The Orchid Garden

Home Depot

Question:

Home Depot in Reno, Nevada sells lots of orchids and has a great discount table. Eagle Hardware also sells orchids (bigger, nicer plants at higher prices). Angie

Response:

Nooooooooooo!!!!!  Home Depot is *EVIL*!  The dragons that eat the fair damsels after striping them of their names!  I do have a few from them, was lucky enough to get them identified, but they are not my best plants.  The one that I really like from them is a Colmanara Wildcat. I have totally given up on HD.  They are orchid killers.  I prefer my local grower.  CJM:) — Posted via Talkway – http://www.talkway.com Exchange ideas on practically anything ™.

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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Long Island, NY here…. However, my HD does not carry them at all times. To be honest I dont make weekly, even monthly trips just to check how often they have them, {snip} I have though of asking someone there if there’s any way of finding out how often and when they get shipments, hey, ask–it cant hurt.  all they can do is play dumb.  ask for the garden shop manager.  somebody sure knows–the local  HD in our area that seems to have fairly decent plants—never has em for long!  somebody knows when to get there. FWIW–the first orchid I ever bought was a nameless bareroot catt at HD–about nine years ago.  I bought it for my grandfather–who promptly fastened it to a citrus tree and fed it with manure tea.  the darn thing bloomed it’s head off! Grandpa died, the tree died, we saved the orchid and it is still blooming, attached to a tree at my dad’s house.  no name, but who cares? the HD’s are not all the same.  some have nothing but wilting dens and the odd phal–and some have all sorts of stuff, including Mokaras and Vandas.   Alynne Isn’t it funny.   How a bear likes honey? Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! I wonder why he does? –Winnie-the-Pooh

Hi.  Kinda a newbie.  Have never heard of manure tea.  What is it, and how useful is it, if I may ask.   Thanks, Lil Bit

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Correction-4" pots were 9.99 and 6" pots were 19.99 at Home Depot.

Dont forget the 3" pots (usually mini Dens) for 4.99-5.99 Julie

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Hi.  Kinda a newbie.  Have never heard of manure tea.  What is it, and how useful is it, if I may ask.  

He used to get horse manure to use on his garden–and would set some in water for overnight–strain and water the orchids with it (diluted, I think).  it seemed to work.  My dad raves about fish emulsion.  I think I’ll stick with Dynagro or Peter’s….<G Alynne Isn’t it funny.   How a bear likes honey? Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! I wonder why he does? –Winnie-the-Pooh

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My dad raves about fish emulsion.  I think I’ll stick with Dynagro or Peter’s….<G

What IS Fish emulsion anyway??  I have ALWAYS wondered, never bothered to ask though, just stuck with my Peter’s Orchid Fert. 30-10-10.  I HAVE a large fish tank (40 gal.), is it using the water from the tank or what? <’)))<|  Julie  |<(((‘

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Correction-4" pots were 9.99 and 6" pots were 19.99 at Home Depot.

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Long Island, NY here…. However, my HD does not carry them at all times. To be honest I dont make weekly, even monthly trips just to check how often they have them, {snip} I have though of asking someone there if there’s any way of finding out how often and when they get shipments,

hey, ask–it cant hurt.  all they can do is play dumb.  ask for the garden shop manager.  somebody sure knows–the local  HD in our area that seems to have fairly decent plants—never has em for long!  somebody knows when to get there. FWIW–the first orchid I ever bought was a nameless bareroot catt at HD–about nine years ago.  I bought it for my grandfather–who promptly fastened it to a citrus tree and fed it with manure tea.  the darn thing bloomed it’s head off! Grandpa died, the tree died, we saved the orchid and it is still blooming, attached to a tree at my dad’s house.  no name, but who cares? the HD’s are not all the same.  some have nothing but wilting dens and the odd phal–and some have all sorts of stuff, including Mokaras and Vandas.   Alynne Isn’t it funny.   How a bear likes honey? Buzz! Buzz! Buzz! I wonder why he does? –Winnie-the-Pooh

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Hello all!  Well, I just got back from the nearest HD, and I have to tell you, while unmarked, poorly cared for plants were in abundance, I did find a few Den’s that had a LOT of growth, and MANY spikes.  The Phals were all in poor condition, at least as far as the inflorescences were concerend, but I believe a few plants had come in recently as the buds were still healthy, and the medium was moist.  I got one that has 7 spikes, with only a few fully opened flowers.  $10. Now, Dendrobiums are not the easiest for me to grow in my particular arrangement, but I plan to alter my growing arrangement very soon, so wish me luck. Anyway, just thought I would share to any other ‘less than veteran’ addicts out there that very good deals can be had.  Don’t go there once and assume from the low quality that a decent plant cannot be had.  At least, as long as you are not planning on going for an award! That being said, anyone have growing information for ‘Miniature Dendrobium Orchid’?  (joke)

