Orchid Tip: Start with Native Species

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 species may inded be found in the tropics and subtropics, but that leaves a large number to the more temperate zones. Among other things, this means that you will not be out of luck if you live in a coolish area and want to grow orchids, but do not have a greenhouse or other heated area in which do so so.

There are tens of thousands of orchid species. You could be surprised to learn that there could well be orchids growing in your own vicinity, even if you make your home in a cool region. 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 members 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 considering growing orchids, especially in an outdoor garden, you would do well to consider a native species. It will already be adapted to your particular climate, and--if you live in a place that has low temperatures in the winter--you might not even have to bring it inside when cold weather arrives.

In North America, one of the most striking native 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.  Both are beautiful, but unless you have had a lot of experience, you would be wise to go with the Yellow Lady Slipper.

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're also less expensive, for the most part, than orchid plants that originate in far-away places. They are an excellent orchid for getting your thumb green, so to speak, before you take on the rarer or more "foreign" species.

All of the rules governing successful orchid cultivation apply to the Lady Slippers and similar plants. You need accurate information before you begin attempting 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. Mr. Howard's guide is a complete course in itself, suitable for novices as well as the more experienced. Also, check out the Orchid Secrets web site, which has a growing library of postings on all aspects of orchid cultivation.