Orchid Facts and Types Recommended

Orchids are known for there exotic flowers and fascinating growing habit and this makes them a very desirable ornamental plant for enthusiasts. The Orchid family consists of some 750 genera, almost 25,000 species and more than 100,000 hybrids.

Terrestrial Orchids:

These Orchids, as the name suggests, grow in the ground in a wide and varying habitat. The Hardy or near Hardy terrestrials, that grow in colder regions, tend to have small individual flowers that form dense spikes. After flowering they tend to die down and go into a state of rest for the winter and exist as tubers or other small storage organs underground. There are some very attractive species and many are grown in rock gardens or alpine beds.

Other terrestrials, which suit warmer conditions, are very delicate so will need to be grown in a greenhouse. In the wild they would grow on the forest floor in sheltered sites. These remain evergreen throughout the year.

Epiphytic Orchids:

These Orchids make up a large proportion of Orchids that are grown by enthusiasts. There structures and habit are very much different to that of the Terrestrial Orchids, the name Epiphytic is derived from the Greek epi which means upon, and phyton which means plant. The branches of trees are where Epiphytic Orchids make there homes. They do not feed off the tree so they are not parasites but lodgers and get there food from debris around there roots and from nutrients dissolved in rain water. Some of these Orchids live in a similar manner but on rocks and these are known as lithophytes. Epiphytes need to be grown under glass or in a conservatory.

Recommended Orchids:

Miltonia candida

Vanda Rothschildiana

Cattleya bowringiana

Cymbidium Strath Kanaid

Paphiopedilum callosum

Dendrobium nobile

When choosing your plants it is always best to buy them from a specialist Orchid nursery. They can offer valuable advice on suitable species to suit your growing conditions at home.

Alexander website Orchid Care Expert helps people learn about orchid care.

 by:  Alexander Vincent

Information On Growing Orchids For Beginners

Orchids have so many species that can be found on every continent, except on the continent of Antarctica. They can be grown not only outdoors, but also indoors. If you want your orchid plants to live long, however, there are some orchid care instructions that you should follow. Of course, some orchid types have more growing requirements so you should learn about caring for orchids tips that suit the kind of orchids you'll be caring for. Here are some basic orchids growing tips to remember, especially if you're growing your orchids indoors:

Tip A: Place your orchid in front of a curtain covered window.

Most resources on growing orchids for beginners will advise you to put your orchid plant by the window that's covered with sheer/thin curtains. In this way, your orchids can receive the amount of sunlight it needs in order to survive. Part of orchid care instructions is for you to make it a point not to expose the orchid to direct sunlight, so covering the windows with thin curtains is a good idea. Of course, too little sun light is also bad for your orchid's health, so it should always be placed by the windowsill with curtains in the morning and in the late afternoon as that is the time where the right amount of sunlight can be received by your orchid plants.

Tip B: Water your indoor orchid appropriately.

When caring for orchids, you should also know when's the right time to water them as well as how frequent the watering should be. During wintery months, orchids should be watered only once per week. Orchid care instructions for summer watering, however requires you to water orchids two times per week. Most books and articles on growing orchids for beginners, though, reiterates that the amount of watering may vary based on the orchid genus you have, the potting container you are using, and the climate in your location.

Tip C: Feed your plant the right amount of fertilizer.

One of the orchids growing tips that you should utilize is to fertilize the orchids properly. Feeding your orchid plant with a quart of orchid fertilizer every time you water it is enough. Be sure to make use of a good kind of fertilizer - one that has potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus is best for your indoor orchid.

Caring for orchids is not as hard as some people may believe. For as long as you learn and follow orchid care instructions to the letter, you can never go wrong. If this is your first time growing orchids in your home, you should read up on this topic: growing orchids for beginners, whether online or offline.

By :  Karen Winton

TOP 10 WINDOWSILL ORCHIDS

TOP 10 WINDOWSILL ORCHIDS

 Botanical Name Common Name Grow it Because ...
Brassia Spider Orchid Eotic, elongated flowers
Cattleya Cattleya Large, colorful, very exotic flowers often intensely fragrant -- miniature varieties bloom more often.
Dendrobium Spray Orchid Tall orchids with lots of flowers in many different colors, sizes, and shapes
Encyclia cochleata Octopus Orchid Unusual flower shape is eye-catching.
Ludisia Jewel Orchid Foliage is so attractive that plants look great even when not in bloom. Flowers open gradually.
Miltonia Pansy Orchid Large flowers in striking colors
Oncidium Dancing Ladies Tall bloom spikes covered with flowers, often fragrant, as with chocolate-scented “Sherry Baby"
Paphiopedilum Lady Slipper Flowers in low light, exotic looking blooms
Phalaenopsis Moth Orchid Blooms last longer than any other orchid, 4 mos.
Phragmipedium Phrags Long bloom period, difficult to over water

by Amber Freda