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Home Depot??? Yea, that’s where I get a majority of my orchids.  They may not be marked, and if they are, it is probably incorrect.  But, I’ll find a plant or 2 that is (are) past their blooming period and offer them a dollar or two.  I usually leave with a plant or two for less than $5. ALSO, I’ll find the withered and poorly cared for ones and ask if I can have the "bunch" for 10 to 15 dollars.  A lot of these haven’t made it, but, for the money, I think I’ve invested about $2-$3 per plant.  My orchids are grown OUTSIDE year ’round (Central Florida) and even for the worst of the specimens, I don’t ‘baby’ them too much.  But I guess I COULD learn to fertilize a little more often. bob

| I know ALLLL about home Depot!  I went to my local HD just yesterday, and | picked up 2 great Dendrobiums, that ACTUALLY had name tags.  One den has 2 | spikes, one with only 2 flowers left on it, the second spike has a loooong way | to go before the buds open.  The other Den has one spike, 10 buds/blooms. | | One disappointment, though… as I was rooting through the pots looking for | specific name tags only I came upon one which was a Phal X, and one of the | parents was Phal. equestris (a fave I have to get someday).  However, it ALSO | had a description of the flower, and when I checked it looked nothing like | it… *sigh*  Oh well. | | By the way, does YOUR HD have randomly mounted Oncid’s??  Mine did.  For 7 | bucks you could get a mounted orchid, the plant slapped onto a piece of | driftwood and attached to a piece of hanging cardboard, just hung on a rack | like a pair of socks.  It’s listed as just Oncidium, but to be honest the plant | and flowers bear a STRONG resemblance to a Dendrubium to my eyes. Had I been | able to find a slat wood basket to hang one in, I was about to buy one for the | heck of it… Anyone else have thoughts on this? | | Julie

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I know ALLLL about home Depot!  I went to my local HD just yesterday, and picked up 2 great Dendrobiums, that ACTUALLY had name tags.  One den has 2 spikes, one with only 2 flowers left on it, the second spike has a loooong way to go before the buds open.  The other Den has one spike, 10 buds/blooms.   One disappointment, though… as I was rooting through the pots looking for specific name tags only I came upon one which was a Phal X, and one of the parents was Phal. equestris (a fave I have to get someday).  However, it ALSO had a description of the flower, and when I checked it looked nothing like it… *sigh*  Oh well.   By the way, does YOUR HD have randomly mounted Oncid’s??  Mine did.  For 7 bucks you could get a mounted orchid, the plant slapped onto a piece of driftwood and attached to a piece of hanging cardboard, just hung on a rack like a pair of socks.  It’s listed as just Oncidium, but to be honest the plant and flowers bear a STRONG resemblance to a Dendrubium to my eyes. Had I been able to find a slat wood basket to hang one in, I was about to buy one for the heck of it… Anyone else have thoughts on this? Julie

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Yeah, there were mounted Onc. galore, and a plethora of Phals that were past bloom, but were growing well.  They also had NBS Catts and Vand. hanging on a post for $7.  Nothing at all was well marked, though, very generic labelling, I am afraid.  But, I am at the stage where I just want plants…so it was a perfect fix. I saw some posts about carnivorous plants, which is why I went there in the first place.  Nothing but fly-traps which I have never had much luck with…maybe another visit.  =)

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It’s listed as just Oncidium, but to be honest the plant and flowers bear a STRONG resemblance to a Dendrubium to my eyes.

Howard

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Home Depot has some pretty abused plants but if you keep your eyes open, you can get somepretty neat stuff. Their prices are as always pretty good (Vandas excepted) but I like to rummage through the bare root Cats and sometimes come up with a gem. It’s Fun!! <Phil Scherer South Florida

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Their prices are as always pretty good (Vandas excepted) but I like to rummage through the bare root Cats and sometimes come up with a gem. It’s Fun!! <Phil Scherer South Florida

I certainly agree about pricing.  The one thing that I find funny is that they price by pot size, not by plant size or quality/health. I look for healthy plants, naturally, but also I look for larger plants in smaller pots, so as to pay only $9 for an otherwise $20 plant.   The Vandas, when they have them, are nice looking but, with the condition I’ve seen many in, I’d say half of the huge Phals they carry are worth closer to $45 than the Vandas, hehehe.  Lucky you that you get Catt’s where you live!  So far, I’ve only seen Phals, den’s, Oncid’s, mini Dens, and the occasional Vanda. …. Still, those mounted "Oncids", lol, are weighing on my mind…. Does anyone know where I could pick up a slatted wood basket.. Does anyone think it’s be worth the $7?? Hehehe…. Julie

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Does anyone know where I could pick up a slatted wood basket..

