Who said this?

[Gary S]

You beat me to it Joshua, I was going to have a guess and say Valley Orchids. However I still do not believe they sent orchids freight free world wide and guaranteed delivery in 1st class condition to over 40 countries. That would be a logistical nightmare to say the least.

[Gary S]

I had a look at the archives Joshua mentioned of the AOR back in 1982 - I was amazed at how many orchid nurseries there were here back then. Found these 2 pages of interest.

Here is a link: https://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ite ... 3/mode/1up

[Gary S]

This is probably the ad that Joshua was referring to for Valley Orchids.

I also see Andy had 4 agents in Aus back in those good old days.

[sabredance2]

It seems like this thread has reached its conclusion. It's fascinating to observe the ebb and flow of orchid businesses over time.

[MrCym]

I’m not sure whether we’re ebbing or flowing at present!

[Gary S]

While we are here, Andy, where did the name 'Featherhill Exotic Plants' come from?

Were you growing other "exotic" plants at the time - along with orchids, as the name suggests?

[MrCym]

Not really. I was renting greenhouses from the Haberlitz's and they traded under the name: Featherhill Orchids. However they still had a free standing greenhouse on their property full of large white Phalaenopsis. These sold easily for the bridal trade so they kept their name and I had to change mine slightly. Backing onto my rented greenhouses was the house that Joe Walsh owned so most Sundays, I got a free concert. Just slightly further away were the greenhouses of the Peterson brothers. Two very unsavory characters who were known pollen thieves at Dos Pueblos and other establishments! The tales I could tell......

[Gary S]

Thanks Andy, was Featherhill the name of the town or similar.

Now, don't stop there keep going with the tales...............

[MrCym]

Name of the road. They're all $3 million plus houses now as the suburb is Montecito (where the "royal parasites" also hang out).

[Gary S]

OK, that says it all. Too expensive for an orchid nursery there now then.