Did you know…

Orchids are one of the largest family of flowering plants, consisting of 25,000 to 30,000 species!

Although generally thought of as a tropical plant, orchids grow on every continent, in every climate, from the Arctic Circle to the southernmost jungle (except Antarctica).

Orchids have the tiniest seeds in the world, making them a challenge to grow and cultivate. And there can be up to 3 million seeds in a single orchid seedpod!

It takes patience to grow an orchid – the plant's first flowers will not appear until at least 5 to 7 years after germination. And they can live to be up to 100 years old! Some orchid flowers bloom for mere hours, while others last up to half a year! The smallest orchid is the size of a dime, while the largest weigh several hundred pounds.

Orchid flowers always grow upside down, in their natural habitats (shown below). And in their natural environment, each orchid species is dependent upon a specific type of insect to carry out its pollination.

Orchids have become one of the most popular houseplants of all time, recently surpassing even the popularity of African Violets.

There are two principal types of orchids: terrestrials, which feature extensive below-ground root systems, and epiphytes, characterized by their aerial or exposed root system.

Hope that Helps,

Hannah

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