The HD’s around here (So Fla) do carry the slatted wood baskets pretty cheap–along with the clay pots.  What I do is go to the orchid shows and stock up at the supply booth for what I think I’ll need for a few months.  there is a fella at our OS who brings supplies in to sell at the meetings, but not bargain basement prices. My dad haunts several HDs around here and has picked up more than one good buy–unnamed catts, usually.  we wait till they bloom and take them in to the OS meeting and usually someone can ID them. He got a gorgeous Den. Susan Takahashi–grew it to 5 feet tall in two years and it is blooming it’s head off!  Ya gotta know what to look for, I guess.  one of my first orchids was a little "Dwarf Dendrobium" in a basket.  dont know it’s name–but it blooms like crazy several times a year.  so, who cares about the name… Alynne No matter how little rain, no matter how few people admire the garden, or the gardener, if we tend to the roses, the blossoms will come.–Chris deVinck

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Home Depot???

I’m in Ohio, Home Depot has never had orchid plants here.  After reading your posts, went out and checked again today, NO LUCK… In what part of the country are you guys??

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The HD’s around here (So Fla) do carry the slatted wood baskets pretty cheap–along with the clay pots.  What I do is go to the orchid shows and stock up at the supply booth for what I think I’ll need for a few months.

It sounds like the HDs anywhere in Florida cater to the orchid-loving customers much better than here in NY.  But it’s not surprising considerring the suitable warm weather down there! Only time I’ve seen HD here sell slatted-wood baskets is when theyre selling the Vandas that come IN them! lol.. I don’t belong to an Orchid society (i know, I know, I should…) so aside that, I suppose I’ll have to search the nurseries for ‘em?  there is ONE orchid dealer somewhat nearby that I know of, Piping Rock Orchids, so I may have to finally get my butt out there too. ) Julie

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I am in Delaware…There is a HD about 2 miles away. Lowes did not have any, though, as some other RGO’ers have mentioned Lowes near them carry orchids.

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I’m in Ohio, Home Depot has never had orchid plants here.  After reading your posts, went out and checked again today, NO LUCK… In what part of the country are you guys?? Pittsburgh, PA here with tons of orchids at our 2 HDs.  Funny though, the HD in Greensburg, which is only 30 minute away also has none. Howard

Well, well, I’m in Toledo, with 2 HD’s , not that far from you in Pittsburgh.  Our HD’s in Toledo, have never had orchids; Good Luck and Happy Growing with yours…. Phyllis

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I’m in Ohio, Home Depot has never had orchid plants here.  After reading your posts, went out and checked again today, NO LUCK… In what part of the country are you guys??

Pittsburgh, PA here with tons of orchids at our 2 HDs.  Funny though, the HD in Greensburg, which is only 30 minute away also has none. Howard

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Long Island, NY here…. However, my HD does not carry them at all times. To be honest I dont make weekly, even monthly trips just to check how often they have them, but I know that in March through April there were tons. Mid summer — not a SINGLE one. Now in September, a moderate supply.    I have though of asking someone there if there’s any way of finding out how often and when they get shipments, but I dont know who to ask about this, OR if any of the employees even know. I guess you just have to be lucky enough to be there on or just after shipping day to get the cream of the crop, lol… Julie PS – the very FIRST time I went there for the exact purpose of picking out my first, I was nearly crowded out… There was a LARGE FAMILY of Asian women rooting through the pots on all sides, polite but definitely on a mission, hehe.  I was lucky I got the good ones I got, LOL.  

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Our HD here in Idaho has probably the sickliest orchids you ever saw… Oncids, Phals, and Dens. only…. and priced from about $14 on up. I can order healthy plants and pay shipping cheaper than that. I found one that I thought was maybe worth saving but when I asked them about the price it was explained that they ‘NEVER’ reduce the price because if the plant dies they get a full refund from the grower…. so to sum it up…..they would rather kill the plant and send it back!!! I guess not all HD’s are created equal! Marla – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Home Depot??? Yea, that’s where I get a majority of my orchids.  They may not be marked, and if they are, it is probably incorrect.  But, I’ll find a plant or 2 that is (are) past their blooming period and offer them a dollar or two.  I usually leave with a plant or two for less than $5. ALSO, I’ll find the withered and poorly cared for ones and ask if I can have the "bunch" for 10 to 15 dollars.  A lot of these haven’t made it, but, for the money, I think I’ve invested about $2-$3 per plant.  My orchids are grown OUTSIDE year ’round (Central Florida) and even for the worst of the specimens, I don’t ‘baby’ them too much.  But I guess I COULD learn to fertilize a little more often. bob

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The Home Depot in Westminister sure had nice plants today and I came home with five of them. 4" pots were 19.99 and 6" pots were 19.99.  I am thrilled with them.

