Orchids in the Wild and How to Care for Orchids

The orchid is a type of flower that comes from one of the two largest families of flowering plants. They have some very distinguishable features which make them easily noticeable in comparison to other plants.

They are a very common house plant and if they are provided with the right growing conditions, they are easy plants to keep. Whilst they are a popular indoor plant, this doesn't mean they cannot grow outside. In fact, you can actually spot orchids in the wild.

Orchids in the Wild

There are over 30,000 different species of orchid and you can find around 10,000 of these in the tropics. However, this doesn't mean they cannot be seen elsewhere.

These can all vary in size, shape and colour giving them a true range of forms. A typical orchid will have three outer flowers and three inner flowers that grow along the stem.

Orchids get their nourishment from the air, rain and moisture that is within the soil. They are very adaptable plants, which means that they can grow in any climate providing it is not very cold. If you are wanting to spot an orchid in the wild, then you will need to target to correct habitats at the right times.

Types of Orchids in the Wild

The best time to find orchids in the wild is during the summer months, but they can be found from May to September. Note that the best places to find them are those that have chalk or limestone-based soils.

Red Helleborine (Cephalanthera)

This type of orchid is considered to be endangered. The best time to see them is in May, June and July. They have a beautiful purple coloured flower and it can be found within the woodland areas. They can be found in southern England, in three places specifically called:

• Workman's Wood
• Hawley Warren
• Window Hill

Their habitat consists of dark woodland areas that have calcareous soils.

Early Spider Orchid (Ophrys Sphegodes)

This type of orchid is not a concern for those who are worried about endangered plants. The best time to see them is during the months of March and April. They can bloom in the colours green, yellow and red.

You can find the Early Spider Orchid in parts of Dorset, Kent, Hampshire, and Sussex. They will grow in chalky grasslands and the woodlands. 

Lady Orchid (Orchis Purpurea)

This is another type of orchid that is considered to be endangered. If you are wanting to spot this kind of plant, then you are going to need to look for them during the months of April, May and June.

They are purple flowers and then can grow between 30 and 100 centimetres in size. You can find them in locations such as:

• Europe (Kent, England)
• Northern Africa
• Turkey
• Caucasus

Their habitat consists of woodlands, oak forests and meadows. They will grow in chalk and limestone soils that are in the sun.

Ghost Orchid (Epipogium Aphyllum)

The ghost orchid is a critically endangered flower. They are most likely to be seen in the months of May, June, July and August. They flower a dull yellow colour and often have sections of white.

Considering their habitat is in the wooded areas, they can most likely be found in areas that complement this landscape. This is a particularly interesting type of orchid since it was thought to be extinct in the UK until it was found again growing in Herefordshire woods in 2010. 

It is incredibly difficult to spot this type of orchid in the wild, especially since it was redeclared as extinct in the UK.

Burnt Orchid (Neotinea Ustulata)

This type of orchid grows between 10 and 50cm tall and can be spotted in parts of the UK, though it is very rare. The top of the flowers is a dark red and as the flower lowers, it becomes much lighter. You can find them in the following countries:

• Frane
• Italy
• Crete
• Bulgaria

They are spread across parts of Europe and they can tolerate dry and moist soil. You will most likely find these in the months of April and May.

Bee Orchid (Ophrys Apifera)

This orchid gets its name from the flowers that resemble the looks of a female bee. It is interesting since the male bees will visit this flower, thinking it is the female and attempt to mate. They will pollinate the flower in turn.

They can grow up to 30cm in height and they are a protected flower in Northern Ireland, but overall they are not an endangered flower. If you are wanting to see this flower, the best months to seek it are June and July. You can expect to find them throughout the UK in places of grassland and coastal areas.

Greater Butterfly Orchid (Platanthera Chlorantha)

This orchid can grow between 20 and 40cm tall and they are considered to be a vulnerable species of orchid since they are threatened. If you are wanting to spot this type of flower, then the best months to do so are during the months of May, June and July.

Their habitat consists of any of the following:

• Woodlands
• Grasslands
• Meadows

The flower itself has a tall spike and the flowers are loosely clustered across and they are white and green flowers.

Common Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza Fuchsii)

This is the most commonly spotted type of orchid. They are spotted the most throughout the months of May, June, July and August. The flowers are pink and purple and their habitat consists of Woodland, grassland and wetlands.

These are commonly mistaken for another species of orchid, called the Heath Spotted Orchid (Dactylorhiza Machulata) as they look very similar. However, the difference between the two is that they are paler in their colour and have spots on the leaves.

