Basic Information on Orchids Lawrence KS

Believe it or not, orchids — among the most glamorous and spectacular flowering plants in the world — are easy to grow! You just need to give them what they need. And their requirements are not difficult to meet: adequate light, humidity, water, and ventilation. Sure, there are other nuances, like fertilizing, repotting, insect and disease control, but none of these is daunting.

This is the largest plant family on our planet with an estimated 30,000 wild types (species) and many more varieties that have been bred.

What makes an orchid an orchid?

You can easily tell when a rose is rose, but orchids are quite a bit more complex and varied when it comes to their flower shapes and the construction of their leaves, stems, and roots.

Certainly, the flamboyant colors of modern orchid hybrids are a standout and are the primary reason these plants are so treasured. But there are so many different types of orchid flowers, so the question is, "Which one is typical?" There is really no correct answer to this question. Many people think of the cattleya-type, while others may picture moth orchids.

To get a better idea how orchid flowers are constructed, take a look at a typical cattleya flower and compare it to a more ordinary flower, a tulip (see Figure 1). Table 1 shows some of the major differences between these two flowers.

So what makes an orchid an orchid? The column. This fused sexual structure located in the middle of the flower is what separates the orchid from all other plants.

Table 1: Differences between Tulip and Orchid Flowers

Where do orchids come from?

About 80 percent of orchids are from the tropics in both the New World (Central and South America) and the Old World (Asia and Malaysia). A smattering can be found in North America and Europe.

The ones that grow in your home, though, are all of tropical or semitropical origin. They mostly hail from areas of high rainfall and humidity and enjoy tropical to above-freezing temperatures during the winter.

Orchids are divided into two major categories based on where they grow. Those that are commonly found clinging to branches of trees are called epiphytes; those that thrive growing on or in the ground are called semiterrestrials and terrestrials.

So how can you tell the difference between the two? Many of the terrestrial roots are hairy, like those found in the slipper orchid (see Figure 2). Epiphytes have thick roots (called aerial roots because they're frequently suspended in the air). These aerial roots are covered with a silvery material called velamen, which can absorb moisture from the air like a sponge (see Figure 3).