By Nathalie · Published: April 2026 · Last updated: April 2026
I’ve been buying orchids in the United States for 19 years, starting with cardboard boxes carried home from the two San Francisco orchid shows — the Pacific Orchid Exposition in early spring and Orchids in the Park in summer, both run by the San Francisco Orchid Society. Unless you have the possibility to visit the vendor in person, there’s no real substitute for seeing a plant in person before deciding it’s coming home with you. As my focus narrowed toward miniature orchids and the cool- and intermediate-growing species I keep in my orchidarium — Pleurothallis, Lepanthes, Masdevallia, Dracula, miniature Dendrobium, and a growing collection of Bulbophyllum — online vendors became essential. You won’t find most of these at a general nursery, and even orchid shows only scratch the surface of what specialists actually carry.
The vendor table (see the “Orchid Vendors” tab) is my working list of every vendor I’ve ordered from, researched, or keep on a wish list. The backbone of my current collection comes from Ecuagenera and Andy’s Orchids. The other vendors here each fill a niche: angraecoids from Madagascar, Brazilian species, miniature Cattleyas, Dendrobium cuthbertsonii selections, hard-to-find Colombian imports. Use the genus columns to skip vendors that don’t carry what you’re hunting for, and read my notes in the Personal Comments column where I’ve shared my own experience.
A few practical things to know before you order. International vendors (Ecuagenera, Mundiflora, Tropical Exotique, Florália Orquidário, Orquídeas Amazónicas, Afri Orchids, Orquídeas Katía) require CITES paperwork and an import permit (additional cost) — orders take weeks to months and arrive bare-root. US-based vendors are faster but their selection is narrower. Avoid winter shipping unless the vendor packs heat packs. And whenever you can, go in person — local orchid society shows are still the best way to start a collection or find that one plant you’ve been chasing.
What to expect when ordering
Shipping timelines vary widely. Below is a rough guide based on common experience — yours may differ depending on permit processing, season, and how the vendor batches shipments. International orders generally arrive bare-root and can be delayed by phytosanitary inspections at the port of entry.
International vendors (CITES paperwork required):
- Ecuagenera (Ecuador) — 4–8 weeks. Weekly batched shipments to the United States and Europe.
- Mundiflora (Ecuador) — 4–8 weeks; similar Andean batching schedule.
- Tropical Exotique (Thailand) — 4–6 weeks for export-ready stock.
- Florália Orquidário (Brazil) — 6–10 weeks typical for international orders.
- Orquídeas Amazónicas (Peru) — 6–10 weeks typical.
- Orquídeas Katía (Colombia) — 6–10 weeks typical; often coordinates around major orchid festivals.
- Afri Orchids (South Africa) — International shipping by arrangement; expect long waits and limited windows.
- Colombian Orchid Imports (US-based, imports from Colombia) — Famously slow at 2–4 months from order to arrival, occasionally longer. Worth the wait for the Dracula and Masdevallia selection.
US-based vendors:
Most US vendors ship within 1–2 weeks of placing an order. Notable exceptions: Andy’s Orchids may take a few weeks during busy seasons or quarterly open-house weeks; Al’s Orchids closes shipping over winter and reopens in spring; and Botanica Ltd. holds shipments during the last three weeks of December. For all winter orders, ask whether a heat pack will be included — temperatures in transit can drop well below safe thresholds, and a single cold night can ruin a plant.
From my orchidarium
I buy now most of my orchids at shows — either directly from the vendor’s table, by pre-ordering ahead of the show (Ecuagenera does this well), or by visiting vendors in person between shows (Andy’s Orchids, Fantasy Orchids). I’ve almost always had good experiences. The one exception was a pre-order where some plants arrived in poor shape, but I suspect that was less about the vendor and more about the species themselves — some orchids simply don’t tolerate the temperature swings that come with international shipping.
Orchid vendor list
Large: Major specialty — extensive selection across many species in this group
Small: Limited selection — a few species available, but not a focus
None: Does not carry orchids in this group
Vendor | Location | Shipping reach | Pleurothallids | Bulbophyllum & Asian miniatures | Angraecoids | Other specialties | Notes | Personal comments (Nathalie) |
Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, South Africa | Domestic (South Africa); international by arrangement | Small | ? | Large | African and Madagascan species; indigenous Southern African species; species from around the world | 40+ years growing orchids; family operation; visits by appointment except on open days; raises seedlings from own seed stock. | ||
Al’s Orchids (SapphireChild Orchids) | USA | Continental US (USPS Priority); seasonal — winter break | Small | Small | ? | Mini species, Vandas, Tolumnias; orchid art by Julia Redman | Run by Julia Redman; combines orchids and original orchid artwork; ships to contiguous 48 states; closes for shipping in winter, returns in spring. | |
Encinitas, California, USA | USA only | Large | Large | Small | Mounted orchids (“Orchids on a Stick”); 7,000+ species worldwide; renowned for miniatures | One of the largest species orchid nurseries in the US; quarterly open-house events; in-person visits by appointment; family-run by William “Andy” Phillips since 1996. | One of my top vendors. Wonderful vendor to visit during an open door. Always got very large, healthy plants when ordered online | |
Missoula, Montana, USA | Continental US only (USPS); year-round except late December | Small | Small | Large | Angraecoids from Africa & Madagascar; seed-grown species | Conservation-focused nursery specializing in angraecoids; cold-weather shipments include heat packs; supports Madagascar orchid conservation efforts. | ||
