Tips on buying orchids

[frostedeyes]

I beleve many of you especially newbies including me have bought orchids and later after comming home we ended up getting dissappointed on what we bought. I want to share some points here for people like me on buying orchids. well exception to the rule when its really a bargain price!

1. Flower- size (bigger the better), Color, Structure of flower display(beautifully display as a whole). texture (thicker the better), number of sprays, pattern as well.

2. Leaves- should look healthy and growth is not faint and limp.
3. Roots- no sign of rot.
4. As a whole- choose a plant with new growths, more keikies the better, look for plant that grow in proportion, and also root bound on the pot- ull be having a hard time on caring them if its newly potted.

I also found out that orchids without flowers can also be identified especially on phals, - leaves showing shades of purple on the back and front means ull be expecting to have a purple flower in the future. So if u want a darker purple just look at the back on their leaves the darker the shade the more darker purple ull get. these are just some of my points i wanted to share. i hope some of the chid addicts here would add to my lists. lol!

[cb977]

Some great advice on choosing a healthy plant

I think it's important to take some other stuff into consideration...

What type of light does the plant prefer? Can you provide that light?

What temperatures does the plant need to grow and bloom? Can you do it?

What size will the plant be when fully grown? Also take into consideration, the length of the spike when it's going to bloom. If you have a tank, yes it might fit a small to medium sized plant but will it fit a 2 ft spike full of blooms?

Will you grow it mounted or potted? What kind of time do you have available to care for them? Mounted plants take more care because they need to be watered/misted more often than a potted plant.

Well, those are the questions I came up with...who else can contribute?

Great thread, frostedeyes!
These are the things folks need to know to make smart purchases

[frostedeyes]

yeah coz ive been there! ahahaha! i always get carried away on buying orchids dat ended up making me sigh! oh and always ask for sellers with regards to blooming period.. well for those demanding people like me who would always expect that there would be blooms everyday! hahahahaha! one time i told my friend dat i keep on cursing all my orchids and he told me not to coz they can hear me curse and they might get upset and wont bloom!

[frostedeyes]

is it true dat talking to plants can make better growth here in the philippines ive always told dat plants do feel with their owners and alot of plant enthusiast here do talk to their plants... weird! haha

[cb977]

LOL...funny you should ask!

Our friend Laura gives her chids a stern lecture when they're not cooperating, wagging finger and all!

"You will either grow and/or bloom or you're going to be in trouble!!!"



It must work because her chids are always blooming like mad!

[camille1585]

Another very important thing to check when buying a new orchid:
Does it appear to be pest/disease free? Are the other plants around it pest/disease free? Even if the plant you want appears healthy, if others around it have pest problems, chances are that one does too.

IMO, bringing home an orchid with a few bugs on it (like scale or mealies) is a disaster waiting to happen. Been there done that. Even after I quarantined/treated the plant the mealies still spread to everything else. Starting with a healthy plant is a very good idea!

Music and talking to cows makes them give more milk, but I don't think it will make plants grow/bloom better. But they do seem to respond to threats....

[frostedeyes]

thanks camille ur such a smart buyer!

[frostedeyes]

and make friends with the sellers most likely they'll give u tips and could give u a bargain price. and they would even let u haggle with other sellers. I'm so happy with a seller she always told me if i want an orchid from another booth just tell her and she'll talk to the sellers and give me a special price! man i just love when i get a bargain price! hahaha!

[littlefrog]

A long time ago now (10+ years, at least) I wrote a little article about selecting plants for my website. Part of my 'Orchid FAQ' which probably nobody reads... It is still valid. Littlefrog Farm Orchid FAQ

The real key to selecting orchids is to be observant. And to pick what you like - don't let somebody tell you what you like. Don't worry about what judges think.

Rob

[camille1585]

Nice article Rob, it's very informative. I also liked the story at the end on how your orchid addiction grew and became a business!