Bringing Orchids Into Your Life

Nowadays, we have a wonderful choice of plants available to us, whether for decorating our homes or brightening up our offices. Further, we never tire of having them around us--we in fact seek more of them and want to add new ones to our surroundings.

Flowers, of course, have a huge appeal to a large number of people, whether cut, potted, or growing in the garden. Orchids--considered the aristocrats of flowers--exert an irresitable pull on many admirers.

"Conquerers of the light" is just one of the admiring appelations that have been earned by orchids. They astonish upon first encounter and continue thereafter to exert a profound fascination. Mother Nature has shown her liberality with the orchids. Their flowers are ever bright and elegant. The orchid's odor is sweet, but it is not cloying. They have a thin texture, making them appear frail and delicate, yet they can last longer in a vase than many ornamental flowers. From a flower connoisseur's viewpoint, about the only thing they lack is abundant foliage. But really, this is no big deal--the common aestehtic solution is to surround them with ferns to create an attractive arrangement.

Many people for years believed that these lovely plants were exceptionally delicate, and therefore hard to grow. This was mistaken. Orchids are in truth fairly simple to cultivate, and more than one hobbyist has raised some breathtaking specimens. The key lies in finding complete and accurate information on growing orchids before beginning. To assure success, you must educate yourself first; skip this preparation and you may be dooming yourself to failure.

It is a common myth--yet a myth nonetheless--that orchids require high heat to thrive. Not true, I'm pleased to report! Indeed, most orchids come from the tropics originally. However, many orchid species in the wild are found growing in the crisp air of steep mountainsides. It would be a mistake to subject these coolness-hardy plants to high temperatures -- if the heat didn't kill them, it would at least stunt their development.

Whatever your present skills as a gardener, you can grow these loveliest of flowers. Think of how much pleasure it would bring to surprise a friend or family member with your own home-grown orchid. Envision winning prizes for breathtaking orchids that you cultivated yourself. Picture yourself going so far with your orchid growing hobby that it becomes a business, perhaps one big enough to provide you with a living. You can do all of these things if you are first armed with the right knowledge.

One of the best and most complete guides to modern orchid growing is undoubtedly Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, available online. You can buy tons of books about orchids but Howard's guide is a complete course -- highly recommended for beginners and experienced growers alike. You might also want to visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing database of articles on all aspects of orchids.

Here's to the fun and satisfaction of orchids!