Who doesn’t love an elegant orchid? If you have ever received an orchid as a gift, raise your hand. You will be amazed at the beauty of its flowers and then realize it’s time to part with it. You are not the only one! Although orchids can be seen as fragile and disposable, they are not dead. A potted orchid can be rebloomed many times over, giving you years of enjoyment.
This guide will help you keep your orchid plants alive. It also explains which orchids are the easiest to grow at home.
What is an orchid?
An orchid is a flowering plant of the Orchidaceae Family, which is one of the largest flowering plant families on Earth. There are more than 27,000 orchid species found in nature, as well as many cultivated varieties. These beautiful flowers are a symbol of love, beauty and unity as well as fertility. They can be found on all continents except Antarctica and are mostly found in rainforests. However, some species can also be found in temperate areas.
Although different orchid species may have unique shapes and proportions each orchid flower is symmetrical. While some orchid species only bloom for a few hours while others last months, the flowers of all species are symmetrical. Two types of growth habits are available for orchids:
Monopodial orchids are characterized by a single upright stem with leaves that are arranged in opposite directions along the stem. The flower clusters are located near the top of the plant. As the plant ages, the height of the flowers will increase.
Sympodial orchids are horizontally growing and sending out new shoots from their original stem. The new shoots produce leaves and flowers, which are also known as “pseudobulbs”. Most orchids that can be grown at home have the sympodial growth habit.
How Often do Orchids Bloom?
Many orchids are perennial in the habitat they inhabit, which means that they can live forever, even those we highlighted below. The majority of orchids only bloom once a season, but some species may rebloom every year if they are well cared for.
You can expect new blooms approximately one year after the original purchase date of an orchid. Commonly available Phalaenopsis orchid flowers last six to ten weeks before they wilt.
