Just back- NJ Orchid Trip Report

15 years ago

So, today I went to Tewksbury Orchids and Taida Orchids in New Jersey. I was going to go to Stony Brook Orchids as well, but couldn't get there as they were only open from 2-4pm today (and that didn't work into our schedule)

Tewksbury: this was my first stop. I was extremely disappointed. Maybe this place is amazing in the spring but it certainly isn't right now. I'd say only 18 orchids were in bloom (in total) maybe 8 phals, 4 vandas, and a few cats. The very small phals were $25. The larger ones were $35-$45. The vandas were in the $40-$50 range. They did have many more orchids.... but none were in bloom (and I'm not at the stage in my hobby where I can justify spending $30+ for an orchid not in bloom)

Taida Orchids: It met my expectations. I had looked at their website for a sampling of what they carried. 99% of their orchids are phals (which is what I wanted anyway). You can get a good idea of what they stock by going here:

http://www.taidaorchids.com.tw/

This is what I remember they had in bloom:

Brother Girl Brother

brother sara

Minho Princess

dark red harlequin

something that looked like leopard prince

some type of hybrid pink equestris

fuscia w/ pink lip

peach w/ orange lip

yellow w/ white lip

yellow with red lip

white

Taida Salu

(and maybe a few other varieties)

For 4" pots, 1 spike was $20, 2 spikes were $25. For 6" pots, 1 spike was $25, 2 spikes were $30.

They have 6 greenhouses, but they only allow you to look at one of them (I imagine the others have seedling and plants that are not at blooming age yet)

I purchased a peach phal with an orange lip (kind of different from what I already have) I'll post a photo later. Not sure if it was worth the $20... but I liked the color. (I've been spoiled spending less at big box stores)

Next weekend I may be going to Silva Orchids and will post an update should I go there. And then at the end of August I'll be going to Waldor Orchids (which I'm looking forward to)

~Debbie

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Comments (16)

the_analyst
15 years ago
Debbie, sounds like you had a nice time! $20 sounds reasonable for a Phal. I've seen and bought them cheaper before, but I don't know think the medium they were in was a good as others I've purchased.

Sarah
whitecat8
15 years ago
Debbie - How nice you have several growers kind of nearby. We have one in the Twin Cities, and then we have to go to Wisconsin.

Yes, post a picture of your peach Phal. I love the peach, salmon, apricot colors.

Here, Costco Phals are $20 and almost never labeled, so going by that, you got a good price. Pine Ridge Orchids says they sell their Phals in 3.25" pots at wholesale for $25; 5" pots for $30. One of mine in a 5" pot had two growths.

I hope we get a report after your trip next weekend.

Whitecat8

Here is a link that might be useful: Pine Ridge Orchids
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The white flowered shrub is Carpenteria. I've seen the dove tree at Sonoma Hort. and it is tiny - I have to wonder if it really is the original seedling as that is supposed to date from 1952 or earlier. Also something years ago - maybe a picture from their web site or a comment there - gave me the impression I was going to be greeted by a large, tetraploid-looking (hence the jumbo bracts) specimen instead of what they have now. Which as can be seen in your picture looks like a dwarfed orchard fruit tree. Presumably grafted propagules on the market here, although maintaining the early flowering habit, seem to have too much horsepower to end up being still so small after so many years. One I planted on Camano Island at most several years ago is probably already above roof height. Another, unlabeled tree that really appeared to be the same selection, in a garden near Portland looked to be as tall as or taller than the supposed original. Of course, if the production nurseries that have picked this one up are in fact grafting onto seedlings of normal habit than those may be invigorating the scions, as often happens with grafted dwarf and slow-growing conifers. When I was there Sonoma themselves had flats of planted or recently sprouted seeds from the tree there labeled something like "Sonoma dove tree seedlings". If many of those get planted around and they do not come out consistently true to type that should muddle things nicely. Same as with 'Bloodgood' maple and 'Royal Purple' smoke-bush.
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sujewel
15 years ago
I ended up going to Stony Brook Orchids this weekend. My husband was in the mood for Joe's Crab Shack, which is 5 miles from Stony. The woman there was VERY nice and knowledgeable, but I think her prices were high.

