What to Look Out For When Choosing a New Moth Orchid

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Things to look out for

Moth orchids are beautiful, easy-care plants that make a great addition to any home. Choosing the right one to add to your plant collection can help to ensure that you will have a healthy plant with many long-lasting flowers, so it's worth taking a little extra time to check them over before bringing one home.

Healthy roots

The roots of your orchid are one of the best representatives of how their overall health is doing. When selecting an orchid in the store, take a good look at the roots. They should be green or pale green, plump and firm to the touch. If they feel soft, mushy, hollow and / or look brown in color then this could be a sign that the plant has been overwatered, which can be hard to recover from. Sometimes a few of the roots may be poking out of the top of the pot - this is usually a sign that you should repot it when you can, but you don't need to worry about it too much.

Luscious leaves

The leaves of your orchid can vary a lot, but as a general rule they should be a rich green color and should feel hard if you touch them. There also shouldn't be any discoloration or spotting / mushy patches, as these things could be signs of pest infestations or other underlying problems.

-note that some cultivars of Moth orchids has beautiful patterned laves or a tinted edge.

Very glossy leaves may look appealing to some, but this can actually be a sign of overfertilizing, and may impact the plant's ability to bloom successfully.

Bountiful blooms

In order to get as many flowers as possible for the longest duration, keep an eye out for an orchid that has plenty of unopened buds as well as a few already-existing blooms. The flowers should be firmly attached to the spike, which should be tall and strong so that it will be able to withstand and support the blooms. Multiple stems with buds mean more flowers!

Shriveled or yellowing buds are a sign that the plant has been under- or overwatered. These buds will not be able to bloom. They will instead die back and eventually fall off from the plant.

If possible, try asking your local garden center when they will get their orchid shipments. This way, you'll get the chance to get the first pick of the batch, ensuring you get your hands on the best, healthiest plants.