Bob in Albany, N.Y.
July 23rd, 2010, 09:18 PM
Following along the normal procedure here at the Phillips house we left bright and early at 5:45 A.M. in order to arrive before the gates opened. I had pre-ordered from Parkside as well as Woodstream Orchids. Upon arrival we took a quick look around looking for the best paphs. I found one hangianum x niveum in flower and labeled as such. Glen, had a couple of plants in bud with one of the parents as emersoni 'hanger'. I believe it was malipenense x emersonii 'hanger'. Sorry guys I just can't seem to remember what the proper names of these crosses are. And no it's not Mem. Larry Heuer even though that is what the label said. Sumanda Orchids had a few paph. complex seedling for sale. The cross that looked the best to me was Paph. Kimberley Szabo 'Papa Aroha' HCC/AOS x Pandemonium 'Nitro' BM/JOGA. These were seedlings selling for $30 each. I took two of those. Upon getting home and trying to take the paper off the top of the pot one of the plants came right out. It only had a few short roots but they were not rotted. So I unpotted the other one, which had fine roots. Even knowing this, I would buy them again.
The worst part of the trip for me was Silva Orchids. I had been warned before going there that no matter what plant you pick up and ask the price on, well, that's the best one the have and it cost this. I found one full plant of a cross and asked the fatal question. Naturally, it had belonged to the owner in their private collection is but they might sell is at not a high price but a fair price. Least that is what they said. After asking how much about 4 times one of the owner said he'd let it go for $100. Now, mind you this is not if flower or even bud, nor awarded, just a plant with many growths in the pot. Truthfully, nothing turns me off faster then someone trying to give me some store in order to get me to buy something. We then left the greenhouse and went back to the 15 or so vendors that were there. If anyone else goes I'd appreciate it if you pick up a nice full pot of any paph. cross that is not marked and ask for I price. It would be interesting to here the results.
I had only asked Woodstream to bring me one divisions. However I left with 3 divisions, plus to seedlings and one mini flask from them. They had a really full flask of one of their paph. fairrianum. I passed on that as I here they may be difficult to grow from flask. Least for me!
I hope that others of you go and report your results.
The worst part of the trip for me was Silva Orchids. I had been warned before going there that no matter what plant you pick up and ask the price on, well, that's the best one the have and it cost this. I found one full plant of a cross and asked the fatal question. Naturally, it had belonged to the owner in their private collection is but they might sell is at not a high price but a fair price. Least that is what they said. After asking how much about 4 times one of the owner said he'd let it go for $100. Now, mind you this is not if flower or even bud, nor awarded, just a plant with many growths in the pot. Truthfully, nothing turns me off faster then someone trying to give me some store in order to get me to buy something. We then left the greenhouse and went back to the 15 or so vendors that were there. If anyone else goes I'd appreciate it if you pick up a nice full pot of any paph. cross that is not marked and ask for I price. It would be interesting to here the results.
I had only asked Woodstream to bring me one divisions. However I left with 3 divisions, plus to seedlings and one mini flask from them. They had a really full flask of one of their paph. fairrianum. I passed on that as I here they may be difficult to grow from flask. Least for me!
I hope that others of you go and report your results.