Orchids

Orchids are plants of the family Orchidaceae, widely considered to be among the most beautiful flowers in the world. The orchid family possesses an enormous diversity of colors and shapes, with estimates as to the number of extant species ranging from 25,000 to 30,000. Moreover, there exist tens of thousands of orchid cross breeds created by horticulturalists from every region of the world. Vibrant, delicate, and fragrant, orchids make a charming accent for any home or garden.

The Orchid Market

Orchids are some of the most commercial plants in existence, and there is a thriving international market for their cultivation and sale. Many orchid clubs and associations exist purely for their appreciation. Commonly used in corsages, they have little useful application save for their beauty, a fact which has not in any way dampened their consistent popularity the world over. The sole exception to this rule is a significant one: the vanilla orchid, from which the flavoring of the same name is derived.

Orchids in the Home

Orchids are commonly purchased after they have flowered. Growing orchids from seed is possible but will require both a green thumb and a fair degree of patience, as it may require from three to seven years for orchids to grow to maturity. Orchids reproduce by scattering hundreds of thousands of seeds, of which only a very scant few will reach fruition due to their highly specific care needs. Because of this, orchids have achieved a somewhat undeserved reputation as fragile plants that will quickly wither outside the protective confines of a greenhouse.

While this is true of certain varieties, the immense range and variety of orchids ensure that many are suitable for casual home care by a relatively inexperienced gardener. Notably user-friendly breeds are Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, and Paphiopedilum, also known as lady's slipper, which can be grown in approximately the same heat and light conditions as other common houseplants. Two other species which are reasonably easy to grow are Cattleya and Oncidium ("dancing dolls"), which thrive better in areas with brighter light.

Caring for Orchids

Orchids are usually grown in a potting mixture conducive to their unique needs, often osmunda fiber or pine bark, and are commonly repotted every two years or so. Most orchids require slightly less than ordinary daytime light and so should be placed in an area that receives indirect sunshine in the summer and moved to a brighter spot during the winter. They are less sensitive to temperature changes than to being deprived of light, but should nonetheless be kept in moderate heat conditions. Orchids do require a fair amount of humidity and so should be frequently misted. Watering should be performed whenever the potting mixture dries.

By Matthew Ingalls