If you have ever wondered about growing orchids, here are the answers to your questions.
The name orchid comes from the Greek word "orchis" which means testicle.
Growing Orchids
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 haven't grown orchids, you are missing one of nature's finest offerings.
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. Because there are so many of them, there is always more to learn about orchids.
New discoveries are made every day, giving the world of orchids an ever-widening horizon. It is an interest that provides as much of a challenge as you like.
They are no harder 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.
In nature, many orchids cling to trees and bushes as a growth habit; but they take nothing from the host plant and do not injure it in any way. Orchids that grow on trees are called epiphytes or, more commonly, air plants.
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 orchid family is the largest plant family in nature. From the thimble-sized Mystacidium caffrum to the 20-foot-tall Renanthera storiei, orchids take amazingly different shapes, forms, and growth habits. Some orchids produce blossoms no larger than a mosquito; some orchid flowers are as large as a dinner plate. Your familiar corsage orchid is just one of thousands of attractive types that can be grown in this area, given the proper environment.
Every country in the world, and every province in Canada, has its orchid species, including the Arctic. Ontario, for example, has more than 60 species of native orchids.
Links to Orchid Information
- Möhltimedia Publishing
- CD-Rom containing over orchid photos and interactive book chapters.
- Linda's Orchid Page
- For the beginning or advanced grower. Offers culture information, orchid identification with an online encyclopedia with photographs and a variety of other articles.
- The Orchid Digest
- A quarterly magazine. Information ranging from basic orchid care to advanced orchid culture. Full color pictures and articles from orchid professionals from around the world.
- Orchid Mall
- Categorized listing of orchid-related links.
- Orchid Mania
- An international group of orchid lovers who raise money for grassroots AIDS organizations, foster orchid education and appreciation, and save endangered orchid species.
- Ecan RMS Co., Ltd.
- Group of Thai orchid growers specializing in commercial dendrobium cut flowers. Contains information on ordering cut orchids, the orchid trade and a second for Thai orchid lovers.
- Orchids
- Photographs of orchids and information about cultivating them.
- All About Orchids
- Includes advice, orchid show listings, pictures, pest information.
- Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia
- Gives information on orchid species, how to grow, where they are found, what they are called and when they bloom.
- Colorful Orchids
- Photographs by Benjamin Naden of orchid species and hybrids. Includes links to orchid places of interest and a section on digital photography.
- Millennium Orchids
- Features phalaenopsis, odontoglossums, culture tips and a local news bulletin board.
- OrchidWire
- Searchable resource database with links to orchid-related sites.
- Barry's Orchid Page
- Orchid growing in Australia, orchid flasking, Catasetinae genera, orchid stamps, and photo galleries.
- Orchid Photos
- Collection of orchid photos from AOS judging and private collections.
- Kauai Orchids
- Information on orchid care and growing tips.
- Paphiopedilum Image gallery
- Photographs of various paphiopedilum orchid species and hybrids.
- Orchidandrea
- Specialized grower of orchids and offers advice on this unique species.
- Orchid Webring
- Information on species, hybrids, growers, and associations.
- Orchids of the Pleurothallid Alliance
- Features the plants of Lynn O'Shaughnessy and shares photos and information with The Pleurothallid Alliance site.
- www.orchidtalk.com
- Offers a photo gallery, discussion forums, and links page aimed at home orchid grower, and offers orchid software for sale.
- Karls Orchids
- Dedicated to the many species and varieties of phalaenopsis, providing a photo gallery and extensive cultural and background information.
- The Orchid Conservatory
- Thumbnail gallery of orchid photos, mostly taken at the Krohn Conservatory in Cincinnati (Ohio).
- The Orchid Site
- Basic information on orchids: types and varieties, culture and care, glossary, and links.
- Mark's Inspiring Plants: Pleiones
- Gardener in England provides information and photos showing the cultivation of these small semi-hardy orchids. Pages for both species and hybrids, with cultivation notes.
- Afrodisa
- Wally Orchard, certifiable Disamaniac, presents information about Disa orchids and culture, propagation, pictures, and personal accounts, and sells flasks of baby plants to interested hobbyists.
- AOS Cymbidium Culture Sheet
- American Orchid Society culture sheet on standard and miniature cymbidiums.
- BellaOnline Orchids
- Features weekly articles, book reviews and links.
- Diablo Disas
- Enthusiast and former grower presents extensive information on Disa cultivation and propagation, and links to other sites.
- Disas...The Pride of Table Mountain
- South African grower presents an informative overview of Disa orchids, covering natural habitat, botany, and cultivation, as well as several photos.
