Sorry to have hijacked this thread with my nonsense... Now, Back to the tips on buying orchids...
Try and buy the healthiest plant, even if it is not blooming at the time. (although when I first started buying, everthing that I bought had to be in bloom, as my theory was that I might kill it before it bloomed the next time around and I wanted to be sure that I was able to enjoy the flowers)
There has already been some great advice on the thread!
The first thing that I do now is search through the entire plant looking for bugs and scale. If they pass that test them I look for the plant with the healthiest leaves (not necessarily the greenest, as dark green sometimes means that they aren't getting enough light). Then I look for the most leads. I am also a root fanatic, so they must have good roots to start with!
I try not to buy things that are recently potted or mounted, although sometimes this can't be avoided.
If you buy from a grower, ask them about the history of the plant, and if you are unsure of your skills at picking one out, ask them which they think is the best looking one.
I always try to buy the best plant within my price range! I am a stickler for not buying young immature plants. I know that others have good luck with them, but I usually don't take the chance and prefer instead to get one that has been growing successfully. (just my opinion)
When in Bloom, I look for flower quality first (richness of color), then number of buds or flowers per spike, and then number of spikes per plant. I'd rather have one awesome blossom, then a bunch of smaller, paler ones.
As you start buying orchids, you'll discover which ones do well for you and which ones don't... Don't stress out about the ones that you don't succeed with. No one is good at growing all of them.
Know what your growing conditions are and at least in the beginning try and stick with those that grow in that condition.( something that I've never done!)
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