Understanding Orchids
Once, people assumed, perhaps with some justification, that orchid cultivation was an occupation exclusively for the very affluent. These days, most people are aware that orchid cultivation is a pastime available to nearly everyone. Yet another myth still persists: that it is exceptionally hard to care for orchids. You might be gladdened to know that this is definitely not the case.
The fact is, some of the most gorgeous orchid types are actually fairly easy to grow. What you need is foreknowledge, gleaned from books, whether the hard-copy kind or the convenient digital kind that you can download from the Web. If you live in a mild or warm climate, you will be able to grow many varieties outdoors, in your yard or garden. Even if you live in a cold climate, you can still grow lovely orchids in a greenhouse or any regular room that you can dedicate to the purpose.
Why grow orchids rather than other types of plants?If you have spent any time in caring for an orchid, the question wouldn’t occur to you. Orchids can seize us with a hold that never relaxes once it has us in its grips!
Nevertheless, here are some possible answers to the question. One huge advantage of growing orchids as opposed to other flowering plants is their extreme showiness paired with the great length of time they will stay in bloom. Some orchids will continue in bloom for three or four months. A select few are even known to keep their blooms for as long as six months. Even if your collection of orchids is a small one, it is possible to have blooms the year around, due to the varying blooming seasons of different species.
The subject of orchids and orchid cultivation is an extensive one. You should plunge deeply into the subject and learn as much as you can before purchasing your first plant. Nontheless, there are some basics you need to know at the very start. One of those basics is that orchids are divided into two great groups based on their growing habits.
One of the major orchid groups is the epiphytals. These are orchids that grow on the trunks or branches of trees. These are the “air dwelling” orchids, that seem to thrive on nothing but sunlight and air, although this, of course, is not really the case. It was these mysterious species that first grabbed the imaginations of collectors and resulted in the first great orchid mania of a more than a century ago. They remain the ones that hold the most fascination for people.
These epiphytal orchids should not be thought of as parasitic, though. They draw only a little of their sustenance from the bark of the trees to which they cling, and this does not harm their hosts in the least. They also pull nutrients from water, fungi and moss, as well as the decomposing leaves that sometimes get caught on them. Orchid growers love the epiphytals because of the fun–and sometimes challenge–of recreating their growing environment in a greenhouse or garden.
The other major orchid group consists of the terrestrials. As you can guess, these are the ones that grow in the soil like “normal” plants. Growing them requires potting, just as with any other familiar houseplant. Some of the most beautiful species of orchids will be found in this group.
Many orchid growers start out by concentrating on one of these two main groups of orchids. As you might guess, though, they end up growing at least a handful of species from both groups. It”s recommended to learn about both types of orchids if you are serious about joining the world of orchid growers.
These days, of course, we have an abundance of solid information on the correct way to grow orchids. The most thorough guide to expert orchid care, beyond question, is Orchid Care Expert by a Mr. Nigel Howard, which may be downloaded from the web. Mr. Howard’s guide is a thorough course, helpful for novices as well as more seasoned devotees alike. Also, check out the Orchid Secrets site, which contains a growing database of postings on many aspects of orchid care.
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