Many orchid enthusiasts in the beginning, just go out and buy orchids without really knowing anything about orchids or what to look for. Growing and caring for orchids can be a challenge, especially if you choose a difficult to grow or unhealthy orchid right from the start. Many factors should be taken into consideration when choosing an orchid; like the species of the orchid, the region the plant came from, the maintenance of the growers, how well it was care for etc. However, you can easily learn how to spot and pick a well cared for and healthy orchid. A florist Upper Hutt who also knew much about Lower Hutt flowers and the flowers Wellington provided the following information.

Here are some tips to start you off on the right foot or should I say flower. If this is your first orchid you might want to start off with a Phalaenopsis orchid. It is one of the easiest to grow and this species of orchid adapts well to a home or office environment.

Check to see if the roots are firmly attached to the orchid media (bark or moss). Weak or damaged orchid roots have poor anchorage. A way to check that the orchid is firmly attached is to use the "wiggle test". Hold the plant near the roots and shake it gently. Also, healthy roots usually look light green when dry and dark green when wet. Light brown or white roots can mean that the orchid is approaching expiration. Check the roots for signs of rotting. A few broken roots are fine, as long as most of the root network is healthy and intact. Make sure the roots are not rotting from fungal or bacterial infestation. Also, malformed roots may mean the orchid is suffering from a viral condition.

Check the leaves, they should be green, uniformly shaped and beautifully formed. The leaves should not be bluish or yellowish and malformed leaves may mean that the orchid has a virus. In most cases, orchids that have viral conditions can not be cured. Check the pseudo bulbs of the orchid. The pseudo bulbs are false bulbs which are the thick, solid and above-ground stem sections on certain orchids. The pseudo bulb is a storage organ used to store water and nutrients. The bulbs should be plump and healthy looking, with a good color.

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