New to orchids

[GypsyV]

Hello, my names Elizabeth and I live in Ohio, USA.
Over the last few years I have bought those well known done blooming clearance orchids at Lowes and other stores. They always die within a few weeks.
I am in a local african violet society and one of the members is also in the local orchid society. After talking with her and her husband I now know what to look for to get a good clearanced plant.
I went to the Greater Cincinnati Orchid Show and fell in love and would like to get a few to grow in addition to my violets.
I was kinda shocked about the prices though, most violets are under $6 but orchids are triple that, I even saw one for $100 at the show.
I decided to request a book from the library and find a forum to join so I can learn more.
Thanks

[Zoi2]

Hello and welcome!
Joann

[Bud]

Welcome and Hello ! You've come to the right place...sit back and relax; read postings of other members and learn from their wealth of knowledge gained from years of experience in growing orchids...
Yes, orchids can be very expensive but I get lucky sometimes when a mamber takes pity on me and sends me his extras...
In fact I only learn about a plant when it gets in my posession cause I have to take care of it and make it bloom...
Good luck and good growing !

[RosieC]

Welcome to Orchid Board

You can get some cheap orchids, while others are more expensive. It generally depends on how rare it is or how hard it is to propergate (the slippers can be more expensive because they grow from seed not cloned). However don't assume an expensive one is worth what's being asked for it... especially on somewhere like ebay.

A good way to get cheaper ones is to buy seedlings or small divisions. These can take a while to grow up to blooming side (a couple of years or more with some types) but it's all the more rewarding when they do flower for you

[Merlyn]

[tucker85]

Welcome to Orchid Board. I've grown African violets in the past and growing orchids is completely different so you'll need to develop a whole new mindset. It's just as easy to kill an expensive orchid as a cheap one so start off with something inexpensive until you get the hang of it. Since you obviously enjoy growing plants, I think you may find orchids very rewarding. Good luck.

[WhiteRabbit]

Glad you found us!

Orchids can cost more than some other 'house plants', but many can take a few, to several years, before they are bloom size.
That said, many can be found that aren't too pricey - as Rosie said, younger plants (even blooming for the first time) will be less. I hunt around, and most of my orchids have been less than $20, many even $10 or less - tho, yes, they are usually smaller - some blooming for the first time, some near bloom size, a few seedlings.

Shopping around is a good idea - some places just sell them for more than others.