Is it suitable to buy Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) in the summer heat? An analysis of the best time to buy

Summer is unbearably hot, and many people feel tempted when they see Phalaenopsis (moth orchids) at the flower market, yet worry they won't be able to keep them alive at home.So is the summer heat really suitable for buying Phalaenopsis?

First of all, we allknow that Phalaenopsis is famously delicate, and its most comfortable growing temperature is 18 - 30°C, while summer easily climbs above 35°C, which is just too harsh for it. If you buy one and bring it home at this time, the shipping box is stuffy and unventilated on the way, so the Phalaenopsis easily suffers from the stuffiness; by the time it arrives the leaves may already be limp and the roots soft. Moreover, summer's high temperature and high humidity make bacteria multiply quickly, and Phalaenopsis has weak resistance, making it especially prone to root rot and black spots. Unless you run the air conditioner at home 24 hours a day, can keep the temperature steadily controlled, and can also ensure good ventilation and suitable humidity, it's really not recommended to join the crowd and buy Phalaenopsis in summer, it's simply asking for trouble!

So when is the most suitable time to buy Phalaenopsis? Spring and autumn are the top recommendations! Let's start with autumn: from 9 - 11months, the temperature gradually drops to around 20 - 25°C, neither cold nor hot, which is especially suitable for Phalaenopsis to recover and acclimatize. After you bring it home, it can take advantage of the suitable temperature to quickly grow new roots and send out new leaves, building itself up strong and sturdy. By the following spring, it happens to reach its blooming season, and it can bloom beautifully. Spring is also a good time to get Phalaenopsis: from 3 - 5months the temperature warms up and all things revive, so Phalaenopsis is highly active and adapts to a new environment quickly. Also, at this time there are more varieties and better-conditioned plants on the market, making it easier to choose.

If you really want to buy in winter, it's not impossible, but you must pay extra attention to keeping it warm. Phalaenopsis is terribly afraid of the cold, and below 10°C it may get frostbitten. When buying in winter and bringing it home, be sure to use an insulated box and hand warmers to keep it warm, and after arriving home don't rush to repot it; first place it in a warm, brightly lit spot to let it settle.

There's one more situation to remind everyone about: never make an impulse purchase during the flower market's promotion season! Some vendors, in order to clear inventory, will sell poorly conditioned Phalaenopsis at a low price. It looks cheap, but after you bring it home you may not be able to keep it alive no matter how you care for it. When we buy flowers, we'd rather spend a bit more on healthy seedlings than be greedy for a small bargain and suffer a big loss.

Unless you have the "superpower of money" to create a perfect environment for Phalaenopsis, then really don't buy in summer. Buying in spring and autumn is the most worry-free, and if you buy in winter, pay more attention to keeping it warm. Remember these little tips, and you can be sure the Phalaenopsis you bring home will be healthy and bloom beautifully!