Key Terms for Orchids

Understanding orchids key terms helps you better care for these delicate flowers

By Erika Peterson
Orchids are a complicated flower. They require specific climates to grow and thrive. Whether you're an orchid florist or a retailer with orchid plants for sale, gaining an understanding of the definitions and meanings of basic orchids key terms is essential for the success of your business.

Before you can understand orchids key terms, it's important to understand the orchid itself. Orchids are a flowering plant that can grow on every continent in the world, except Antarctica. In addition to their large growing area, orchid flowers are part of a family that contains more species than any other family of plants. To understand this flower, consider the following before you order orchids or buy orchid seeds:

1. All orchid plants have scientific names. Educate yourself on the basic meanings of these names to ensure you buy the right orchids for your business.

2. Growing orchids can be a difficult task, whether you're a hobbyist or a business owner.

3. Orchids are a complicated plant and learning orchids key terms is a sure way to properly care for every type of orchid plant.

 

Learn the key terms associated with orchid flowers to find the appropriate plants for your business

The orchid is a delicate flower. It requires certain climates and temperatures to thrive. In fact, in most parts of the world orchids need to be nurtured in a greenhouse environment. When you care for orchids the right way, however, they can actually outlive man. The most basic key terms associated with orchid flowers are the names of the certain types within the orchid family.
Try: American Orchid Society has information about all types of orchids, like the Catasetum, which is an unusual group of orchids that has a strict growing and resting period and the Cymbidium, which is prized for its long lasting blooms. Greater New York Orchid Society also offers informational pages on the orchid family of flowers, including information on the subclasses of the plant and downloadable culture sheets.

Include basic growing key terms for orchid growers

Orchids can be high maintenance flowers and growing them takes a deep understanding of growing needs and key terms. Some of the most important terms include: flask, terrestrial and lithophyte. A flask is a container used for germinating orchid seeds by both growers and retailers. Terrestrial orchid plants grow in or on the ground and are supported by soil, while lithophytes orchids grow on rocks.
Try: Jim’s Orchid Supplies includes a database of basic growing terms for orchids, also check out links to orchid flowers and other orchid-related products, as well as an illustrated guide to repotting. Better-Gro from the Sun Bulb Company also has a basic glossary of orchid terms that offers searchable information on growing orchids of various types. You can also send them a wholesale enquiry via email, if you’d like to carry its products in your store.

Educate yourself on key terms associated with the structure and appearance of orchid flowers

Orchids are a beautiful flower. They can be brightly colored and are commonly found in tropical locations. Most orchid key terms explain an orchid's shape or structure. Two of the most important terms are adnation and bud. Adnation is the fusion of unlike parts. In the orchid, this is the fusion of the male and female parts of the flower. The bud is a simple term that refers to the unopened orchid flower.
Try: Orchidlady.com is one resource for orchid key terms and terminology. The site includes definitions that are easy to understand in a searchable botanical glossary. Orchids ‘R’ Us is also a good site for orchid term research. Plus, if you can’t find a particular term, the website’s staff will find the definition for you via email, and you can sign up for a free orchid ezine that includes growing tips and tricks.

 

  • Be sure you understand what type of orchid you want before you buy orchids or orchid seeds and the specific growing terms associated with the plant you've chosen. For orchid wholesalers or an orchid florist, it's important that you can pass this information on to your customers.