I would send her a phalaenopsis, since this is the orchid that is easiest for a newbie to grow and rebloom. They also bloom for a long, long time. Most for at least two months, many for four to 6 months, and some continually.

I would download and print up culture notes on phalaenopsis from the Canadian Orchid Congress and from Big Leaf orchids and send them to her so she'll know what to do with it to keep it thriving.

I would also buy her the biggest plant I could get -- a 5" or 6" pot. These have more reserves to go thru a trial period and have the strength for a really glorious display of flowers. A really smashing gift.

Then I would go to Orchidweb and buy her the Guadalupe Pineda phal because they offer a huge plant, with two spikes and many flowers. That is *fragrant*. The picture of the flowers doesn't do them justice-- they are gold with bright pink lip and "bellina" triangle. Just gorgeous. It reblooms on the same spike, so the spikes should not be cut off. The best plant I've bought this year.

Odom's, Orchidacea and Hausermann also offer big, big plants in bloom. Call and tell them it's a gift and you want the biggest, best they have in bloom.

Just for example, other beauties being offered in spike at Hausermann's right now, P Nobby's Amy -- a gorgeous blushed-pink multiflora with a zillion flowers on dark red branching stems, very lovely and feminine. P. Queen Beer, another with many flowers on double, branching spikes. An irridescent red/magenta. Gorgeous thing.

Phal Orchid World, Phal I-Hsin Purple Jewel, P Brother Spring Dancer are also beautiful. Orchid World is also fragrant.

Still, I would go for the Guadalupe. If your friend has a good east window for it, the Guadalupe will bloom for her off and on all year. If not, then the Queen Beer would be my second rec.

RJ, from your brief description it seems that you don't have a clue as to what your friend wants. There's nothng wrong with that.

I suggest a Gift Certificate. Let your friend make her selection.

Many years ago, a knowledgeable orchid friend purchased a gift orchid for me from Jones & Scully,an NBS Angraecum sesquipedale 'Orchidglade II' FCC/AOS. He had heard me rave about the plant after returning from the WOC in Miami, 1984. He thought that it would be a wonderful surprise gift.

He didn't understand that I didn't have the appropriate conditions for this plant relative to the others in my collection. Moreover, I wasn't prepared to devote the precious space that it required.

There are many variables to consider whenever purchasing a live plant as a gift. You can be certain that your special friend will choose what's best for her. She will feel less anxiety if there is a problem later.

--Stitz--

Thanks for the reply. I wish I could send her a gift certificate, but she will not 'cash' it in. Thus I need to send the plant itself...

She lives in an apartment with great sunlight, and temperature control.

Thanks for the help.
RJ

Oh, Mehitabel that Guadalupe Pineda is to die for. RJ, do send her a honking huge orchid- she will remember that forever. You may be starting an addiction there, watch out...

I would recommend a large flowered orchid rather than a collector's plant like the Guadalupe Pineda.

The flowers are relatively small.

It is the late in the season for Phals but you will get a better reaction from a large white Phal at half the price.

A large flowered phal probably would have more Wow! factor if it's a real beauty. And it's possible that the Guadalupe wouldn't strike a novice as the rare beauty it is.

But a big white? "I bought your present at Lowe's, but trust me, not off the discount rack". I bought someone a $50 awarded Phal Cygnus in spike/bloom once and you could tell she was unimpressed. I could hardly say to her "But, really, this isn't your common garden variety Big White. Please appreciate it"

I don't think a Big White will do what the poster wants it to do. Too common, and too many cheap ones running around in every grocery store. Has to be something more special than that. IMO, same for Big Pinks. Too many Big Dirty Pink Colors floating around everywhere-- how to be sure you get a beautiful clear pink?

You are also discounting the fragrance-- I'm betting that will be a winner. Also the big, shiny, beaultiful green bellina leaves on the Guadalupe-- you can see them in the picture at Orchidweb, and mine really did look like that. Common orchids don't have leaves like that.

Anyway, who says a gift for someone you truly love is supposed to be cheap? Women notice things like that, and they want to know you didn't buy it at the convenience store when you stopped for cigarettes.

Chesterfield Orchid Company online has great orchids - my DH gave me a phal from there for Valentine's Day that just finished blooming. They just put Oncidium "Sharry Baby" on their list - it is pretty, likes good light, and smells like chocolate!

Is she an experienced orchid grower or new to orchids?

Yesss! I forgot Sharry Baby. If you can get one in bloom, it's a heart-stealer.