Sources for cheap paphs?

[Denverpaphman]

Hi!
I am new to the site, but excited to make some contacts and to learn from such a great resource!

I am on the hunt-- Know any good vendors for quality but cheap Paph species? I'd be open to hybrids too if they were really cost effective. Ideally I'd like to find a grower that has a good selection of plants at and under $20.

My collection is fairly small right now and I want to have more, but I, unfortunately, don't have much to spend.

Thanks!
Chad

 

[mrhappyrotter]

Welcome to the forum.

You'll probably have to do some digging to find a good selection of paphs for $20 or less, especially if you're hunting for species. Unfortunately, paphs are a little pricey because they're harder to mass produce than a lot of the other popular genera. And as you may have noticed, species are usually a bit more expensive than hybrids, but not always.

If you're a newbie on a budget, and most of us have been there, you're usually relegated to young seedlings. However, I try to recommend starting with blooming size plants if you can, since they are usually more established and easier to care for. What's the better deal, a big plant for $40 that you can keep alive and bloom or 2 seedlings at $20 a piece that end up dying on you?

That being said, I know for sure that one of our member's site First Rays has some mature sized paphs for less than $20 (shipping is extra). He doesn't have a big selection of plants and the ones in your budget aren't species, but he's one of the few places you're going to find healthy stuff in your price range.

Ebay is an option, albeit a little trickier. Stick to sellers that have a lot of good feedback, and be willing to check in frequently. I've gotten some great plants at fantastic prices -- sometimes at prices so good I feel like I'm stealing. A word of caution, though, Ebay is very much hit or miss, so it's a bit riskier than ordering from a reputable vendor.

 

[Denverpaphman]

Hey mrhappyrotter,

Thanks for the suggestion!
I totally agree, I only have two seedlings in my collection...but what can I say? i guess I'm getting a little orchid greedy lol

 

[AdamD]

Chad

Welcome to the site. I'm a newbie myself, but have been growIng for a few years. I would suggest you try Windy Hill gardens. The owners, Marilyn and Brian live a few hours from me. Their prices are unbeatable and the selection is vast, especially in the species department. Their website is a bit dated, but when I asked about it Marilyn said she'd rather be in the greenhouse growing beautiful plants than sitting in front of a computer. Give them a try. I always walk away feeling like I got more than I paid for.

 

[NYEric]

Some places hjave Wallmarts that sell Paphs. Here there is a vendor in Chinatown that sells fairly inexpensive plants and post bloom plants for cheap.

 

[Eric Muehlbauer]

That Chinatown place is great, but I doubt it would be of much use to someone in Denver. In your situation, I'd say go with Ebay. Be patient.....there are great deals on Ebay, and incredibly overpriced stuff too. See what looks good to you, and in your price range, then before bidding, check here. Plenty of sellers on ebay have 99-100% ratings, but are really not so great. However some of my best plants came from ebay, and definitely some great bargains.

 

[The Orchid Boy]

Are you in Denver, CO? Bird's Botanicals should be fairly close to you.

 

[naoki]

http://www.carterandholmes.com
has a few in that price. P. sanderianum $20, P. purpuratum $16, P. rothschildianum $12, P. delenatii $16. They used to have more, but the selection seems to be limited at this moment. I have always gotten good plants (fairly large seedlings) from them.

http://www.vintageorchids.com
has an old price list with fairly low price, but I haven't bought from them.

http://www.orchidsbyhausermann.com
has some inexpensive ones.

If you have enough experience (and patience), Ten Shin Gardens is a possibility.

If you can increase the budget to $30/plant, then there are much more options.

 

[Denverpaphman]

Wow! I'm loving how active this forum is. Great resource

I will look up those sites, naoki!

I'm surprised I haven't heard of Bird's Botanical....He needs to figure out how to get his name on Denver orchid google searches. ahha

Thanks everyone,
Chad

 

[Chicago Chad]

Welcome chad

I suggest starting with Hausermann's outside of Chicago. I started buying paphs from them and Tom Kalina when he was there. I have bought many species for 12.50 that bloomed within that year. Their seedlings bloom on small plants for the most part. Tom has excellent plants but his prices reflect that, which can be hard to rationalize for a new grower.

 

[Linus_Cello]

What about joining your local orchid society? Often members will sell their plants to other members for cheaper prices. The society may have auctions, so you could get cheap plants if you're not outbid.

 

[The Orchid Boy]

Welcome chad

I suggest starting with Hausermann's outside of Chicago. I started buying paphs from them and Tom Kalina when he was there. I have bought many species for 12.50 that bloomed within that year. Their seedlings bloom on small plants for the most part. Tom has excellent plants but his prices reflect that, which can be hard to rationalize for a new grower.

When there's a will, there's a way!

 

[Justin]

Agree try attending a meeting at your orchid society

 

[goldenrose]

Welcome Chad!
Most definitely join an orchid club, go to the AOS (American Orchid Society) website, they will have a list of affiliated clubs(society) in which you can find what's in your area. Clubs usually welcome visitors at their monthly meetings so don't feel like you have to join first. I've not heard of clubs having an auction, most have a sales table, first come, first serve! On the AOS website you can also find a show schedule. If there is a show in your area, go, vendors have show specials and a club will be hosting.
Vendors - don't forget our own Ross Hellas (paphreek), Deerwood Orchids. He's got nice plants, seedlings, divisions, breeds for more compact plants that fit the windowsill grower or those that have limited space. Check out any of our vendors list here, Leo would be another good choice as well as the others already mentioned.
Ebay-
There are some wonderful vendors, as others have said, check with us here.
Ebay ratings can be a start but can also be misleading. If you post a negative rating chances are the vendor will turn around and post one on you too, so many may refrain from posting but choose not buy from that seller again.