Can African Ground Orchids Be Grown Indoors?

Environmental Factors

• African ground orchids come from many different regions of the continent. Each area -- and especially the niches that the orchids grow in -- has its own average humidity, seasonal temperature changes, soil makeup and rain patterns. Trying to mimic the proper conditions exactly is daunting, but approximating these conditions to grow the orchids successfully is much simpler.

Case - Phaius Orchids

• Phaius spp. orchids are found in a wide variety of places throughout not only Africa, but Asia as well. However, a basic set of guidelines applies to the species of this genus despite the disparities in origin. They require protection from the sun and soil with excellent drainage and high organic matter (such as compost) content -- about 60 to 70 percent. Phaius orchids grow well outdoors until temperatures drop below 40 degrees, at which time they are transferred indoors. So long as the soil is kept evenly moist until the foliage matures, and then only the top two inches of soil is allowed to dry out thereafter, watering times can vary according to soil makeup.

Matching Orchid to Site

• Whether or not African orchids are grown outside depends both on the needs of that species of orchid and the environment they'll be planted in. For this reason, it is essential to know which type of African terrestrial orchid you are growing and what its particular needs are. Some African terrestrial orchids are hardy, for example, while others like the Phaius orchid can't tolerate a freeze.

Considerations

• When orchid type and the planting environment match, it's easy to recommend planting the orchid in the ground. Otherwise. planting them in a container so they can be moved easily makes managing these ground orchids simpler. For extra protection from the elements, the container can be partially or almost fully buried in the surrounding soil, ensuring that extreme changes in temperature do not negatively affect the African terrestrial orchid's root zone.