Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. This Monday, photo shows an easy to grow, flamboyant red orchid cactus, in New Paltz, New York. (AP Photo/Lee Reich ...

Understanding the Context

An orchid is any member of a large family of nearly 1,000 genera and more than 26,000 species of attractively flowered plants distributed throughout the world, especially in wet tropics. Few pleasures in gardening surpass the thrill of seeing orchids thrive and bloom. Here’s everything you should know about growing and caring for orchids. We’ve all seen orchids at supermarkets and home stores and wondered if they’re a wise purchase.

Key Insights

Orchids (Orchidaceae family) are the largest and most diverse of the flowering plant families, with over eight hundred described genera and 25,000 species. There are also over 100,000 hybrids and cultivars produced by horticulturalists, created since the introduction of tropical species to Europe. Inga and Werner Opitz had given up on their flowering cactus. It hadn’t bloomed in 16 years. “We were so upset,” said Inga, 89.

Final Thoughts

“We were ready to throw it out.” The north Everett couple bought the ... Orchids are cosmopolitan plants, living in diverse habitats on every continent except Antarctica. The world's richest diversity of orchid genera and species is in the tropics. Many species are epiphytes, living on trees. Our orchid care guide will tell you everything you need to know about orchids, including how much light and water they require, as well as the type of soil and fertilizer they need. How to Grow and Care for an Orchid So It Blooms for Years