Cattleya surprise.

[pikevi]

I bought a cattleya a couple of weeks ago. It was at half-price since the flowers had withered. But I did see some fresh colours in between the leaves that were bunched together with some soft pliable wire.

Yesterday I noticed that it was bigger and I removed the tie-wire. I was thrilled to see a nice bloom nestled deep within the stalks.

The first photo was taken on the day I bought it. The other two were taken today.

I am not sure if it is fair for me to have got it for 1/2 price. I will go to the garden centre and speak to them. Legally I don't have to but morally I have to.

[fred]

pikevi they will say the same to you as I am about to say to you

that was the price set and good luck to you
you received a good deal
very nice bloom

[Tobi]

Great looking bloom Pikevi. I'm very happy for you.

[evagentry]

I am glad to see you have a conscience pikevi, but I dont think the store will change their mind about the price, this time the surprize was a nice one.

[flowerchild]

Pikevi- it is nice to see that people in this world still have conscience and morals!!!! You are a great guy!!!!! I agree with the others, the nursery will probably say enjoy your bargain and thanks for being such a great customer!!!! I work retail and it is always nice to come across an honest customer, one that isn't out to screw(pardon the expression) the world!!! Cindy

[patlee]

Pikevi, Do what you have to do to live with yourself, and then enjoy your bargain. I don't think the store manager will know or care about anything but the fact that you are being remarkably honest about the whole thing.You're the kind of customer they want to keep! And afterwards, you are free to enjoy your great bargain--it's a beautiful color and looks like a good-size bloom. Honesty justly rewarded

[pikevi]

Thanks everyone. The petals and sepals are a bit out of shape since they did not have sufficient room to fully extend. They look a bit better this morning.

I am not going to make a special trip to the store. Since I am going to passs that way later today I will just show them the picture and let them decide. The problem is that this plant was with the rest of the regular priced items and I asked them if it would be sold as the 'end of bloom' orchid and they agreed.I really did not have any idea of this bud at that time.

I will post the outcome.

This photo was taken this morning.

[Cynthia, Prescott, AZ]

I once bought a case of synthetic oil, and when I got out to the parking lot realized she had charged me for regular oil (before bar codes). I thought she might get into trouble over this, and I have a nun complex anyway, so I took it back to get the price corrected. As it turned out, she got in trouble alright, not because she charged too little, but because I brought it to the attention of those present. No one would have known of her error except for my good intentions. In this case, better to leave alone.

[PhalPal]

Cynthia that is such a sad story. At least they should not have made you feel bad for your good deed. I like your 'nun complex' description; now I know what to call myself at times.

I bought two USB drives from a large office store and when I got to the car realized I had only been charged for one at $20 a piece. I went back into the store and got the kind of look that Pikevi should prepare for: The 'what kind of idiot are you, lady! look.' I told him "It's not mine, I didn't pay for it" and they were stumped. It bothers me that they were so stumped, and especially since I was talking to a manager.

[pikevi]

It is too bad the clerk got into trouble. But it is always hard NOT to do the right thing. Cynthia's experience has shown me another side of the problem. I never did realise that

PhalPal: I think I know the look. I have been at the receiving end of it many times! I remember recently I bought a 'Parker' fountain pen ( I collect fountain pens) along with many other stuff and they did not charge me for it. When I found out I took it back with the receipt and the 'customer service' did not want it back nor did they want to have anything to do with it. I asked them if I could speak to the manager and when I did he said there is no problem and I could have it. But I insisted on paying and he asked one of the clerks to put it as a sale item - for all of $1. I had no option but to accept it.

[tom499]

For alot of big companies the people working on in the shops aren't too bothered, and sorting out mispricing is more of a chore and a bother, rather than a good thing of getting more money.

In your situation, had I bought it from an orchid nursery or a fellow grower, discounted due to being out of flower I would have tried to make amends, but big companies make so many millions anyway its easier to just enjoy your bit of luck

Tom499

[pikevi]

I did go to the centre today. And they would not even consider charging more.

I also saw a few more Phals (new arrivals) and one caught my eye. It is white with branched inflorescence (like a tree), a second spike about to bud and a third spike just starting (about 8cm). The strange thing is the flower stalks has LEAVES. I have not seen that anywhere else nor in any other plant that they had.

The Cattleya flower has fully opened and is a beauty. It has a nice fragrance ; almost like that of Gardenia.

I am attaching a few photos.

[rmt135]

Those are pretty orchirds you got there Pikevi & at a good price.

[pikevi]

Thanks rmt135.

[kmarch]

pikevi,

Lovely, lovely catt you've got there. There's somethign to be said for massive frilly flowers like that. They're always eye catching.

Nice Phal too. I once saw at a show a Phal that had small leaves on the inflorescence like yours but not as big. There was one at every node. I think (but I'm not sure) it might be the result of much hybridizing. To my knowledge no species orchid does this.

[pikevi]

Thanks kmarch.

I like the 3 spikes at 3 different stages. I forgot to mention that,even though they were not on sale, they gave it to me for 1/2 price-$14.99. Their prices are a bit high. Walmart sells Phal. for $13.99 each. Most places sell them for $19.99 to $24.99.

Do all Cattleyas have fragrance?

Thanks.

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by pikevi

Do all Cattleyas have fragrance?

Many do, yes. I've come across some hybrids that do not.

[evagentry]

That is a nice happy ending pikevi, I like the fact that you did what you thought was right , the phal is beautiful.