We had such a wonderful visit to Cal-Orchid last week. The owner, Laurie, gave us a first class 90 minute tour of the greenhouses. She first asked if I had specific interests and we focused initially on that, but soon were traipsing off to the other greenhouses. The depth and breadth of her knowledge was unbelievable (but of course she has worked in the business for decades). Cal-Orchid is now my go-to place for the highest quality orchids and expert advice. read more

Cal-Orchid - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

It's a mom and pop operation. So it's not staffed like your commercial nursery. They ask you make appointment so you'll be taken care of when you visit. They have unique specimens and can tell you everything about how to grow and make your orchid thrive. Super knowledgeable and it's like the science laboratory as they also split off orchids as seedling to grow into plants for sale. They can speak to what works indoors and what works outdoors where you live - climate zone wise. They host big plant sales a few times a year and are super active in the Santa Barbara Orchid show each March. read more

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I have bought from them online twice. Once was their Summer Hummer Online Offerings for 2021 I ordered some Cym. tracyanum 4N seedlings in gallon pots and then again in 2023 Summer Hummer Online Offerings I got a bunch of New Horizon Cymbidium Seedlings in 3.5 inch pots. Both times I have received great and fast customer service and great looking plants. Thank you! read more

Cal-Orchid - These are the seedlings a season after I purchased them. Some were up potted a few months ago. - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

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Yes they might have a huge selection from what I see outside, but the person there was HORRIBLE! VERY VERY RUDE!!! You can't just stop by, you have to call. I called several times and no one answered. I happened to be in the area so I waited outside only to get yelled when they got back. It's not like I went inside I was just in the lot waiting. read more

On a beautiful Saturday morning garden tour with amazing orchids and owners a very sweet and knowledgeable read more

Cal-Orchid - Nurseries & Gardening Near Me - Santa Barbara, California

Hi, Lauris R I left a negative review based on a visit when the SantaBarbara orchid show was happening in March 2024. My thoughts on the situation were steep based on the amount of help and selection when I visited the nursery. The plants I purchased were slightly buggy in the potting medium but that is to be expected seeing as to how the plants are relatively localized in open areas leading to opportunity of insects coming in. The quality of the plants I purchased were very healthy and like you mentioned one of a kind either awarded crosses or species. I grow indoors and should always repot plants and isolate any new plants regardless of source. The pricing and selection problem could have been solved with more prices posted on the individual pots or mounts maybe? It was difficult to find a price for a few plants and had to ask several different people working before getting an answer. I'd love to see more in bud/spike/sheath plants at the nursery and possibly at the events that are available for purchase. The selection was fantastic but didn't have any guide for prices. Thank you for responding. I look forward to visiting the nursery again soon. Thank you! read more

Staff/owner was rude. I don't know what was wrong. I just asked a question and I was ignored

Purchased a promotional item and although the orchids were excellently packaged, unfortunately some were slightly damaged by the courier. When I informed Cal Orchid about the issue they replaced all of the damaged orchids with brand new ones and shipped them to me free of charge. Two days later another order arrived. Never have I been so well treated when ordering plants. They demand that you get a perfect product when you shop with them. The owner is extremely knowledgeable about orchids and importing them from overseas and is always willing to help out anybody in need of advice. Also a very accomplished orchid breeder too. I've always received great service from Cal-Orchid. They have really reasonable prices and excellent service too! They are hands-down my favorite place to shop online for orchids! read more

Exceptional plants and even better customer service. I recently ordered several Angraecum species and shipping was delayed due to bad weather on the east coast. There was a small window of good weather and the plants were shipped overnight at no extra cost. What great care for the plants and expediting shipping. read more

We visited their the first time. I started collecting orchid during COVID-19 and what a great find. Much better than the one located at east LA. I had a great time chatting with Jim and Lori during my visit. They have a great selection of orchids and even better prices. James gave my daughter a blooming beautiful "violet queen" (a value of $28+shipping on Etsy) as a free gift. He is such a nice person to talk to and to pick up the experience of caring for orchids. I will definitely go back again. Hope they can get through the difficult time and thrive. read more

I have known Jim and Lauris for 45 years, both as a friend and business associate. Jim is the most knowledgeable person I know in the orchid world and one of the most honest as well. I have been in the retail business for 72 years, dealing with tens of thousands of customers. Occasionally, I get a customer that just wants to pick my brain and take up my time, that's when I shut them off. If Mrs. Ng is the only person to complain in the last 3 years, I would disregard this negative comment wholeheartedly. Cal-Orchid Nursery IS one of the finest orchid nurseries in the world. Walt Meier, Flower Judge for the State of California. read more

This place is flat out amazing! From all of the different species of Orchids not found at a lot of places, and the knowledge of the staff and one Jim (the owner), I had nothing but the best experience there each time I've gone. If you are looking at other options rather than just Phalaenopsis, you'd be going to the right place. The knowledge and care given by those there is secondary to none. Go buy some beautiful Orchids if in Santa Barbara! read more

They have plants that you can't find other places and the plants they sell are healthy. Not as impressed with their customer service--it seems to depend on who you speak with and what kind of mood they are in that particular day. Can be an unpleasant experience. read more

