I have several pots of plants at home, including that of orchids. I like growing orchids as they are hardy and they bloom often. I have so far not managed to obtain the species of orchids that bloom continuously - I am still on the lookout for them. The orchids that I grow in our balcony bloom often.
Orchidaceae (or Orchid family) is the largest family of the flowering plants. Orchids belong to the most diverse family of plants known to man. Orchids are the most rapidly (genetically) changing group of plants on earth and more new species have been discovered over the last few thousand years than any other plant group known.
Orchids are also one of the most adaptable plant groups on earth. Some orchids grow entirely underground and many tropical jungle orchids grow in the upper branches of trees. Rainforest, mountain, grassy plain, desert and swamp environments contain numerous orchid species.
Orchids produce seed pods with literally hundreds of thousands of seed that are released and scattered by the wind. Orchid seeds must establish a symbiotic relationship with a special fungus to survive its first year of life. The fungi gathers water and minerals for itself and the seedling, and the seedling shares its sugars from photosynthesis with the fungus. Only one or two orchid seeds will ever germinate and survive on that perfect crevice or depression that is both moist and has the fungus present. Even then, its chances to survive in the wild long enough to bloom are slim.
Greenhouse growers sow orchid seeds on moist, sugar-rich, sterile agar, or they cut out growing clumps of orchid cells and place them on the agar. These techniques allow many hundreds of orchid plants to survive to maturity. New and improved hybrids can be mass produced rapidly. This is important as orchids are very slow growing. Many orchids take five to seven years to mature to flowering. Breeding three or four orchid generations could span a person's lifetime just to get one new hybrid propagated sufficiently for sale.
There are many different types of orchid potting medium used in orchid culture. The overall consideration is to provide structural support for the orchid roots, but also to provide lots of air spaces between medium particles. Many orchid plants are grown in osmunda fiber. This fiber comes from the roots of the Osmunda fern that is native to Australia and the Pacific. The tough, wiry fibers break down very slowly and is an ideal potting medium. Fresh pine bark is also a popular medium but is usually mixed with other amendments before use. Both materials are sometimes mixed with peat and perlite or vermiculite. Some orchids are even grown in pebbles mixed with bark. Most orchid roots are adapted to being exposed to air and harsh conditions, but cannot tolerate being wet for more than a day or two.
Orchids grow slowly compared to houseplants. However, most orchids need to be repotted about once every two years. To pot an orchid, the pot is filled about two-thirds with orchid potting medium, then the plant is set in the pot with its roots spread out. The growing tip either centered or placed two fingers from the pot rim. Then additional media is packed tightly around the plant to hold it in place. You should be able to turn the pot upside down without the orchid or medium falling out. Practice will insure successful repotting. When the plant outgrows the pot by extending the new shoots over the edge, usually about every two years, it is time to repot.
The ideal place in the home for growing orchids is a bright window, free from drafts, where your plants receive indirect sunlight both morning and afternoon. (A south window is best.). With extra large windows or especially intense sunlight, the light may be adjusted downward by moving plants 18 to 36 inches from the window. Plants in the home require a greater light intensity because they receive light from only one direction, while in a greenhouse they receive light from many sides.
Orchids generally have simple leaves with parallel veins. They may be variable in size.
The structure of the leaves corresponds to the specific habitat of the plant. Species that typically bask in sunlight, or grow on sites which can be occasionally very dry, have thick, leathery leaves and the laminas are covered by a waxy cuticle to retain their necessary water supply. Shade species, on the other hand, have long, thin leaves. In the world of flowers, orchids are the undisputed champions. Once the expensive interest of the wealthy, orchids today are within reach of all. One of the oldest and best organized of plant hobbies, orchid culture now enjoys worldwide popularity. Their incredible beauty and diversity captivate men and women of every walk of life.
If you can grow houseplants, you can grow orchids. With some attention to light and temperature, there are many popular and satisfying species and hybrids that will do well in the home or out-of-doors. Like any other plant, an orchid must have the growing conditions it needs to survive. But they are amazingly sturdy and resilient.
