One of the common misconceptions is that orchids are expensive. You can't blame people for having such notions; orchids held an exclusive and esteemed position among the royalty and well-heeled aristocrats during Victorian times. Only those who could afford their astronomical prices and their upkeep in equally costly glasshouses had access to these once rare plants. But fortunately, this is a thing of the past.

Modern Advances have Brought Orchid Prices Down

Over the last century, orchid prices have gone down dramatically. This is not because demand has gone down; it's because supply has gone up. Once a rich man's hobby, orchids are now within reach of anyone, regardless of income. Scientific advancements and economic progress in recent years gave rise to modern growing techniques, faster transportation, and efficient distribution of orchids. Furthermore, state of the art breeding techniques and advanced reproduction methods have made it possible to have vigorous varieties and clones that are easy to grow and flower. All these developments combined have resulted in wholesale prices of orchids that are a mere fraction of their prices in the past. Today's modern orchids have indeed gone mainstream. Troop down to your florist, your neighborhood nursery, your home improvement store, or even the local grocer and you can find inexpensive orchid alternatives to suit your fancy.

Nevertheless, not every orchid out there is cheap. For the serious hobbyist, there are still many exotic and rare orchid species that command a very high price premium. These are mature awarded plants that can cost thousands of dollars. The point being made here is that you can spend as much or as little as you want for the orchid you will get. Should you choose the less expensive variety, you needn't worry that you will get inferior quality. You can buy blooming, fine quality, and healthy orchids ranging from $20 to $30. At that price, a blooming orchid costs less than a modest flower arrangement. The orchid's flower often lasts much longer, so you get weeks of colorful blooms. And after it has finished flowering for this year, you still have a plant ready to bloom year after year.

Michael Anderson is co-author with Steve Frowine (author of four orchid books including the Orchid title of a well known series) of the web site, UncutOrchids.com. To get a free, 40-part video course on orchid care and the Orchid of the Day newsletter, click now on this URL: UncutOrchids.com [http://UncutOrchids.com]. Michael lives in the enchanting town of Guanajuato, Mexico, where he also offers Guanajuato houses to vacationers and visitors.