Andy's is one of my "Go to" places for species. Their plants are very good and they are phone friendly.

In general, Andy's plants are bigger (not necessarily significantly), more attractive, and much happier. I have had problems with my plants going into a sulk after buying from him (even buying in person), but what wouldn't when going from his greenhouses to my less-than-desireable plant room?

Oak Hill tends to be cheaper for a plant of a adequate size, but I've never gotten anything extraordinary. You also severely lack the customer service that you get with Andy's...

I've NEVER had any problems with plants from Andy's, except for once when it looked like the truck ran over the box (they sent me out a new box immediately). Oak Hill, I have had problems with plants, and they were a bit reluctant to even address the issue.

For me, I buy from Andy when he's got something that is special and can't find from anyone else that I know is reputable or when it's something that doesn't like to be stressed or fussed with. Oak Hill, I prefer, when I'm doing an everyday order. Andy's probably kept me in orchids when I first started, and I still get his plants when I know I won't be able to keep something alive without a guaranteedly healthy plant.

Stacy

You can't beat his selection. But you can beat his price and the size/age of the plants. My experiences are mostly with Angs. For the ones you mention, I would definitely check CalOrchids first. I can just about promise you that you'll get bigger plants with more/better leaves and roots from Cal than you will from Andy's. I think I would shop around for the Encyclia radiata as well. It's a fairly common plant and I would bet you could find one somewhere else that will be cheaper. For obscure species and orchids from all the ranges of temps and habitats, you really can't beat Andy's. He makes gorgeous mounts, but as was said above, his conditions are so controlled and exact ...that it takes his plants awhile to acclimate to less-than-ideal conditions.

I haven't ordered from them (yet), but I would also consider Angs from Botanica. I have it on good authority that theirs are the best combination of size and age and quality, for the price. Certain ones I wouldn't hesitate to order from OakHill as well. Happy shopping!
-MB

Hola- I like Andy's Orchids! But about the fragrans, let me know in a while since i could divide mine! Soon!
Luis The Orchid Man

Everything I've ever purchased from Andy was mounted. I've probably purchased 50 or so plants from him over a long period of time - mostly angraecoids - and I'll bet 45 of them are still alive. I presume his growing conditions to be exemplary, which explains why his plants usually protest when they come to live here. But they almost always survive as long as they're kept plenty wet (watered at least daily).

Mr. B is right though ... if what you want is available from Botanica I strongly recommend giving them a try. Drop them an e-mail & ask if they have larger plants for sale that might not be listed on their website. On occasion I've been a little disappointed on opening a box from Andy or Oak Hill; I've never, ever been disappointed after opening a box from Botanica. They're definitely not the cheapest source of plants in the world but they obviously care about what they grow and how they grow it, so I give them a high value to price ratio. Highly recommended.

I'll just chime in, but if you want species, Andy's is the place to go. All his plants are mounted and are grown well. You won't go wrong if you are looking for a rare species with Andy's

Another comment on Andy's. Not all his plants are mounted, although that's what he's known for. My recent list of 8 had 2 that only came mounted; the rest could be potted or in baskets.

To date, I've ordered from him only once and don't have a comparison with other growers re: size, viability, and price. The plants were primo. He'll get my order for something hard to find.

MB, thanks for the tip about Botanica. Another recommended grower to check out!

Whitecat8

I have had great luck with AndyÂs, and been pleased with their service.

I also have been delighted with Cal-Orchids and feel the value is top notch. I cannot say enough how great the service and integrity is from Cal-Orchids. I phoned in my last order and spoke with the owner. After talking at length with them about an order I was considering and debating the purchase of a Eurychone rothschildianum given my growing conditions etc, he actually noted that at times these plants have struggled there & offered me an alternative vendor that he felt had more vigorous plants if I was set on purchasing one! I bought it from him anyway just because I was so impressed with his forthright nature. All of the plants in that order were top notch in every way and that includes the little Eurychone which is doing quite nicely as well in its new home. I am going back for some Coelogyne when I can fund the venture, though my spouse thinks we have "enough" orchids. I think a few more will fit till I can build a green house. Heh Heh.

