The most orchids that we usually know is epiphytic orchid but in nature we have another kind of orchids, It is a terrestrial orchid. Someone told me that this kind of orchid is unattractive because they have small flowers but for me they have something fascinating and mysterious.

I think if you know more about them you will love it.

Phaius tankervilleae

About terrestrial orchids

In the wild we can easily group orchids in two groups. First is epiphytic orchid, this group is generally grow on tree but sometime they can grow on rock or cliff too.

Second is terrestrial orchid, this group is generally grow in soil.

Most of terrestrial orchids have a growing season followed by a resting period. Some kind has pseudobulb or rhizome but the most kind that I know has bulb.

Eulophia quineensis

I can group terrestrial orchid in 2 groups (I group them by myself to make it easy to understand and take care)

1. Group of terrestrial orchid that lose their leaves and have only bulb resting in soil in the winter. They grow and create a new bulb again in the summer and you can see it spouting in the early rainy season. After spouting, if they are healthy and having appropriate factors, they will give you beautiful flowers. So this kind of orchid prefer to grow during the early rainy season.

2. Group of terrestrial orchid that do not lose their leaves in winter but slow their rate of growth during the winter period.

Spathoglottis eburnea

Growing terrestrial orchids

From my experience, the most important part of terrestrial orchid is a bulb.

So when you buy terrestrial orchid you should choose healthy-looking bulb or healthy-looking plants with signs of new growth.

I think terrestrial orchid is easy to grow you can plant them in ground or in a pot but the thing that you should know is appropriate light for most terrestrial orchid is about 60-70 percent shading and they need some water like other orchids.

Medium

You can plant them with well-drained soil or you can plant them with coconut husk chips or you can mix soil and coconut husk chips together with a little bit organic fertilizer .

Note: I try to plant them with sphagnum moss and I found that they can grow well in sphagnum moss but you have strict about watering and fertilizing and if they big enough you have to change the medium to soil or and coconut husk chips.