Growing Orchids
Orchids are far tougher and hardier than most people think and are by and large extremely adaptable.
Growing orchids. Youll be addicted to these fascinating plants in no time. Terrestrial orchids such as paphiopedilums and some cymbidiums grow in soil. Their fleshy roots are covered with a layer of white cells called velamen which acts as a sponge to absorb water. Once a home owner has succumbed and bought his or her first orchid or received one as a gift meeting a few cultural requirements will coax the plant to flower again.
To produce orchid plants from seed the home gardener must first provide a solution containing the necessary nutrients for the orchid seed to develop. Orchids are exquisite plants comprising over 30000 different species and over 200000 hybrid varieties making orchids one of the two largest families of plants in the world. So hopefully this is a good start for you for growing orchids for beginners. The showy orchids favored by most people are usually either phalaenopsis hybrids so called moth orchids or dendrobium hybrids.
Place the pot on a saucer filled with sand or gravel and water to help raise the humidity. Orchids are amongst the most beautiful flowers of the entire plant kingdom combining exotic looks with a diverse set of characteristics. Orchids have a reputation for being finicky difficult plants but many orchids are no harder to grow than your average houseplant. Growing healthy orchids indoors many orchids are rewarding indoor plants.
For example there should be about 10 degree fluctuation for cattleyas between the day and night temps. Growing orchids for beginners should understand that there needs to be fluctuation in temperatures in order for the plants to bloom. In nature most orchids are epiphytes meaning they grow on other objects clinging to rough bark or even stone. The golden rule for orchid success is to duplicate the plants natural conditions as closely as possible.
Growing orchids from seed is particularly challenging since the seeds do not contain stored nutrients for successful germination and growth. Orchids prefer a humid growing environment.