Home Depot does not mark down orchids without bloom?

What do you consider inexpensive? :-) Some people with high 5 or 6 figure incomes think $100 for an orchid is inexpensive. What I saw were in the $15 range and up. Most were more than that. Order a few plants, add S&H and you're looking at $100 in one shot. For some of us retired folks that's a lot to spend on plants. I realize the growers have to make a living and I'm sure the plants are worth it, but....... let's face it, orchids are not an inexpensive hobby. That' why I look for those that are marked down now that we're on a more limited income.

The trick is

I live in an isolated area out in the boonies. The people around here don't even know what orchids are, or that you can grow them at home.

I'll check them out right now. BTW what do you consider cheap? I'm almost afraid to ask.

I think I already checked out Oak Hill but will again. I'd love to get a few fragrant orchids. You never see them in the stores here.

Most of today was spent in the greenhouse installing the bubblewrap insulation from Charlie's in 104 F heat. All this for plants. My neighbor thinks I'm crazy.

Well, like everything in life....you get what you pay for.

Aside from the once in a while lucky find at Home Depot or Lowes, most of the time I find them to have plants that have dried out, been blasted with cold air (from the door or A/C) or overpotted because someone thinks a plant from a 4 inch pot is worth more money if they move it up to a 6 inch pot.

My limit for a single plant is $50. I have broken that rule very few times. My usual price per pot is about $15.

I have become the Orchid Snob that I swore I would never become. I won't just buy a plant because it's cheap. I want a label (no more Phal Sans Nom pour moi). I like to see some AOS awards if it is something that has bloomed. I want it healthy and bug free. If it is a speculative cross I'd like to know something about the parents. Yeah...I'm an Orchid Snob and proud of it!

I have a large greenhouse for someone who does this as a hobby. If I'm going to take my time away from my other plants to care for something that is sick or sad then I'm not going to enjoy the hobby. Life is too short to doctor something back that someone else has ignored. Space is limited and expensive (as you know) in the greenhouse. I want to increase my chance of success.

I want big flowery plants that when someone sees it goes "I want that!" I have a few of the tiny interesting things that I grow just to see if I can but most of my stuff have big beautiful flower potential.

To keep the costs down I would recommend that you find another orchid lover who is close by and share the shipping costs. Group your purchases and check multiple sources. If you buy one from this guy and two from this other guy your per plant shipping cost is going to kill you. Rather than buy 10 HD Bargains over the year save your money and buy some good stuff mailorder.

Good growing, Gene