buying orchids

[princessk]

when is a good time to buy orchids? i read from jerry that you shouldn't buy them in the summer, so when is a good time to buy them in flower/bud form? i live in san francisco.

[mayres]

It is ALWAYS a good time to buy orchids! :-) Seriously. If you are wanting to get them in bud/flower then fall and spring both work best. Some plants (especially phals) don't really like to be moved to a new environment during flowering and will commonly drop their flowers early to very early compared to when they have spiked and bloomed in your environment. Winter can be tough in that cold weather can affect buds/flowers during shipment and even when traveling a few blocks outdoors to a vehicle. Many people don't care to buy them in bud/flower anyway knowing full well that they will do less than ideal with the changes in conditions. Your best bet for quality orchids is to visit growers in your area any time of year or for the most bang for the effort be sure and go to the Pacific Orchid Exposition in San Francisco Feb. 15-18, 2007. The volume and quality of plants here will "knock your socks off!"