Orchid Care: Tips and Information on Orchids
The orchid is the queen of houseplants! With around 30,000 different species, orchids are the second largest plant family after the composite plants (Asteraceae) - and are among the most popular houseplants. No wonder: They look precious, exotic and graceful. They used to be considered difficult to cultivate. However, thanks to successes in tissue culture, the new cultivars are now extremely robust and available in a wide range of varieties. And above all, the cultivated hybrids, unlike the collector's items of earlier times, have become affordable. If you find the right balance in orchid care and pay attention to a few small features, you can keep your orchids blooming again and again.
The most important facts about the orchid plant family
In addition to their importance as houseplants, there are also a few useful plants in the orchid family, such as the vanilla plant. Wild orchids can also be found in deciduous forests or on mountain slopes, such as the lady's slipper (Paphiopedilum). Anyone discovering orchids in the wild should bear in mind that they are strictly protected.
Origin
Orchids have always fascinated people with their endless colours and flower shapes. The Chinese philosopher Confucius described their lovely fragrance as early as the 500th century BC and used the symbol "Ián", which stands for beauty, grace, elegance, love and purity. However, the orchid family has much earlier origins: it is estimated that it originated around 120 million years ago. However, it took until the 17th century before the plant became known in Europe. The first tropical orchid in Europe bloomed in Holland in 1615. In the 19th century, numerous collections were established in Great Britain due to its colonial power. Imports of orchids only declined when cultivation became increasingly important.
Location & suitable soil
Location: In their natural habitat in the rainforest, orchids only catch a little light through the treetops. Direct sunlight is therefore unsuitable for orchids. It is best to place their pots in bright east or west-facing windows. Draughts should also be avoided. Thanks to new cultivars, the popular Phalaenopsis can cope well with dry heating air. Leaves of other orchid species should be sprayed frequently with water that is not too cold and free of lime, especially during the heating period.
Substrate: Commercially available orchid soil or pine bark is ideal. These are sometimes divided into coarse and fine pine bark and can be selected depending on the pot size.
Appearance
Flowers: flowering time, colour & shape
Most orchid species flower once a year and then for around six to ten weeks. Phalaenopsis, on the other hand, can even flower one to three times a year, for a period of several months.
What orchid colours are there?
The colour palette ranges from white to shades of pink, orange, red, purple and yellow.
Varieties: What orchid varieties are there?
Cambria: A cross between different genera that do not occur in nature. Very large variety in size and shape: from 1.5 cm to 20 cm, from star-shaped to round. The variety of colours ranges from red to brown and purple; pink, orange, white and yellow specimens with markings are rarer.
Cattleya: Very diverse forms. Large and small-flowered. Particularly varied, spectacular colours, such as yellow with a dark red lip. Originally from Central and South America.
Cymbidium: Cymbidiums grow naturally on the ground or on trees. Long, grass-like leaves and up to six or more flowers on long stems. Flower colour: white, yellow, green, pink, red and brown.
Dendrobium: Grows naturally on trees and rocks. Inflorescence on the trunk. Flowers develop in small clusters opposite each leaf axil. Blooms for more than eight weeks. Flower colour: White, yellow, orange, red, dark purple, many colour combinations.
Miltonia: Also called pansy orchid. Shape and size vary greatly. Mostly large-flowered varieties in the trade. Shoot-forming with one or more flower stems, each bearing around five flowers. Flower colour: White, yellow, pink, red, violet. Striking flower pattern.
Oncidium: Also known as tiger orchid or dancing princess because the flowers resemble a ball gown. Flower size around 2 cm. Each flower stalk has a multitude of flowers, mostly in yellow-red-brown. Flower colours range from white to brown.
Paphiopedilum: Usually called lady's slipper in German because of the shoe- or slipper-shaped flower lip, which serves as an insect trap in nature. Flowers grow singly or in clusters. Unusual single flower with four splayed sepals and
sepals and a shoe-shaped lip. Depending on species and variety: White, yellow, green, brown, red, often in colour combinations and also spotted, striped, mackerel.
Phalaenopsis: The best-known orchid variety, also known as the butterfly orchid. Small or large-flowered species. Flower colours: White, yellow, cream, pink, brown and purple. There are also new cultivars with specially shaped and patterned flowers, as well as butterfly orchids with one to three flower spikes and larger individual flowers with a diameter of seven or more centimetres.
Vanda: Grows naturally on trees. Small and large-flowered flower forms. Colour palette in all colours of the rainbow, mostly monochrome from orange to blue/pink. Often with an intense fragrance.
Zygopetalum: Grows naturally on tree stumps and rocks in damp environments and originates from South America. Flower sizes from 2 to 10 cm, in shades of white, blue, red and purple. Some varieties have an intense floral scent.
The orchid is also a wild orchid found in calcareous grasslands. The bee orchid is also a native wild orchid. Wild orchids are generally protected.