ORCHIDbabies, LLC

Lady slipper specialists

Orchid plants, seedlings and flasks: raised in our laboratory and nursery

About us

ORCHIDbabies, LLC is an orchid hobby which grew into a small business. Using a classic 25 X 60 Lord and Burnham greenhouse and restoring it to prime condition, ORCHIDbabies was born. An office and micropropagation lab were added on the front.

Earl is a retired engineering professor who likes to build and grow, and is interested in the technical side of orchid production. A genetic carryover from his botanist father may have provided the inspiration. Phyllis is a musician/educator who missed her calling as a CPA. As business manager she is now learning about databases and web design.

The ORCHIDbabies laboratory has been developed to support both seed and tissue culture. With our emphasis on Phragmipedium hybridizing considerable effort has been focused on determination of ploidy for our stud plants and seedlings.

Plant genetic and growth characteristics are very important for the average hobbyist and for judging. Triploids typically have the larger flowers and good growth characteristics, therefore desirable as windowsill plants. Diploids and tetraploids are fertile and useful for breeding. The ideal plant (Paphs and Phrags) for the beginner blooms sequentially over months, is compact, and easy to grow.

Growing award potential slipper seedlings is the focus of the Orchidbabies greenhouse. We have bought flasks of Phrags and Paphs from well known breeders from the US that range from blooming size to compotted seedlings. Seedlings from Flasks by Ackers, Paphanatics, Windy Hill, Orchid Inn, and Orchidview are currently available. The ORCHIDbabies laboratory will primarily supply the ORCHIDbabies' seedling pipeline. Excess flasks will often be offered for sale to interested growers.