- Kitty_ni's Orchids
- Cultural information and photos of orchids being cultivated in Nicaragua. Most can be found in the wild in their natural environment.
- Macara Orchids
- Information on culture, hints, tips, pest and diseases. Topics aimed at New Zealand, but most will be relevant anywhere.
- Miltoniopsis Culture
- Informative and in depth information on miltonia and miltoniopsis culture. Links to several other culture sites and commercial site for purchase of cultural sheets of different species.
- Orchid Guide
- Pictorial database, links, events calendar and orchid discussion list.
- Orchid House
- Information on various species of orchids. This site covers everything from potting mixes to humidity. Sound information for everyone from the beginner to the expert.
- Orchid Species Culture
- Pollination/germination database for producing orchid seeds, orchid culture files, and information about a service that provides culture sheets on a subscription basis.
- OrchidPlanet
- Includes news, photographs, calendar of upcoming orchid events and cultural tips.
- Klehm Growers
- Company in Illinois presents care information for many species, FAQ, and an extensive photo gallery of their private collection of Paphiopedilum orchids.
- Orchid Hunter
- Includes a gallery with samples of the surprising diversity of shapes and colors in this collection of species.
- Roberta's Orchid Central
- Features photos and cultural information.
- Orchids From Singapore and Malaysia
- Offers brief information on micropropagation methods, including an overview of the required equipment and close-up photos of germinating seeds.
- Azumino Greenhouse
- Orchid photo gallery and pictures taken at orchid shows and club meetings in Japan. Include a page documenting an attempt to grow cool-climate orchids in a refrigerator.
- Lance Birk
- Orchid grower and author presents his three books on orchid culture and jungle orchid expeditions. Contains text excerpts of various chapters.
- Orchids Online
- Maintains an extensive orchid photo gallery, world-wide directories of orchid societies and nurseries, and an online orchid auction site.
- NOVA: The Orchid Hunter
- Site about a PBS program about the quest to discover orchids. Includes a small gallery of orchid photos and descriptions, and the transscript of the program.
- Aussie Orchids
- Features articles on repotting cymbidium, dealing with back bulbs, and training cymbidium spikes.
- The Pleione Website
- Paul Cumbleton in the UK presents information about the genus, including cultivation, taxonomy, hybrid list, photo gallery, and supplier directory.
- Brazilian Orchids
- Offers photos and cultural tips for orchids, listing of Brazilian orchid organizations, and directory of native orchids by state.
- Wildcatt Orchid Database
- Software containing the data from the International Orchid Registry, allowing queries and reports to identify crosses, determine progeny of listed hybrids, and display information about natural species and intergenerics. Updated twice-yearly.
- Vivi's Orchids
- Monthly illustrated columns on various orchid topics since 1995, as well as a photo of the month.
- International Orchid Register
- The Royal Horticultural Society is the international registration body for new orchid hybrids and cultivars. Site offers search functions, list of new hybrids, and application form.
- Orchid Pictures Query
- Database presented by the London Orchid Society, with references to thousands of orchid photos and drawings in hundreds of books, magazines, and catalogs.
- Orchid Photographs by Gary Yong Gee
- Professional in Australia presents illustrated articles about various species, as well as a list of photographs available as jpg files or prints.
- Carsten's Orchid-Depot
- A site about orchids and orchid breeding. Includes care instructions and photos.
Why YOU Should Grow Orchids
or why growing orchids is better than prozac
Is someone you know having a milestone birthday, or personal crisis? Need a redirection in life? Can't get out of bed? Can't afford a life coach? Is a life coach that can't get out of bed?Here are some thoughts....
- They are easier than you think
- You are really in need of an interesting hobby that other people can mention about you when somebody asks what you do.
- They will open up your world to new people and places
- They are beautiful and the world needs beauty
- You can never become bored or saturated with the subject
- Brenda Starr's lover, was always in search of a "Black Orchid". That can be your quest too.
- You can travel the world in search of new specimens for your collection.
- You can design neat t-shirts with pictures of your orchids and use them as conversation pieces.
- You will learn new and hard to pronounce words that will impress other people.
- You can become an expert at something almost everyone loves and appreciates in no time at all, because it is easy to do and there is so much mystery around them and they are just easy to grow, loving house plants. Who knew? Wink, wink!
Orchids
A good place to start your collection
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Phalaenopsis
Often called the moth orchid
This is one of the easiest orchids to grow because it likes the same conditions we do (at least most of us.) Its flowers can last for months and it requires very little care indoors. There are many variations and colors.They prefer the same temperature and humidity levels that most people do in their homes, 65 to 75 degrees F and average humidity. They are typically grown in orchid bark in four inch pots and do not like to be water logged. Allow water to run through their pot once a week, but do not let them sit in water.
