Why Are Orchids Sold in Plastic Cups Now?

Epiphytes

• Epiphytes are plants that use other plants for structural support but not nutritional support. Ferns, bromeliads and cacti are also epiphytes sold in small plastic cups or pots. Epiphytes need water, minerals and nutrients to grow and thrive but they acquire them from the environment. Orchids and other epiphytes benefit the trees they grow on by increasing humidity and making nitrogen absorption easier.

Orchid Species

• Orchids are the largest family of flowering plants on Earth, with between 21,000 and 26,000 species. Orchids grow in a wide range of environments, but sub-tropical and tropical orchids are the ones most well known. The food flavoring vanilla is an orchid plant native to Mexico. Orchids sold in plastic cups are often of the genus Dendrobium, Oncidium, Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis.

Potting Medium

• Plastic cups provide structure for orchid root systems that rain forest trees would create for them in their natural environment. Orchids need excellent drainage. Bark chips, coconut fiber and granular charcoal are commonly used potting medium. Some plastic cups contain sifted perlite or peat moss. The nutrients orchids need to grow are provided by regular, light fertilizing. "Fertilize light, lightly" is common orchid wisdom.

Fertilizer

• Orchids planted in bark need bi-monthly feedings of high nitrogen fertilizer with an N-P-K of 30-10-10. Orchids in other types of planting medium thrive on balanced fertilizer food without a high nitrogen count. Re-pot orchids in plastic cups when the body of the plant reaches over the top of the cup. Orchids benefit from flushing the pot out with water occasionally to prevent salt build-up.