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 Welcome
to R. K. Gems, Orchids and Tropicals, located in Central Minnesota, on the banks of the Mississippi River. I have been growing orchids for 44 years, and began hybridizing Phalaenopsis and Cattleyas in the '60s. What began as a hobby at age ten, has eventually expanded to include a wide assortment of many high quality stud plants of several genera. While RKG is primarily a "one man" operation, I do rely on several part-time helpers. We currently maintain a stock of over 5,000
Phragmipediums, several hundred Paphiopedilums,
Phalaenopsis, and Cattleyas. Also available are other genera, in smaller numbers, from which mature divisions and seedling sized offspring are offered from time to time. We also produce stem props from selected Phalaenopsis clones upon special request. From time to time, divisions of breeding plants will be offered too.
RKG is currently expanding the breeding program of
Phragmipediums, Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, and
Paphiopedilums. I think it is very important to provide customers with plants that I know are in healthy condition, and come from proven and reliable breeding lines. Therefore, most of the plants I grow and sell are raised from my own seed. I do also grow and sell some orchids from flask, or in seedling stages, which are obtained only from quality
hybridizers. I rarely offer or "broker" plants that have not been growing in my greenhouse for months or years - and when I do - this is clearly indicated. I prefer to hold plants from other sources, and grow them on to ensure they are healthy, accurately labeled, and pest free. I try to offer a range of plants which are suited for a range of budgets and growing expertise, from novice to connoisseur. Plant prices and shipping are based on an effort to provide high quality plants at a fair price, given that overhead expenses for greenhouses are soaring, and growing orchids from seed into large seedlings or blooming size is a long and labor intensive process.
The photographs on this site are actual photographs of RKG plants unless otherwise designated on the images. Feel free to download any images for your own use, but please do not distribute the images or use them commercially or for any other reason without my permission.
The greenhouse is not open for "walk-in" sales to the general public, but you are certainly welcome to call ahead and arrange an appointment to visit. We are located in the beautiful lake country of Minnesota, where you would undoubtedly enjoy staying at any number of the many resorts nearby. If you are already familiar with our area, by all means consider combining a vacation visit here with an appointment to visit and shop for orchids and unusual
tropicals. For now, tropicals will not be listed on the website, but in the near future I hope to offer
heliconias, gingers, and other tropicals from Costa Rica.
Give us a call or send an email if you have any questions. You may have to leave a message on the phone, but I promise someone will be back in touch within minutes or hours in any case.
Thank you for visiting R. K Gems, and HAPPY ORCHID GROWING!
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