Bright, but not direct light will make them happy. If all their blooms fall off, cut the bloom stalk back to the second node from the base and it will start to grow a new blossom tip. They will bloom any time of year but they do need to be fertilized. Look for a specific orchid fertilizer.
As with all orchids, they love moving air. Talk to them and play them music. They respond well, same as animals and children.
Paphiopedilum
Often called the Lady Slipper Orchid
Paphiopedilum prefer the same temperature and humidity levels that most people do in their homes, 65 to 75 degrees F and average humidity. They are typically grown in orchid bark with some compost in small, three or four inch pots and prefer to be evenly moist. They need to have their tall bloom stems staked to keep them upright. They like bright, but not direct light. They will bloom in the spring and the blooms will last for months but they do need to be fed. Love them and they will love you back. Oncidium
One of the fragrant orchids
Oncidiums prefer temperatures on the cool side when kept in the housein the house, 65 to 68 degrees F and average humidity. They are typically grown in orchid bark with some compost in small, two to four inch pots and prefer to be evenly moist when in bloom. They like bright, but not direct light.They will bloom year round and the blooms will last for months but they do need to be fed. They like moving air and music and Love.
You may need to stake the blooms to keep them upright, but they can be stunning spilling over containers if their pots are secured so they don't tip over.
Cattleya
Cattleyas prefer moderate temperatures and live in course bark. They need to be well watered in the summer and very lttle water in the winter when they are dormant. Good light, but not direct sun. Orchid Jewelry
Wear your hobby on your sleeve - or your shirt, or your hat, or your tie, or your socks, or your dress, or your jacket...
- Elegant Orchid - Species-specific orchid jewelry
- Elegant Orchid
Exquisitely Detailed
Species-Specific Orchid Jewelry Please click on any of the images below to see a detailed
description and a larger picture of each orchid.
Prices include all shipping and handling costs.
All Jewelry is 100% solid sterling silver. - the Fonseca Collection
- Hand selected tropical Orchid blooms scientifically preserved, trimmed in 24kt gold plate and handcrafted into fine jewelry.....
- Wholesale Orchid Jewelry
- Charms, pendents, earrings, belly rings.
5 Reasons You Should Be Focused on Orchids
in other words...what else is going on in the world...
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Learn more about Orchids on Amazon
Orchids for Dummies
Amazon Price: $11.55 (as of 12/30/2009) 
The Practical Encyclopedia of Orchids: The Complete Guide to Orchids and Their Cultivation
Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 12/30/2009)
Understanding Orchids: An Uncomplicated Guide to Growing the World's Most Exotic Plants
Amazon Price: $26.40 (as of 12/30/2009)
The Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession (Ballantine Reader's Circle)
Amazon Price: $10.08 (as of 12/30/2009)
The Classic Cattleyas
Amazon Price: $32.97 (as of 12/30/2009)
Flora's Orchids
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Botanica's Orchids: Over 1200 Species (Botanica's Gardening Series)
Amazon Price: $11.09 (as of 12/30/2009)
Taylor's Guide to Orchids: More Than 300 Orchids, Photographed and Described, for Beginning to Expert Gardeners (Taylor's Guides)
Amazon Price: $21.37 (as of 12/30/2009)
The Orchid: From the Archives of the Royal Horticultural Society
Amazon Price: $43.80 (as of 12/30/2009)
Orchids Simplified
Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 12/30/2009)
Orchid Grower's Companion: Cultivation, Propagation, and Varieties
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Orchid Growing for Wimps: Techniques for the "Wish I Could Do That" Gardener
Amazon Price: $13.46 (as of 12/30/2009)
The World's Most Beautiful Orchids
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Orchids: A Complete Guide to Cultivation and Care (Gardener's Guide)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Home Orchid Growing, 4th Edition
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Orchid Fever: A Horticultural Tale of Love, Lust, and Lunacy
Amazon Price: $11.92 (as of 12/30/2009)
Easy Orchids: The Fail-Safe Guide to Growing Orchids Indoors
Amazon Price: $13.57 (as of 12/30/2009)
Easy Orchids: Simple Secrets for Glorious Gardens--Indoors and Out
Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 12/30/2009)
Orchids
Amazon Price: $13.22 (as of 12/30/2009)
Growing Orchids The Complete Practical Guide to Orchids and Their Cultivation
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
Orchids
Amazon Price: (as of 12/30/2009)
The Best Orchids for Indoors (Brooklyn Botanic Garden All-Region Guide)
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 12/30/2009)
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