Orchids Kew Gardens - The Orchid Festival

Kew Gardens are a world-leading organisation that showcases the biggest living collection of plants and fungi in their botanic gardens when early botanists collected different specimens from around the world to keep them in that one designed location.

They have a large collection of orchids at their site, with 27% of them being sourced from the wild. They are located in the following attractions at Kew Gardens.

• Tropical Nursery
• Princess of Wales Conservatory
• Pal House
• Temperate House
• Rock Garden
• Wildflowers

They have some notable species within their collection, some of which are considered to be critically endangered. Another mentionable feature is their annual orchid festival.

This festival takes place in the Princess of Wales Conservatory and it showcases some of the most beautiful species of orchids from all over the world. In 2022, the focus of the festival was Costa Rica, where they celebrated the country's national flower.

If you are a lover of orchids, then this is a great festival to attend. However, Kew Gardens does display orchids all year round and so you can still expect to find them throughout the rest of the year. You can find out more information here: Kew Gardens in London

They have expressed the importance of conserving these endangered species. They work in partnership with local counterparts in support of the government so that endangered plants can be collected and seed samples are taken for conservation purposes.

In areas where they are able to demonstrate that a particular area is endangered, they work together to protect that area. There is an Orchid Team at Kew Gardens that works hard to focus their fieldwork on parts of the world where orchid diversity is high, but they note it is difficult to obtain funding for this type of research.

House Orchids Care - How Often to Water Them

Whilst wild orchids are interesting, a lot of us have orchids at home and we want to know how best to care for them. Like with most plants, you need to ensure that you are not overwatering the orchid and this can lead to problems with the roots, like root rot.

They are an easy plant to have at home and if you provide them with the right environment, they are a great plant that will happily thrive. Orchids need to be placed near a bright location and so it is a great idea to place your orchid on your windowsill.

You only need to water your orchid once a week. This is because watering the orchid any more than this can propose the risk of root rot, which can eventually lead to the death of the plant. During the winter, water them every 14 days.

You might benefit from giving your orchid a feeding fertiliser, which can aid the growth of the plant and provide it with the necessary nutrients. Once your orchid has bloomed, it can be beneficial to change the orchid soil and replace it with a clean mix.

The orchid mix is a soil mixture that contains special materials that encourage drainage and airflow, aiding the growth of the plant. This is essential for orchids as they do not grow well in regular soil and it can damage the roots and kill the plant.

The pot for the orchid is also important. Considering there are a lot of orchids growing in the wild, note that we pot them so they are easier to care for in our home. Their roots will not survive well if they are smothered and so if they are in a pot that is causing their roots to be restricted, this can affect their growth.

A good indicator of root growth is using a clear plastic plant pot so that you can regularly assess the condition of the roots. You can however find specific orchid pots that are designed to cater to the needs of the orchid such as:

• Clear Pots
• Terracotta
• Ceramic pots that have drain holes

It may also be beneficial to offer your orchid a stabiliser if it is growing high. Additionally, if you decide to use fertiliser food, however, note that there is a common ingredient in plant food called Urea, which is not absorbed by orchids. In this instance, it is best to use a specific orchid fertiliser.

Orchids Leaves Turning Yellow

Typically, the condition of a plant can be told through the appearance of its leaves. However, it is more common to tell the condition of an orchid through the appearance of its roots. With that being said, that doesn't mean that you cannot tell if there is a problem through its leaves.

For example, a common problem with orchids is their leaves turning yellow, and in worse cases, they will also wrinkle. This is because the orchid is not being watered enough. This will cause the roots to go white.

If the roots start to go white, then this indicates that the roots are at risk of shrivelling and dying. If you notice that the leaves of your orchid are yellow, ensure that you check the roots. This is because it means that the roots cannot transport water to the leaves and so they are turning yellow from a lack of water.

This means that your orchid is not being watered enough. On average, water the plant every 7 days, if you are not then this needs to become a regular practice to ensure that the plant remains healthy. A healthy orchid's roots will be green.

However, once your orchid has reached the point that the roots have gone white and shrivelled, there is no way to be able to get them back to true functionality. However, there is a way for you to be able to take steps when the leaves are yellowed.

Firstly, you are going to want to dry soaking the roots in water, ensuring all roots are fully submerged. This allows the roots to take the water they need and directly transport them to the leaves. After around 5-10 minutes, remove the plant.

Another method is to buy a mister and mist the orchids every 2 days. This increases the humidity of the air around the orchid.

Lastly, keep the orchids out of direct sunlight as this will cause the flower to dry out further. Whilst they need sunlight to thrive, when they are in this condition it can cause the plant to become stressed further.