I was not going to write a review on here but due to the continued rude commentary I keep receiving on my Facebook review I decided to share my experience with their customer service. It has now been over four months since my initial contact with Cal-orchid, instead of apologizing for their behavior or saying nothing, they continue to make rude comments towards me. I am including my initial review and the screenshots of the conversations that have happened on FB. I cannot speak to the quality of the flowers but their customer service needs some significant improvement. My initial review: If I could write a 0 star review I would. I called inquiring about cut orchids for my wedding. At first the lady I spoke with was very informative but when she referred me to another company due to the fact that they did not carry the flower I was looking for, I asked if she happened to have the contact phone number. She asked if she could place me on hold and I said yes. What she did not realize is that I could hear everything that was being said. While I was waiting I heard her saying "what am I a 411, it's as if I don't have anything else to do but get this for her. What is she not a big girl, she can't look this up herself?" When the lady came back on the phone, I thanked her for the phone number and said that I had heard everything she was saying about me. I told her that she could have just told me she didn't have the number on hand instead of being so rude to me. Her response was "yeah, yeah, I have someone on hold on the other line", and then she hung up on me. In general, horrible customer service I would not want to do business with a company who speaks so badly about their customers behind their backs. Would not recommend based on this one encounter. read more

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Cal-Orchid has a great collection of Masdevallia species (esp coccinea and veitchiana). They also have a small collection of misc Cym. hybrids and species. All the plants I have purchased from them have been sizable and healthy. The only drawback about this nursery is that they are small especially in comparison to Santa Barbara Orchid Estate which is across the street. However, when they do host their annual open house in June or July they often have a great selection of other vendors who brings orchids that are hard to find and difficult to obtain. read more

My husband and I have been here twice so far and each time we have had a wonderful experience. This is definitely the place to go to if you're looking for exotic orchids and not just the same ol' ones you see at grocery stores or the farmers market. The place is huge and there is so much to choose from. The best part is the amazing customer service. Jim and Lidia have helped us pick something that suits the weather in our area and educated us on care. And they're hilarious! Great sense of humor, you would never think you could have such a good time shopping for orchids. 10/10 recommend. read more

James and Lauris are the best! Great selection of exotic and hard to find orchids. Check out their Epidendrums! It's the Epi-center! Better pricing, better maintenance than SBOE. I go here first before SBOE across the street. read more

Went here to get a going away/good luck gift for a coworker who's hobby is orchids. Thanks to the great customer service and patience of the gal who helped me, I ended up with the perfect gift (and one for my father, and one for myself). Appreciated how she gave me a tour of the entire place and let me take my time deciding which beauties to leave with. read more

I purchased an orchid plant for my mother through the mail. I called, and they were so friendly and helpful with the order. The orchid was shipped immediately and my mother received it a day or so later. She said the orchid was really shipped with love, as it was very carefully packaged and that the plant was absolutely gorgeous. She is still raving about the orchid she received.. Would definitely but from Cal-Orchid again. read more

The owners are lovely people, very knowledgeable and willing to offer guidance in culture for customers's specific growing conditions. Living in Florida, I know I can't grow most of their stunning Masdevallias and while I only see them once or twice a year at shows, they remember what I like and recommend what is likely to do well for me. read more

The Orchids came in an average condition. I opened the box and found 2 Centipedes and 5 Wood Lice in the box. I threw all the potting media away and had to repot the orchids with a new potting mix. I give "0" star for their customer service. The lady who works there needs to know what "customer service" means. She was unprofessional and unfriendly. I won't be ordering from Cal Orchids again to avoid her rude customer service. read more

This orchid company sends orchids that are very diseased,talked to them and really didnt want to do anythig about it--the lady gives you this big story she will send you really good plants,its a big joke--dont ever use this company----i will NEVER again-- read more

I've been extremely satisfied purchasing things from Cal-Orchids and their customer service has always been friendly, inviting, and informative. They carry unusual and very special items which grow well outdoors in Southern California. Some of their stock is prized old original specimens which can't be beat. Call them though if you're interested. Sometimes they have in stock not only what's shown on the web, but somewhat larger sizes - maybe a bit more expensive to ship, but great plant stock. Everything I've ordered, from their superb epis ot a variety of anceps have been very healthy plants and larger stock than the seedlings I expected when ordering. The anceps I just got are the perfect green.. not bleached out or overlit, not dark green suggesting inadequate light. And all of them had new growth and buds ready to go. Hooray! Couldn't be happier. read more

James and Lauris are friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and fun. Incredibly reasonable prices and if they don't have it, they will tell you where to find it. They have traveled the world and bring their own rich experiences to you and your questions. They have more orchids than on their online list, so be sure to ask. Great people! read more

It is a pleasure dealing with James. He is a great source of knowledge and loves to share it. If you buy plants from him at the nursery, he often throws in a freebie (Lauris does not, so buy from James). read more

This used to be our favorite place to buy orchids.But no more. I will never do business with these people again. We have have spent lots of money in the past but our trip there today ended in disaster due to their poor unsatisfactory customer relations. The owner Jim, is very rude and condensending. Today my wife had some air plants and asked Jim how much were they. First thing out of his mouth was to accuse her of breaking the air plants up. He said why did you break these up. How dare you come into my shop and break plants . He acused her of this in front of other customers. WTF! Who is he to assume she broke those plants apart. All she did was pick them off the table. What a jerk! Next we were looking at a Cattleya, when he walked by. I said Jim got a question. Next thing out of his mouth was, What Now? I asked how much, He said, those plants are $25.00 but that one is $250.00. I said come on I thought he was joking.. No he said it's $250.00. Obviously he was being a jerk because my wife was holding it. While I was getting ready to pay for some orchids, my wife came out and was really pissed off. I asked her what happened? She said she was putting the Air plants back, and Laurie asked her what was wrong. She told Laurie about Jim's attitude towards us and how he disrespected us and accused my wife of breaking air plants into smaller pieces in front of customers. She told Laurie he was a jerk. She said in front of customers He's mean, but if he gives stuff away he's nice. The cutomers started laughing. I never ask for anything free. How dare them! So I cancelled my order, and went across the street to Orchid Estate, where the people were very busy, but were willing to go out of their way with a smile to help. read more