It’s long been recognized that one of the toughest plants to grow is the delicate orchid. They grow reliably in very few places on earth – too cold and they freeze, too warm and they dry up. As a species they are very fussy about their surroundings, not just in terms of their preferred climate, but also in the nutrients available in the soil in which they grow.
Estimates put the number of individual orchid species in the region of 25,000, with the biggest proportion of those existing in tropical climates. That’s due to the warm and humid air that avoids the chance of death by frost, and at the same time supplies hydration both through the air and below ground. Some of the most remarkable species are truly huge. With some websites claiming a ton in weight, a more realistic estimate would be significantly smaller – but certainly much larger than the single flowers we’re used to.
The life cycle of an orchid is in fine balance, to begin most species will require the help of insects or other animals to pollinate, although it’s believed to be possible for some species even in remote areas to self pollinate. Of course, those that generally rely upon animal life to spread their seed will thrive in areas with plentiful populations of those creatures, and an absence of them might threaten their future generations.
Growing orchids domestically, then, provides a somewhat different challenge to other types of plant. There are plenty of online resources available that provide huge depth and knowledge relating to orchids, but what you really need is a set of simple guidelines written by experienced orchid gardeners to learn from. For example, as we noted earlier, there are a huge variety of orchid species, so general tips may not be as well suited to a vanilla orchid, but they’re still vital to be aware of to grow your foundation of understanding about orchids as a whole, not least if you’re looking to develop growth in several areas. Simple and broad understanding is important – you can then move on to learning the specifics later. Sites like the growing orchids review are helpful for new starters to get that basic understanding under their belts.
Once you’ve found your feet, you’ll be able to move on to some of the more advanced species if you feel like a challenge. If not, you’re going to find thousands of varieties with a similar set of preferred environments that you’ll never run out of. While growing orchids is sometimes a little difficult to get started with, it’s also a hobby that you’ll never fully master, so you can take it as far as you like – there’s always something new to learn.