Everyone will have his or her favorite flower, but there’s a reason that orchids have been so popular since their introduction to Victorian society over 100 years ago. Orchids are exquisite.
Orchids come in four varieties – epiphytes that cling to trees, lithophytes that grow on rocks, saprophytes that make a home in leaf litter, and [...]

Orchids possess an anatomy that is unique. Though there are over 20,000 natural species and possibly as many as 100,000 or more hybrids, they share many common characteristics. Those give the orchid its distinctive appearance.
Like animals species, flowers have male and female parts. The orchid is unusual in that its male and female aspects have [...]

Selecting a species of orchid to grow will, of course, be heavily influenced by personal taste. But within that broad spectrum, those choices can and should be influenced by the care a given orchid needs. That, in turn, is determined by the native conditions of that species.
For example, orchids naturally thrive on every continent except [...]

There are over 20,000 naturally occurring orchid species, and over 100,000 hybrids. That leaves an enormous range of possible choices, a variety that can be overwhelming. But the choice can be made easier by investigating a few examples.
Cymbidiums, for example, are a very popular option. They’re very hardy and will reward the orchid grower with [...]

The title is actually a little misleading since orchids don’t really live in soil.
In the wild, some cling to the sides of trees, getting support from the bark. These are called epiphytes. Nutrients come from the air and they receive water as it drips down the side or falls from branches above. Others, called lithophytes, [...]

Orchids thrive in unusual circumstances in the wild. They adapted to cling to trees, rocks or make a home in leaf litter on the forest floor. They receive water wherever it happens to fall – down the side of a tree, dripping from the leaves on a branch, sliding down the side of rocks.
But, unlike [...]

Orchids are sometimes known as ‘hothouse flowers’ because many species thrive in warm, humid environments. Having a greenhouse or hothouse is one of the best ways to provide those conditions.
Greenhouses come in all shapes and sizes. Some are glass and as large as an ordinary house. Others are little more than a doghouse-sized structure covered [...]

The Phalaenopsis genus is one of the most popular orchid groups. And for good reason – they’re attractive and easy to grow. Most orchids have the reputation of being hard to care for. That’s justified in some cases. But the Phalaenopsis is very forgiving. And they produce flowers that simply say ‘orchid’.
They do well with [...]

Orchids from the Cymbidium genus retain their popularity year after year. The ease with which they can be cared for and their beauty virtually guarantee it.
These lovely plants are native to the South Pacific region, growing wild in Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia and elsewhere. They produce lovely flowers that come in a wide variety, such [...]

Orchids have a reputation for being difficult to care for. Some species are. But most will respond well if you remember the old saying ‘feed weakly, weekly.’ Fine advice, but feed what?
Like all plants, orchids thrive on a combination of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Some of that they get from the growing [...]