To Grow the Best Orchids, Let Nature Be Your Guide–But Not Your Dictator
The ability to grow orchids is no longer a privilege reserved to the few, now that the knowledge of how to do so successfully is widely available. This happened as a result of studying these plants both in their native habitats and in greenhouses, gardens and even the laboratory.
One of the most important discoveries about orchids was the finding that some of the most ornamental species require less heat and less expensive growing equipment than was once thought necessary. This understanding opened up orchid growing to anyone willing to spend the time to learn its ins and outs.
In the 19th century, when the mania for orchids really blossomed, 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 wrote 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. Nevertheless, be cautious. It is not generally a good idea to try to strictly imitate the natural conditions in which a plant might be found. 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 should a neophyte to orchid cultivation do? Can one strike a balance between imitating nature and trying to improve on it? The simple answer: Educate yourself. 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 education in itself, suitable for beginners as well as the more experienced. Also, be sure to visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing library of postings on all aspects of orchids.
