"Scottie" wrote in
link.net:

I received the following from the good folks at Palmer Orchids, just
about the only commercial orchid vendor in the Houston area, Christmas
Day. I'm posting here to ask all of you to watch for any new
"bargain" plants that might show up on the auction sites or from
unusual sources, especially in the Houston area, and either let me
know or let them know.

Ray and Terri have been part of the orchid community for many years
and have introduced many new growers to the hobby. They run a small
operation, but go out of their way to support both the Houston Orchid
Society and the Galveston Orchid Society. This is the second time
this fall they have been hit by thieves; in October, someone stole the
parrots they kept in their greenhouse.

If you can help, please do.

Scottie

"Merry Christmas to everyone

People stealing plants is disgusting. I had a theft some years back from
my 9x12 backyard hobby greenhouse in Kentucky. I never locked it, until
someone came in during the depths of the night, while I was snuggled up
in my bed, and took all by blue orchids (Lc. Blue Boy 'Gainsborough',
for example and many other fine specimen). It must have been an orchid
enthusiast, but who could ever live with those plants with any pride at
all after having gotten them by theft? Worse yet, they knocked
everything over that night... must have been avoiding turning on the
light.

It's more understandable when it happens to a commercial outfit, but
just as discouraging.

I'll watch out for any suspicious sales.

We had a thief that broke into our greenhouse early Christmas Eve
Morning. They took about 1200 plants. Most of the plants were
Cattleya in pot sizes from 4 to 6 in Pots plus our show plants in 14"