Granted, care must be taken when growing orchids at home. However, they are no more difficult to grow than most other houseplants when their particular growth requirements are met. In fact, some orchids are as easy to grow as cacti.

Although there are more than 25,000 species growing in climates ranging from the arctic tundra to the tropical rain forest, the orchids most often cultivated are species from tropical climates.

They are commonly grouped by cool, intermediate, and warm temperature requirements based on the plants’ optimum night requirements (45 to 50 degrees F, 55 to 65 degrees F, and above 65 degrees F, respectively).

The beginning grower should consider starting with established plants which should bloom within a year. Seedlings are less expensive but may take up to five years to flower. Natural species may be grown, but the hybrids are often more vigorous and less demanding in their cultural requirements.

Light is often a factor limiting the growth of orchids. Most orchids require relatively high light intensities and should be grown in an east or south window. However, a few will grow well under low intensity fluorescent lights.

Orchids vary in their water requirements. Many tropical orchids are epiphytes, growing on the side of trees, and will not do well if their roots stay wet. Epiphytes should be grown in a very porous potting medium such as coarse fir bark, lava rock, or coarse perlite. Terrestrial types rooted in soil require a well-drained, finer textured growth medium.

Watering frequency depends on the medium in which they are potted. Most orchids cannot survive prolonged drought and should be watered often. However, some require a “dry season” of six to eight weeks during which watering is reduced but not stopped. This “dry season” must occur immediately after maturation of the current season’s growth and is often necessary to initiate flowering.

Nutrients must be provided in dilute concentrations when orchids are grown on inert media. Moderate air circulation is required for best growth.

Be aware that many factors may prevent flowering in orchids. Insufficient light is the most common reason. If there is too little light, the leaves become a deep, lush green. With too much light the leaves turn yellow-green.

For proper flowering, the leaves should have only a slight yellow tint. Some orchids may not bloom if the nighttime and daytime temperatures are the same. Consistently warm temperatures are good for vegetative growth, but may suppress flower development.

A 10 to 15 degree reduction in the night temperature for two weeks in the fall or spring is needed to initiate flower development. Dry air may result in failure of flower buds to open and death of plants in extreme cases. A relative humidity of 60 percent will alleviate the problem.

Orchids are affected by many of the same pests and diseases as other houseplants. Insects such as mealybugs and aphids can be controlled with the proper insecticide. Good cultural practices and the purchase of healthy plants will reduce the chance of disease although most fungal and bacterial diseases may be controlled using commercially available fungicides and bactericides.

Each type of orchid is dependent on a particular pollinating agent. The orchids use variety of tricks to insure pollination. Some of them attract pollinating agents with the help of fragrance or scent of food.

While the others manage to fool the male insects, by imitating the ‘female insect look’ or appearance. Because of this, future of the orchids growing in the wild, depends heavily on conservation of the entire ecosystem.

Extinction of a species of insect or bird, may mean extinction of the orchid depending on it. The following are some interesting facts about orchids:

• The orchids have a unique identification signature, in the form of a structure, which harbors its male and female reproductive organs. This structure is referred to as ‘column’.
• Orchid flowers are famous for their colors and one can find every imaginable color and shade in orchids.
• Some of the orchids have sweet fragrance, while few others, smell like stinking or rotting meat.
• Orchid flowers come in varying sizes. The flowers of Platystele stenostachya are small enough to fit on the head of a nail. On the other hand, those of Cattleya gigas orchid are eight to eleven inches across.
• The giant in the orchid family is Renanthera storei. It can grow to a height of 20 feet.
• An orchid can live as long as 100 years, whilst the orchid flowers can last for few weeks. However, the blossoms wilt quickly, after fertilization.
• There are very few species of the orchid family that can be used as food or to obtain medicine from it. In China, some of the orchid types are used as aphrodisiacs.
• In tropics, different types of orchids are found in the cloud forests in mountainous regions, while they are less in numbers, at lower elevations, in the rain forests.
• Orchids from the temperate areas, like Indiana, grow on the ground. On the other hand, orchids in the tropics, grow on trees or rocks.
• The orchids are not parasites; but use decaying organic matter collected on the bark of trees or in fissures of rocks for their nourishment.
• In the past, the roots of the orchids found in Europe, were used as aphrodisiacs.
• The main commercial source of natural vanilla, is an orchid named as Vanilla planifolia.
• Orchid blooms are used in Asian recipes as ingredients, and in Hawaii, they are used to dress the food and drinks.
• The male bowerbirds of New Guinea are known to present orchid flowers to female bowerbirds, in an attempt to win their heart.

