For people in the north who want to grow orchids, choosing the right time to purchase is more important than anything else. After all, the climate here is quite different from the south, with heating in the winter and dry conditions in the summer. Buying too early or too late can cause problems. For those in the north, purchasing orchids in September-October or February-March will increase your success rate by double!
Why is September-October the best time? During this period, the north has just entered autumn. The temperature is neither too hot nor too cold, with daytime temperatures around 15-25°C and nighttime temperatures not dropping below 10°C, which is perfect for orchids. Orchids are sensitive to both the summer heat and humidity as well as the cold winds of winter. If you buy one in the fall, it will have a month or two to adapt to your home environment before winter heating kicks in. By then, the orchid will have established strong roots and won’t easily wilt from the sudden temperature changes. Additionally, orchids bought in September-October often come with flower buds, so they will bloom after a couple of weeks and continue blooming through the winter, adding a festive touch to your home during the New Year holidays. Your relatives will even ask where you bought it!
The other recommended period is February-March. During this time, the heating in the north has not yet stopped, and the home temperature is usually between 18-22°C, which will keep the orchid safe. The key advantage of buying during this period is that you can avoid the dry air period right after the heating is turned on in November. During that time, humidity in the house often drops below 30%, and orchid leaves are prone to drying out at the tips, making it difficult for beginners to take care of. However, in February-March, humidity starts to rise again. Additionally, orchids bought during this period are usually after their flowering season, so they are often priced lower than those bought in autumn, offering better value for money. When you bring it home, it’s the perfect time for the orchid’s growth period. You can repot it into a suitable pot, add some fresh sphagnum moss, and it will quickly grow new roots and leaves, setting the foundation for the next bloom.
Why is it not recommended to buy in other months? Summer should be avoided because the north’s summer is both hot and dry. Orchids may appear healthy at the flower market, but once placed on the balcony, their leaves can burn from the sun, and if kept in an air-conditioned room, they may suffer from root rot. Beginners will find it very difficult to care for them. From November to January, it’s also not ideal. The cold weather outside combined with a 20°C temperature difference between the market and your home makes the orchid prone to "catching a cold," causing flower buds to drop. Plus, in winter, the orchid has to fight with the heating for a good spot. If placed too close to the heater, it will dry out, and if placed too far, it will get too cold, making it stressful for the plant. In April-May, although the temperature is suitable, orchids may either just finish flowering and need to rest or be preparing to grow new leaves. There are fewer high-quality seedlings at the flower market, and it's easy to end up with weak plants that will soon have problems.
No matter when you buy, always choose plants with thick leaves and white or light green roots. Avoid buying plants with soft, droopy leaves and blackened roots. When you get it home, place it in a spot with indirect light and let it acclimate for a week. Don’t rush to water it—wait until the sphagnum moss is dry before watering. You can mist the leaves around the plant to increase humidity, but avoid spraying the flower buds directly. If you follow this timing and care routine, your orchid will bloom every year!
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