Question
My 11 y.o. daughter loves the Orchids at Longwood Gardens and is asking for one for Christmas.  What type would you suggest?  There are hundreds of books available, any favorite for a young teen?  Do I need to worry about the brief time the plant will be exposed to cold when I transport it home? Any advice on getting started would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Answer
Very good questions Sharon.  I recommend that you get her a phalaenopsis orchid and one that is in flower. This is also called a moth orchid. It would be nice if she could pick it out as many children at that age are quite particular as to their likes. Phalaenopsis orchids are the most readily available of all the orchids and any garden center that sells orchids would have phalaenopsis orchids.  Even such retailers as Home Depot and Lowes usually carry blooming orchids.  Most places that carry orchids also have one or more orchid books and she would have an opportunity to look at it before she gets a book.  Major book retailers such as Barnes and Noble or Borders may also have orchid books she can look at.  Sadly, in looking at all of my beginners books, I don't find any that are geared to the young reader.  If she gets a phalaenopsis, I recommend that the book have a major focus on growing phalaenopsis so she learns as much as she can about the plant she is growing.  The American Orchid Society has a web site you can google and they have some on-line culture sheets including one on phalaenopsis orchids that can be printed off.  They also have book listings as does Amazon.com.  Another thought is to get her a membership in the American Orchid Society (AOS) or a local orchid society. The AOS publishes monthly a beautifil orchid magazine full of pictures and information.  Joining a local orchid society would give your daughter a chance to meet other orchid growers and I'm sure they would take her under their "wings". Most also have ribbon judging, auctions, and participate in orchid shows. If the latter sounds interesting, let me know where you live and I can check and locate a local orchid society in your area.

You do need to take precautions this time of year to protect against the cold.  Most suppliers should put your plant in protective wrappings but, I have found, some mass marketers don't do that.  Be prepared by taking your own wrappings just in case and wrap the plant carefully before exposing it to the elements.  Also, be sure your vehicle is warm.  You can turn it off when you park but try to get the plant in within 15-20 minutes.  It helps too, if you do it during the warmest part of the day and when the sun is shining.

I answer many questions each day on orchid growing and am willing to help further any way I can.  Having been to Longwood Gardens, you have seen the tremendous variety in color, shapes, and fragrances so there is no getting bored with one type of orchid.