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That’s the way it was in the Boston area until recently.  We now have one HD that I know of that puts the orchids on a sale table when they get to be too bad.  For the most part, the selection of orchids is really poor.  Usually there are Den’s and not much else. __ Ken Woodward ___ ____Newton, MA___ – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Our HD here in Idaho has probably the sickliest orchids you ever saw… Oncids, Phals, and Dens. only…. and priced from about $14 on up. I can order healthy plants and pay shipping cheaper than that. I found one that I thought was maybe worth saving but when I asked them about the price it was explained that they ‘NEVER’ reduce the price because if the plant dies they get a full refund from the grower…. so to sum it up…..they would rather kill the plant and send it back!!! I guess not all HD’s are created equal! Marla Home Depot??? Yea, that’s where I get a majority of my orchids.  They may not be marked, and if they are, it is probably incorrect.  But, I’ll find a plant or 2 that is (are) past their blooming period and offer them a dollar or two.  I usually leave with a plant or two for less than $5. ALSO, I’ll find the withered and poorly cared for ones and ask if I can have the "bunch" for 10 to 15 dollars.  A lot of these haven’t made it, but, for the money, I think I’ve invested about $2-$3 per plant.  My orchids are grown OUTSIDE year ’round (Central Florida) and even for the worst of the specimens, I don’t ‘baby’ them too much.  But I guess I COULD learn to fertilize a little more often. bob

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Here in Central Florida, orchids sold at Home Depot are grown in the Sun Bulb greenhouses in nearby Apopka. Most of these plants are your typical garden center phals or dens, but sometimes I find interesting stuff. For instance, one day they had Angraecums packed in plastic bags with a large picture of the blossom and hung on a rack like potato chips. These only cost $10.00. I just bought a couple of Degarmoaras last week, and they were also $10.00 each. I think I like these ’shrinkwrapped’ plants better, because they don’t get hose watered daily by the garden center employees and make it home in better shape. It seems like they repot them just prior to packing, and they use a peat based mix. The Angraecum came in a small slatted basket with sphagnum. Not bad for $10.00. Gabe

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I had wondered about that, since HD’s policy is to ‘guarantee’ a plant for a year. It must be costing them a fortune. Also I wondered about ‘remainders’. Do the ones which do not sell go back to the wholesaler or are they trashheaped, so the wholesaler makes out either way? No wonder the orchid pot plant industry is making money hand over fist. (That sounds like I begrudge them that, but I don’t! Heck I’d like to get in on that action!) K Barrett – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What Home Depot is afraid of is if the plant dies you will bring it back for full refund and that’s why they rather trash it than sell it cheap. Also the people they hire there can kill a plastic plant. Kim – You are to be commended and are the EXCEPTION that makes the rule. I spoke to the HD manager of the garden center in Dec. about an Ascda. that was not labeled, lacked its mix of crushed rock, had the pot wrapped in cellophane, and was dehydrated.  I had previously seen the plant in bloom, but not labeled.  It had a lovely flower. I was willing to spend 5 or 6 to take it home and nurse it for 2 years or so in hopes of having a pretty flower. He wanted 17.95 for it in its present condition. He said he could get full credit from the wholesaler with a claim that it was damaged in transit. He further said he would do this and get his 15.00 back. That same plant is still on the display table, now almost completely desiccated. The complete collection of orchids has not changed since mid. January, except to dry up and loose the few flowers they had had. Some of the pots hold water due to the cellophane and this has not helped many of the plants. I will not buy anything living form this HD. Sue E His attitude was that the help he had could too easily "kill" or damage a plant to get a discount for themselves or their friends. He would not discount any plant to "give it a good home." He believed in throwing them out instead. Talk to the people that work at your Home Depot,they really do value customer input! Kim  Store #1001,Turlock,California

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concerning Home Depot Hi Jiggy, Do you have a first name we could address you by?  My statement was not meant as a putdown, just a look at something from a different angle.  you see too many stories of I got my first orchid at such and such superstore. Of course it always escalates after you are hooked.  I personally don’t like these "superstores" but that is neither here or there.  It is ironic because Home Depots in California still advertise for Certified California Nurserymen, but that doesn’t mean they know diddly about orchids or many other tropicals for that matter.  Like everyone else, they look at the bottom line.    As long as they are buying, there will be mass market orchid ranges willing to supply them.  What will be the next orchid sensation produced by the millions?  They are doing Phals, Dendrobs, and Colmanaras, what’s next? Stephen

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As a Home Depot employee in the inside garden and someone that has worked for a major orchid nursery,I have to disagree. While I think that HD strives to have experts in every department,there is no way that can be done 100% all the time. Case in point, I walk to the lunchroom at the end of my shift,I have to go down the plumbing aisle,a customer sees my orange apron,is upset with me because I can’t tell him how to fix his toilet. I go to classes, learn from my customers,and am very honest when I don’t know the answer,but I make the effort to find out[for them and me],the upset customer is usually satisfied because I made the effort to help. The employment market being what it is,I just hope customer service is at the same  high standard when I go shopping,so I treat my customers like I would want to be treated. Do you know how many times a week I have to tell my customers that they can’t plant my tropical houseplants outside?[zone 9] I don’t get upset,I hope I teach them something,and we go on from there. Life isn’t black and white,believe me,work in retail and you’ll understand. Talk to the people that work at your Home Depot,they really do value customer input! Kim  Store #1001,Turlock,California

