White Oak Orchids

I have been boarding orchids at White Oak Orchids for about five years and have been delighted by the service. WO calls before delivery of any of my plants that are blooming and delivers them to my front door. When the plant is done, I simply telephone, put the orchid out by the front door and it’s picked up. It’s like Boarding School or Summer Camp for orchids I have all the pleasure of blooming plants and none of the dormant care. I’ve never had a bug or a problem.
Elaine M.

WARNING: DO NOT ORDER ORCHIDS FROM THIS PLACE
I received a Phalaenopsis Equestris orchid yesterday and was extremely disappointed in the quality of the plant. I am an avid orchid lover and grow many different varieties. When I received the plant the roots were shredded up and was no longer packed in the dirt container. Half of soil material was gone. The plant was half dead with no flowers. It was a very miserable plant. I could have gotten the same plant at Home Depot in better condition for less.
I contacted White Oak Orchids this morning and spoke to the owner Scott. To my dismay, the guy didn’t even apologize for situation. He stated I should have read the terms and conditions and plants shipped from them should look like that. Wow, really!!! I received this as a gift from my brother. This was the first time my brother has ever ordered from a place like this and he was charged $ 40. What a total rip-​off. If you plan to buy orchids, don’t buy it from this place because you will be disappointed and the owner is such a jerk that I wonder how is business is still up and running in this economy. There are better places out there and they are so much more helpful. I will be reporting him to the better business bureau.

My review is for the retail portion of this business only.
First off, never have I seen a greenhouse so immaculately kept and verdant. That’s saying something: I’ve seen a lot of hothouses in my time, few of them worth writing about.
I’ve been given sad, sick, over-​watered Phals to put in fir bark and resuscitate; and pasty, peeling Oncidia to stuff with moss and humidify… this place has none of that. The plants I was given were almost specimen size and perfectly cultured, for reasonable prices — Scott was more than forthcoming, and gave me a tour of the premises then let me walkabout without supervision (!!!). Completely happy six months later, with the Maxillaria I purchased now blooming and the others in great condition.
After seeing their greenhouse, I would not hesitate one second to use them as boarders when the time comes.

I am giving one star to this place, because no stars is not an option. My rating is based on my recent shopping experience with them. Months in advance, I ordered an Orchid of the Month Club deal by phone, involving 3 orchids to be delivered over a period of 5 months as gifts. I specified the dates which were special occasions, and they said there would be no problem in delivering them on those dates. The first orchid was delivered 3 days late, on a weekend, so that the recipient was not at her work address to receive the order, which had arrived complete with aphids, and had to be re-​routed. The second order arrived 6 days early with no card.
When I complained about their service, they were defensive and arrogant in their response, and cancelled my third order. I could understand if they had trouble getting the flowers there on time, but they should not promise what they cannot deliver, and they should at least try to communicate with the the buyer if they cannot deliver what they’ve promised.

I had 103 orchids from my prized 18-​year-​old collection boarded here for the 6-​mth minimum, then shipped cross country in September.
Cut-​To-​The-​Chase: outstanding service, reasonable prices, easy billing, securely packaged shipping. Thriving orchids. Happy customer.
Detailed review: Relocation from California to Illinois. Called a couple boarders. At White Oak, spoke with Gwen, chock full of tips not just on the orchids, but our kitties too! Happy for me to inspect the facilities first.
Last-​minute change of plans, but they took it in stride. Scott came on time, had all necessary moving materials. I had my own inventory list, and in no time at all, 103 orchids were checked off and loaded.
I followed Scott to their facilities, toured their orderly and VERY well-​maintained industrial greenhouses. Showed me the different areas different genera would be housed, how they’d be identified as mine, feeding procedures, pest control methods, etc., and patiently answered all my questions. BTW, was sooo tempted to buy some of their own well-​grown orchids.
After that — all communications promptly answered, emailed invoices, and credit card billing. The costs were so reasonable for all the service they provided, especially for all the repotting (less work for me, yay!)
Shipping time — All securely wrapped in-​pot, FedEx delivery (guy was tripped out by all the big boxes). Every single orchid checked off my list. Healthy plants, spikes and sheaths everywhere, 2 almost flowering. Heaven!
So 2 months in their new home, and the quality of new growth on all the orchids has just been incredible. Apparently they loved their spa experience at White Oak, LOL.
A few days ago, they promptly responded to a request I made for additional invoices, and were very friendly. I really appreciate that after-​care for a former customer.
I can’t thank Scott, Gwen and their staff enough for taking such good care of my collection, and making that part of our move so stress-​free.

I have been boarding with White Oak for a few years now. I have found
everyone there to be honest and extremely professional. I have a variety of orchids which require different care, and they are the best experts I have found. I receive all my boarded orchids in bud or bloom in perfect condition. I would HIGHLY recommend them for boarding for any serious orchid enthusiast.

No stars from me. I had my orchids boarded here for over a couple years. I noticed I only got a couple back over that time. I then decided to keep my orchids myself instead of paying 125.00 per month. Had to pay an additional month and when I went to pick my orchids up they only had 3 and all the rest must have died but they still charged me for keeping about 30 plants. The woman who owns the place is nasty!