Novices should avoid spending more than twelve dollars for single plants. With orchids, it is better to have more smaller plants than only one or two large ones. It will be easier to maintain their humidity requirements if you have four pots or more. As you become more experienced at growing orchids and learn how to meet their needs in your home, you may want to branch out into named varieties and rare species types. This is part of the fun of orchid culture and judicious selection will guarantee something in bloom all year long.
Serious growers buy their plants from professional orchid breeders and there are many.
Their plants are offered online, by mail order, and directly from the nursery if close enough to visit. You will be surprised at the large range of price, from a few dollars for common, easily propagated types to many hundreds of dollars for rare show plants. Before you bring any plants home, decide where they will live. Phals and Dendrobiums have pretty similar growing requirements. Most bathrooms with a window can supply both light and heat requirements for these plants.