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Back when I started growing orchids, no "ordinary" people did so, and there were no home improvement superstores. If you were lucky, a local nursery might have some for outrageous prices. A lot of beginners email me for advice about selecting an orchid for their first try, and I’ll often point them to the Home Despot or Lowes, as the addition of packing and shipping costs to one of my plants pumps up the price considerably more than it would be locally. I hope that if they are successful, and get hooked, then they will come to me for other plants. As far as the Chicago range is concerned, that’s a disappointment, alright. — Ray Barkalow –<– First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, A little while ago there was a post in a thread regarding Home Depots.  If my memory serves me correctly, the poster gave the impression that Home Depot left a bad taste in their mouth.  Since there are no Home Depots in my area, I won’t comment on them except to say that they make it difficult for small retailers to survive.  The reason for my post is this:  I wonder home many people who grow orchids do so because they bought their first orchid at these type of establishments and became hooked??  My feeling is the more people addicted to orchids, the better and if Home Depot and the like play a role in that, then good for Home Depot. As an aside, I was just in the Chicago area visiting orchid ranges and one establishment, to be unnamed, is now selling almost exclusively to Home Depot.  The upshot of this is that 90% + of the range is now out of bounds to the walk in trade, nor do they appear to be happy to see people walk in. That did leave a bad taste in my mouth.  Needless to say, I did not buy anything and will not be back unless something happens to change the situation. Stephen —

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I made the comment concerning Home Depot. Perhaps I should have elaborated on why. Well here it is; While I believe they do an excellent job in supplying and informing customers on home improvements, I think they should get out of the nursery and gardening business. My personal experience with them is that they make no attempt in learning or teaching there employees what minimum requirements are for the orchids or any other plant they have in stock at the time. While someone that grows orchids can understand what it take for the various genera to survive Home Depots attitude is "if it dies just return it for somthing else". Many times I have been called out to the nicely arranged rows of shrubs and herbs hoping to find some unusual tropical fruit tree or odd ornamental bush and will inevidably come apon the turture chamber they call the orchid area. The area that gets the full sun under greenhouse conditions, many still in their clear plastic bags. Of course here in florida these conditions are deadly. Ask an employee "how should I grow this?" and you would get a more intelligable response from a burger flipper at McD’s. If you are a first time orchid grower buying a plant from this place, I dont think your chances for success are very high. Now this is just my opinion but it is based on many attenpts at trying to give them a chance. Now I still shop there for building materials, and I still get tempted by the huge greenhouse, but now its like looking at a car accident, you glance, then you move on. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi All, A little while ago there was a post in a thread regarding Home Depots.  If my memory serves me correctly, the poster gave the impression that Home Depot left a bad taste in their mouth.  Since there are no Home Depots in my area, I won’t comment on them except to say that they make it difficult for small retailers to survive.  The reason for my post is this:  I wonder home many people who grow orchids do so because they bought their first orchid at these type of establishments and became hooked??  My feeling is the more people addicted to orchids, the better and if Home Depot and the like play a role in that, then good for Home Depot. As an aside, I was just in the Chicago area visiting orchid ranges and one establishment, to be unnamed, is now selling almost exclusively to Home Depot.  The upshot of this is that 90% + of the range is now out of bounds to the walk in trade, nor do they appear to be happy to see people walk in. That did leave a bad taste in my mouth.  Needless to say, I did not buy anything and will not be back unless something happens to change the situation. Stephen —

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Once they go out of bloom, they sell the orchids like any other plant dirt cheap.. All I’ve seen is orchids swimming in water in the cellophane wrapping. People that I’ve even talked to there don’t even know how to care for them. I’ve seen more orchids in Home Depot than I’ve seen in the grocery stores. Store managers do appreciate any info you can give them. cya Susan – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What Home Depot is afraid of is if the plant dies you will bring it back for full refund and that’s why they rather trash it than sell it cheap. Also the people they hire there can kill a plastic plant. Kim – You are to be commended and are the EXCEPTION that makes the rule. I spoke to the HD manager of the garden center in Dec. about an Ascda. that was not labeled, lacked its mix of crushed rock, had the pot wrapped in cellophane, and was dehydrated.  I had previously seen the plant in bloom, but not labeled.  It had a lovely flower. I was willing to spend 5 or 6 to take it home and nurse it for 2 years or so in hopes of having a pretty flower. He wanted 17.95 for it in its present condition. He said he could get full credit from the wholesaler with a claim that it was damaged in transit. He further said he would do this and get his 15.00 back. That same plant is still on the display table, now almost completely desiccated. The complete collection of orchids has not changed since mid. January, except to dry up and loose the few flowers they had had. Some of the pots hold water due to the cellophane and this has not helped many of the plants. I will not buy anything living form this HD. Sue E His attitude was that the help he had could too easily "kill" or damage a plant to get a discount for themselves or their friends. He would not discount any plant to "give it a good home." He believed in throwing them out instead. Talk to the people that work at your Home Depot,they really do value customer input! Kim  Store #1001,Turlock,California

