Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Source for Premium Orchids and Expert Care
Carter & Holmes Orchids has cultivated a legacy of excellence in orchid production since 1947. Founded by Bill Carter and Owen Holmes, our nursery initially specialized in cut cattleyas before evolving into a global leader in orchid hybridization and propagation. With a state-of-the-art laboratory established in the 1970s, we pioneered tissue culture techniques that earned international recognition for our art-shade cattleyas and other orchid genera. Our expertise spans eight decades of continuous innovation, combining traditional horticultural practices with modern scientific methods to produce disease-free, award-winning plants. We serve hobbyists and commercial growers worldwide through direct sales, plant boarding services, and educational outreach.Our commitment to quality is evidenced by our meticulous growing practices, personalized customer support, and extensive collection of rare and miniature species. As stewards of orchid conservation, we maintain decades-old varieties while developing new hybrids that push the boundaries of color, form, and fragrance. Our facility in Newberry, South Carolina offers immersive visitor experiences, including greenhouse tours and hands-on learning opportunities about mounted orchid cultivation. With a team of experienced professionals like Bridget Uzar, who oversees our breeding program and educational initiatives, we combine generational knowledge with contemporary growing solutions to meet the needs of modern orchid enthusiasts.
Services
Orchid Sales
Plant Boarding
Hybridizing
Growing Supplies
Educational Resources
Details
- Year established: 1947
Highlights and features
- We have specialized in orchid hybridization since the 1950s
- Our team maintains a modern tissue culture laboratory
- We ship plants globally with expert packing techniques
- We offer specialized plant boarding services in secure greenhouses
- Our staff includes experienced hybridizers and educators
What people say
Well packed
Great service
Knowledgeable staff
Healthy plants
Amazing prices
Services
Orchid Sales
We offer a diverse selection of orchids including cattleyas, phalaenopsis, ladyslippers, and rare species. Our plants are grown in controlled environments to ensure disease-free specimens. Each orchid receives individual attention to guarantee optimal health before shipping worldwide.
Plant Boarding
Our boarding service provides secure greenhouse space with professional maintenance for orchids and tropical plants. We offer watering, fertilization, pest control, and bloom monitoring in temperature-controlled environments. Customers receive notifications when plants approach blooming stages.
Hybridizing
Since the 1950s, we have developed award-winning orchid hybrids through careful parent selection and controlled pollination. Our breeding program focuses on enhancing color, form, and fragrance characteristics in cattleya alliance orchids using both traditional and tissue culture techniques.
Growing Supplies
We provide specialized orchid growing media, fertilizers, and mounting supplies to support healthy plant development. Our inventory includes both conventional and unique materials tailored to various orchid genera's specific cultural requirements.
Educational Resources
We offer comprehensive care sheets, instructional videos, and expert presentations covering orchid cultivation techniques. Our resources address topics from basic care to advanced hybridizing, supporting growers at all experience levels through multiple learning formats.
People
Bridget Uzar
Hybridization Manager
Bridget has managed our breeding collection since 2002 and directed hybridizing efforts since 2009. She develops educational content, conducts workshops, and represents the nursery at orchid societies through presentations and plant sales.
Mac Holmes
Owner
As a second-generation orchid grower, Mac continues the family legacy established by his father Owen Holmes. He oversees nursery operations and maintains the original vision of excellence in orchid cultivation and customer service.
Questions
What are your nursery hours?
We're open Monday through Saturday 9 AM to 5 PM. The nursery is closed on Sundays and major holidays.
Do you offer plant care services?
Yes, our boarding service provides professional greenhouse care with watering, fertilization, and pest management for orchids and tropical plants.
How do you ship orchids safely?
We use specialized packing techniques including heat packs in cold weather to ensure plants arrive healthy and undamaged.
Can I visit the nursery?
Yes, we welcome visitors to our Newberry, SC facility. Contact us in advance to arrange your visit and receive directions.
Do you sell hybridizing supplies?
We offer pollen ampules and breeding materials for advanced growers. Contact us for availability of specific parent plants.
Are educational resources available?
Yes, we provide care sheets, instructional videos, and expert presentations covering all aspects of orchid cultivation and care.
Videos