Sad

[rmoen]

Just got back from a 10 day trip to Hawaii's Big Island. Fell in love every time I visited a place selling orchids. Unfortunately, its pretty cold here in Wisconsin and didn't think I could safely ship any plants home. Having had a bad experience with airline reliability (staying on schedule and luggage), I didn't trust my airline to get me or my carry-ons home in a timely manner. So, a trip to orchid heaven and not a single orchid to show for it! Guess I'll have to go back in a Wisconsin summer.

[mayres]

My O My - I think I would have chanced a carry on?! That is definately Sad.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

Last time I went to an orchid show in California, I flew, and brought the biggest carry-on luggage that met the requirement. It was empty on the way there, and was jam packed with orchids on the way back. Course, it was only a 2 hour flight.

[pikevi]

I am with mayres too. I definitely would have taken a chance with them.

Good luck in the summer.

[patticake]

i'M SO AFRAID OF FLYING! I've never been out of my time zone...

[articuno75]

Couldn't you have UPS it to your doorstep, or do they still consider all of the licensing and tagging? I would have taken the chance of UPS or a flat rate USPS at least. But definitely the carry method I would have given it a shot. Maybe next time....

[wieb]

I just came back from Kauai (mid-November) to my home in Oregon. Stopped at a wonderful nursery called Kauai Nursery and Landscaping and they had a lot of beautiful orchids, and other plants, that were pre-certified for shipment to the mainland. I purchased two gorgeous orchids and a variety of bromeliads. They packed them very well and shipped them FedEx, two-day delivery. They arrived in perfect shape. Very reasonable pricing, too. Even with FedEx shipping costs, the two orchids ran me less tha $20 each. That was based on spreading the $20 FedEx shipping over 5 potted plants ($4/each on average). To me that is a good deal ... I see $25 plus at places such as Lowes and other nurseries. Some folks on this forum may know where to get them cheaper ... I'm a rookie. You may want to call up Kauai nurseries ... they had a great selection, they were very nice, and I bet they would select some beautiful plants for you (since they would be your eyes). Here is their internet link: Kauai Nursery and Landscaping Incorporated - Offering Beautiful and Exotic Plants from Hawaii ... they have an orchid link on this page. I just went there and was tempted to buy some more ... I gotta be careful

Take a look.

By the way, they only ship on a Monday or Tuesday so there is little chance that they get stuck over a weekend somewhere.

[cupcake]

I SO envy you guys! Orchids seem SO much cheaper than over here and SO much easier to get hold of!If I wasn't a really nice person I'd hate you ! LOL!

[exasperatus2002]

Originally Posted by cupcake

I SO envy you guys! Orchids seem SO much cheaper than over here and SO much easier to get hold of!If I wasn't a really nice person I'd hate you ! LOL!

If its any consolations, I think europeans have a better selection of aquarium fish & tree frogs available to them. But it may be different in the UK.

[tom499]

I'm with cupcakes lol

Thankfully we do have Germany who are big plant growers giving us some species you don't have, but overall, USA's overall size just gives you more choice and lower prices

[MissConnie]

You should next time try to carry on at least one. Im sorry you werent able to bring any back

xxxx

[rmoen]

Next time (being optimistic, here), I will try the carry-on route! Thanks for the encouragement. Rick

[exasperatus2002]

When I took the orchid tour in Key West Florida on my honeymoon. There were a few there I really really wanted to bring home. But I didnt. I didnt know how the airlines would like it. It would have been stealing since These are peoples backyards we were touring and Im not a thief. And the biggest hinderence. THERE WAS NO ROOM IN THE LUGGAGE! After my wife drug me around shopping I almost didnt have room for my clothes after sitting on top of the suitcase to get it to close.