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can kill a plastic plant. When I was working in a retail nursery outlet in So. Ca. we had hired a new person to help out in our houseplant department.  His very first task was to water the foliage plants in the building.  I happened to walking by a short while later and there he was, diligently watering all our silk plants including the silk baskets overhead.  He was so wrapped up in what he was doing, he didn’t even see me and several customers rolling in the aisles. Stephen

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Be careful when you sugest buying from a "chain" store or you’ll be branded as a cheapskate supporting the rape of the environment… take it from someone who has just been there!                                      Bob C. http://vchilder.home.netcom.com

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Look Bobby, buying a mass bred hybrid at Lowes is a world different than buying a native, wild-dug orchid. Get real. Your ability to rationalize what you want to do is well developed and not really surprising given human nature. A legitimate rescue operation is not going to be able to supply the demands of a chain store operation. Lowes doesn’t give squat where it gets its orchids as long as they are cheap. You might be able to grow acaule, which is unlikely but remains to be seen, but 99.9% of the people that buy these plants from Lowes are going to kill them. They might as well have been plowed under. If Lowes hadn’t purchased them perhaps they would have gone to a rescue operation or some other more legitimate source. Lowes buys them because it can sell them cheap to people who don’t know better or people who should know better but refuse to. And yes, you are still part of the problem. Max Be careful when you sugest buying from a "chain" store or you’ll be branded as a cheapskate supporting the rape of the environment… take it from someone who has just been there!                                      Bob C. http://vchilder.home.netcom.com

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What Home Depot is afraid of is if the plant dies you will bring it back for full refund and that’s why they rather trash it than sell it cheap. Also the people they hire there can kill a plastic plant. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Kim – You are to be commended and are the EXCEPTION that makes the rule. I spoke to the HD manager of the garden center in Dec. about an Ascda. that was not labeled, lacked its mix of crushed rock, had the pot wrapped in cellophane, and was dehydrated.  I had previously seen the plant in bloom, but not labeled.  It had a lovely flower. I was willing to spend 5 or 6 to take it home and nurse it for 2 years or so in hopes of having a pretty flower. He wanted 17.95 for it in its present condition. He said he could get full credit from the wholesaler with a claim that it was damaged in transit. He further said he would do this and get his 15.00 back. That same plant is still on the display table, now almost completely desiccated. The complete collection of orchids has not changed since mid. January, except to dry up and loose the few flowers they had had. Some of the pots hold water due to the cellophane and this has not helped many of the plants. I will not buy anything living form this HD. Sue E His attitude was that the help he had could too easily "kill" or damage a plant to get a discount for themselves or their friends. He would not discount any plant to "give it a good home." He believed in throwing them out instead. Talk to the people that work at your Home Depot,they really do value customer input! Kim  Store #1001,Turlock,California

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Maybe we’re both right (at least partially) and maybe we’re wrong on some things… who knows for sure and I’m big enough to admit it. As far as I’m concerned, this "discussion" on wild vs commercial propagation and what to do about saving dwindling resources (in this case acaule) has gone as far too long. I also think you would (probably) agree that everyone who participated in or followed this thread already have their minds made up, one way or the other, and all our rantings will not change them. Therefore I cease and desist my participation in these hostilities and declare, unilaterally, a ceasefire. If other parties wish to abide by this truce, so be it! If not, the war will have to go on without me. I will simply agree to disagree, turn my sword into a plowshare then return to being a genteel, civilized orchid grower who leaves the fighting to the unwashed masses (no offense to you unwashed masses).                                     Bob C.

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Yet, you are telling us that the thousands of plants sold at hundreds of stores each year were all "ripped" from the wild? That must be a damn big piece of property to have that many wild orchids taken year after year and they STILL seem to be growing.

        Of the 576 stores Lowes has, only a fraction of those sell acaules. Had you bothered to reference the DejaNews article, you would find out that from my discussion in February 2000 with the individual who runs "C.I.P." that they own some 400 acres in North Carolina, from which they are digging and selling plants. When I spoke with them, they claimed they weren’t sold in Florida, since they wouldn’t survive there (they seem to have changed that policy). They only sold them as far west as Dallas (with predictable survivability, we can suppose). The majority of those who have e-mailed me have not been able to find them locally.         The mind boggles at what that stand of acaule must have looked like originally.         But CIP was very firm in that none of their plants were propagated. Just dug out of the ground, which is why they’re so cheap. Assuming you are correct and ALL ladyslippers sold in chain stores/garden centers are "native" and not grown commercially, if these plants could have been "saved" by a "legitmate" source I’m sure they would have, and if not, then at least SOMEBODY saved some (even if it was a big, bad corporation) rather than lose them all.

