Question
Dear Wayne,
I have a wedding in September 2009 and as a wedding favors i would like to give little planted orchids. I would like to drow these orchids myself in little pots at home but I have no idea where to start. I have got an orchid (Phalaenopsis), i had it for the last 2 years and it had been always flowering.  now it has given new roots and streams but i would not like to do something wrong to destroy it. Could you please advice me where can I start - do I get seeds or should i have real plants? I am after the same orchid type as I mentioned before, please help... Many thanks Inna UK

Answer
Inna, growing orchids from seed is definitely out due to the time and degree of knowledge required. However, you should be able to find small phalaenopsis plants either locally or by mail order. Groups of young phalaenopsis come in a group called a "compot", short for "Community pot".  These come from a single seed pod so they may be similar when flowering.  Larger plants in the compot can be removed and potted up separately and others may mature in time to later also be potted out of the compot into separate pots.  If you cannot locate commercial orchid growers growing phalaenopsis compots in the UK, I may be able to locate one or more for you.  Other options are to google Phalaenopsis growers in the UK and get some leads.  Another possibility is to google the "Orchid Mall" where you can find dozens of commercial growers who could ship phalaenopsis compots.  The American Orchid Society publishes a monthly magazine called "Orchids"  which also has many advertisements by orchid sellers.