Are orchid plants hard to look after?

I want to buy an orchid and i was wondering about a few things.


- What climate do they grow best in?


- Do they need a lot of water?


- Should they be kept outside or inside?


- Do they need any special care like food and that type of thing?


- Where is the best place to buy them from and what price frame is there?


- Also are they poisionis to animals (especially cat)?


- Any other information would be greatly appreciated

Are orchid plants hard to look after?
Okay, DO NOT FEED THEM COFFEE





that is a common myth, don't believe it.


I have lived with several of these buggers, here is the secret. ready......


you sure you are ready??????





Put them in the bathroom when you take a hot shower, this will work up a nice mist and humidity that they thrive in. If you don't take long or hot showers, then let the water run before you get in so that the room steams up. After you are done with your shower give it a few squirts with a spray bottle (on the mist setting). Ta-Da.....they will live. As for price, it ranges greatly, I would start with an inexpensive one because they can be finicky and the first one you own will probably die.
Reply:Well I know a bit about orchids because I LOOKED AFTER a whole garden of them for a friend a few years back. I say garden however they were all in thier own pots with a mixture of rocks and peat moss or other mossy material. They grow their roots above ground usualy attatched to other trees or rocks. They are technicaly a fungus. They love Coffee I am seroius they do give them a drink of this stuff each day and you will see a revived plant. They do best in a temp of aprox 70-85 degrees so warm is good. Indirect sunlight in doors is ok, a planter window if your living in say Detriot may work. The ones i watched over were on a porch that was covered and had walls of latice surrounding them in southern CA.


I must warn that if kept outside they will get some kind of mealie worm or bug that looks like a linty patch of white cotton on their leaves. This can be taken care of with a q tip and rubbing alcoholl. My cat was fine around them however there are many types of orchids and you will want to verify that the kind you get is non toxic to YOU, OR YOUR CAT. More than likeley if you have an energy filled kitten the orchid has more to fear. They like mist sprayed on them every few days but do not freeze them if outside as you should water them at night they tend to do better this way since they can utilize the moisture before the rays soak it up. TRADER JOES has very reasonable orchids. My advice is to plan where you will place the plant and have your home ready for the arival of the orchid. Then Drive to TJ's specificaly for the orchid then into your car with it and directly home as shock is very likely to happen. The less shock the better the flower. Talking to them works wonders as well do not be imbarrased your adding to the life of this LIVING beautifull thing .
Reply:Hi,


Take a trip over here: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/orchi...





You'll find a lot of good info here, I learned many, many things over the years from this website.





Hope this helps, and Merry Christmas


Dave
Reply:Yes. If you want to grow them in a serious manner, you will need a green house where temperature and humidity can be controlled to its ideal conditions. If you are aspiring to enter the arena of competitive orchid growing, you will need to study many other aspects of orchid growing, i.e. nutrition, insect control and most important -- cross breeding method to create your original orchid. The art of orchid growing is very broad. It can start from growing them in your house to inventing unique varieties that world has never seen before. How serious are you? I've been to orchid shows that just blew my mind... the unusualness and incredible beauty.





lightpulse
Reply:There are MANY types of orchid.


Most need a warm moist atmosphere, so unless you live in Hawaii or somewhere close to the equater you'll need to have a warm inside area for it.


Other than that it depends on the variety.





You can find more info and buy them here:


http://www.1888orchids.com/text/welcome....


http://www.bethanyroberts.com/Flowers_Or...


http://www.orchids.com/support/supportCu...


http://www.orchidweb.com/orchids_limited...
Reply:All orchids are different. You will need to research the specific species you are interested in. Some are warm weather some are cold lovers. It just depends