Dear Orchid Doc:

Are orchids parasites?

Kelly Dear Kelly

Absolutely not! Of the approximately

20,000 species of orchids that grow around the world, not one is parasitic. In nature, many orchids cling to trees and bushes as a growth habit, but they take nothing from the host plant and do not injure it in any way. Orchids that grow on trees are called epiphytes or air plants.

Dear Orchid Doc:

Are orchids short-lived?

Kayla

Dear Kayla

Most are longlived. In fact, some species are virtually immortal, given the proper attention. Divisions or propagations of orchids discovered in the 19th century are still growing and flowering today!