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General => The Shed => Topic started by: Mrs Ava on July 05, 2005, 12:26:50

Title: Cheap orchids
Post by: Mrs Ava on July 05, 2005, 12:26:50
Popped to our little local nursery as I wanted some more carrot and muizuna seeds (ended up with 6 different packets of seeds!) and noticed on my way out a tub full of orchids, no labels, all finished flowering, all going for 2 quid a plant.  Now, would it be worth me getting one of two?  I have never managed to get an orchid to re-flower so would need masses of expert help!  Save my 2 pounds for seeds...or nip back and get a plant or two?
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: Granny_Smith on July 05, 2005, 12:55:07
Get more seeds !!! Leave the orchids you can't eat them and just think of all the space they will take up while you try to get them to flower again.  ;)
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: undercarriage plan on July 05, 2005, 12:59:55
Buy the orchids!!! I did the same last year and they're now flowering beautifully! I'm no expert, good light but not direct sunlight, keep pot on gravel so stays humid but not sitting in water, and when think about it, give em a mist!!  Lottie  ;D
(http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y197/undercarriage/Orchids.jpg)
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: Lily on July 05, 2005, 13:08:34
Buy, Buy, Buy, the orchid.  They flower for months.  Repot them in barch and keep moist.  They are worth it and make a refreshing change from veg, (not to eat of course) ::)
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: Doris_Pinks on July 05, 2005, 16:48:59
BUY THEM ALL...........ermmm   and send them to me, I will take good care of them for you for years!  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: rosebud on July 05, 2005, 17:50:18
Buy them Emma, what the heck be reckless, forget the seeds.
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on July 05, 2005, 18:45:48
If I saw any going at that price I'd snap up the lot!
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: undercarriage plan on July 05, 2005, 19:02:48
I got mine for a pound after Mother's Day!! They just want to get rid!! I have 7 now! Can't stop myself......!! Lottie  ;D
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: moonbells on July 06, 2005, 11:30:04
My first phalaenopsis orchid was a fiver instead of £19 from waitrose, coming as it did in a lovely ceramic pot. I wanted the pot.  Now the pot contains a stephanotis, and the orchid's flowering its head off in the conservatory. The second phal. was bought for me last October and has since grown multiple flower stems off the main one,  having 20+ flowers on at the moment.  It has not stopped flowering all this year.

Seems pretty easy to grow (though watch out for snails - I was losing one of the leaves extremely rapidly until I found the culprit)

moonbells
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: Mrs Ava on July 06, 2005, 12:53:43
Well, money has changed hands and I am now the proud owner of 2 cymbidiums and 1......don't know!  The lady didn't tell me the name and I forgot to ask!  Squat plant, wide leaves in a rosette.  Should have cost 45 quid, got them for 6 quid!  Can't ask fairer than that.  ;D
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: Doris_Pinks on July 06, 2005, 16:43:07
Jealous!  ;D
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: ava_banana on July 06, 2005, 17:54:38
How did our conversation go on Sunday.......

EJ ".......the conservatory really is full now....I don't know what we will do"....

Ava "...we'll manage with a bit of planning .....etc".


.....another three plants join the jungle..... ;D ;D ;D ::)
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: undercarriage plan on July 06, 2005, 20:55:38
Sounds so familiar AB! I put my plants out in Summer, fill conservatory with new plants then can't fit others in for winter!! End up with room for one chair!! Lottie  ;D
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: moonbells on July 08, 2005, 11:30:40
Quote from: undercarriage plan on July 06, 2005, 20:55:38
Sounds so familiar AB! I put my plants out in Summer, fill conservatory with new plants then can't fit others in for winter!! End up with room for one chair!! Lottie  ;D

thirded!

moonbells (who just managed to acquire a stephanotis when Sir wasn't looking!)
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: Mrs Ava on July 08, 2005, 13:06:27
ooooooo Moonbells....my little nursery has some of those going cheap also as they are no longer flowering and noones wants them......

Shall I??????
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: aquilegia on July 08, 2005, 13:53:49
Wow!

I've never even bothered with orchids. They are stunning. But I tend to kill my indoor plants. Not sure why, but when they are under my nose all teh time I tend to ignore them! I only have four that are doing ok: two spider plants, a peace lily and an avacoda.

I am currently in the process of killing my Bonsai, which is also going for the naturalistic look.

Do tell if you have success getting them to flower!
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: Merry Tiller on July 08, 2005, 15:46:25
Orchids = easy (most)
Bonsai = difficult (can be)
Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: Mrs Ava on January 05, 2006, 23:18:15
Remember this thread way back when.....I bought those cheap orchids, potted them up into one big terracotta pot and stood them in the garden for the summer......well, the pot came in around October time and what do you know, 5 flower spikes that look like this.... (http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a364/Mrsava/orchid_buds.jpg)

Title: Re: Cheap orchids
Post by: Wicker on January 06, 2006, 00:01:07
You've sure got green fngers, Emma - I msut have missed this thread originally but you have given me notions again!!