Mother Nature Knows Best for Growing Orchids? Maybe, Maybe Not
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The means to grow great orchids is now available to almost anyone, unlike in past years. This happened as a result of studying these plants both in their native habitats and in greenhouses, gardens and even the laboratory.
A crucial discovery was the finding that some of the most ornamental species need less heat and less elaborate growing equipment than previously thought necessary. The new understanding showed that growing orchids was something anyone could undertake.
In the 1800s, when the craze for orchids really took off, many would-be growers were initially discouraged by one significant problem. Travelers were sending back home the most exotic orchids they could find, but usually without detailed information 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,” complained one orchid enthusiast complained in 1885.
Today we are more fortunate with our understanding of the orchids. We can stand on the shoulders of previous orchid lovers who carefully wrote down everything 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. Nevertheless, be cautious. 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. There is art as well as science involved.
Again quoting that Victorian orchid authority: “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 should a just-starting-out orchid grower to do? Can one strike a balance between imitating nature and trying to improve on it? The answer: Brush up. Educate yourself. Immerse yourself in the subject. You can successfully grow orchids if you know what you’re doing up-front.
One of the best and most complete 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 database of postings on all aspects of orchids.