subject: Orchids And How To Distinguish The Type You Own [print this page] Irrespective of the fact that there are thousands of known orchid types, there happen to be only two primary kinds. The two types in question are the terrestrial orchid that makes its home on the ground, and the epiphyte orchid that makes its home above the ground.
Terrestrial means "earthbound". These types of orchids have a root system that is below the ground and its nourishment is from the nutrients found in the surrounding soil. Having said that, there a small number of terrestrial orchids that are classed as "semi-terrestrial". This is because they have a combination of both underground and above ground roots. The Cymbidium orchid, for example, has around 40 species and thousands of hybrids as well. The Cymbidium orchid was also one of the earliest orchids to be cultivated. And they are also an example of a "semi-terrestrial" orchid as they can also grow on trees and rocks including rotting wood and decaying leaves. The Cymbidium orchid belongs to a natural habitat that stretches from South East Asia to Japan. They can also be found in Australia where they have become very popular. The Cymbidium orchid is a huge favorite for experts and beginners alike because they are quite easy to grow, and with good care they'll bloom in spectacular fashion for years. And of course, with the proper care, they will produce magnificent blooms each and every season.
The label of "epiphyte" does not refer to orchids in any way. Instead, the term applies to any kind of plant that requires support to grow and uses a host to live upon for that support. An epiphyte then gets its sustenance from the organic matter that forms between itself and its "host" partner. With around 1200 species, the Dendrobium orchid is probably most well-known of epiphytic orchids. They are reasonably easy to grow but do need more maintenance than the Cymbidium or Phaleanopsis. They are not as consistent with their flowering cycles either. The Dendrobium species is native to the northern states of India, South East Asia, Australia and Polynesia (a sub-region of Oceania consisting of about 1000 islands). Because of their normal environment, they do need humid conditions to successfully live in. If you implement an artificial high-humidity environment they are not at all difficult to grow. See Guidelines for Watering Orchids for further information on setting up a high-humidity environment. The Dendrobium is a stunning specimen and is quite often seen at weddings due to their amazing spectrum of colors.
As discussed previously, the orchids in the epiphyte class maintain themselves by attaching to a host such as a tree or rocks. But their nourishment isn't actually sourced from the host itself. In most cases, they cling to trees by embedding their roots on the bark or the branches. The organic matter that builds up between the roots and the host's surface is what's used as its nutrients. This build up then acts as a reserve for the wet and dry seasons. The roots themselves are tough and stringy and the core is enclosed by a spongy off-white enclosure that easily absorbs water. When the rains arrive, this wrapping absorbs the moisture and turns green when completely full. The moisture is preserved and then distributed to the tissues of the plant. Some types of epiphyte will use the same method to "stick" to rocks. As epiphytes are aerial and the light source they are accustomed to is filtered via the overhead canopy of leaves, they are best kept in an open and airy environment.
