Elmore Orchids

I could be described as plantaholic, and I love orchids. When I knew that I would be traveling through Knoxville via car, I decided to look up orchid growers in Knoxville. What I found was a very old listing for Elmore Orchids. All information that I could was out of date. Both website and telephone number were dead ends, but I took a chance anyway. Wow! I’m glad that I did!
You almost miss the sign that sits on Watt Rd. where google tells you their old location was. The property sits at the end of a long drive. Do not be deterred. Although the parking lot is freshly paved, the first greenhouse makes you think the property is deserted. It’s not. Go to the second greenhouse, look inside and bask in the glory of true orchidmania! You may think that isn’t a word, but once you see inside, you’ll understand.
There was no one in the greenhouse, but there was a corrected phone number on the door. A lady that I presume to be Mrs. Elmore answered and said that her husband was on his way, but he was standing in front of me before she finished the sentence.
Mr. Elmore is a very nice man and very knowledgable. It’s mid March and very few of the varieties of orchids that I’m interested in are in bloom, but he knew the name of every plant I pointed to even when it looked just like the plant beside it even though it was a different variety.
Elmore Orchids also boards orchids, and this is where you could find yourself getting a very good deal! Many people put their orchids into boarding while not into bloom and then never come back to get them. Since Mr. Elmore doesn’t get paid if the orchid isn’t picked up, after a reasonable time and attempt to contact the owner, the orchid is offered to be sold. One very large Brassia orchid with multiple bloom spikes that could easily sell for $ 200, he offered it to me for $ 110.
There are Vanda orchids in the greenhouse 8 & 10 feet tall! I will be going back in summer to see them in bloom!
I left with two smaller orchids; a Brassia that I had been looking for and a hybrid that Mr. Elmore had crossed and was named for him. It is to be my momento of my first (but not last) visit to Elmore Orchids! See you there.

Gorgeous blooming orchids and the Elmore family is so knowledgeable!