If you are a beginner, you may feel somewhat overwhelmed by our site so we have added this "introductory" page to help you.

First of all, don't buy anything!  Learn. Look at the pictures, read.  Join the local orchid society and borrow books from their library or go to the public library and take out a few of their books.  The one thing that you will learn is that there is no one "magic" way to grow orchids.  There are several.

Learn what your conditions are and what you can grow.  Most people classify orchids into 3 different groups, depending on the temperatures they require:  cool, intermediate and warm.  Your home is most probably warm and you can grow a wide variety of orchids.  But, save your money, there are some orchids that will show you the meaning of "throwing your money out the window" if you buy them.  You CANNOT grow all kinds of orchids.  But, no matter what your conditions, there is a very wide range just waiting for you to buy them. 

What to buy, what to buy - the eternal problem.  First of all, make sure that you can grow it.  Buy a phalaenopsis - they are the easiest orchids to grow.  Buy one in bloom or about to bloom (at the supermarket or Home Depot, or whatever).  Make sure that it's inexpensive and that it has a label with the name on it!!!  Ask questions BEFORE you buy:  what is it potted in?  how often do I water? what kind of an orchid is it?, etc. 

If you succeed with the first one, then it's time for number two . . . . and number three.  All this time, you should be on the lookout.  Go to orchid shows, local growers, etc.  Keep asking questions, keep reading, keep your eyes and ears open.

Most inexpensive orchids are standard phalaenopsis (white, pink, candystripes, etc).  Once you know that you can keep a phalaenopsis alive, even flourishing, then it's time to get adventurous.  Go for the color.  Get a yellow or a red or . . .  There are no limits. 

Once you have a few orchids that are flourishing, then it's time to get a plant that is a little smaller and grow it up.  Keep reading, keep going to local orchid society meetings, keep learning . . . .

What is the best thing for a beginner to buy (once he knows what he's doing ... )  and wants something a little bit different.  Why, our special of 8 novelty seedlings for $100. 

Don't even consider an expensive stem propagation until you are a really experienced grower!

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ABBREVIATIONS

And for those of you who want to know what all those abbreviations stand for, here is the key.  If we've left some out, please advise us.

FCC (First Class Certificate) - an award given to a high-quality flower that scores between 90 and 100 points. 

AM (Award of Merit) - an award given to a high-quality flower that scores between 80 and 89 points.  

HCC (Highly Commended Certificate) - an award given to a high-quality flower that scores between 75 and 79 points. 

meristem(s) - Often used (incorrectly) to mean mericlone.  In fact, the meristem is the place from which a plant grows and that is used to create mericlones.

mericlone(s) - A clone - or exact duplicate - of a plant.  Simmilar to Dolly the sheep.  

More to come soon.