Bargain Orchids? Beware!

When is a bargain really a bargain? When it comes to orchids, you have to be very careful, or your bargain could turn out to be a very short-lived experience. Only a few years ago, orchids could only be purchased from nurseries and other "orchid growers." That is not true today. With today’s mass marketing, you can now find orchids blooming in most any discount store, home centers, and even grocery stores! Bargains galore can be found! While you buy a pair of shoes, the light for the house, or even the eggs for breakfast, you can now buy that orchid you have always wanted to try. BUT...... buyers beware! If you are determined to acquire your orchid from one of these sources, this months Orchid Garden article is just for you. I will give you a little advice and some tips on what to look out for when you are shopping for your "bargain" orchid.

Orchids sold by professional growers or reputable nurseries are always clearly labeled, handled, and shipped with care. Instructions on the care of each species or hybrid purchased are most always included with the sale. Growers can also answer your specific questions concerning your new plant. At a discount store however, you may purchase an orchid and in some cases, not even know what species or even genera you are buying. Is it a Dendrobium, or a Oncidium, or what? Don't be surprised if the sales person doesn't have a clue about the plant other than what is on the tag... "Orchid Plant." Why is it so important to know what kind of orchid it is? Because each genera and, in some cases, species within a genera, may require very different environments to thrive. So how can you care for it if you have no idea what it is? The answer is, you can't.

Shippers often repot the orchids just before shipment to the stores. The problem with this practice is twofold. Repotting is often traumatizing to well establish plants, frequently damaging their root systems in the process. Secondly, the shipper often repots the plants using water retaining "shipping" mix to prevent the plants from drying out during their long transit. Inexperienced buyers see this medium and think the orchid is supposed to be growing in this "dirt" or moss.

The repotting is also done at the very worst time of the plants life... while the plant is in bloom! The shock of the repotting often causes the buds and flowers to start falling off the spike soon after they arrive in the stores (the blooms also drop due to the drastic change in environment, lack of watering, or over watering by the store employees).

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