Ratcliffe Orchids is so close to Disney's Magic Kingdom that you take the same exit off the highway. If any of you end up going to Disney for a family vacation, I highly recommend stopping in to see Paul. He took the time to walk me through his greenhouse operation and show me around.

The first four shots is my attempt to do a panoramic view from the greenhouse entrance. I tried to cover 180 degrees from left to right.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid0222.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid0223.jpg
There's Paul digging up some plant labels for me.
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid00224.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid0225.jpg

Here is a pic of Ratcliffe's Complex breeding stock:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid0220.jpg

I think this is a Paph. Temptation with flowering stock in the background:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid0221.jpg

Here is Paul showing me his moquettianums:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/b35081f9.jpg

He also showed me a pygmy niveum (flower was about 1-1/2"), but I forgot to take a picture :(

Here's a pic of some of my haul:
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/couscous74/Orchid0229.jpg
Back row: venustum v. album, Delrosi, Berenice
Front row: Phrag. schlimii 'Wilcox', hirsutissimum v. esquirolei, Neerach (delenatii x wilhelminae)

All of these came from Ratcliffe, exception the Neerach, which was from JEM Orchids.
I also picked up a Papa Röhl and a Fairrie-Maud, but TADD will have to post photos of those. TADD's dog Gus sent me 2 phal leudd keikis, a phal pulchra, and a phal bastiani. Thanks Gus :D

WOW :shock: , that is an unbelievable sight....I would love to have been there with you. My credit may not have liked it

Cool!! 8)

Nice haul! Good choices, particularly the esq. and the Berenice, but I am biased of course! :roll:
REALLY really nice to see pics of the greenhouse! Larger than I had thought for some reason.

Nice haul! :clap2: Great looking plants you got and they are one of my favorite vendors! Paul would be happy to see pics of his greenhouse and plants here on the forum :D I didn't know that they also sold Phrags and by the way, your schlimii 'Wilcox' is actually a Cardinale which is Sedenii x schlimii.

Wow Marcus, you didn't have to get me two plants or one for that fact( Papa Rohl is awesome so is Fairrie-Maude)! Can't wait to see your venustum! I am going to go look up Neerach I bet it is pretty! Looks like a good haul! Thanks!

great pics and a great addition cant wait untill they flower :D

I didn't know that they also sold Phrags and by the way, your schlimii 'Wilcox' is actually a Cardinale which is Sedenii x schlimii.

Paul says he doesn't do phrags. He brought some in as an experiment, and decided that they didn't do well enough in his greenhouse, so he gave it to me as my freebie. He did mention that it was a hybrid and not a true schlimii, but who am I to turn down a free plant :D
He did mention Peter P. and Heather - I can only assume you are both on his frequent buyer list :poke:

TADD - I expect the Neerach should look similar to a Delrosi or Gloria Naugle, given it's parents.

Stan - None of the ones I kept are in bud, but TADD's are. :Shh:

Are you serious Mine are in BUD! Its X-MAS in JULY!!!!!!!!!! You should have kept them for your enjoyment! Marcus I know your wife tells you this all the time...but YOU DA' MAN!!!!!

I didn't know that they also sold Phrags and by the way, your schlimii 'Wilcox' is actually a Cardinale which is Sedenii x schlimii.

Paul says he doesn't do phrags. He brought some in as an experiment, and decided that they didn't do well enough in his greenhouse, so he gave it to me as my freebie. He did mention that it was a hybrid and not a true schlimii, but who am I to turn down a free plant :D
He did mention Peter P. and Heather - I can only assume you are both on his frequent buyer list :poke:

TADD - I expect the Neerach should look similar to a Delrosi or Gloria Naugle, given it's parents.

Stan - None of the ones I kept are in bud, but TADD's are. :Shh:

Nice freebie! Cardinale is a gorgeous hybrid and among Pete's favorites! ( haha, beat you to it!) I am supposedly getting a div at somepoint, can't wait! I think you will enjoy it. Berenice was my second multifloral, first I saw in bloom in person though. Both mine and Pete's esqs. came in sheath from Paul a year ago - they take forever to bloom though. Be patient! I think both of ours were about the size of your's, Marcus.

Tadd - ooh boy! Karma baby!

I was just remarking to someone today who was down about the state of the world, and of the American people in general about the EXTREME generosity and good character seen on this forum. It gives me faith in human nature, and the kicker is, very few of us have even met! Makes me want to pay it forward in a big way! :D

Yep, Heather and I have bought quite a few plants from them, we love their plants! Good deal on your Cardinale 'Wilcox' as a freebie and it is one of my fav Phrag hybrids, you'll like it, I'm sure. So, is that your first Phrag? Congrats! :clap2:

Yup, my first Phrag is a freebie :D

Marcus,

Nice pictures and selections!

thanks

Yup, my first Phrag is a freebie :D

...and another one is gone, another one's gone, another one bites the dust... :Party:

:drool: :drool: :drool: :drool: :drool:

Photos like that will do nothing but deplete my bank balance

They just took my breath away - Great pickup man.

Stephan

My mom called yesterday and asked where I wanted a house warming gift certificate to. I said Marriott Orchids.... She meant one of the big box hardware store.... Can't blame a fella' for trying :) That's the only way I could afford any plants right now. I am excited about getting some new plants (FAIRRIES TOO!!!!) from Marcus! I will definitely take photos!

Hi Marcus,

Congratulations!! Great haul, and I really appreciate seeing photos of their greenhouse. It is huge!!!! I've ordered from Ratcliffes once, as they came highly recommended by Pete & Heather, and now I have their web site bookmarked and keep looking for more plants to buy.

I also have their hirsutissimum v. esquirolei. It looks just like yours. Mine is not spiking yet, but it is a very nice, healthy plant and I can't wait to see it bloom. Oh yes, I have a Bel Royale from them (Heather has one, too) and I think (actually hope) it might be starting a sheath. Too soon to tell.

Thanks for the photos! Congratulations!

It is sooo neat and clean. Does Heather work there?
Grandma

It is sooo neat and clean. Does Heather work there?
Grandma
Hard to believe that only two people run that place.

Indeed, it is much much larger than I had imagined!