GROWING ORCHIDS

Orchidaceae is the largest plant family in the world. It contains about 28,000 currently accepted species, distributed across 763 genera. The number of orchid species is nearly equal to the number of bony fishes, more than twice the number of bird species and about four times the number of mammal species on the planet.
They make up about 6-11% of all species of seed plants. Moreover, horticulturalists have produced more than 100,000 hybrids and cultivars.
 

Orchids now exist in every colour, shape, size and growth with something to suit every individuals taste. Their growth in popularity increases as the wider community discovers that orchids are not as difficult to grow as commonly believed, once their basic needs are understood.

Orchids can be found growing on trees (epiphytes), on rocks (lithophytes) or in particular soil types, with very distinct climatic conditions (terrestrials). Having a unique root structure, their water and light requirements differ greatly from other plants. The one key to growing orchids successfully relies in knowing the habitat specific to the type of orchid you are growing and attempting to replicate these conditions. 

Select a genus below to find out more about how to care for these orchids.