I have boarded my orchid collection for many years. They are always beautiful when delivered and my friends are always asking how I keep them in such great shape. I highly recommend them. Yes, my collection numbers in the hundreds, if not more. They truly a wonderful business to do business with! read more

I am giving one star to this place, because no stars is not an option. My rating is based on my recent shopping experience with them. Months in advance, I ordered an Orchid of the Month Club deal by phone, involving 3 orchids to be delivered over a period of 5 months as gifts. I specified the dates which were special occasions, and they said there would be no problem in delivering them on those dates. The first orchid was delivered 3 days late, on a weekend, so that the recipient was not at her work address to receive the order, which had arrived complete with aphids, and had to be re-routed. The second order arrived 6 days early with no card. When I complained about their service, they were defensive and arrogant in their response, and cancelled my third order. I could understand if they had trouble getting the flowers there on time, but they should not promise what they cannot deliver, and they should at least try to communicate with the the buyer if they cannot deliver what they've promised. read more

I had 103 orchids from my prized 18-year-old collection boarded here for the 6-mth minimum, then shipped cross country in September. Cut-To-The-Chase: outstanding service, reasonable prices, easy billing, securely packaged shipping. Thriving orchids. Happy customer. Detailed review: Relocation from California to Illinois. Called a couple boarders. At White Oak, spoke with Gwen, chock full of tips not just on the orchids, but our kitties too! Happy for me to inspect the facilities first. Last-minute change of plans, but they took it in stride. Scott came on time, had all necessary moving materials. I had my own inventory list, and in no time at all, 103 orchids were checked off and loaded. I followed Scott to their facilities, toured their orderly and VERY well-maintained industrial greenhouses. Showed me the different areas different genera would be housed, how they'd be identified as mine, feeding procedures, pest control methods, etc., and patiently answered all my questions. BTW, was sooo tempted to buy some of their own well-grown orchids. After that - all communications promptly answered, emailed invoices, and credit card billing. The costs were so reasonable for all the service they provided, especially for all the repotting (less work for me, yay!) Shipping time - All securely wrapped in-pot, FedEx delivery (guy was tripped out by all the big boxes). Every single orchid checked off my list. Healthy plants, spikes and sheaths everywhere, 2 almost flowering. Heaven! So 2 months in their new home, and the quality of new growth on all the orchids has just been incredible. Apparently they loved their spa experience at White Oak, LOL. A few days ago, they promptly responded to a request I made for additional invoices, and were very friendly. I really appreciate that after-care for a former customer. I can't thank Scott, Gwen and their staff enough for taking such good care of my collection, and making that part of our move so stress-free. read more

I have been boarding orchids at White Oak Orchids for about five years and have been delighted by the service. WO calls before delivery of any of my plants that are blooming and delivers them to my front door. When the plant is done, I simply telephone, put the orchid out by the front door and it's picked up. It's like Boarding School or Summer Camp for orchids I have all the pleasure of blooming plants and none of the dormant care. I've never had a bug or a problem. Elaine M. read more

My review is for the retail portion of this business only. First off, never have I seen a greenhouse so immaculately kept and verdant. That's saying something: I've seen a lot of hothouses in my time, few of them worth writing about. I've been given sad, sick, over-watered Phals to put in fir bark and resuscitate; and pasty, peeling Oncidia to stuff with moss and humidify...this place has none of that. The plants I was given were almost specimen size and perfectly cultured, for reasonable prices --- Scott was more than forthcoming, and gave me a tour of the premises then let me walkabout without supervision (!!!). Completely happy six months later, with the Maxillaria I purchased now blooming and the others in great condition. After seeing their greenhouse, I would not hesitate one second to use them as boarders when the time comes. read more

No stars from me. I had my orchids boarded here for over a couple years. I noticed I only got a couple back over that time. I then decided to keep my orchids myself instead of paying 125.00 per month. Had to pay an additional month and when I went to pick my orchids up they only had 3 and all the rest must have died but they still charged me for keeping about 30 plants. The woman who owns the place is nasty! read more

I have been boarding with White Oak for a few years now. I have found everyone there to be honest and extremely professional. I have a variety of orchids which require different care, and they are the best experts I have found. I receive all my boarded orchids in bud or bloom in perfect condition. I would HIGHLY recommend them for boarding for any serious orchid enthusiast . read more

White Oak Orchids offers a Orchid "Plant Sitting" service for boarding your orchids. My advice is "DON"T USE IT!". In October/November of 2003 I boarded (at the rate of $155/mo for 8 months (Total $1,240) while I was living abroad) my collection of completely healthy cattleyas with these people. When they were returned to me in late July of 2004, the surfaces of all the pots they were returned in were freshly and heavily dusted with a white powder which I determined to be an insecticide. WHY? Because my collection had become infested with Orchid Scale. Not familiar with this disease? I hope, for your sake, you never have the unfortunate experience. Orchid scale is a debilitating insect that sucks the life right out of your plants. It has now been over 2 years and despite bouts of spraying first the infected and eventually all of the plants simultaneously for weeks, I have never been able to rid myself of this horrible pest, which has also destroyed many plants, - and now has moved in to infest the ficus trees in my house. A nightmare? You bet! And White Oak Orchids knew of the problem (that was the reason for dusting all the plants with insecticide) when they returned my plants to me. I woudn't entrust these people with the care of a slime mold, much less an orchid if I were you. BEWARE! In addition, note that there is a clause in White Oak Orchids contract with you for this service which specifies that they must be given one month's advance notice of your intent to claim your plants back. You will pay for the extra month if you notify them so much as 1 day into the month. read more

