Not All Orchids Are Exotic; Some Could Be Your Neighbors
It is common “knowledge” that the orchid is a tropical/subtropical plant. But in fact, orchids can be found in just about every part of the globe except for the deserts and the polar regions.
About 85% of orchid types may inded be found in the tropics and subtropics, but that leaves a large proportion to the more temperate zones. Among other things, this means that you will not be out of luck if you live in a cool area and want to grow orchids, but do not have a hothouse or other heated area in which do so so.
There are tens of thousands of orchid species. You might be pleasantly surprised to find out that there could be naturally occurring orchids growing in your own neighborhood, even if you live in one of our more northerly climes. Take the relatively common Lady Slipper.
Lady Slippers (also written Lady’s Slippers and Ladyslippers) is a name given to a large subfamily of orchids, the Cypripedioidea, with many species that grow in cool climates over much of North America and Europe. If you live in the New England states of the U.S., or the Appalachian mountain region, or even in Canada, you might find Lady Slippers of one variety or another growing in the woods near your home.
A species of Lady Slipper is the state flower of Minnesota. Another is the official state wildflower of New Hampshire. The Canadian province of Prince Edward Island has a Lady Slipper as its official flower.
If you’re thinking of growing orchids, especially in an outdoor garden, you would do well to consider a native species. It will already be adapted to your specific climate, and–if you live in a place that sees low temperatures in the winter–you might not even need to bring it inside when cold weather arrives.
Among the loveliest American orchids is the Yellow Lady Slipper. It is also among the easiest orchids to grow in a garden. On the other hand, the Pink Lady Slipper is extremely difficult to grow.Clearly, unless you are already experienced with growing orchids, the Yellow Lady Slipper is the preferred choice.
Nurseries that specialize in orchid plants tend to run out of stock from time to time. Nevertheless, Lady Slippers are generally some of the easiest orchids to acquire. They are also cheaper to acquire, generally, than more exotic orchid plants. They are a great orchid for getting your thumb green, so to speak, before you take on the challenge of rarer or more “foreign” types.
All of the rules governing successful orchid growing apply to the Lady Slippers and related plants. You need accurate information before you begin trying to grow these or other orchids, and the best, most complete guide to modern orchid cultivation, beyond question, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded from the web. Howard’s wonderful guide will provide a complete immersion in the subject. Also, check out the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing database of articles on many aspects of orchid cultivation.
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