Orchid Prices Vary by Variety and Quality: Understanding the Factors That Affect the Orchid Market

Orchid prices broadly refer to the market buying and selling prices of various orchid plants such as Cymbidium goeringii (spring orchid), Cymbidium faberi (Faber's cymbidium), Cymbidium ensifolium (sword-leaf orchid) and Cymbidium sinense (Chinese cymbidium). Unlike ordinary flowers, orchids show an extremely wide price range: common varieties can be bought at fairly low prices, while some famous cultivars command very high prices and can even be hard to obtain even a single seedling of, so it is difficult to set a uniform market standard.

Many factors affect orchid prices, and variety is the primary one. Although they all belong to the orchid family, different orchid species have different market conditions, and even within the same species, the prices of common varieties and famous cultivars differ enormously. For example, famous cultivars such as Cymbidium goeringii 'Lüyun' (Green Cloud), Cymbidium ensifolium 'Lüniaozui' (Green Bird Beak) and Cymbidium faberi 'Cuitaomei' (Jade Peach Plum) are often priced higher than ordinary wild-collected orchids because they are scarce and outstandingly ornamental.

Besides variety, the condition of the seedlings is also key to determining price. Whether the orchid plant has a robust number of shoots, whether the leaves are intact, whether the root system is well developed, whether there are flower buds, and whether the petal shape and flower colour are outstanding all directly affect the transaction price. Generally speaking, robust seedlings propagated by division from the mother plant are more expensive than ordinary weak seedlings, and plants with buds about to open sell for more than bare-root seedlings.

It should be noted that speculation has occurred in the orchid market, with some individuals driving up prices through buying and selling to themselves and creating the false impression that famous cultivars are in short supply. Beginners buying orchids should stay rational and may start by growing affordable common varieties, then consider moving on to more advanced ones after gaining experience. When buying famous cultivars, one should also master knowledge of petal types and methods of distinguishing genuine from fake to avoid being cheated.

Overall, orchid prices are the result of variety, quality and market supply and demand working together. For most enthusiasts, the joy of growing orchids lies not in how expensive the variety is, but in the fragrance of the flowers and the accumulation of growing skill; growing orchids well and making them strong is what is more worth investing in.