Orchid Design

Tooo Baddd. They do NOT have an consisted price for their orchid. I went there to check on the price two days before I have my truck to pick up the orchid. Two days later I came back the price was double. They told me «It is because the vendor stick the price tag on the orchid they have no idea». I understand that the day I came to pick up was close to the Chinese New Year that why they increase the price double. That is not Honest to customer. They need to improve the price system to keep the customer I think. I would rate NO STAR.

This place isn’t a retail location of any kind and finding it was like… where’s Waldo. This sweet older woman that shows her orchids and takes precious pride in her flowers words out of her tiny home that’s just chaos and beauty everywhere. She has some of the most interesting flowers I’ve ever seen.
I found her by checking Unilocal for help with my dying orchid. I called and it wasn’t like a business answering. But when I explained the reason for my call the gentleman (her husband) chuckled and said you want my wife. She’s like that (meaning charitable).
She took me back to her greenhouse and taught me about my plant. She even said I’d done a very good job caring for it and that it wasn’t dying just losing it’s blooms and now it was time to prepare it for dormancy and it will bloom again. She trimmed it up, replant it, watered it. All very intensely and passionately, giving me tips along the way. When she was done she showed me a precious black orchid. Something I’d never seen only heard of.
She says she doesn’t sell to the public that her plants are for show only. But was even kind enough to sell me an orchid I was admiring at a crazy fair price.
It got dark and her husband walked me to my car and waited to make sure I got on my way ok. It’s so nice to meet lovely people.

If you’re looking to get orchids (mainly cymbidiums and cattleyas) and want something different than what’s offered at your local nursery or hardware store, then Orchid Design will have what you’re looking for.
Orchid Design is usually by appointment only since the orchids are grown in Angelic’s (owner) backyard both under patios with screen covering and a greenhouse that her husband built. Throughout the year they will have an open house to the public or they can been seen at local orchid shows such as the San Francisco Orchid Expo and Orchids In The Park in Golden Gate Park.
For most of the orchids she has available, the price is fair, but some can be very expensive. I once bought a hard-​to-​find cymbidium for $ 120 along with some other orchids and I asked if she could take off $ 10 since she had a handful more. She didn’t even budge. I would have passed on the $ 120 cymbidium considering there’s a few nurseries in and around Santa Barbara that sell it for $ 60 shipped, but I need it fast for Mother’s Day. Shame on me for poor planning.
When they’re available, Orchid Design also has potting mixes such as bark, coconut and perlite for sale. Competetive to what you’d get from local nurseries, but considering how hard it is to get coconut husk chips this place is your best bet.
They also offer floral and graphic design.
Overall, a place you should check once if you’re a fan of orchids. Best time to check out this place is open house in spring. You’ll be like «wow, the colors!»