Orchids are loved for their colors, sizes, shapes and are maintained as potted houseplants in flower gardens or greenhouses.

In spite of the many varieties of orchids, these delicate, exotic plants, the world over, are being threatened with extinction. Though, 42 different orchid types are found in Indiana, many of them are endangered for one or the other reason.

All of these orchids come under the family Orchidaceae, which is considered as the largest family of flowering plants. After the grasses, the Orchidaceae, is the second-most widely distributed plant family on the Earth.

The orchids have infiltrated every ecosystem and habitat, except the aquatic, on the Earth. Even the Arctic Circle, which is infamous for its sub-zero temperatures and adverse living conditions for man and the animals, have three types of orchids.

Orchids are found on every continent, except the Antarctica. Two of them, in Australia, have found shelter under the ground and their flowers can be seen above the ground for brief spell of time.

From a botanist’s point of view, there are only two orchid types: Terrestrial orchids and Epiphytes. The distinction between these orchid types is as follows. The orchids varieties or the species that grow on the ground come under the terrestrial orchid types.

On the other hand, orchid species that grow on trees or rocks, come under epiphytic orchid types. Let’s take a look at some of these types of orchids.

• Anota violacea

This orchid’s name signifies the absence of “ears” on the floral column. This orchid, a terrestrial orchid, is sometimes also referred to as Rhynchostylis violacea orchid.

These orchids are native of the Philippines. The flowers of this orchid are small in size and bloom in winter and spring, donning lavender and white colors. This orchid proliferates in warm temperatures, shady light and moisture.

• Anguloa uniflora

This orchid is named after Don Francisco de Angulo. It is also known as ‘boat orchid’ or ‘tulip orchid’. This terrestrial orchid is 18 to 24 inches tall and is native of the Colombian Andes.

The large fragrant flowers are creamy-white in color. One of petal, ‘lip’, of the flower is hinged. When insects enter the flower to remove nectar, the lip pushes it against the column to facilitate the pollination. These orchids bloom in spring and summer and love shade and medium to cold temperatures. Watering should be decreased after it has matured, to facilitate flowering.

• Ascocentrum curvifolium

The name of this orchid is a reference to its spurred lip. This orchid, an epiphytic orchid, is a six-inch tall, monopodial plant, that is native of Thailand.

The flowers of this orchid are half-inch in size and orange-red in color. This orchid’s bloom time, which favors medium to warm temperatures, shady light, and even moisture, is late spring and summer.

• Cattleya

This is the most popular orchid, having more than sixty species. The orchid is named after William Cattley, an orchid collector. This orchid type is native to the American tropics and is found from Mexico to Brazil. These epiphytic orchids which bloom in many small, narrow flowers are brightly colored and have narrow pseudobulbs and leathery leaves.

These orchids love medium to warm temperatures and bright but not harsh light. This orchid type also prefer air circulation, high humidity and effective drainage of water. When it comes to orchid gardening, the Cattleya orchids are preferred.

Additionally, some can withstand long periods of drought, while others require constant moisture. The key to successfully growing orchids is the proper choice of species and an understanding of the environment in which they grow naturally. The following are a few orchids recommended for a beginning grower.

Paphiopedilum species and hybrids (Lady’s Slippers) require relatively low light levels. Some need cool (45 to 55 degrees F) growing conditions while others do well at intermediate temperatures (55 to 65 degrees F). They are terrestrial and should be potted in a finer textured potting mix than epiphytes.

Coarse sand and peat make a good potting medium. Paphiopedilum will not tolerate drying but should not be kept in a soggy condition. These species are good candidates for growing under fluorescent lights.

