Orchids are very popular for the bouquet. The color and sent make the orchid so appealing. The color of the flower makes picking the right type for the bouquet easy. The sent is mild therefore very appealing to most couples. The meaning of flowers are also important. As we all know roses represent love, hydrangeas speak of loyalty and friendship, lilacs and daisies also speak innocence but the orchid is for beauty. Every couple wants their wedding to speak beauty. Beauty is deeper than looks so it will accent one’s life and relationship. Because of all the elegance and beauty of a wedding it makes the orchid a perfect match.

Centerpieces are another way the orchid is popular. Along with the fact that the sent is mild, orchids are very hardy. If they encounter rough handling like in shipping, they may bruise or drop blooms. They resist heat and loss of moisture which is good for weddings in the summer time. Another plus is that orchids are available year around. Some orchid types are tall making them even more appealing for a centerpiece.

Another reason orchids are so popular is that you can purchase orchids in bulk resulting in cost savings. When you buy in bulk, you go straight to the grower rather than paying for the middle man such as a florist.  By using orchids in the bouquet, centerpiece and any other parts of the decoration, bulk is the only way to go.

The natural habitat of orchids is found in areas of the tropics globally. These global tropics get an extremely large amount of rain. Humidity also is part of this region. The natural humidity for orchids is 80%. This level of humidity is very high for our comfort. An alternative to keeping your orchids happy and healthy is supplying them with a consistent supply of water. By creating a climate consistent to high levels of humidity, you will supply them with consistent watering. You do this by getting some pebbles and something like a deep saucer. By putting the pebbles in the saucer, add just enough water to cover the pebbles. Now set the orchid pot on top of the pebbles being careful not to let the water tough the pot just the pebbles. Now all you have to do is water the pebbles.

Make sure you do not over water your orchids. Even if the potting soil appears to be dry, the plants do not need to be watered. The bark holds the water. The best rule is to water once weekly or when the potting bark is completely dry. It is natural for orchid roots to get dried out before they receive water again. When it comes to fertilizing apply sparingly. Being able to guarantee that you can enjoy your plants for a long time to come is to fertilize and water to a routine.

By giving your orchid the right care which includes the right amount of water, potting bark, lighting and fertilizer, it will thrive in your home environment for a long time to come. Orchids can be temperamental even though they are beautiful but if you understand the proper care for your orchid, it is not difficult to grow and enjoy your exotic beauty for a long time.

The ground variety, terrestrial, is the most popular. Among the terrestrial types, you will find some varieties having both roots that grow under ground and roots that are what they call aerial or above ground. Cymbidium type orchids are from the terrestrial family having forty different types and many thousands of hybrids. Cymbidium types are excellent for growing on trees, rock or poles because of both types of roots. These orchids thrive very well in the humus of leaves or wood that has decayed. The natural habitat of cymbidium orchids is found in Australia, Southeast Asia and Japan. These orchids are extremely popular, especially for beginners, because they are so easy to grow. By caring for them in the right manor, they will bloom every year.

Epiphytes are referred to orchids with roots above ground. A very good example of an epiphytes is the orchid type dendrobiums. Dendrobiums are easy to grow but require a little bit more care than the cymbidiums and bloom on a lest regular basis. You can find thousands of them in the tropics of Northern India, Polynesia, Australia and South East Asia,  which is their natural habitat. Phalaenipsis are also an epiphytes type. This orchid type is easy to grow and their blooms will last a long time making them vary popular for weddings. They also have a large variety of colors even stripes.

The epiphytic types are of the tree variety. They grow on trees but they get their nourishment from organic matter that has built up between the root and branches. Epiphytic types thrive in filtered light and do not require constant watering. Their root covering is of a spongy matter that absorbs water when it rains. The water is then stored and it is released on a gradual basis as needed. Thus sustaining the orchids through dry periods.

Search out the information on your specific type of orchid in order to determine the best amount of sun and shade your plant needs.  There are a couple of ways to do this. Talking to the people you bought your plant from is one of the best resources of information. Another way is to research your type of orchid online for more information. Some types of orchids do extremely well on mostly sun while others do best with mostly shade. There are 2 separate ways to determine which type of light your orchid will like. The soft growing, or shade type only produce small flowers and are not very frequent. The hard growing, or sun type will produce many flowers and very little plant.

Using a grow-light is the best way to determine the right amount of light for your orchid. By using a combination of timer and grow-light, you can regulate the right amount of sun and shade effects needed. Another option is to use florescent lighting which a softer light source for your orchid. For many years the belief was that only experienced professional growers could be successful orchid growers but with all the light choices we have today, anyone can be successful. With a good understanding of your type or orchid, the choice of lighting as well as natural light, you can produce gorgeous orchids with full healthy blooms for the full season of the orchid.

Typically there is no more time or effort required in caring for you orchid that most house or garden plants. There are a few that do have special needs. The best thing to do first is to check the requirements of the type you desire. The fact that orchids produce such a delicate and beautiful bloom, this makes them a very unique house plant. Given extreme care will keep them blooming and healthy just as the store ones. The most common and popular type of orchid is the phaleanopsis. This is a white and purple orchid. These are much easier to care for than the other varieties.

You can plan on your orchids to bloom for at least three months if cared for properly. By placing your orchid near a window, it will allow the plants to  get the best sunlight of the day. Be sure to avoid the midday sun. The best sunlight is in the morning and evening. You can also use artificial light, (fluorescent), placed about a foot above your plants. Only use this type of light during daylight hours.

The best temperature for your orchids will be between 55 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit. If the temperature is higher than 80 degrees, the plants will either start to loose their buds or stop blooming all together. Be sure to keep the flowers moist. You do not want to over water your orchid because if the roots get to wet, it will cause the blooms to die. Best watering practice is to water once every week to ten days. You can also use a water tray instead for consistent watering. Avoid the roots touching the water tray for this will cause over watering.

By only fertilizing your orchids before they bloom, will assure keeping the plant blooming for the most amount of time. After your orchid blooms, there is no need to fertilize. Also, if you prune your orchid while it is blooming, this will also keep your orchid blooming for the longest amount of time and cause a second set of blooms to form. With this kind of attention and care, your orchids will continue to be gorgeous and full of rich blooms for the full blooming season.

Phalaenopsis orchids will do very well in an office or home setting and are very easy to grow. Depending on the type of orchid you are growing, their blooms very with the amount of time they will last. Blooms of the phalaenopsis orchids will last 2 to 3 months where blooms of the Cattleyas orchids will only last a month. There are other types that will bloom continuously and there are some that only bloom once a year.

Fragrance is another reason for popularity. There are some types that have a strong fragrance and there are some that are very mild or subtle. The fragrance can range from familiar like citrus or flowery to tasty like chocolate or coconut.

Using pots that provide good drainage, you can also use bark or New Zealand sphagnum moss. Avoid potting soil altogether because it will stop the air from getting to the roots stops the drainage of water. If you are using bark, plan on watering about once every 7-10 days. If you are using moss, plan on watering less often. A typical rule to follow is if it is hot like summer weather, water more often and if it is cooler, water less.

Place your orchids in or near an east window. Orchids like lots of light but not strong. Many orchids grow in a tropical habitat with a mixture of sun and shade. Fertilize to a routine of about every second week. Be sure to water your orchids before applying fertilizer. Doing this will assure the absorbsion of nutrients.