I have been a client of White Oak Orchids for over twenty years! Frank Fordyce made the referral. Frank knew Scott and Scott's mentor--Kay Rinaman-- from Rod McLellan's. I know them from both their SFCC location, and their new and improved location in Pacifica. The collection has varied from the original contents of a hobby greenhouse to 500+ plants of various genera. They have been growing my orchids to immaculate perfection for the duration. They have recovered plants, and handled the difficult babies with aplomb. They've shipped, received, and gift packed plants nationally and internationally. Yes, I have had plants die, but I know why they died... I have the White Oak yellow duplicate forms to prove it too. I am completely satisfied, and have no complaints. I even like their coffee! Prior to the internet, I have already given countless real world referrals and recommendations. This one continues the tradition! read more

I have been an orchid boarding customer of White Oak (formerly Brookside) for over 10 years. In the past they have provided excellent service and plant care. However in the past year, plant care has really deteriorated and communication is slim at best. Plants that die are replaced without communication and sometimes with lesser varieties. It has been a gradual decline that accelerated over the last 12 months culminating in a horrible mealy bug infestation during which they continued to deliver infested plants to my home. I contacted them and expressed my concern and they gave me perfunctory instructions about how to treat my plants myself and then I never heard from them again. After knocking myself out to decontaminate my plants including destroying the blooms when the "just spray them with alcohol" didn't effect the elimination, they assured me it was "under control" but just last week delivered me yet another infested plant. Sorry White Oak, I have asked to be contacted many times, and other than your lovely delivery person, I have heard nothing from management that would give me confidence you are addressing the serious problem or that you even care. Now all my houseplants, including prize gardenias, are infected because of you. I'm done. read more

WARNING: DO NOT ORDER ORCHIDS FROM THIS PLACE I received a Phalaenopsis Equestris orchid yesterday and was extremely disappointed in the quality of the plant. I am an avid orchid lover and grow many different varieties. When I received the plant the roots were shredded up and was no longer packed in the dirt container. Half of soil material was gone. The plant was half dead with no flowers. It was a very miserable plant. I could have gotten the same plant at Home Depot in better condition for less. I contacted White Oak Orchids this morning and spoke to the owner Scott. To my dismay, the guy didn't even apologize for situation. He stated I should have read the terms and conditions and plants shipped from them should look like that. Wow, really!!! I received this as a gift from my brother. This was the first time my brother has ever ordered from a place like this and he was charged $40. What a total rip-off. If you plan to buy orchids, don't buy it from this place because you will be disappointed and the owner is such a jerk that I wonder how is business is still up and running in this economy. There are better places out there and they are so much more helpful. I will be reporting him to the better business bureau. read more

I am posting my review again because for some reason it is not showing up on anyones computer, just mine. So here goes again! Over the years I have done business with White Oak Orchids and I have yet to be disappointed. These people are front runners when it comes to orchid care. The have counseled me many times and even boarded my orchids when I could not care for them. If you ever need this service do not hesitate to call them. I have a very diverse collection that requires many different conditions for many of them. White Oak takes all this in stride as they have been caring for orchids many many years. They gave my collection the best of care, delivering them to me so that I could enjoy them in bloom and picking them up after the blooms fade so that they could grow on for next years bloom. When the time came for me to take them back , they were delivered to me in great shape. Eventually I was able to build my own greenhouse, I had dreams of looking right out my kitchen window into my greenhouse. STOP RIGHT THERE! Please call White Oak and pay for a consult, it will be some of the best money that you'll ever spend. If not for Scott and Gwen I would have compromised the whole back wall of my home. Gwen has helped me care for my greenhouse for many years, she re potted, sprayed, watered, weeded, she did all that it takes for me to have a beautiful and healthy growing area for my plants. White Oak "did" all the flowers (all orchids) for my sons wedding, so I can also recommend them for gifts, arrangements and the like. If you are looking to start or fill out your collection please call for an appointment, the choices they offer will blow you away. I guess I'd better end this review here, can you tell that they are my very favorite orchid place, they really do it all with a touch of excellence. read more

Three well maintained greenhouses with an enormous selection of orchids from common to exotic varieties including an incredible selection of miniatures and many, many specimens mounted on bark or similar media. No enthusiast should miss White Oak, but call ahead to make sure staff is available to assist you since this is a large and busy operation. read more

I stopped by looking for orchid supplies, thinking that such a large nursery would have plethora of supplies (bark and planting mixes, mounting media, fertilizers etc). I was extremely disappointed. They didn't have any supplies that I couldn't get at Home Depot and the owner/manager was more interested in dusting than in answering question. They certainly are a large operation, but definitely not a resource for home orchid growers. A pity. read more