Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Compile the best supplies for your orchids by researching what's needed for success

The types of orchid supplies you need for your business will vary according to the type of business you're running. An orchid florist will not need growing supplies, while orchid growers will need to find the best and most useful growing supplies available for their orchid crop.

I recommend: OrchidPlants.info offers a great checklist of supplies for orchid growers. This list includes pots, potting medium, stakes and tools. Check out How-to-Grow-Orchid.com for a checklist of supplies on orchid care. It’s the perfect resource for an orchid florist and other retailers.

Find reliable orchid wholesalers that sell supplies and other orchid products

Whether you're starting a business in your greenhouse or you have been specializing in orchid delivery for years, the best wholesalers are essential for your business. Great wholesalers offer a one-stop shop for your orchid supplies and orchid plants.

I recommend: The Orchid Mall offers a list of suppliers and wholesalers, so you can find a business that has everything you're looking for. 1888Orchids.com also offers a large selection of orchid flowers and supplies. Check out its special pricing for florists and decorators, and its bulk order discounts.

Select the best supplies for growing and storing your orchid bouquets

From chemicals to potting medium and pots, a selection of high quality supplies is essential for healthy orchids. The best supplies have an industry following and often a guarantee from the manufacturer.

I recommend: Greenhouse Mega Store offers a wide variety of growing supplies for orchids for both hobbyist and commercial growers. Check out the frequently asked questions section of the website for additional help with various supplies. Calwest Orchid Supplies offers every type of supply that a business needs for growing and storing orchids, plus, a useful checklist of supplies to ensure that you have everything you need.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Order orchid flowers and supplies from reliable growers and wholesalers. Check out orchid associations for recommendations, if necessary.

Guide to Orchids

Buy orchids to stock your nursery--or give as gifts to clients and employees

By Lea Terry, Freelance Journalist / Copywriter

1. What varieties of orchid flowers will thrive in your local climate.
2. The reputation of the orchid wholesalers you're considering.
3. If the orchid florist can provide the size order you need for your business.
4. Whether you have the resources to grow orchid plants on-site, or if you need to order mature orchid plants.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find reputable growers through orchid growers associations

It's important to find orchid growers that understand and adhere to the specific care instructions for raising healthy orchid plants. Many of these growers belong to orchid growers associations, so when you purchase from suppliers who belong to these groups, you can be assured of a quality product.

I recommend: Contact local and regional societies such as the Hawaii Growers Association or the Orchid Growers Guild of Madison, WI, or find a list of national and international orchid societies at The American Orchid Society. And you can help ensure that orchids continue to thrive, by purchasing from Orchid Conservation Coalition participants. These growers commit 1% of their net revenues to orchid conservation.

Save time by buying mature orchid flowers

Mature plants are heartier than seedlings, so if you're just starting out, you can worry less about making a mistake growing your orchids and more about reaching the customers who'll want to buy them. And by devoting less time to raising your plants, you can bring your product to the consumer much earlier.

I recommend: Find a wide variety of orchid plants at Orchids.com, a featured orchid supplier in Fortune's small business edition. The company offers gift baskets and arrangements you can send as a thank-you to important clients or valued employees. Find wholesale orchids from Thailand at Thai Orchids, or from Hawaii at Aloha Orchid Nursery, which accommodates both wholesale and gift orders. OrchidSales.com specializes in wholesale orchids, and a offers frequent buyers awards program.

Buy orchid seeds and cultivate your own orchids

If you're a longtime orchid enthusiast with knowledge and experience of what it takes to grow these plants, or if you want to oversee every aspect of the plant's life cycle, you may want to consider searching for orchid seeds for sale. You can ensure that your plants are raised precisely how you want them to be, and be more confidant of the product you offer your customers.

I recommend: Find orchid seeds at the Orchid Seedbank Project, or search for national and international orchid wholesalers at OrchidWire.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When ordering from an orchid florist for the first time, purchase a small order initially, so you can evaluate the quality of the plants before you invest a significant amount of money.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn the key terms associated with orchid flowers to find the appropriate plants for your business

The orchid is a delicate flower. It requires certain climates and temperatures to thrive. In fact, in most parts of the world orchids need to be nurtured in a greenhouse environment. When you care for orchids the right way, however, they can actually outlive man. The most basic key terms associated with orchid flowers are the names of the certain types within the orchid family.

I recommend: American Orchid Society has information about all types of orchids, like the Catasetum, which is an unusual group of orchids that has a strict growing and resting period and the Cymbidium, which is prized for its long lasting blooms. Greater New York Orchid Society also offers informational pages on the orchid family of flowers, including information on the subclasses of the plant and downloadable culture sheets.

Include basic growing key terms for orchid growers

Orchids can be high maintenance flowers and growing them takes a deep understanding of growing needs and key terms. Some of the most important terms include: flask, terrestrial and lithophyte. A flask is a container used for germinating orchid seeds by both growers and retailers. Terrestrial orchid plants grow in or on the ground and are supported by soil, while lithophytes orchids grow on rocks.

I recommend: Jim’s Orchid Supplies includes a database of basic growing terms for orchids, also check out links to orchid flowers and other orchid-related products, as well as an illustrated guide to repotting. Better-Gro from the Sun Bulb Company also has a basic glossary of orchid terms that offers searchable information on growing orchids of various types. You can also send them a wholesale enquiry via email, if you’d like to carry its products in your store.

Educate yourself on key terms associated with the structure and appearance of orchid flowers

Orchids are a beautiful flower. They can be brightly colored and are commonly found in tropical locations. Most orchid key terms explain an orchid's shape or structure. Two of the most important terms are adnation and bud. Adnation is the fusion of unlike parts. In the orchid, this is the fusion of the male and female parts of the flower. The bud is a simple term that refers to the unopened orchid flower.

I recommend: Orchidlady.com is one resource for orchid key terms and terminology. The site includes definitions that are easy to understand in a searchable botanical glossary. Orchids ‘R’ Us is also a good site for orchid term research. Plus, if you can’t find a particular term, the website’s staff will find the definition for you via email, and you can sign up for a free orchid ezine that includes growing tips and tricks.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Be sure you understand what type of orchid you want before you buy orchids or orchid seeds and the specific growing terms associated with the plant you've chosen. For orchid wholesalers or an orchid florist, it's important that you can pass this information on to your customers.

Guide to Orchids Education and Training

Learn to grow healthy orchid flowers by obtaining knowledge from books and experienced growers

By Andrea Townsley, Owner, Keystone Writing Services

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Attend local events for growers of orchid flowers

Local events, including orchid shows, conventions and seminars, can benefit beginners and experts alike. You'll learn about controlling the growing conditions specific to your area as well as more broad knowledge that applies to growers everywhere.

I recommend: Find events held in your area by the American Orchid Society. Locate your local Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service office to see if it's hosting any orchid events in your county.

Join orchid plant associations, clubs and societies

Orchid associations are great sources for gathering information. Not only can you benefit from the knowledge of the others in the group, you'll also have access to networking opportunities and special magazines and newsletters. Associations usually charge minimal fees but give you access to a wealth of perks.

I recommend: Check out the MidAmerica Orchid Congress to find a club in your area. You can find local and state orchid societies using The Orchid Mall as well.

Get your hands on some books for gardeners of orchids

Books are a great way for orchid growers to further their educations. There are books dedicated to different aspects of growing the plant as well as to specific breeds. For example, if you specialize in growing phalaenopsis orchids, you may choose to find a book that discusses only that breed.

I recommend: Consider the recommendations from the Orchid Society of Southern California, which has titles suitable for all experience levels. Balogh International is also a great source for orchid books.