Most of the orchids sold at Lowes equivalent places here are top quality. Only problems are restricted choice and rapid decline in the condition of the plants due to public handling and poor care by sales staff. For example, it only takes about 5 days for a pristine plant to be reduced to a wreck at an orchid society's sales table at a show.

Maybe contact the orchid societies in your area to see what the locals grow.

I've bought 4 or 5 of their tiny starter cattleya orchids and all are doing well. The first thing I do when getting one home is repot into tiny plastic pots with cones and slats on the side and remove rotted roots, if any. A "Goldenzelle" type has grown to blooming size and the other tiny ones are all doing very well. I agree with Arthur: a lot depends on the care given by sales staff.

Thank you for your replies. I will first do some studing on orchids and then give Lowe's another try.

Jane

I'm no expert when it comes to orchids. I've been growing phals for almost eight years. My oldest orchid came from Lowe's and 3-4 of my other ones came from Lowe's as well. They have been growing great for years and I would continue to buy them from Lowe's without a doubt. As for the rest of my collection, they have come from eBay. I do agree that arthurm is right when he said that it only takes a few days for a really nice orchid to be a wreck. Happy growing.