If you're anything like a lot of American plant growers these days, you know where to get your information: from the Internet. There's just so much free and easily accessible information to be had out there that it's certainly the simplest way to find fixes for your plant problems and answers for your houseplant questions. This is probably even truer of those who enjoy growing orchids, a beautiful but somewhat temperamental tropical plant that is fast becoming the most popular of houseplants. These lovely plants can really add personality to a home or office, and they aren't impossible to care for. The key is to know what you're getting into.

One thing that many beginning orchid growers don't know is that there are literally hundreds of varieties of this plant. Some occur naturally, and others have been hybridized by breeders with lots of experience. While the varieties can certainly look different from one another, they aren't just different in looks. In fact, each variety may have slightly different care requirements, as well. Some, for instance, prefer full sunlight for most of the day, while others can't handle afternoon sunlight and need morning and evening light instead.

Because of all these differences in how you care for particular types of orchids, it's important that you know you're researching the right species when you go to get orchid information. You might start out researching orchids in general to find which species you'd like to start growing. Some are certainly easier to care for than others, and these are most suited for beginning growers who may not have a ton of experience working with flowers in general or orchids in particular. Researching the different varieties before you buy will help you get a flower that is hardy in the conditions you provide and that will grace your home with its beauty for years to come.

Once you buy an orchid, it's important to keep doing research on that particular species. You need to know how to fertilize and water your orchid, which can be dramatically different from one species to the next. You also need to be aware of the light requirements for your particular orchid, which can also vary quite a bit. With this delicate plant, it isn't enough to have information about the general plant. Instead, you need specific information about the species and variety with which you are dealing to be a successful orchid owner.

Finally, when your orchid has problems, make sure you consult information specifically for its species. Sometimes orchids will fail to bloom, won't bloom for very long, or will have yellowing leaves and other issues. Depending on the species, there might be different factors causing these issues. That's why it's important to understand what may be going on with your particular orchid before you attempt to solve the problem. Luckily, you can get tons of orchid information about specific varieties online with a few keystrokes.