The Basic Orchid Types
Orchids come in a spectrum of species and hybrids comprising of 25,000 species and of 100,000 hybrids which can be classified into two basic orchid types. They are the epiphytes orchids and the terrestrial orchids. The epiphytes orchids grow on trees. They can also grow on poles or on rocks. The phalaenopsis is an example of an epiphytes. The terrestrial orchid grows on the ground. The cymbidium is an example of a terrestrial type.
Terrestrial Orchids
The terrestrial orchids are the most popular because they grow on the ground in comparison to the epiphytes type. Some terrestrial orchids are semi-terrestrial meaning that they do grow on the ground with the exception that their root system doesn’t penetrate into the soil beneath the ground surface but rather make their way through the layer of humus and leaves that lie on the surface of the ground. One example of an orchid that can grow on forest debris such as decomposing vegetation or on rocks on the ground is the cymbidium orchid. This plant is a terrestrial orchid that comes in 40 species and in a thousand hybrids. Amazing growth can be achieved from decaying leaves and from loose humus of rotting trees. The natural habitat of the cymbidium orchid extends from Japan to Southeast Asia, and as far south as Australia. Popular are cymbidiums because they are easy to grow making them ideal for beginners. Magnificent flowers can be produced every year given the right care.
Epiphytes Orchids
The term epiphytes are defined to any plant generally that has its root network above the ground. Therefore is not specific to orchids themselves. One of the best known epiphytes orchids are the dendrobiums. They require more care than cymbidiums and do not blossom regularly but they are easy to grow. They come in 1000 species. Their original tropical locations are found to be in Northern India and South East Asia. They also extend into Australia and Polynesia. dendrobiums love warm, humid conditions to thrive in and therefore like to be moist, a characteristic of their tropical origins. The phalaenopsis is also an epiphyte orchid type and popular. Although easy to grow like dendrobium, they have longer lasting blooms. Phalaenopsis are featured at weddings with their variety of colors that include yellow, pink and stripes.
A tree is where one will found epiphytic orchids to be growing. Even though they thrive on trees, they do not obtain their nutrients from the tree. They have fleshy roots so that they can secure themselves on trees, branches or on bark. The plant receives nutrients from accumulated organic matter between the roots and tree or branch where its root system is established upon. The epiphytic orchids can sustain themselves through wet and dry periods because of the roots. The root system is tough and has a stringy core. This stringy core has an off white external layer which is spongy called velamen so absorbs water very easily. In wet spells the velamen layer absorbs water until it is fully saturated. At this point the roots turn to a light green. The roots store water and nutrients needed, releasing them slowly to the plant tissues. Other epiphytes orchids wrap their roots around rocks or cling on to cliff faces better known as lithophytes orchids. Since epiphytes grow on trees or rocks they naturally thrive in open and airy environments.
Growth Types
Terrestrial or epiphytic types can have one of the two types of growth pattern. These growth patterns are monopodial and sympodial growth.
Monopodial growth is defined as an orchid that grows from a single vertical stem. Plants with this characteristic pattern of growth do not contain water reservoirs apart from their leaves thus should be watered just before the medium in which they are potted in dries out completely.
Sympodial growth is defined as an orchid that does not grow from a single vertical stem but from a stem that is more or less horizontal. This horizontal stem is called the rhizome. From the rhizome roots will grow. Plus pseudobulbs will grow from the top of the rhizome. They have the appearance of looking like flower bulbs but they are not. Their real function is to store water. These kind of orchids can go for prolong durations without water until the medium dries out. Depending on the species some of these pseudobulbs look like tall thick leaf like canes such as in dendrobium. From the top of these pseudobulbs leaves and flowers do develop as is the case with dendrobium. On other kinds of species a stem will grow from the base of the pseudobulb which will eventually produce flowers. An example of this kind is the oncidium.
Finally, of the many species and hybrids of orchids in existence, it can be well said that two basic orchid types exist, the terrestrial orchids and the epiphytes orchids. With either type featuring one of the two growing patterns.
