Buying an orchid from store and displaying it at home has all its joy and beauty. Orchid is loved by everyone and has gained so much popularity that orchids are even found in many grocery stores. But when the day comes to buy our beloved orchid, we are often confused in selecting the right one. Here are some of the tips for buying a healthy orchid.
Check for healthy roots
Healthy roots indicate healthy plants. White or green roots are good signs of a healthy plant. A growing root will be white or light green in color with a green tip. A brown root generally is a sign of an unhealthy plant. Look for plants with more roots firmly attached to the soil and don’t hesitate to take the plants in hand and give a thorough inspection. The plants should not shake or wobble much, if so the plant doesn’t have a healthy root system. If some roots are hanging on the edge of pot in Phalaenopsis orchid don’t worry about that as they are meant to be like that.
Flower spike
A healthy plant has a strong flower spike that can hold the weight of the flowers without bucking. The spike should be fleshy and thick at its base. Sometimes the unopened flower buds may turn yellow and fall off without opening, due to change in growing environment or shock. The plants will still remain healthy even if a few flowers at the end of the stalk fall off before peak bloom.
Leaves
The leaves should be fleshy and light green. Some orchids have thin needle shaped leaves. Yellow spots or brown spots are commonly seen on orchids. If spots are on the base of the plant it can be ignored, as aged leaves turn yellow and fall. But if spotting occurs on the crown or new leaves it may be a sign of infection.
Bulbs
Some orchids have bulbs, some have only roots. Bulbs should be pulpy without any deep wrinkles at the surface. Check for at least three bulbs with one mature bulb. Rather than selecting the plant with flower color or bloom its best to select the plant with healthy root and bulb. Look out for new growths from the base of mature bulb; it is a good sign of a healthy plant.
Name
It’s always a good idea to have the genus and species name of the orchid. If it’s not labelled, try to find the name of your orchid. This will help in giving proper care for your plant. It’s better to buy a matured/adult orchid than the baby ones, because the babies need extra care and attention until they become adult plants.
What are your favorite tips to buy orchids from store? Also do checkout my orchid gallery collection of interesting orchids.
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