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 terrestrials that sometimes grow in sand. But within these four broad categories there are a huge number of distinctive plants.
Native orchid species number more than 20,000 known species, which leaves us to believe that may be many not discovered yet. In addition to the native species, over 100,000 hybrids have been created artificially with cultivators. It has been a busy one hundred years for the orchid family.
Orchids have long had a reputation for being high maintenance and hard to grow. This isn't necessarily true. Some varieties do need more attention, but there are many varieties that are hardy. Some orchid varieties prefer heat and humidity that is the popular belief for this plant, but there are some that thrive in cool, dry conditions. The differences in light, temperature and the best growing condition is another example of the varieties of natural areas where they grow.
In those conditions we find genera that range from the lovely Phalaenopsis to the even lovelier Cymbidium and many others. There are orchids that hail from Africa and those native to South America. In fact, orchids occur in the wild on every continent (except Antarctica) and on many islands. Hawaii is an excellent example of the latter, sometimes called Orchid Island because of its numerous species.
Orchards do have some special needs as far as care. Like any other plant, they can be susceptible to pests and diseases. These can include things such as spider mites, aphids and snails. There are some orchid flower varieties more prone to fungal growth than other, but prevention is easy. If a problem does occur, it isn't the end of your plant - you can still treat it.
Some techniques to use are simply brushing the leaves off and washing the flowers, to mild anti-bacterial compound products. Fungi is treatable by drying, an anti-fungicide, or other methods. Simple isolation will sometimes allow the plant to cure itself with a little pruning, while preventing the spread of the fungus.
In fact, choosing an orchid is often more difficult than caring for one. With the variety of sizes, shapes and colors available one could spend a lifetime just looking through the catalog at all the outstanding samples. There are some that have no leaves, while others have long, bamboo shoot-like leaves. Some have miniature flowers, while others grow to 12 inches or more.
It doesn't matter what your taste in flowers is, what your decorating goal is, or how much of a green thumb you have. There is an orchid that will work for you. One thing that is certain is that you will be able to find the perfect plant to bring beauty to your home or green house. - 31996
Orchids come in four varieties - epiphytes that cling to trees, lithophytes that grow on rocks, saprophytes that make a home in leaf litter and terrestrials that sometimes grow in sand. But within these four broad categories there are a huge number of distinctive plants.
Native orchid species number more than 20,000 known species, which leaves us to believe that may be many not discovered yet. In addition to the native species, over 100,000 hybrids have been created artificially with cultivators. It has been a busy one hundred years for the orchid family.
Orchids have long had a reputation for being high maintenance and hard to grow. This isn't necessarily true. Some varieties do need more attention, but there are many varieties that are hardy. Some orchid varieties prefer heat and humidity that is the popular belief for this plant, but there are some that thrive in cool, dry conditions. The differences in light, temperature and the best growing condition is another example of the varieties of natural areas where they grow.
In those conditions we find genera that range from the lovely Phalaenopsis to the even lovelier Cymbidium and many others. There are orchids that hail from Africa and those native to South America. In fact, orchids occur in the wild on every continent (except Antarctica) and on many islands. Hawaii is an excellent example of the latter, sometimes called Orchid Island because of its numerous species.
Orchards do have some special needs as far as care. Like any other plant, they can be susceptible to pests and diseases. These can include things such as spider mites, aphids and snails. There are some orchid flower varieties more prone to fungal growth than other, but prevention is easy. If a problem does occur, it isn't the end of your plant - you can still treat it.
Some techniques to use are simply brushing the leaves off and washing the flowers, to mild anti-bacterial compound products. Fungi is treatable by drying, an anti-fungicide, or other methods. Simple isolation will sometimes allow the plant to cure itself with a little pruning, while preventing the spread of the fungus.
In fact, choosing an orchid is often more difficult than caring for one. With the variety of sizes, shapes and colors available one could spend a lifetime just looking through the catalog at all the outstanding samples. There are some that have no leaves, while others have long, bamboo shoot-like leaves. Some have miniature flowers, while others grow to 12 inches or more.
It doesn't matter what your taste in flowers is, what your decorating goal is, or how much of a green thumb you have. There is an orchid that will work for you. One thing that is certain is that you will be able to find the perfect plant to bring beauty to your home or green house. - 31996