Cymbidium species and hybrids require high light intensity and cool temperatures. These terrestrial orchids will not flower without low night temperatures (33 to 40 degrees F). The miniature species and hybrids are somewhat less demanding with regard to temperature and are the best candidates for indoor culture. A well-drained potting mixture is required for best results.

Cattleya species and hybrids are the most common commercial orchids. These orchids are epiphytic and require intermediate temperatures and high light intensity. They should be potted in a coarse, well-drained potting mix without much water-holding capacity.

The species often have a stringent rest requirement between flowering cycles. Many hybrids are much less demanding and make good indoor plants.

Dendrobium species, especially Dendrobium phalaenopsis, are good candidates for indoor culture if large size is not a problem. D. phalaenopsis is an epiphyte requiring intermediate temperature and relatively high light intensity.

Most of the varieties will grow and flower well if given a four-week rest period as new growth matures. Watering should be reduced during this period but not stopped. Some varieties may flower without a rest period.

Phalaenopsis species and hybrids (moth orchids) are epiphytes requiring warm temperatures. They grow well under relatively low light intensities and are good plants to grow under fluorescent lights. These plants must have a very coarse potting medium that drains rapidly. They do not tolerate drying and must be watered frequently.

It is not uncommon for individual flowers to remain in good condition on the plant for two to three months. A well-maintained plant may flower up to 18 consecutive months.

Orchids come in all colors except black (although there are orchids that are almost black), in all sorts of beautiful and bizarre shapes, and in a wide range of sizes.

Although most garden centers carry reasonably priced, easy-to-grow varieties (mostly tropical species), in the natural world there are more than 20,000 species of orchids, growing in every type of habitat from tropical rain forests to the tundra and semi-arid desert, and on every continent except Antarctica. Orchids grow in all 50 states, even Alaska!

If you want to buy a potted orchid for yourself or for a gift, check the Yellow Pages in the phone book for a commercial orchid grower or visit your local garden center. Your best buy, according to the American Orchid Society (AOS), is a moderately priced ($25 to $40) mature plant in flower or bud.

This not only gives you the best value for your money but guarantees a plant of flowering size. You’ll also know the season and the approximate flower conformation.

AOS recommends that you check out the greenhouse facilities before buying an orchid. Good greenhouse sanitation is one of the keys to successful orchid cultivation. The plant should be securely rooted in the pot and have lustrous flowers and firm, succulent leaves and pseudobulbs. Fresh, white roots with green root tips also are a sign of a healthy plant.

Check with the sales staff regarding the orchid’s growing requirements. Orchids are commonly grouped by cool, intermediate, and warm temperature requirements based on the plant’s optimum night requirements (45 to 50 degrees F, 55 to 65 degrees F, and above 65 degrees F, respectively).

Most orchids require relatively high light intensities and should be grown in an east or south window. However, a few will grow well under low intensity fluorescent lights. Orchids require regular fertilization and moderate air circulation for best growth.

Orchids vary in their water requirements. Many tropical orchids are epiphytes, growing on the side of trees, and will not do well if their roots stay wet. Epiphytes should be grown in a very porous potting medium such as coarse fir bark, lava rock, or coarse perlite. Terrestrial types rooted in soil require a well-drained, finer textured growth medium.

Watering frequency depends on the medium in which they are potted. Most orchids cannot survive prolonged drought and should be watered often.

However, some require a “dry season” of six to eight weeks during which watering is reduced but not stopped. This “dry season” must occur immediately after the current growth matures and is often necessary to initiate future flowering.

Insufficient light is the most common reason orchids don’t flower. If there is too little light, the leaves become a deep, lush green. With too much light, the leaves turn yellow-green.

Some orchids may not bloom if the nighttime and daytime temperature are the same. Consistently warm temperatures are good for vegetative growth but may suppress flower development.

Orchids are affected by many of the same pests and diseases as other houseplants. Insects such as mealybugs and aphids can be controlled with the proper insecticide.

Good cultural practices and the purchase of healthy plants will reduce the chance of disease. However, most fungal and bacterial diseases may be controlled using commercially-available fungicides and bactericides.