Our Story

Although I am an enthusiast of anything that grows, I have spent more than 30 years growing orchids and unusual succulents in a home environment. 

Growing orchids is an exercise in extreme patience and growing rare succulents even more so.  I have come to understand that plants grow on their schedule rather than mine.  It often requires extreme patience as well as a willingness to do research and devote considerable time to keep orchids and rare succulents happy and healthy.  After working with these plants for so many years I now understand that there are some plants that I just cannot grow in my conditions no matter how much I love the shape or color of their flowers or foliage.  It has cost me thousands of dollars and more than a little heartache over the years to finally learn this lesson.  Hopefully, I can pass on some of what I have learned to you so you can avoid my mistakes.

I offer a lot of seedling or young orchids for sale that are 8 to 12 months from first flower.  I do sell mature plants; however, most of my stock is young for a reason.

After years of both successes and failures I have figured out that it seems that the average enthusiast is more successful in growing orchids if they buy seedlings rather than full grown specimens.  This is primarily because, like me, most orchid enthusiasts do not have access to a greenhouse and cannot provide adequate lighting, heat, or humidity that orchids need to thrive.  Because seedling plants adapt more easily to changes in light, heat and humidity than mature plants, it is more likely that less experienced growers will be able to keep a seedling alive until the grower is able to determine the location that will make their new orchid the happiest.

Most species orchids and the numerous hybrids derived from them that are sought out by enthusiasts have origins in extreme environments as compared to the average home.  Very few growers can provide and maintain humidity levels above 55% in the home and would not put up with the temperature range that most orchids prefer.  This transition is very hard for most mature orchids and, in some cases, impossible.  But seedlings are just beginning their life cycles and are still acclimating to their environment.  They tend to adjust more quickly to temperature, humidity, and lighting changes than mature plants.  If they have always been exposed to lower temps and humidity, they will more readily accept the changes from growing outdoors in the summer and moving inside during winter.  Because of this ability to adapt in seedlings I offer young plants over mature plants in my shop.  This helps the average enthusiast be more successful with orchid growing as a hobby.

Every species of orchid has a different growth, flowering, and rest period.  Excess attention, water, light, humidity, or heat will not change this cycle.  This is where understanding what your plant needs and being patient will give you the best results.

When a plant appears to be sulking - refusing to take up water or grow - chances are something is wrong inside the pot.  Don't ignore these signs.  If a plant changes its normal routine, there is some environmental reason for it and ignoring or overwatering it will not make it go away.  Take it out of the pot and inspect the roots to determine if the potting mix is rotting or sour smelling or if the roots are rotting, discolored, etc.  All of these are signs of overwatering which, from my experience, is what kills most orchids.

If you want to learn more message me and ask about water quality and why it is important.

I want you to enjoy your hobby as much as I do and I'm more than willing to share my experiences and failures so I encourage you to reach out to me if you have any questions. Your success is my success if I can help you keep your orchids healthy and happy.

Happy growing.