The Angraecum magdalenae I recently purchased from EooM is exceptional and thriving in spite of a rather big shock upon arrival in Northern Wi, there are 6 blooms with the first open yesterday, the fragrance is intoxicating. It is summering outdoors on my front deck with my other higher light plants and when I go out first thing in the morning to check on them that single flower has saturated the immediate area with a fragrance that I can best characterize as a mix of gardenia and cloves! I am sorry to report that it was a special sale on divisions from their mother plant I just happened across while browsing and when I checked back they were gone. The plant I received has 5 robust growths with the flowers arising from the main growth. I think it was tremendously undervalued. It is my first Ang to be in bloom and I am ecstatic.

EooM has Prosthechea radiata that I also purchased at the same time, and they still had some left when last I checked. Look under species. It was my understanding that a portion of Encyclia including fragrans, radiata and others were reclassified into Genus Prothechea based on DNA data. I have seen several vendors recently with both Prosthechea and Encyclia plants listed within a group that probably belong in Prosthechea. I am not an expert in plant systematics though and could easily be misled.

I did answer a question I was going to post about the reference to Botanica  I could not find a site matching until I went fact finding on Prosthechea, and it was a first hit in Google. Funny. Is this the place?

http://www.botanicaltd.com

It is on my list to peruse at a later date.

Richard from Wisconsin

That's the place.

Each dealer has its pros and cons. Andy is wonderful for top customer service and those hard-to-find species that no one else seems to have -- which can be a bit pricey. Cal-Orchids is also great to their customers and have generous plants at good prices. EOom has a great collection of excellent plants at great value, but their shipping can be pricey because they use 2-Day FedEx and my last $100 order cost $28 to ship. Oak Hill also has good plants ... and inexpensive shipping, pay attention to the size/maturity of the plant. Those are just four; there are lots of great orchid vendors out there but check them out carefully first before ordering.

Look everywhere else and if unavailable, head to Andy. His prices have gotten quite high over the past few years and, for whatever the reason, his selection a little more pedestrian. Beware Oak Hill and H&R plants unpotted, mounted and sticks and sold before becoming established for twice the original price. Same deal with Ecuagenera and other very much "retail" suppliers from whom you can buy yourself for less money, without having to worry about taking everything off those damned sticks, and without Andy's having broken them up into small pieces when mounting... Also, keep in mind that many of the scarcer species are divisions and "re-divisions" of his existing stock - so if you want more than one "example" of plant, you should ask whether something is a division or a seedling. Needless to say, unlike some vendors, they do not keep track of divisions, so if, say, you buy two of something, you have no idea of knowing whether they're the "same" plant or sibs, or an outcross, or whatever.

But on the other hand, he does have plants that have become extremely difficult to find and their customer service is great.

For zygopetalums you might check out Casa de las Orquideas (www.orquideas.com). The have a good selection of high quality plants. I have been to Andy's greenhouses (which are in my neighborhood) and bought 6 healthy plants there. The customer service is solid.
Ann

@ Richard: Wow, that Ang magdalenae sounds incredible. I was already drooling when you said six flowers, then you said multiple growths! I'm quite jealous of course. Congrats on that find! Please take some photos of it as appropriate.
-MB

Thanks Mr. B. I am rather new at this and just started with with these really nifty plants. I have several Ang's in much smaller sizes, primarily mature seedlings, and just happened to find the deal on this division as noted. I was pretty excited to see all the growth when I first opened the plant and I was expecting/hoping for flowers next year! Shortly after arrival and a brief stay in solitary I noted a sort of lumpy growth pushing the leaf bracts out that I assumed was the beginnings of aerial root growth. The plant is pretty good at keeping it's agenda hidden as it was a week or so before it was clear to me what was really going on. Shortly after realizing I was in for an unexpected treat I noted the same type of growth on the opposing side!

Both sets of blooms are originating from the lowest most leaf, the 2nd set of blooms are from a point that had already lost a leaf and the 1st to open had the adjacent distal leaf yellow and drop in short order.

I will take my camera home and get some shots today and will sort out the process of appending them here later. I was going to bring home my office camera anyway as I have a Stanhopea wardii ready to open as well and I want to be ready as it is a first for me too...

Richard