Introduction to Orchids
If you can grow African violets, you can certainly grow orchids.
There are some general rules about the culture of orchids. Most orchids in cultivation originated in the tropical areas of the world and generally grow on the branches or trunks of trees. The roots run along the bark in the moss that is also growing there and may hang down in the air. The roots are adapted to sponge up any rain or mist and can go for long periods of dryness. They collect any nutrients that happen by, maybe a gift from a bird. So this tells us that orchids need a lot of air around the roots - they will not grow in soil or mud, they dont like to be super wet, and they dont need much fertilizer.
Orchids generally need a potting mix that is open and airy. A variety of mixes are available or can be made up, usually based on chunks of bark or coconut husk. Orchids that are imported in pots are usually in sphagnum moss to ensure no pests are hitching a ride but sphagnum can be overwatered too easily. Because potting mixes slowly breakdown and turn to mush, an orchid should be repotted every two years in new mix.
At this point it is a good idea to identify what kind of orchid you have. Many times we are asked to give help with an orchid problem and when asked what kind of orchid it is, the answer is "I dont know". That is like being asked to help with a pet problem when the owner doesnt know what kind of pet it is. Orchids usually have a "common name", sometimes several and they are not always unique. It is better to learn something about the scientific names, which are unique.
Another basic thing to learn is something about how plants have been categorized. In other words, what makes an orchid an orchid and not something else? You can tell a daisy is quite different from an iris. To keep it simple, plants are grouped by the kind of flower. All orchid flowers are similar even though you would swear that some are pretty odd looking.
Below are some links to help you get started.
