WC, C&H are good, usually smaller plants though, but order 5 and get 1 free usually. Hausermanns has nice plants, I've ordered from them a couple of times in the last year and I was impressed both times. EOoM is one of my favorite vendors, a little expensive on shipping but I've always got very nice sized plants for very good prices from them. I've not ordered from the others, but if you do order from Al's, let us know how it goes. (Like CJ, I've checked out his site many times, but have never ordered...) Good luck and enjoy! Bob

I just returned from a road trip with my son up to UMD (University of Minnesota Duluth) to get set up for his 1st year there and when I returned 3 more blooms had opened! I could not believe it as I have been checking it each day hoping for progress but finding the one solo blossom each am. I go away for 2 days and BAM! Its like the Orchid Bloom fairy realized she (he?) had missed a stop and went and overcompensated. Not that I am complaining. I am waiting for my Stanhopea to make its debut and I will post a follow up. There is also a small blossom working its way out on one of the secondary growths. I am giddy! I have to admit that I feel like I should call EOoM to see if they are missing the main plant that they had planned to sell divisions of, but worry that I may be right. I suppose it is good that I live in Wisconsin and we do not get visitors from Maui with any regularity especially as winter approaches. My wife and children are tired of hearing me go on about this plant every day so this is my only outlet, forgive me for gushing. MrB should write as I may have an interest in seeing this plants genes stay in the deep end of the gene pool.

Ann That is absolutely a beautiful plant! Congrats. From the looks of it, it may need something larger, but I would be careful with repotting. It really isn't the best season to do so. If you do decide to do it, don't disturb the roots too much and make sure it has really good drainage. I have a lot of styro peanuts in the bottom of my pot. In fact I think maybe 1/4 of the pot is filled with peanuts. As far as support goes, I have mine in a clay pot with one of those wire hoops attached to the pot. That helps support the canes, but it's still all over the place. I think my plant is over 12 inches across right now, so it does take up some space. You are going to love the flowers. Mine starts blooming in spring and continues into the summer. Don't be surprised if some or a lot of your leaves start turning yellow and dropping. That's natural for this plant at this time of the year. Again, you got a really nice plant there. K

Jane - When I ordered from EOoM 2 years ago, I didn't know about the snails. Months later, they showed up first in a plant from another grower who says that's one of the few pests they don't have problems with. A good soaking turned up loads of the beasties. A few soakings later, no more seemed to be in that plant, but I find them in pots from time to time. Hopefully, there's not a big infestation lurking. That's interesting that yours don't make it through the winter. I'll start believing that and maybe it'll work! Thanks. Olya, your Den is gorgeous. It reminds me of my Den ceraula (gonzalesii), only your flowers look larger. Whitecat8