You'll be in heaven at Waldor. They have 5 LARGE sections in their greenhouse - all of which you can view. Amy is amazing, she did a GREAT job with our wedding orchids. Prices are fantastic and they have such a variety!!!!
counselor4444
Original Author
15 years ago
As requested, here is a link to a picture of the phal I bought at Taida Orchids:

http://www.taidaorchids.com.tw/catal/product_info.php?products_id=16&Twesid=2833f2f86b5e68d5fb8d4315c3378432

I'll upload a close-up photo tonight. It's a peachy/dark yellow/golden color with an orange lip.
smwboxer
15 years ago
Are Waldor's prices better at the greenhouse? I looked at their site on-line and the prices were insane. More that Orchidweb.
counselor4444
Original Author
15 years ago
I'll post an update of the Waldor prices when I go in 2 weeks.

In the meantime, I'm planning on going to Silva Orchids this Saturday. If I do, I'll post a report!
sujewel
15 years ago
smwboxer. I bought the orchids from my wedding there. 33 pots for about $32 each. That included Waldor potting the plants into glass pots (which I purchased separately) delivery (though we met them in North Jersey, they didn't go straight to the venue in NYC).

The orchids included:

Renanthera
White Phal
White Dendrobium
Sanderaria
Wilsonaria
Barkeraria
Sherry Baby
So I think they're really reasonable.
counselor4444
Original Author
15 years ago
sujewel, how much was stony brook selling her phals for when you went last weekend?
sujewel
15 years ago
I purchased a miniature Phal for $35. But I remember the range from $35 to $40+.
counselor4444
Original Author
15 years ago
Here are the closeup pics I promised of the orchid I bought last weekend at Taida Orchids for $20. The petals are a dark yellowy/light orangy color... Maybe I'd call it a light apricot color with a bright orange lip.

{{gwi:191200}}

{{gwi:191201}}
the_analyst
15 years ago
Nice phal. How many phals do you have now?

Sarah
counselor4444
Original Author
15 years ago
Let's see...
1. Taida Salu
2. Dragon's Dazzler (that's what it's label said that I think it's Dragon's Gold)
3. Leopard Prince
4. Sara Gold
5. unknown mauve/salmon phal
6. unknown dark pink phal
7. unknown white phal with pink veining and pink lip
8. Little Emperor
9. Dendrobium (I forgot it's name... it's at work)

So, 8 phals and 1 dendrobium in 8 months of collecting. Really, it's an obsession. Unfortunately, I don't have a lot of space for them right now so I need to be very selective when I buy. I'm having lots of fun with it. I just really hope I can get them to bloom again come early spring!
counselor4444
Original Author
15 years ago
Sujewel, I'm kind of happy now I didn't go to stony brook... I would have been tempted to buy but I don't consider that to be a good deal... especially if they are rather ordinary... but i'm sure i'll get there one day.

I'm still planning on going to Silva Orchids this Saturday.
sujewel
15 years ago
BTW. Beautiful orchid and beautiful view!!!!!!

Yeah. I wasn't even going to buy an orchid because the prices were so high at Stony. Her species orchids were INSANELY expensive....for non-blooming size. I think a Phal Bellina was $35 too.
the_analyst
15 years ago
Counselor--It is an addiction. I know how you feel. Today, I'm fighting the urge to go look at plants after work! And for a moment, I even thought Stony Brook b/c I have to go to Princeton later, but I've talked myself back to rational thoughts. Plus, when I'm in NY state next month, I plan on making 1-2 orchid trips, so I need to save my money!

Sarah
toyo2960
15 years ago
I know the Offs personally at Waldor. Walter and his son David. They are quality all the way. Their plants are perhaps some of the best grown in the country if not for the East Coast. They have won numerous AOS awards. Their prices may seem steep, but the quality of plants offered are excellent.

Just back- NJ Orchid Trip Report

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