AboutOrchids

If that beautiful orchid you received as a holiday present is now causing you panic attacks and nightmares, take a deep breath. With some basic care info, you’ll realize that many orchids are tough plants, and their finicky reputation is a myth. It will help to identify your orchid to determine its specific light, temperature, and water needs. The most common orchids sold today are Moth Orchids or Phals, so they’re a good place to start.

It’s quite possible that your gift orchid started its life in Taiwan, the world’s leader in commercial orchid production. This great article from the San Jose Mercury News (article no longer available) tells the story of Taiwan’s growing orchid industry, and how mass production technology has brought down prices. Orchids that may have cost thousands of dollars a few decades ago now sell in garden centers and grocery stores for just $10-$15. In addition to lowering prices, Taiwan’s growers have created many tough hybrids capable of being shipped around the world, and able to survive abuse and neglect. Is that holiday present looking a little less scary now?

Explore posts in the same categories: Growing, In the News

This entry was posted on Sunday, January 3rd, 2010 at 2:34 pm and is filed under Growing, In the News.

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