        Once again, from the telephone conversation, the land had been purchased 20 years ago. Who in their right mind is going to plunk down money for 400 acres of North Carolina wilderness to save acaules? Instead, consumers create the demand to dig up more plants, furthered by the actions of a national chain. Combined with the fact that the majority of these plants die, it’s a tremendous waste.         I have made these telephone calls. I first spoke with Lowe’s, then with the individuals responsible at CIP. I have bothered to get my own answers. Research like this is not difficult; the telephone numbers are readily available.         Scott Durkee is the only individual producing these commercially as mature plants. As propagules, they have not come down to hardware-store prices as of yet from any source.         -AJHicks         Chandler, AZ

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sorry to hear about this bozo at your HD.  there are two in my area that I often look in on.  they do have shadehouses built for their orchid displays and seem to take better care of them.  They are mostly labeled and have growing instructions.  the plants I have seen mostly seem to come from Sunbulb, and somebody named "Grower Ron" (does anybody know who this is?).  I have noticed that the plants seem to go fast and in fact, I have had to elbow little old ladies aside who are trying to snitch my cart with plant inside!  LOL!  On the other side, K-mart and Walmart get the thumbs down–for baking and broiling phals in the sun…  and–never, never, never ask the clerk what to do about your garden or plants.  My DH (who is not an outdoors person and never will be) once killed our entire lawn after asking the clerk at KMart if the weed & feed was ok for St. Augustine grass.  (he said, "yes"!)  <G – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Kim – You are to be commended and are the EXCEPTION that makes the rule. {snip} {snippity, snip,snip} His attitude was that the help he had could too easily "kill" or damage a plant to get a discount for themselves or their friends. He would not discount any plant to "give it a good home." He believed in throwing them out instead. Talk to the people that work at your Home Depot,they really do value customer input! Kim  Store #1001,Turlock,California

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Carol, don’t feel bad about buying from Home Despot.  I still go there about once a month and look around.  It is a good place to get pots, charcoal, baskets and hangers, etc.  And…sometimes you spot a find.  My dad bought a Den. Susan Takahashi a few years ago that became enormous and has earned blue ribbons and a couple of awards for culture.  (An older gent in our OS–a real expert–asked to know the origin of the plant and retreated in disgust upon being told, "Home Depot.")  Dad has also spotted the occ. catt (with tag or without) that turned out to be a good plant.  I was just in there a few days ago and spotted the cart with new plants ready to be put out.  I found a large, mature Doritanopsis hybrid—large white flowers with purple lip.  The price was right and it had a tag with the names of the parents.  Healthy and well-grown.  How it got in there, I don’t know–because the rest of the plants were a motley crew.  It helps to have an idea of what grows well in your area, have an idea of what you are looking for, an idea of how much you might spend, and keep your eyes open. Ya never know! – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi,         I’m not one to post much but felt I’d offer my 2cents worth. I purchased 4 orchids from Home Dept,oncidium,den, phal and a lady slipper. They were in the clearance section in poor shape and  one step from the trash.  I felt sorry for them and couldn’t resist.  I knew nothing about them.  Didn’t even know what I was buying since they weren’t tagged but the girl there did give me some sound basic info.   I found this group, asked for a book recommendation and began to read.  I’ve learned alot in 8 months and have a long way to go.  All are still living — oncidium has just finished blooming and the phal and lady slipper are spiking –to my Delight .  As for the Den I haven’t figured it’s problem.  Putting that aside, if it weren’t for HD I wouldn’t have this new hobby  They have there place! Now that I’m hooked, I know now where to go to purchase from  reputable growers on the net Thanks to all of you.  - Carol

Response:

I suppose you would feel better if these plants sold for $30 instead of $3. I also guess it’s better for tens of thousands of plants (not only orchids) to be lost every year because they were paved over or their habitat was destroyed due to urbanization rather than save even a few, though it’s through a chain store operation. FYI, I’ve had a number of responses from different parts of the country from people (who are part of the problem like me I suppose) that have bought acaule from Lowes. Yet, you are telling us that the thousands of plants sold at hundreds of stores each year were all "ripped" from the wild? That must be a damn big piece of property to have that many wild orchids taken year after year and they STILL seem to be growing. Assuming you are correct and ALL ladyslippers sold in chain stores/garden centers are "native" and not grown commercially, if these plants could have been "saved" by a "legitmate" source I’m sure they would have, and if not, then at least SOMEBODY saved some (even if it was a big, bad corporation) rather than lose them all. I think it’s time for a reality check all right!                                    "Bobby"

Response:

