An Orchid Greenhouse is a greenhouse dedicated to the breeding and nurturing of Orchid plants.  Orchids are made up of basically four types: terrestrial orchids grow in the ground, while epiphytes grow on trees; usually establishing themselves is the joint where a branch is growing from the trunk.   A third type of orchid is the Lithophytes, or air-growing Orchid, which grows on rocky surfaces, while the fourth type of orchid is the Saprophyte Orchid which also grows on air, but uses decaying vegetation as its base. Orchids grown in an orchid greenhouse are usually Lithophytes, Saprophytes, or terrestrial, although samples of all types can be easily obtained from various greenhouses.

Each type of orchid can grow in one of two different ways depending on the different plant; sympodially or monopodially.  The sympodial orchid grows by adding new shoots alongside of the old plant.  This causes the plant to spread laterally, making the plant larger in circumference.  The monopodial plant grows taller as new growth is added to the top of the plant.   Examples of different types of orchid are:  Cymbidium, which is a very popular and diverse type of orchid, is a terrestrial orchid which grows in the monopodial fashion, while the Vanda orchid, which originated in Thailand, grows in the sympodial fashion.  All growth patterns are supported by the environment in a typical orchid greenhouse.

Orchids have gone from being something that was only affordable by the very rich or by royalty to a flower that is second only to the poinsettia in popularity.  An orchid plant in bloom can cost less than a bouquet of flowers and will probably last longer.  This makes an orchid greenhouse a popular investment among flower growers.  However, with over 110,000 different hybrids, choosing one to grow in your orchid greenhouse will be no easy task.

One of the myths about orchids is that the orchid is a delicate plant which is difficult to grow.  With modern growing and harvesting techniques, nothing could be further from the truth.  Another myth is that all orchids come from the tropics.  In fact, orchids can be found growing naturally in all climates including that of Alaska, and are easily supported in the typical orchid greenhouse.

This being so, an orchid greenhouse need only have the basic qualities needed to grow any plant.  Once they are provided with a place to establish themselves, water, light, and proper food and heat, orchids are no harder to grow than, say, African Violets.   In fact, like the African Violet plant, an Orchid Plant will grow for several years if cared for properly and will flower several times during its lifetime.