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Orchid Habitats

Orchid habitats are diverse, ranging from the Arctic regions to the tropics, from sea level to elevations as high as 12,500 feet; but the most preferred regions are the warmer areas of the globe. Orchid species in tropical, sub-tropical, warm and cool temperate rainforests are largely epiphytic (growing in trees) or lithophytic (growing in the crevices of rocks) . Of the numerous epiphytic orchids, none is parasitic (a plant that lives on another plant from which it obtains nutrients). In the Arctic and temperate regions the orchids are largely terrestrial (growing on the ground).

Orchids are found in the following vital epiphytic habitats:

* Rainforests,
* monsoon forests,
* mangrove swamps.

Other essential habitats include those for terrestrial orchids:

* Coastal lowlands,
* water meadows,
* bogs,
* swamps,
* sand dunes,
* grasslands,
* moist rocks,
* creeks,
* mountain streams,
* and edges of waterfalls.


RAINFOREST HABITATS

More than half the world's rainforests are found in Central and South America. Other rainforests are located in Asia and Africa. Embedded in the tropical rainforests are monsoon forests. Unlike tropical rainforests which receive rain year-round, monsoon rainforests receive their rain during the monsoonal season which is then followed by a dry period.

Orchids growing in tropical rainforests tend to festoon the higher branches of tall, lofty trees with ferns, bromeliads, mosses and other epiphytic plants, where sufficient light and air movement penetrates the thick canopy for their growth. Their roots are exposed to the air or lie in leaf litter in the grooves of rough bark. So dense is the number of plants reaching for light and air flow that the tree branches often break under the weight.

In the monsoon rainforests the base of the stems of the epiphytic orchids are swollen and bulb-like in formation. These pseudobulbs hold a supply of moisture to save the plant from dehydration and death during the dry season between the monsoonal rains.

My favorite orchids

There are many types or Cattleya but this is my my favorite.

Orchids are more than a plant

These living breathing life forms are alive with a real soul.

To me, Cattleya orchids are among the most beautiful and fulfilling of the orchid species to grow and care for. Their care and culture is easily learned by the beginner, and with simple growing conditions most of us can obtain outstanding results. Adding additional Cattleya orchids to your collection is easy, since their care and culture varies only slightly among most of the hybrids. Once you learn how to grow, bloom, and care for Cattleya orchids, then you can easily learn to grow any other generation of orchids.

Many people have asked how I grow such beautiful orchids. Books have been written about how to grow and care for Cattleya orchids and other orchid species, this is how I know to grow mine:

First; I HARD GROW all of my Cattleya orchids. Cattleya orchids (and other orchid species) that have been hard grown will have bigger, brighter, sturdier blooms and the inflorescence will be stronger and not require staking. Hard grown means that the orchid plant was not babied in any way. Temperatures were allowed to be above the maximum and below the minimum. The orchid plants are given outside conditions to toughen them up, and all of the orchid fertilizer they can handle. This makes them able to withstand extremes, and it shows up in the orchid blooms. Unlike the orchid plants you normally are offered, these Cattleya orchids have very sturdy leaves. The orchid leaf can break like a celery stick. Rarely are hard grown Cattleya orchids such as these offered for sale.

Care Conditions:

Light: This is the most important factor in growing and flowering Cattleya orchids. From May though September, I cover my growing area with 60% shade cloth. On the 1st of October, I remove the shade cloth to increase light levels throughout the winter. This allows the orchid plants to get bright sunlight, making sure they do not get any direct sun in the middle of the day.

Temperature: This ranges from 48 degrees in the winter to over 95 in the summer. The orchid plants are open to the environment and thus can tolerate the temperature range.

Water: In my experience, more orchids are killed by over watering than from lack of water. Mature Cattleya orchids need to dry out thoroughly before being watered again. From about October 1st through May, I water once a week. From May though September, I water twice a week. Please note; in both May and September, I use a bamboo skewer to check before watering. I pick an average pot, push a dry bamboo skewer into the middle, and let it set for 10 seconds. I then pull it out and touch my cheek with it. If the skewer is cool to the touch, I wait a day before watering. This method is not of my own invention, but one of the many things that I have learned on the Internet.

Fertilizer: I am currently using Peter's 20-20-20 with micro-nutrients. When new growth is developing, I fertilize ½ strength (1 teaspoon of Peter's per gal) each time I water. I also water with just plain water once a month to flush out excess fertilizer salts.

When I remove the shade cloth, I reduce my watering, still continuing to fertilize once every two weeks for the winter.

Twice a year, I water with Epson Salts at a mixture of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water (it adds magnesium to the soil-less mixes that we all use). If you can find a fertilizer with calmag in it, then don't add the Epson Salts.

Potting: The mix I use is 5 parts medium bark, 2 parts sponge rock, 2 part coconut chips, and 1 part charcoal. This mix works very well for my growing conditions. As a general rule, I re-pot newly purchased orchids even if they come from a reputable
dealer.

Orchids can be difficult when trying to get to bloom and so I suggest learning all you can about your orchids and put them in the proper environment and using proper blooming techniques.

If you're having issues these books were a big help to me.

Here's a great book with many secrets for growing orchids.The Magical World of Orchids
This will help you grow breathtaking orchids even if you have never raised one before. Orchid Secrets Revealed
This is the most practical guide to orchid care to be found on the internet. Orchid Care Expert which is a must have for anyone just getting into orchids.

Let the spirit be free.

A Wild Orchid by Lanie Alexandria Costeas 3-18-92

We are all flowers in the garden of the world.
Some of us are daisys dainty and bright.
Some of us are poppys,with sweet contagious laughter.
If there was a flower for you,
Youd be a wild orchid,
So full of life,colors alive,
Sprinkled with scarlett and purple,
Explosions of colors racing through your petals.
I was walking in a garden,
Looking for a flower with a soul like yours,
A free spirit,so intense and vivid.
There were many flowers,
The tulips were always telling me to stand up straight
and not open up too much.
The violets were deep but when watered with love closed up.
The rose was too perfect in every aspect.
Then there was you so unique and wild.
A orchid with a soul different from them all
different to touch,to hold,to look at.
You took my wild colorful side,and let it live.
Set me free with your fire
I dream of finding you again,
discovering you again,
Theres far to many daisys in life.