Growing Orchids: Easier than You Can Imagine!

We 21st century dwellers are fortunate to have so many plants available to us, for decorating our homes and freshening up our work places. Further, we never get tired of them; in fact, we seek more of them, wanting to add new ones to our home and work places.

In particular, flowers--whether cut or potted or growing outside our window---have much appeal to many people. Many of us are particularly attracted to that most regal of flowers, the orchid.

Orchids have been named "conquerers of the light" by both horticultural and literary writers. They astonish upon first encounter and continue thereafter to exert a profound fascination. Nature has shown exceptional kindness to the orchids. Their flowers are consistently bright and elegant at the same time. Their fragrant odor is generally described as sweet, yet most people do not find it cloying in the least. Their texture is then, which misleads many into assuming they are delicate. Yet they can last longer after being cut than many another ornamental bloom. From a flower connoisseur's viewpoint, about the only thing they lack is abundant foliage. But this is not a serious deficiency: one can always fill the space around them with fern leaves for an attractive arrangement.

Many people for years believed that these lovely plants were exceptionally delicate, and therefore hard to grow. This was erroneous. The fact is, orchids are not as hard to cultivate as many think, and many amateur orchid growers do very well it. The key is to study up first, using a good modern guide to the art and science of orchids and orchid growing. By getting educated on the subject, you can assure yourself of success.

It is a common myth--yet a myth nonetheless--that orchids require high heat to thrive. This is not true! Yes, orchids developed in the earth's tropic regions. But many of them originate at relatively high altitudes on the sides of South American mountains. It would therefore, in most cases, be unwise to subject the typical orchid to high temperatures.

It doesn't matter how much of a green thumb you think you have (nor not!), the truth is you can grow these beautiful flowers. Imagine, if you will, the fun of surprising a friend or a loved one with an orchid from your own greenhouse. Envision winning prizes for breathtaking orchids that you cultivated yourself. Picture yourself going so far with your orchid growing hobby that it becomes a business, perhaps one big enough to provide you with a living. All of these things are possible to you as an orchid enthusiast.

One of the best and most complete guides to modern orchid growing is undoubtedly Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, available online. You can buy tons of books about orchids but Howard's guide is a complete course -- highly recommended for beginners and experienced growers alike. You might also want to visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing database of articles on all aspects of orchids.

Here's to many years of orchid enjoyment!