Orchids are available from nurseries around the country via mail order. Real Simple had success with the companies listed below, which take great care in packing their plants. Some wrap the blooms in shredded wax paper; others wrap in cotton. Nevertheless, there's no guarantee the plants will arrive undamaged. Most companies ship orchids with unopened blooms to minimize casualties. (If you don't want to play mail-order roulette, Home Depot has orchids in stock year-round in its garden centers. Visit www.homedepot.com or call 800-430-3376 for store locations. Moth orchids range from $16 to $20.) The prices listed below do not include shipping.

Breckinridge Orchids, in North Carolina, 336-656-7991 or breckor@aol.com for information. Moth orchids: $20 to $50.

Hoosier Orchid Company, in Indiana, 888-291-6269 or www.hoosierorchid.com for information. Moth orchids: $25 to $45.

J&L Orchids, in Connecticut, 203-261-3772 or www.jlorchids.com for information. Moth orchids: $22 to $45.

Smith & Hawken, 800-940-1170 or www.smithandhawken.com to order. Moth orchids: $10 to $25.

Zuma Canyon Orchids, in California, 310-457-9771 or www.zumacanyonorchids.com for information. Moth orchids: $25 to $55.