![]() For orchids, the root growth is the best indicator of the health of the plant. Ordinary potted plants are judged by their leaf growth. The secret to growing healthy orchids is to grow healthy roots. So, a pot helps by holding some moisture around the roots. Unfortunately, our homes are not humid enough to support epiphytes well. ![]() It is perfectly fine for orchid roots to grow outside of the pot. As a result, we must understand how strange this is for the plant, their roots like to breathe and be free. To better understand the water retention capability of each orchid media please see our Media Weights chart. Also see our illustration of Orchid Root Size and how it relates to the choice of orchid mix. Whether you choose one of our Classic Orchid Mixes, Imperial Orchid Mixes or choose to create your own custom Select-A-Blend, we hope you will see the variety of orchid media and orchid mix ideas available here. The goal is the same, to use a mix that is open and airy and brings to the orchid the appropriate amount of moisture for its needs. Often multiple media are mixed together in an orchid mix with each ingredient bringing unique desirable characteristics to the mix. The conditions on a sun porch in Florida are different from a heated home in Ohio yet orchids, with proper care, can thrive in both. The best media for an orchid is the one that best matches the type of orchid and the conditions in which it is growing. ![]() Orchids require special media in which to grow. It is important to note that orchids do not grow in dirt, it will smother their roots and kill the plant. The best orchid mixes contain special medias that promote healthy drainage and good airflow. Our Orchid Starter Kits offer the essentials for growing a happy healthy orchid. Understanding the natural conditions in which the orchid grows, is critical to understanding what the orchid needs for its care. How strange this must be for the plant and how different it is from the conditions to which the orchid has adapted. Imagine now, this same plant in a pot in a typical home environment. Many orchids have to deal with times of abundant water and times of dryness and so they have thick stems called "pseudobulbs" that allow them to store and hold water for the dry periods to come. It is humid in the jungle and these orchid roots have adapted to absorb water from the humid air, hence the term "epiphyte". The orchid gets no nutrients from the tree itself, it is not a parasite, it gets only support and a bit of food from the organic matter decaying in the crooks of branches or from animal droppings that wash down the tree in the rain. Its roots have grasped the tree bark and are using the tree for support. Imagine standing in a jungle and looking up at an orchid that is clinging to a tree. Today's orchid hybrids are very rewarding house plants to grow and are relatively easy to care for if you take a little time to understand their basic needs. These hybrids have been created by crossing different species, and sometimes different genera to breed in desirable characteristics such as color, fragrance, flower size and ease of care and breed out many of the challenging care aspects of pure orchid species. The plants sold at nurseries, florists, hardware chain stores and groceries are likely to be hybrids. Our Orchid Identification page provides a basic introduction to many of the popular types of orchids. Yet, there are only several dozen species widely produced and even fewer that are available at a local nursery. With a plant family this diverse it is challenging to give general guidelines on orchid care. The remaining orchids are terrestrials which grow in the loamy detritus of the jungle floor. ![]() Some orchids are lithophytes or "rock plants" growing on or among rocks. Most orchids are tropical plants which live as epiphytes or "air plants" hanging on to trees for support. These numbers are growing every year making orchids the largest and most diverse of the flowering plant families. The orchid family has over 880 different types (called genera) and over 22,000 species.
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