Buying orchids in bloom is a common practice among orchid enthusiasts when selecting plants by their flowers

Buying orchids in bloom is a piece of jargon in orchid circles, referring to the practice of following the flowering season and selecting and identifying orchids by their blooming state. There are many varieties of orchids, and when not in bloom, many varieties have very similar leaf forms, making them hard to tell apart with the naked eye alone; only once the flowers open do the ornamental key points such as petal shape, color and fragrance truly become apparent. For this reason, many orchid enthusiasts and growers make a point of inspecting and buying plants during the flowering season, which is what is commonly called buying in bloom.

Orchids are judged by their petal forms, and grade differences such as plum petal, lotus petal and narcissus petal can only be confirmed once the flowers open; variegated-leaf plants also often need to be judged together with their flower quality. Selecting plants in bloom minimizes uncertainty, since the flowers you see are the flowers you get, which is especially friendly to beginners. When examining the flowers, besides checking whether the petal form is well-proportioned and the color is bright, you should also consider the floral fragrance, how well the flowers hold, and the overall vigor of the whole plant.

Orchids bought in bloom also have points that need attention. Transport during the flowering period can easily bruise the flowers, and blooming itself consumes nutrients, so after potting they should be placed in a spot with gentle, indirect light to recover, and you should not rush to fertilize or move them frequently. Water when dry and let them dry between waterings, keep the potting medium loose and airy, and let the plant regain its strength first; after the flowers fade, switch to normal care.

For growers, buying in bloom is also a reference for planning production, as different varieties' flowering periods can be staggered so that the orchid garden has flowers to view in different seasons. For ordinary enthusiasts, viewing and comparing more at orchid shows or when buying during the flowering season, then choosing varieties based on your own environment, is often more reliable than buying plants by their leaves.