Orchids are no more difficult to grow than many flowering popular plants. Like any plant, an orchid needs water, food, light, and air. If you can grow other garden and house plants, you can grow orchids. All it takes is a little understanding and care.
Some orchids are powerfully scented, others less so. A few orchid fragrances defy description, while others resemble familiar fragrances - raspberry, coconut, lilacs and citrus. Others have no scent, but rely on shape and color to attract insects or birds for pollination. The scent of orchids is frequently analysed by perfumists to identify potential fragrance chemicals.
How long the blooms last depends on the type, plus factors of culture and care. How often an orchid blooms depends on the plant. Some bloom once a year; others bloom several times a year; some bloom continuously. Blooms of some hybrids may last from one to four weeks on the plant. Some others may last from one to four months.
Like most plants, orchids prefer a middle range of temperatures, neither too hot nor too cold. Some warm-growing species can take hot weather; some cool-growers are not harmed by subfreezing temperatures. It depends on the plant. Generally, however, the climate in the home favors the intermediate species. Orchids from more severe climates that are accustomed to cool or warm temperatures year-round do not do as well.
The other important use of orchids is their cultivation for the enjoyment of the flowers. Most cultivated orchids are tropical or subtropical but quite a few which grow in colder climates can be found on the market.
Most orchids are very long-lived. In fact, some species are virtually immortal, given the proper attention. Divisions or propagations of orchids discovered in the 19th century are still growing and blooming today... a botanical heritage from an earlier century.
The term "botanical orchid" loosely denotes those small flowered tropical orchids belonging to several genera (not necessarily related to each other) that do not fit into the "Florist" orchid category. A few of these genera contain enormous numbers of species. The primary use of the term is among orchid hobbyists wishing to describe unusual species they grow, though it is also used to distinguish naturally occurring orchid species from horticulturally created hybrids.
Orchids require moving air. They do best where there is a steady breeze. In nature, orchids are subject to all kinds of weather.
One orchid genus, Vanilla, is commercially important, used as a foodstuff flavouring.
Many popular orchids can be grown in your home in a window or under lights. Some are able to withstand a light frost. When selecting plants, choose those that will survive in the environment you have to offer.
The leaves of some orchids are considered ornamental. Orchids are well known for the many structural variations in their flowers. Some orchids have single flowers but most have a large number of flowers.
The leaves of most orchids are perennial, that is they live for several years, while others, especially those with plicate leaves, shed them annually and develop new leaves.
Many orchids can be grown in a greenhouse or outdoors. All will require partial shade. Therefore, it is best to shade the section of the greenhouse you intend using or else grow them in an area that you have already shaded for foliage plants or African violets.
Some orchids lack chlorophyll and are unable to photosynthesise. Instead, these species obtain energy and nutrients by parasitising soil fungi.
A majority of orchids grow anchored to trees or shrubs in the tropics and subtropics. Other species grow on rocks or very rocky soil, or are terrestrial.
Orchids occur in almost every habitat apart from deserts and glaciers. The great majority are to be found in the tropics, mostly Asian, South American and Central America.
In the development where Da and I stay, many of our neighbours grow plants as well, some of which are flowering and some of which are not. The neighbours who live on the 1st storey have big private enclosed spaces and they fill up the spaces with varieties of plants, thereby brightening up the development.
The photograph below is that of a small pot of orchid that Da and I bought from IKEA a few months ago. When we bought the pot, there was 1 stalk of flower. The flower has since died and I am hoping that it will bloom again soon. I used to display the pot in my office. However, my colleague suggested that I bring the pot home so that there is ventilation.
Da and I have 2 pots of orchids in the balcony next to the master bedroom. If you were to look at the photograph below, you will notice that the pot on the left (facing you) has a stalk of flower. That stalk is actually grown from a plant cutting. The rest of the pot is a pot of orchid that Da and I bought from the nursery. I decided to experiment and I inserted 1 plant cutting into the pot. To my surprise and joy, that cutting started to bloom!
Sources(1) Wikipedia
(2) pubs.caes.uga.edu
(3) The Orchid House
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