"Learn all about orchids and how to grown them"
If you choose the appropriate orchids for your locality, they are very easy plants to grow, often requiring very little attention once established in a suitable position. This doesn't mean they will grow better if neglected, but they will often survive neglect better than many other types of plants. The best way to know how to grow a particular orchid is to look at its natural habitat, and try to recreate similar conditions.
In cool areas most species will need protection from extreme cold, and in hot climates protection from direct sunlight is essential. For this reason, shade houses and well ventilated greenhouses are frequently used for orchid growing. In cooler climates Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Pleonie and some of the Australian native orchids will grow easily. In warmer climates Dendrobium and Cattleya are good orchids for the beginner.
There are between 20,000 and 30,000 orchid species known to man, coming from almost every corner of the world (except for very arid desert areas and the Arctic and Antarctic). Many, particularly tropical species, are epiphytic (ie. growing on other plants but not deriving nutrition from those plants), others are lithophytes (ie. grow on rocks which are usually well matted in organic matter), while others, mostly cool climate species, grow in the soil (ie. terrestrial). Some have very small, short lived flowers which easily go unnoticed; while others have large flowers or flower stems which continue to give colour for up to two months.
It was once thought that all orchids came from the tropics and needed heat, humidity and shade. This is not true. Orchids come from all parts of the world and even in the tropics orchids are most often found growing in tree tops where there is constant movement of air and quite a bit or sunshine. Orchid flowers are produced in all colours of the rainbow. White, green and brown are among the most common colours. There are some deep purple colours that look almost black.
Course Duration: 100 Hours (Nominal Duration).
COURSE AIMS
Describe the system of plant classification and naming
Discuss appropriate ways to grow a range of different orchid species.
Explain common methods of Orchid Propagation
Describe the basics of the structure, taxonomy and culture of Cymbidiums and Dendrobiums
Describe some of the more commonly grown orchids apart from Dendrobiums and Cattleyas
Investigate any orchids native to your locality or country
Describe a range of alternative ways in which to grow orchids
Research two commercial orchid growing establishments
COURSE STRUCTURE
The course is divided into eight lessons as follows:
- Introduction
- Orchid Culture
Propagation- Cymbidiums and Dendrobiums
- Cattleyas, Vandas and Other Commonly Grown Orchids
- Native Orchids
- Growing Orchids as Cut Flowers, Baskets, Epiphytes and in Greenhouses.
- Special Assignment
WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE
Compile a resource file or organisations and information sources relevant to orchids.
Obtain and orchid flower; draw and label this flower.
Review 56 different orchid species in detail.
Obtain soil from two different areas (two different types of soils). Using the tests in the Lesson notes, do the following, name each of these soils and test the drainage of each soil.
Obtain (or make up) a potting mix which you consider appropriate for growing orchids.
Visit a nursery or garden growing orchids. Notice how and where these plants are growing.
Determine which plants are healthiest and assess the conditions in which they are growing.
Obtain enough plant material to propagate four different orchids. Propagate these orchids vegetatively.
Visit a nursery, or some other place which sells a wide range of different types of pots. Consider the properties of the pots you see for sale and their suitability for growing orchids in. Note down the prices of each.
Investigate further into tissue culture processes specific to Orchids beyond the notes offered in the course.
Determine which species of orchids are most commonly sold in your locality.
Carry out research and look through any references you have and determine any orchid genera (not yet covered in this course), which are suited to growing in a tropical or sub-tropical climate.
Visit a native plant nursery which sells a range of native orchids. List at least 5 native orchid varieties which are being grown in your locality.
Visit a florist shop. Notice what orchids are being sold; how they are presented for sale, how they are stored etc
Evaluate the cultural practices observed (or investigated) in the 2 different enterprises which you considered in your set task.
Scope of Orchids?
Orchids belong to the Orchidaceae family, one of the largest flowering plant families, with 735 genera and 17,000 species. They are perennial, herbaceous plants, which are normally terrestrial in temperate climates, or epiphytes in tropical climates. Occasionally they are saprophytic (ie. living on dead organic material).
The flowers are normally hermaphroditic (ie. carry both male and female parts), with a perianth of 6 segments in 2 whorls - 3 in an outer whorl, 3 in an inner whorl. Flower colour, size and shape vary greatly. Normally there is 1 stamen to a flower (rarely 2 or 3). The ovary is inferior, and the pistil is made up of 3 united carpels. The ovary is 1‑3 celled; fruit is a dehiscent capsule. The seed is produced in large numbers, and is small and dust like.
The subdivision of families into sub families has been difficult with this family. The following classification by Willis divides orchids into 3 subfamilies and 6 tribes:
Subfamily Apostasioidae
Flowers more or less actinomorphic (regular ‑ divides into equal halves in two planes), labellum shallow, stamens 2 or 3.
Tribe Apostasieae
eg. Genus - Apostasia
Subfamily Cypripedioideae
Flower zygomorphic (divides into equal halves in one plane only), labellum deeply saccate, 2 stamens, staminode (ie. sterile stamen) usually shield like.
Tribe Cypreipedieae
eg. Genera - Daphiopedilum and Cypripedium.
Subfamily Orchidoideae
Flowers zygomorphic, only 1 stamen, no staminode.
Tribe Orchideae
Viscidium (disc at base of caudicle) present, base of anther firmly attatched to column. eg. Genera - Orchis, Platanthera, Ophrys and Dactylorhiza.
Tribe Neottieae
Viscidium present, anther deciduous, apex lightly attached to column. eg. Genera - Listera, Spiranthes, Neottia and Epipactis
Tribe Epidendreae
Viscidium absent or poorly developed, anther deciduous attached by apex. eg. Genera - Dendrobium, Vanilla, Cattleya and Epidendrum.
Tribe Vandeae
Viscidium present, anther deciduous, attatched by apex; eg. Genera - Vanda, Oncidium, Angraecum and Odontoglossum.
(Reference: 100 Plant Families by Hickey and King Cambridge University Press)
"Learn all about orchids and how to grown them"
Get the broad picture of what orchids are all about and learn how to improve your results and grow flowers which will be the envy of all who see them.
It was once thought that all orchids came from the tropics and needed heat, humidity and shade. This is not true. Orchids come from all parts of the world and even in the tropics orchids are most often found growing in tree tops where there is constant movement of air and quite a bit or sunshine. Orchid flowers are produced in all colours of the rainbow. White, green and brown are among the most common colours. There are some deep purple colours that look almost black.
