Joan E. Hixson - Growing Orchids Like A Pro: The Complete Guide on How to Grow Orchids Indoors & Outdoors, and How to Care for Your Orchids so They Bloom Year after Year

Joan E. Hixson

Copyright 2013 by Joan E. Hixson

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2013. All Rights Reserved.

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The delicatebeauty and colorful variety of orchids make them so appealing thatthey seem to take on a mystical quality. This ancient flower hasdelighted millions with its enchanting scent and unique shape. Thelush green leaves and distinguishing petals are attractive in alovely, stylish way. Orchids are living, natural pieces of art.

The family of orchids includes more than26,000 known species, which make up around one tenth of the entiregroup of classified seed and fruit plants. There are so many tochoose from, and each of them has their own magnificence, it can behard to know where to start when looking for your first orchid.

These plants are versatile and look great ashouseplants in any style of home and they can also flourish ingreenhouses, gardens, and other outdoor areas, given the properclimate and conditions.

Thus, orchids are not unique just because oftheir looks. Many people do not understand that orchids requirespecialized care, though they are usually very hardy plants if theproper care is given to them. Unlike most other houseplants, theyare not planted in soil and so their growing and blooming needsdiffer from those that most people are used to providing for theirplants.

I received my very first orchid for mybirthday one year and cherished the elegant plant for the twomonths that it bloomed. Then, when the petals fell off, I washeartbroken and thought that I had killed it with overindulgence orsomething. After consulting an expert at my local exotic plantstore, I realized that with the proper care, my orchid would bloomagain and again.

Five years later, I have a nice manageableteam of orchids that continue to thrive under my careful eyes. Notonly do these flowers brighten my rooms with their striking hues,they also allow me to enjoy one of the majestic oddities of natureright in my very own home.

Whenever I have visitors, I receivecompliments and admiration about my orchids. They act as thehighlights in every room they are placed, and as the center of abeautiful array of plants in the middle of my dining roomtable.

You, too, can delight in this wonderfulflower. Orchids in the home, workplace, or outdoor spaces willenliven any area and make it more sophisticated and memorable.

Despite some myths, orchids are not all thathard to care for. They are just unique and as such, need to betreated with special consideration. Becoming knowledgeable abouthow to provide for orchids will not only allow you to possess andcherish them in your own individual space, but it will also impressyour family, friends, and acquaintances.

Orchids grow all over the world. In fact,every country on the planet and every state in the United States ofAmerica have orchids, including Alaska.

The majority of orchids naturally grow inrainforests as epiphytes that live on trees above the floor of theforest. These are air plants that cling to the bark and moss oftrees, out of reach for insects and animals that cannot fly orclimb. This is the reason that orchids do best when planted inflowerpots with a mixture of bark and/or moss instead of soil.Their roots need to be able to reach the air.

In a rainforest, plants compete for sunlight,water, and nutrients. There are many plants that attach themselvesto tree branches and trunks so that they are able to get moresunlight.

Rainforests are named as such for a goodreason; there is a lot of rainfall, though it varies between downpouring and drizzling. This causes high humidity and air thick withwater vapor, which is why orchids love dampness.

There are also breezes throughout therainforest, which move the air over the plants and exposed roots ofthe orchids. The temperatures do not fluctuate tremendously, thoughthere is a noticeable difference between the daytime and thenighttime.

The nutrients that many plants crave comefrom the rapid decomposition of debris left by animals, insects,and other plants. This debris breaks down so quickly because of themoist conditions and temperature in rainforests.

Not all species in the orchid family areepiphytes, however. Some 200 types of orchids grow and thrive whenplanted in soil. They are classified as terrestrial orchids andjust like their air loving counterparts, they can bloom in manydifferent colors and hues and can be varying shapes and sizes.

These woodland flowers are especiallyfragrant at night and do not produce roots that are exposed to theair. Another way in which they differ from most other orchids isthat they do not require, and indeed cannot really handle, a lot offertilization.

If you have poor soil in your garden and wantto grow orchids, be sure to choose a weak fertilizer. You can alsodilute the fertilizer you use for your other plants to one-quarterstrength before putting it on the orchids.

Terrestrial orchids can tolerate much coolertemperatures than other flowers in the family, as well. Many ofthem will be able to survive in freezing temperatures and somekinds of terrestrial orchids even need below freezing temperaturesin order to bloom. They do go through a period of winter dormancy,like tulips and other flowers grown from bulbs, but they will beready to bloom again in the spring.

It is important to understand the naturalenvironment of any plant so that you can do your best to emulate itwhen growing it as a houseplant or in your garden. Now that youknow how orchids live and grow in the wild, you will be bettersuited to take care of one or more in your home.

Every species of orchid has a few commoncharacteristics that they all share, which is why they areclassified in the same family. Each orchid has at least one bulbousroot. This is the area from which the stem or stems, the leaves,the buds and flowers, and the seedpods and seeds grow. Some orchidshave long, large stems, while others remain small even inmaturity.