Hi,         I’m not one to post much but felt I’d offer my 2cents worth. I purchased 4 orchids from Home Dept,oncidium,den, phal and a lady slipper. They were in the clearance section in poor shape and  one step from the trash.  I felt sorry for them and couldn’t resist.  I knew nothing about them.  Didn’t even know what I was buying since they weren’t tagged but the girl there did give me some sound basic info.   I found this group, asked for a book recommendation and began to read.  I’ve learned alot in 8 months and have a long way to go.  All are still living — oncidium has just finished blooming and the phal and lady slipper are spiking –to my Delight .  As for the Den I haven’t figured it’s problem.  Putting that aside, if it weren’t for HD I wouldn’t have this new hobby  They have there place! Now that I’m hooked, I know now where to go to purchase from  reputable growers on the net Thanks to all of you.  - Carol – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Back when I started growing orchids, no "ordinary" people did so, and there were no home improvement superstores. If you were lucky, a local nursery might have some for outrageous prices. A lot of beginners email me for advice about selecting an orchid for their first try, and I’ll often point them to the Home Despot or Lowes, as the addition of packing and shipping costs to one of my plants pumps up the price considerably more than it would be locally. I hope that if they are successful, and get hooked, then they will come to me for other plants. As far as the Chicago range is concerned, that’s a disappointment, alright. — Ray Barkalow –<– First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info Hi All, A little while ago there was a post in a thread regarding Home Depots. If my memory serves me correctly, the poster gave the impression that Home Depot left a bad taste in their mouth.  Since there are no Home Depots in my area, I won’t comment on them except to say that they make it difficult for small retailers to survive.  The reason for my post is this:  I wonder home many people who grow orchids do so because they bought their first orchid at these type of establishments and became hooked??  My feeling is the more people addicted to orchids, the better and if Home Depot and the like play a role in that, then good for Home Depot. As an aside, I was just in the Chicago area visiting orchid ranges and one establishment, to be unnamed, is now selling almost exclusively to Home Depot.  The upshot of this is that 90% + of the range is now out of bounds to the walk in trade, nor do they appear to be happy to see people walk in. That did leave a bad taste in my mouth.  Needless to say, I did not buy anything and will not be back unless something happens to change the situation. Stephen —

Response:

  My very first orchid, bought about 3 years ago, was a tiny little Home Depot phal seedling.  My Dad got it for me while I was visiting- nothing larger would survive the plane trip home w/ a 2 yr. old and I didn’t want to spend much on my first guinea pig plant.  Now, I had done a little reading on orchids before getting my ‘test plant’, and I knew how to pot it up and not to over-water, etc.  The plant survived and, as my nerves got more steady, I got more orchids–mail order, as there wasn’t any place locally selling them.   If I had it to do all over again, I’d probably go w/ a blooming plant from a reputable grower.  And I do feel a little shaky about someone walking into a Home Depot or a Lowes and walking out w/ an orchid on a whim.  The sales people at our Lowes aren’t knowlegable about the orchids, and there are no instructions w/ the plants.  *But*, I also think that, if you’re interested in growing orchids, you should do some homework yourself- they generally carry books on orchid culture at these places, and there’s a wealth of info online and w/ Orchid Societies.  If you’re willing to put a little effort into the endeavor, a HD orchid might be a good way to get started and whet your appetite for more (better) orchids.  There’s a place for the big retailers, but they’ll never be able to replace the specialists, IMHO.   Karen

Response:

Kim – You are to be commended and are the EXCEPTION that makes the rule. I spoke to the HD manager of the garden center in Dec. about an Ascda. that was not labeled, lacked its mix of crushed rock, had the pot wrapped in cellophane, and was dehydrated.  I had previously seen the plant in bloom, but not labeled.  It had a lovely flower. I was willing to spend 5 or 6 to take it home and nurse it for 2 years or so in hopes of having a pretty flower. He wanted 17.95 for it in its present condition. He said he could get full credit from the wholesaler with a claim that it was damaged in transit. He further said he would do this and get his 15.00 back. That same plant is still on the display table, now almost completely desiccated. The complete collection of orchids has not changed since mid. January, except to dry up and loose the few flowers they had had. Some of the pots hold water due to the cellophane and this has not helped many of the plants. I will not buy anything living form this HD. Sue E His attitude was that the help he had could too easily "kill" or damage a plant to get a discount for themselves or their friends. He would not discount any plant to "give it a good home." He believed in throwing them out instead. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Talk to the people that work at your Home Depot,they really do value customer input! Kim  Store #1001,Turlock,California

Response:

Hi All, A little while ago there was a post in a thread regarding Home Depots.  If my memory serves me correctly, the poster gave the impression that Home Depot left a bad taste in their mouth.  Since there are no Home Depots in my area, I won’t comment on them except to say that they make it difficult for small retailers to survive.  The reason for my post is this:  I wonder home many people who grow orchids do so because they bought their first orchid at these type of establishments and became hooked??  My feeling is the more people addicted to orchids, the better and if Home Depot and the like play a role in that, then good for Home Depot. As an aside, I was just in the Chicago area visiting orchid ranges and one establishment, to be unnamed, is now selling almost exclusively to Home Depot.  The upshot of this is that 90% + of the range is now out of bounds to the walk in trade, nor do they appear to be happy to see people walk in. That did leave a bad taste in my mouth.  Needless to say, I did not buy anything and will not be back unless something happens to change the situation. Stephen —

Response:

Filed under: Dendrobium Orchid

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