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Orchids

Orchids are some of the rarest and most prized flowers on Earth. According to the Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew, though the exact number of orchid species is unknown, there are 880 genera and around 22,000 – 25,000 accepted species of the Orchidaceae family. Whether they are grown in the wild or cultivated by people, their singular beauty is unrivaled in the plant world.

Cultivating orchids is known as being tricky and not for beginners, but the wealth of information and experience available in the 21st Century makes this hobby more accessible even to non-plant people. In the wild, crawling insects, small mammals, hummingbirds, bats and the wind all contribute to the pollination and survival of the species.

In domestic cultivation, temperature and humidity must be monitored constantly and tailored to the species being grown. Cultivating at home is difficult because of the details and amount of attention Orchidaceae require. Cut orchids are now readily available on the Internet, but don’t last as long as an actual plant.

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