Menlo Park, California, USA | Ships most orchids on request | ? | ? | ? | Wide variety of species and hybrids; mounted species; non-Phalaenopsis selection | 30+ years in business; retail/wholesale; offers orchid boarding service; sells at Bay Area farmers’ markets (Menlo Park, SF, Oakland, Marin). | ||
San Francisco, California, USA (imports from Colombia) | USA via USPS Priority | Large | None | None | Hard-to-find Colombian species; CITES-documented bare-root divisions | Run by Gary Meyer; long lead time (2–4 months from order to arrival); plants ship bare-root or sphagnum-wrapped; Draculas and Masdevallias particularly notable. | ||
Gualaceo, Ecuador | Worldwide; weekly shipments to USA and Europe | Large | Small | None | Maxillaria, Cattleya, Oncidium, Andean species; 8,000+ varieties | One of the largest orchid producers in the world; 30+ years; family business; satellite operations Ecuagenera USA (ecuageneraus.com) and Ecuagenera California (ecuagenera-ca.com). | ||
Louisville, Colorado, USA | Retail and wholesale; in-person and shipping | None | None | None | Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium, Cattleya, and many other genera; species and hybrids; | Family-owned nursery with 60,000+ orchids in stock; 300–500 in bloom at any time; open Mon–Sat 9–5; offers orchid boarding service for travelers; broad genus selection but does not carry Pleurothallids or Bulbophyllum. | A few minutes from my home and a shop I stop when I need an orchid for display in the home – not for a miniature orchid! | |
Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | Brazil; international by arrangement | ? | ? | ? | Brazilian species; rare and unusual species (Pseudolaelia, Bifrenaria, Vanda-types) | Family nursery established in 1954; also sells ornamental plants and fruit trees; active on Facebook and Instagram. | ||
Lincoln, California, USA | Ships orchids; offers repotting and classes | ? | ? | ? | Miniature and compact Cattleyas (signature); Brazilian Cattleya alliance; 2,000+ species | Run by Alan Koch (50+ years); recognized expert in compact Cattleya breeding; 250,000 orchids on 10 acres; open Tue–Sat by appointment. | ||
San Francisco, California, USA | ? | None | Small | None | Dendrobium cuthbertsonii (specialty); Vireya rhododendrons; Platyceriums (staghorn ferns) | Founded by Tom Perlite in 1981; world authority on Dendrobium cuthbertsonii — 25+ years of selection breeding from Papua New Guinea stock. | ||
Cuenca, Ecuador | National and international | Large | ? | None | Cool-to-intermediate Andean species (Ecuador, Colombia, Peru); Lepanthes, Pleurothallis | Family business based in Chiquintad, Azuay; focused on cool/intermediate growers from the Andean region. | ||
Naomim320 (eBay) | Bogalusa, Louisiana, USA | Via eBay (US, possibly intl) | Small | ? | ? | Miniature orchids; Tolumnias | Long-established eBay seller with 100% positive feedback (6,000+ score); known for good packing and consistent quality. | |
San Jose, California, USA | ? | ? | ? | ? | Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Vanda, Miltonia, Oncidium; fragrant and rare species | Owned by Angelic and Dave; respected West Coast growers; also offers floral and design services; open by appointment. | ||
Moyobamba, Peru | International export | ? | None | None | Peruvian species; bromeliads, ferns, heliconias, Anthuriums | Family business; 200,000+ plants and 1,000+ species; two production centers (Moyobamba 800m and Yambrasbamba 2,150m). | ||
Colombia | International (attends international shows) | Large | None | None | Colombian species: Cattleya, Pleurothallidinae, Chondrorhyncha, Miltoniopsis, Maxillaria | Run by Gustavo Aguirre; participates in international orchid festivals (Redland, etc.); Colombia is a major center of Pleurothallidinae diversity (1,800+ species). | ||
Central Florida, USA (moved from S. California in 2021) | USA | ? | ? | ? | Premium hybrids and species; flasks; in-house propagation lab | Father-son team (William and Brent Baker); 100% USA-grown from pollination to final plant; commercial greenhouse and lab. | ||
San Francisco, California, USA | ? | ? | ? | ? | Newly bred orchid varieties; ferns, streptocarpus, terrarium plants, carnivorous plants, Haworthia | 20+ years in plants, started with orchids; participates in “Orchids in the Park” (Golden Gate Park) summer sale. | ||
North Miami, Florida, USA | USA via website; international via eBay/Etsy | Large | Large | Small | Micro, miniature, and small orchids from around the world | Founded by Tomas Bajza (Czech-American); strong miniature focus across all genera; sells via own site, eBay, and Etsy. | ||
Daly City, California, USA | Sells via own site, Etsy, eBay | ? | ? | ? | Miniature orchids; gesneriads, begonias, pinguiculas | Small specialty nursery; visits by appointment only; multiple online sales channels. | Was visiting this shop often when I lived in the Bay Area – nice people and a good variety of orchids | |
Chiang Mai, Thailand | International export (incl. US) | None | Large | None | Asian species; flasks, seedlings, adults; Hoya, Huperzia, Platycerium | Plants specifically grown for export; appears at Tamiami International Orchid Festival and other US shows. |
Compiled from each vendor’s official website, OrchidWire listings, San Francisco Orchid Society vendor pages, and Orchid Board vendor feedback threads. Specialty levels are best estimates from public catalogues — please correct from your own experience.
This directory reflects my personal experience and ongoing research. I update it as I order from new vendors or as the existing ones change their shipping policies, open new locations, or shift their specialties. If a vendor you’d recommend isn’t here, or if you’ve had a different experience with one that is, I’d love to hear from you.
Pictures from my last visit at Andy’s Orchid (March 2026)
