Comments regarding Chesterfield Orchid Company (formerly Chesterfield Dahlia Farm)

I received an order the other day from this company. Though prior reviews here were rather old, they all seemed very positive, so I went ahead and ordered: clear plastic pots in two sizes, and a Miltonia in-spike that I couldn't resist.

I couldn't be more pleased. Really! The order came very quickly, with not a lot of shipping cost, really well packed, and the orchid plant is excellent. Very fresh-looking, no signs of stress, and best of all, THREE spikes! I will continue to check their site from time to time for other orchids. The plant I received was, hands down, the best I've ever had through the mail. AND the cost of the plant was a good $10 less that any other source I checked.

I'm looking forward to ordering from them again!

I ordered 5 B-sized and one Near-bloom sized orchid. All came as promoted; a spot here, a small tear there on the leaf. Nothing to be concerned about, and the small imperfections saved me some money. The shipment was well packed, the plants looked happy on arrival; they were sent in pots so no frantic potting in the evening after work was necessary on my part. All root systems look healthy. Two had small spikes. No extra plants were sent with my shipment as others seemed to have gotten. As someone who has had three orchids for 5 years and was looking to expand my collection a bit - but not willing to buy large expensive plants from the local nursery, I think this is a great way to expand a small collection with interesting named varieties. I will deal with Chesterfield again.

Ordered their 3 orchid Phalaeonopsis special- and received 4! Plus they don't look like B-grade orchids: nice healthy leaves, potted up in styrofoam and moss inside plastic pots. The 4 are different varieties too, some hybrids.

Upon recommendation from another DGer, I ordered four orchids. It was my first time for ordering orchids by mail, and I was worried that they would arrive damaged, since it seems orchids can be somewhat fragile. I needn't have worried. Each was packed carefully in moss and styrofoam peanuts inside the plastic pot, with each plant individually wrapped in its own little sleeve, then carefully packed with oodles of styrofoam peanuts. A heat pack was included, and when they arrived here three days after shipment (NJ to Ohio by priority mail), the heat pack was still warm.

All four orchids were lovely, and I was surprised that one was spiking, even though it's description didn't mention that it would be. :-) I bought a 3-pack special and one of the orchids that was supposed to be in the 3-pack (Harmony Rose) had been replaced with Limon 'Living Color'. Since they don't look anything alike and I already have an orchid similar in color to LLC, I was disappointed, although the plant they sent was lovely. I posted a review of the 3-pack on their website and mentioned the switch, and they immediately posted an apology, offering to send Harmony Rose right out. Now THAT is good customer service.

I highly recommend this company. I'm very happy with the orchids and wouldn't hesitate to order from them again.

I wish there was a rating higher than positive that I could give to this company.

I ordered three orchids from this company for my first purchase. Because of the winter weather, the company only shipped one or two days a week via priority mail to avoid the possibility of plants freezing in warehouses over the weekend. Thus, it could take up to two weeks for your order to ship.

Two weeks had just gone by and I began to worry about my order so I sent an email and then called the company. A pleasant rep answered the phone and when I provided my name, he remembered my order and let me know that it shipped that day.

My order arrived the next day and I was very impressed with the care with which the orchids were packaged. The bare-root orchid was sent via Priority Mail with a heat pack. The blooming orchids were sent via Insured Mail with blooming flowers wrapped in cotton swatches to prevent them from bruising. All of the orchids were sent with care sheets and carefully packaged to prevent them from jostling around in the box; the boxes were labeled to indicate multiple shiptments. They are thriving near my balcony window and I will happily be purchasing more orchids from this company in the near future.

Read my comments about 1800orchids.com and you'll understand why I rave about this company.

P.S. It's funny that another user suggested that the company change their name to "Chesterfield Orchids" because they have. From what I've heard, they are also hoping to open a retail store this summer.

Great selection of orchids, fair prices. Shipped quickly and package insured, with growing information provided. Will order from again!