Orchids are beautiful, unique plants that are prized for their delicate, sweet fragrances and beauty. A bouquet or garland of orchids will allow you to enjoy these flowers on a short-term basis. However, you can enjoy orchids as often as you like when you invest in your own orchid plants. Here are four tips that will help you purchase and enjoy these beautiful plants:  

1. Purchase orchids that are already in spike or in bloom.

Unlike other plants, orchids are not typically bought in seed form. Instead, most orchid sellers offer mature plants to customers. Orchids grow slowly, so if you'd like to enjoy the beauty and scent of orchid flowers as soon as possible, you can purchase plants that are already in spike or in bloom. In-spike orchids are not yet flowering. However, they have already developed the flower spike that will one day bud and blossom. You can also purchase orchids in the bud and bloom stage to enjoy your new flowers immediately.

2. Consider purchasing orchids online.

Specialty orchid dealers can help you find the type of orchids you're looking for. However, not everyone has access to nurseries that specialize in orchids. Fortunately, you can also purchase your orchids online. Orchids can be shipped to buyers in temperature-controlled vehicles that allow these plants to remain safe and undamaged. Purchasing your orchids online will give you access to a wide variety of orchid species in different colors and shapes.

3. Buy orchid fertilizer.

Orchids are living organisms that require careful tending in order to flourish. Most orchids are kept as potted plants, which allows their owners to carefully control their environment. However, since orchids remain in pots, fertilization is necessary. Most orchid sellers also offer specialty fertilizers designed with orchid plants' needs in mind. First-time orchid owners should remember to order supplementary supplies when they purchase their plants. Many orchid fertilizers come in convenient liquid form, which is easy to measure and dispense in the proper amounts.

4. Invest in rare orchids once you build your confidence.

According to Kew Gardens, there are at least 28,000 species of orchids in the world. Some of these species are rarer than others, giving owners the opportunity to experience exquisite beauty that's hard to find anywhere else. As you build your confidence as an orchid owner, you may want to increase your collection and branch out to rarer species. Many orchid dealers sell rare orchids, as well as unique hybrids made by interbreeding existing varieties of orchids.

Contact a local nursery to learn more about orchid plants.