I have not seen a cymbidium yet. I did see a white nobile this time. But don't you guys have access to umpteen orchid nurseries out there in the west? I am too greedy let go the blooms/buds. I just can't sacrifice those magnificient creations of nature. Heck, I never sacrifice a seedling and must rescue and grow them all, be it petunias or something more worthwhile.

I understand that, I can't throw out anything that's alive if I can help it. I usually just rehome if I can't take care of it. Usually it seems like they keep their buds, but every once in awhile you'll get one that doesn't, it just depends on the number of roots that have already rotted. There are some nuseries out west, but they're mostly located in the big cities, (LA, Seattle, etc.), none where I am that I know of. There is one nursery that sometimes brings in more rare orchids, but they're usually show pieces and usually extremely expensive. If I want the nice stuff I either have to take a nice long drive or order it mail order. So it's cool when you can get soomething less common at a local place.

I am looking for one of those purple/violet and white zygos. I am unable to appreciate the darker ones.... Also a purple/violet nobile.

Oh I had one of those beautiful miltoniopsis for a while. I even got it to rebloom once. But the next year, it declined rapidly and I just couln't save it.

I deserve another one!

Popmama, you should definitely get one. They are a nice change from phalenopsis. They were my first non-phal orchid. They do like to be cool and evenly moist. I grow them in coconut fibers and give them sun only in winters.

I'd love one of the green and white Zygos, but I haven't seen one yet. Mine's purple and green, but the smell is just incredible when it blooms. Whole house just smells like a candy shop, or like someone is making cotton candy. It's amazing how much the non-phals can be fussy about light. I've noticed that, at least where I live, a nice loose medium is essential if you want to keep them long term.

Pretty! I'm glad you scored. We don't even have a Trader Joe's here. lol! I don't know what's what, but the yellow is my favorite. :)

Do any of you remember when Home Depot, Lowes too, used to get the immature orchids in the little 1-2" pots inside a netting material? I wish they'd bring them back but I guess they just weren't profitable. I used to get some really rare ones there and grow them out. Sadly, times have changed.

Yes, I got two cattleya seedlings from Lowes 3/4 years back. Unfortunately, both met their demise from black rot while vacationing outdoors in incessant raina. They also carried some antelope dendrobiums, which I don't fancy, but nothing more interesting than that. Anyhow, haven't seen those for at least a couple of years now. It's all about instant gratification now, hence the on demand long blooming phalenopsis have the. Monopoly.

I suspect you're absolutely correct Getgoing. The phals are easy to grow, the flowers last a long time, and when their owners kill them, replacement are relatively inexpensive. I've seen some listed for only $8 at Produce Junction.

I had the bite the bullet and cut off the flowers. The roots were all rotten and soggy and had to be cut off and the flower went limp. They both have newish growths so hopefully they will start putting out new roots.

Here's to hoping it will bloom again for you. I don't think I've gotten a grocery store orchid yet that didn't have some rotten roots. Sometimes I've been able to preserve the flowers. My biggest orchid (a phalaenopsis golden treasure with 12 inch leaves that just doesn't stop blooming), was a grocery store rescue and my first orchid. I had no idea about needing to repot them right away and it lost more than 90% of its rootmass. At the time it was a tiny thing with 4 inch leaves. Now it's taken over my table both with bloom spike and its copious quantities of aerial roots. It's so heavy that I just don't really move it much.

Show a picture! I'd love to see it even though peak blooming likely is past.

I'll post a picture of it now in a bit, but that was a few months ago. It's a bit discheveled right now as it dropped the flowers on that spike (they lasted a little over 13 months), and is producing a new one. I'll get a pic once I remove the spike.

That is a very good looking and healthy orchid.