usually gives you a more understanding response when you decide there really is a problem.

Bear in mind that most orchids need at least three bulbs in order to bloom. More than that, the better they bloom.

Bear in mind that most orchids need at least three bulbs in order to bloom. More than that, the better they bloom.

Bear in mind that most orchids need at least three bulbs in order to bloom. More than that, the better they bloom.

[xineann]

Thanks so much! I sent them a nice email. I hate the big bite so it's turned to the back... Good to know about the "three bulb" rule. I will apply that to the cyms when I repot (after they bloom).