Natural Growing Conditions Are Usually But Not Always the Best Thing for Orchids
The ability to grow orchids is no longer a privilege reserved to the few, now that the knowledge of how to do so is widely available. This has come about because, first, many people have studied the plants in their native habitats, and second, because they have closely studied the various orchid cultivars in greenhouses, gardens and even in the laboratory.
One important discovery about orchids was that many of the most ornamental species did not require either the high heat or the elaborate growing equipment that people once thought necessary. This understanding opened orchid gardening to everyone who would take the time to read up on the subject.
In the 1800s, when the craze for orchids really boomed, many would-be growers were initially discouraged by one significant problem. World travelers sent home one exotic species after another, but often without any notes at all as to their local growing conditions. Orchids vary greatly in their requirements. They need widely differing amounts of ight, heat and water. Ignorance of a plant’s unique needs could and often did lead to disaster. “The want of some such information has been a source of extreme vexation to many lovers of these plants,” one writer complained in 1885.
Nowadays we are much luckier with respect to understanding the orchids entrusted to our care. We can stand on the shoulders of other orchid lovers who carefully jotted down all they learned about each type and species of the plants that they encountered.
So, it is crucial to know what an orchid’s native habitate and climate are like. Having said that, though, here’s a cautionary note. Generally, you shouldn’t try to completely re-create the conditions of a plant’s natural habitat. Within reason, it is possible to cultivate better looking orchids than nature produces by intelligently tampering with its environment. As you can understand, this is both an art and a science.
To again quote that writer in 1885: “We admit that we should by all means take nature as our guide for the production of good plants but it should be nature in her best garb only and then looking as we do upon cultivation as a help to nature the result can only be an improvement if success in the object aimed at has been attained.”
So what’s a beginning orchid grower to do? How do you strike a balance between imitating nature and improving on it with the tools of modern horticulture? The answer: Immerse yourself in the subject. You can successfully grow orchids if you know what you’re doing up-front.
Among the best and most thorough guides to modern orchid growing is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which may be downloaded online. There are many books on the subject of orchids, but Mr. Howard’s guide is a complete course, and good for beginners and more experienced growers alike. Also, check out the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing library of postings on all aspects of orchids.
