It’s all about nature’s most interesting flower. The orchid carries the largest family of flowering plants, with 20-30,000 accepted species found within over 800 genera; and believe it or not, it’s easier to grow than you think. These fabulous exotic plants grow everywhere on the planet, with the exception of Anartica. It's reported that the orchid species equals two times the number of bird species.(1) Orchids grow on the bark of trees and get their nutrients from the bark. Many grow in the air instead of in the soil; their roots perform as sponges to absorb water.
The most popular and easiest orchids to grow are Dendrobium Orchids and Phalaenopsis Orchids. Dendrobiums like bright light and Phalaenopsis Orchids prefer low light. A few of the most common orchids are the Anguloa, Cattleya, Cymbidium, Laelia, Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, Oncidium, Vanda, Epidendrum, Brassia, Bulbophyllum, Catasetum, Sophronitis, Miltonia, and Phaius. If you want to get a good look at these specimens, the Greater Philadelphia Orchid Society will be judged on May 18 at 7:00 pm at the Horticulture Center, Fairmount Park, in Philadelphia by the American Orchid Society. Also, check out the links below for the best places to buy orchid plants in Philadelphia.
You don’t need a greenhouse to grow orchids. The key to successfully growing orchids is choosing the right orchid for the right conditions. Some orchids like to dry out between watering, and some like high humidity. There are also potting mixes and fertilizers specially designed for growing orchids. Just choose the orchid that best suits your environment, grow one at a time, and then expand and learn how to grow others. It’s almost like preparing a Koi pond, you must study and learn a little before purchasing your specimens. So, here it is; everything you need to know to begin growing orchids. And don’t forget to check out the slideshow of 50 orchids grown, and many for sale, right here in the Philadelphia area.
- What is an orchid
- How an orchid grows
- Orchid selection
- Growing orchids indoors
- Creating the proper environment for orchids
- Choosing orchid potting mix
- How to plant orchids
- How to water growing orchids
- How to make your orchids bloom
- Get your orchids to re-bloom
- How to transplant orchids
- How to sprout new orchids
Names and Varieties of Common Orchids
- Cymidium orchids and Care
- Cattleya orchids
- Cattleya orchids
- Dendrobium orchid
- Epidendrum orchids
- Masdevallia orchids
- Miniature orchids
- Miltonia orchids
- Miltonia orchids
- Oncidium orchid
- Paphiopedilum orchid
- Phalaenopsis orchids
- Sympodial orchids
- Vanda orchids
- Zygopetalum orchids
Other Names and Varieties of Orchids
- Lycast orchid
- Anguloa orchid
- Brassia orchid
- Bulbophyllum orchid
- Catasetum orchid
- Sophronitis orchid
- Phaius orchid
- Laelia orchid
Light Requirements for Popular Orchids
Bright light: Cattleya, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, Oncidium, Vanda.
Medium light: Miltonia, Zygopetalum.
Low light or Shade: Masdevallia, Miniatures, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis.
Local Orchid Societies
Greater Philadelphia Orchid Society Events
Northwestern Pennsylvania Orchid Society
Central Pennsylvania Orchid Society
Places to buy Orchids in the Philadelphia area
Parkside Orchids, Ottsville, PA
Lois Duffin Orchids, Philadelphia, PA
Waterloo Gardens, Devon, PA
More Interesting Facts About Orchids
10 Countries where Orchids grow naturally
Longwood Gardens 2011 Orchid Show results
The gardening season here; please feel free to subscribe to the Philadelphia Gardening column today. From growing annuals to zucchini, you can find it here; and it's free. Just click the subscribe button at the top of the article.
You can also find me on the Web at:
- Read my 2nd Column: National Nature and Spirituality Examiner
- Click here for my Gardening with a Purpose Blog
- Click here for my Website
- Click here for My Bio
- Friend me on Facebook
- Follow me on Twitter
- Check out my photos on Flicker
- Link with me on LinkedIn
- StumbleUpon my articles
- Check me out on the environmental social site Care2
Reference: (1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchids
Comments