Plant size

[tfields]

Is it a good idea to buy small orchids for a beginner. Rather than buy well established plant's , or do both.

[Ross]

I'll jump in and say that for satisfaction, you can't beat buying one already in bloom. If you are successful in re-blooming the same plant, then I'd say go for seedlings. I personally rarely buy seedlings. There isn't much cost advantage and I have no patience to wait years till they get to blooming size. There will occasionally be exceptions such as with Paphs or Phrags which tend to take forever and a day to get to blooming size and cost a bundle to buy blooming size (these are related).

[cneos]

Buying a plant in bloom satisfies a need for instant gratification. Your challenge will be to get the plant to bloom again. This is not to say that you shouldn't buy a seedling or nbs plant. Any plant that you buy, flowered or not, should be free of disease, have no signs of pests and have the potential to thrive in the environment that you can reasonably provide.
Go for both!

[Ross]

Originally Posted by cneos

Go for both!

I Luv your spirit! True Orchidcholic!