Buying fresh flowers requires a certain amount of knowledge about plants if you want to make sure you’re buying the best flowers that won’t wither in a few hours. Orchids are one of those flowers that are hard to buy as they tend to look fresh for a few days even when they’ve started to slowly wither. Let’s have a look at some key points you need to bear in mind when purchasing orchids from your florist.
1. The Roots Say it All
Whether you’re buying an orchid from your florist or purchasing it online from a floral store like Bouqs.com, bear in mind that the roots of orchids usually indicate how fresh and healthy the plant is. Keep an eye out for plump, luscious, and white or green roots, as these indicate a healthy and growing plant.
If you find the roots looking dull, dry, and brown, they may indicate withering or overwatering, which can either result in a dead plant or rotting roots. Don’t be afraid to remove the plant from the soil to get a better look at the roots as there’s no way of knowing what they look like without disturbing the soil. Orchids are generally quite hardy and will not be affected by this like most other flowering plants.
2. Look For Beautiful Blooms
You would want to make sure you look for bright, blooming flowers when buying your orchid. Ideally, the blooms should be firmly attached to the stem and not wither when touched or moved. Flowers that fall immediately are indicative of dryness and withering. Also, try to have an eye out for buds that are just appearing, as this will allow flowers to bloom soon after you’ve purchased the plant. There truly isn’t a greater joy for a plant lover than watching one’s plants finally bloom!
3. The Leaves Matter
Along with the blooms, make sure you inspect the leaves on the plant as well. The leaves on an orchid are generally supposed to be a bright green color. However, yellowness at the bottom of the leaves indicates mature leaves that are dying so you needn’t worry too much if you happen to spot a few discolored leaves. Do make sure to see if any fresh leaves happen to be yellow or brown as this can be indicative of a distressed plant that has a problem with its roots. Some yellow spots also occur when there are certain insect infestations, so don’t forget to check under the leaves as well.
4. Check the Smell
Though this may seem like an odd way to check the healthiness of a plant, this is one of the quickest ways to check if there’s something off about a plant. Bring the plant close to your nose and inhale its fragrance. If you happen to get a whiff of any foul smells that make you cringe, there’s a high chance that the plant is slowly beginning to rot, even if the signs aren’t visible yet. If you’ve checked the roots and they appear to be healthy then you may not need to worry too much about the smell as it could just be a false alarm.
Conclusion
Here’s a quick summary of all the key factors that play a role in buying the perfect orchid:
- Take a look at the roots and make sure they’re white or green and plump to touch.
- Check if the blooms are healthy and fresh.
- Make sure the leaves haven’t got any spots on them. Double-check leaves that have discoloration as it may indicate unhealthy roots.
- Take a quick whiff of the plant to check if there’s anything off with the smell.
