Many orchids bloom in winter, which makes them even more desirable as houseplants. Because of the great diversity in orchids, how you grow orchids depends upon which type of orchid you choose!
orchidFind orchid cultivars with thin leaves or thick, flowers as small as a pinhead or as large as a dinner plate. Orchid colors span a range that begins with white and goes on through varying shades of yellows and oranges, reds and pinks. In fact, except for blue and black, orchids bloom in every color on plants of diminutive size or those that reach 15-feet tall!
The family Orchidaceae is the largest family of plants on Earth with near 900 genera, over 28,000 species, and more than 300,000 orchid cultivars. All the same, most orchids do share some characteristics.
Selecting an Orchid
Look for flowering size plants, since it can take up to five years for a seedling to flower. Each type of orchid has different cultural requirements so it is usually easy to find a variety that matches the growing conditions in your home. The four most popular orchids for the home grower are:
Phalaenopsis– Familiarly known as the moth orchid, the phalaenopsis is similar in care requirements to the African violet and a good choice for the beginning orchid grower. Elegant flower spikes bloom for two to three months in late winter or early spring. The phalaenopsis tolerates more shade than some other varieties and easily adapts to most home growing conditions.
Oncidium– Like that of the phalaenopsis, the flower spike of the oncidium blooms up to three months, but does prefer to grow in a sunny window. Care requirements are categorized as easy to intermediate.
Dendrobium– If you're looking to brighten up your home during the fall and winter, the dendrobium may be your kind of orchid! Although dendrobium varieties differ in care requirements and some are more difficult to grow than others, the successful dendrobium grower is rewarded with up to three months of lovely sprays of white or/and lavender flowers that last for three to four weeks during fall and winter.
Cattleya– The cattleya is the corsage orchid. Although it typically blooms once yearly for only two weeks during either spring or fall, its flowers last for up to six weeks. The cattleya is an orchid for the intermediate orchid grower. Preferring to grow in the sun, it has double the light requirement of the phalaenopsis.
Planting
Most orchids are epiphytes. In the wild, orchids attach fleshy roots to trees and bark and absorb moisture and nutrients from the air around them. Although orchids can adapt to most types of containers, porous containers, like clay pots provide both good drainage and aeration.
Plant your orchids in a mixture that keeps its roots well aerated and quickly drains excess water. Home growers commonly use commercially prepared potting mixtures or soilless home mixtures that contain a combination of peat, fir bark, tree fern fiber, charcoal, and/or volcanic rock.
Orchids usually won't thrive in regular potting soil, since soil-based mixtures tend to become waterlogged, which causes roots to suffocate from lack of oxygen.