How to Pick an Orchid That Survives — 4 Checks Before You Pay

This is the orchid most people would choose. More flowers, more beautiful colors, and this is its root system. If you've ever brought an orchid home and watched it slowly decline, the problem may have started while it was still on the shelf. In less than two minutes you can check four important signs right at the store. But there's one thing the store won't show you. You have to discover it yourself. Step one, a clear plastic pot lets you inspect the roots without touching the plant healthy roots look plump and firm silvery white when dry green after watering both are normal avoid plants with many brown flat papery dry roots a few are normal but half the pot full of them is not two more signs are easy to overlook green algae growing inside the pot indicates that the environment has stayed moist for a long time heavy condensation inside the pot is also a sign that the growing medium stays moist for a long time step two you don't need to touch the plant and you should never squeeze or pull a store's orchid. Look at the space between the leaves where they meet the stem. This area is called the crown. It should be clean and dry. If I see a dark brown streak or an unusual wet patch at the base of the leaves, I'll pass on that plant. Then look at the lowest leaf and here's what almost nobody knows. A bottom leaf turning yellow from the tip inward is usually an aging leaf, which is normal for all orchids. But if the yellowing spreads outward from the base of the leaf, it could be a sign of spreading rot. Pass on that plant. Now let's look at what the store won't show you. Most orchids in stores are wrapped in decorative pots or attractive paper that hides the inner growing pot. Water trapped at the bottom of the decorative pot can leave the roots soaking for days, while the orchid above still looks perfect. Before buying, lift out the inner pot and gently tilt the outer pot if water drains out the roots may have been sitting in stagnant water don't choose the plant with the most open flowers because you may be paying for blooms that are about to fade choose a plant with firm green buds at the tip of the flower spike to enjoy fresh blooms for weeks to come orchid buds can easily drop when exposed to cold so wrap the plant in paper before taking it outside lift two pots of the same size the heavier one may be holding too much water or tightly packed wet moss stability gently touch the base of the leaves a plant with healthy roots will sit firmly in the pot choose healthy roots not just beautiful flowers because the root system determines next year's blooms if you remember nothing else do this one thing before paying lift the inner pot out of the decorative cover and tilt it it takes five seconds and tells you more than the entire display shelf have you ever bought an orchid that slowly declined or one that thrived for years share in the comments where you bought it i read every comment and i'm curious to know whether where you buy your orchid makes a difference if you found this video helpful please like and subscribe to Happiness Garden for more orchid care secrets thank you for watching until the end and becoming part of the Happiness Garden family see you in the next video