On the other hand, Amber has Ursula our esteemed Moderator and Orchid Guru living quite near her geographically. Ursula has mentioned several wonderful orchid sources in her posts here.
Now, I'm re-thinking that because of course NY is a big state, and Ursula is in NJ but, at least the available sunlight, humidity and winter low temps may be similar. Amber, are you near the coast, or upstate?
The orchids you see at the big box stores, in grocery stores and Wal-Mart are usually Phals and sadly they are more or less mass-produced and potted the way yours was so that they will survive shipping out to the stores. They are (imho) meant to be disposable, i.e. kept until blooming finishes then thrown away. It's truly a shame and a waste of resources to take a plant that took 2 or 3 years to grow to blooming size, keep it for 2 months then throw it away. So, I must admit I've been wooed to the dark side and bought 'rescues' off the death rack at Lowe's more than once. I have a collection of these orphans and most of them have re-bloomed at least once for me. (Home Depot here sends their orchids back to the growers rather than mark them down, darn it)
But as Jim says, if you are beginning to want more orchids and different types, most of us buy online, at shows or (if you live near growers as Jim and I do) direct from the growers.
Another way to see many local growers, amazing orchids and feed your new addiction is to go to an orchid show in your area. I just did a quick search, and there's one on Long Island at the end of the month. Be aware that buying orchids in bloom at a show can be pretty pricey.
http://www.longislandorchidsoc...
