by Michael Collins

Created on: October 15, 2007

Orchids are one of the most popular plants around, and with good reason: consisting of over 20,000 different species, the orchid family has countless options for the home gardener, and their ease of hybridization means that there are almost an infinite number of variations possible. Naturally, orchids tend to be a big draw for both the amateur and the serious green-thumb.

Orchids have gotten a bad rap, though - it seems there's a rumor going around that these prodigious plants are somehow difficult to grow. Well, that's just bunk! If you know the basics of orchid care, your orchids can be as beautiful as any out in the wild, and it doesn't take a master naturalist to do it, either!

There are two types of orchids. The first type, the tropical epiphytic orchid, is the most common. It's name describes how it grows: on top of other plants. Epiphytic orchids can be found near the dark bottoms of forests, sticking to well-shaded tree trunks, branches, and rocks. There are many options to select when growing these: some can be potted (terra cotta works best, but plastic will do in a pinch), but a few, like the stanhopea or Dracula orchid, need to be grown in a basket, since their flowers grow downward. The most fascinating ability of epiphytic orchids, though, allows for the greatest decorative possibilities: because they can cling to the surfaces of other plants, epiphytic orchids can be mounted to an upright piece of wood, tying the roots down with string until the plant can establish itself. This allows for much more variety in placement. Be warned, though - a mounted plant doesn't have the advantage of a water-retaining soil or plant, so it'll need to be watered more often than other types of planted orchid. A small bit of moss, placed behind the plant, can help to keep it moist before it can sink its roots into the wood.

The other type of orchid is called terrestrial. As its name implies, these orchids grow on the ground. Although in the minority of orchid species (comprising only around 25% of all orchids), all European orchids can be classified as terrestrial, which means that these orchids will grow best in the temperate North American climes. These orchids all require a pot.

A lot of advancement has been made since orchids were first discovered - once thought to require ultra-hot, dry air, it is now known that orchids are high-altitude plants, which means that they like lots of air flow, cooler temperatures, and humidity. Most orchids will be fine with temperatures

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