Orchids are typically placed into two main groupings, epiphytal and terrestrial. The epiphytal grow upon the bark of tree trunks and tree branches. There are several different methods for growing this type of orchid in one’s home or in a greenhouse. It all begins with the potting.

In a state of nature, the epiphytals generally have roots that are much more exposed to air as compared to other plants.  Therefore, by “potting” we do not mean packing them around with dense potting soil.  Rather, we want to place them in a pot with loose, organic matter, from which they can pull necessary nutrients, along with rocks or broken pottery bits to create open spaces as well as to assist the plants to stay upright.

The typical formula for potting compost suitable to the epiphytals is one part sphagnum to 1 part peat moss. Place a layer of this mixture into the bottom of your pot, followed by a layer of rocks or pottery bits, then another layer of the compost, and so forth. When the pot is about a quarter or at most a third full, carefully place the orchid’s root system down into it. Then proceed to add more rocks and moss mix, packing all of this potting material only tight enough to support the orchid plant.

You should gradually build up the compost until it is up to and even slightly above the top of the pot. The height you should go above the top of the pot depends on the size of the pot and the depth to which you have placed the orchid. The rule of thumb is to allow the plant’s crown to rest on the top of the compost. By crown we mean that part of the orchid plant from where the roots begin.

If you happen to be repotting a plant, you must be careful about removing it from the old pot. If there are any new roots clinging to the outside of the pot, you should try to ease them off with a blade of some kind. It there is a mass of living roots — that is, roots that have sap in them — attached to the interior of the pot, then you might have to break the pot and pick away all of those roots that you can. You may need to then repot it with bits of the old pot still hanging on the roots, and this is acceptable.

It is generally not a good idea to water the plant for a day or so before or after potting.

This has been a basic introduction to potting epiphytal orchids. The subject can be more complex than this, particularly in the case of some of the more delicate or senstive species. Whole volumes have been written on how to pot the many different types of orchid!  Luckily, most of us don’t need books devoted soley to the potting art in order to have success with orchids. A recognized, step-by-step guide to all aspects of orchid growing is usually sufficient.

Nowadays, of course, we have a huge amount of solid information on the proper way to grow orchids. The most up-to-date guidebook to today’s orchid cultivation, beyond question, is Orchid Care Expert by master orchid grower Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded from the Internet. Mr. Howard’s ebook is a thorough course, enlightening for novices and more experienced cultivators alike. Also, come back here often to GoGoKitty’s Orchid Secrets site, which has an ever-expanding database of entries on many facets of orchid care.

At one time, many folks assumed, with some justification, that growing orchids was an occupation only for the quite affluent. Today, most folks understand that cultivating orchids is a fascinating pastime that is available to people whatever their station in life.  Yet another unfortunate myth still persists: that it is extremely problematic to care for orchids. But this is certainly not so.

The fact is, some of the most lovely orchid varieties are really rather easy to grow. All it requires is some foreknowledge, which may be learned easily from books, both the printed kind and the digital kind that you can download from a website. If you live in a mild or warm climate, you will be able to grow many varieties outdoors, in your yard or garden.  Even if you live in a cold climate, you can still grow lovely orchids in a greenhouse or any regular room that you can dedicate to the purpose.

Why grow orchids rather than other types of plants?If you have had any experience growing orchids, you would not need to ask the question. Orchids can seize us with a hold that never relaxes once it has us in its grips!

Regardless, here are a few answers to the question. The great advantage of growing orchids over other plants is their extreme beauty coupled with the great length of time that they will remain in bloom. Some orchids will remain in bloom for three or four months. A few will continue blooming for six months. Even if your collection of orchids is a small one, it is possible to have blooms the year around, due to the varying blooming seasons of different species.

The topic of orchids, and how to cultivate them, is both broad and deep. You should dig deep into the subject, learning as much as you possibly can before acquiring your first plant. Nontheless, there are some basics you need to know at the very start. One of those basics is that orchids are divided into two great groups based on their growing habits.

One of the two major groupings is the epiphytal orchids. These are orchids that grow on trees, or sometimes in moss or fungus on rocks. They are the air dwelling orchids, because they seemingly live on nothing but air and sunlight, though this of course is not actually true. It was these mysterious species that first grabbed the imaginations of collectors and resulted in the first great orchid mania of a more than a century ago. They remain the ones that hold the most fascination for people.

It should be noted that epiphytal orchids are not parasites. The get only a little of their sustenance from the tree bark on which they grow, and this doesn’t harm their hosts at all. They also draw nutrients from water, moss and fungi, as well as leaves that often get caught on and around them, decomposing in the process. Orchid devotees adore the epiphytals because of the enjoyment of recreating their unusual habitats in a garden or greenhouse.

The other major orchid group is the terrestrials. As you can guess, these are the kind that are rooted in the soil like “normal” plants. Growing them means pottting them, as we do with most other of our familiar houseplants. Some of the most beautiful species of orchids will be found in this group.

Many orchid cultivators begin by focusing exclusively on one or the other of these two main groups. As you might guess, though, they end up growing at least a handful of species from both groups. It’’s recommended to learn about both types of orchids if you are serious about joining the world of orchid growers.

In our day, of course, we have a huge amount of good information on the correct way to grow orchids. The most accurate and clear guide to today’s orchid cultivation, many growers agree, is Orchid Care Expert by a Mr. Nigel Howard, which may be downloaded from the Internet. Howard’s wonderful guide constitutes a complete education all by itself. And, it is appropriate for beginning gardeners as well as more seasoned orchid cultivators. Also, we hope you will visit us here frequently at GoGoKitty’s Orchid Secrets, which features a growing library of postings on all facets of orchid cultivation.