Basic Orchid Terminology

As you begin or continue your journey to learn more about orchids, we've pulled together a listing of basic terminology that you may encounter while researching these beautiful plants. We hope you find this list to be useful.
 
Aerial Roots:
Roots that are above the soil’s surface – usually grown for plant support.
 
Anther:       
The pollen producing part of a flower.
 
Apical Meristem:    
Found at the tip of the shoot and the root of the orchid. By continually dividing its cells, it causes the plant to grow longer.
 
Back Bulb:    
A pseudobulb of an orchid that remains on the plant after the terminal growth has been removed as a division.
 
Baggy Baby: 
Also known as “blooming-sized orchid” or “packaged orchids” a Baggy Baby, grown and sold by Better-Gro, delivers the thrill of watching an exotic plant through all stages of its development.
 
Bifoliate:      
A plant having two leaves on a pseudobulb.
 
Column:      
The reproductive area of the orchid flower.
 
Disease:      
Any deviation from the normal growth structure or quality of a plant that is a continuous condition producing visible symptoms, thus affecting the quality or value of the plant.
 
Division:      
A form of plant propagation in which new plants are separated from the parent plant.
 
Environment:         
The surroundings or conditions in which a plant lives or operates.
 
Epiphyte:     
A plant that grows harmoniously upon another plant and derives its moisture and nutrients from the air, rain, and debris accumulating around it.
 
Fertilizer:     
Also known as plant food. A natural or synthetic material which includes nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium compounds that, when given to a plant, increases its capacity to support growth.
 
Genus:        
A group of related plants consisting of two or more species possessing certain common characteristics distinct from any other group.
 
Host:          
A plant that provides some or all the nutrients for a particular pest or fungus.
 
Intermediate Orchid:        
A plant that falls in the middle on a growing range – meaning it is not a cool grower (grows in colder environments) or a warm grower (grows in warmer environments), but rather it can be grown in most growing environments.
 
Keiki:          
Baby orchids that sprout from an orchid’s flower stems. Literally translated, “keiki” is Hawaiian for “the little one” -- and that’s just what keikis are. They’re little orchid plants.
 
Leaf:           
The part of an orchid where its primary function is photosynthesis.
 
Light:          
One of the key factors for growing a healthy plant. Plants use energy from light to convert carbon dioxide into food.
 
Lip:             
The lower petal of an orchid used by flowers to provide a landing platform for its pollinators.
 
Mericlone:     
An identical plant which was produced from tissue culture of the apical meristem.
 
Orchidelirium:        
Having an obsession with orchids – inspiring scientists, collectors, and hobbyists alike.
 
pH:             
A measure of the acidity in water. A measure of 6.5 pH is perfect for orchids.
 
Pseudobulb: 
The storage organ found on sympodial orchids.
 
Monopodial: 
Having one main stem which grows straight up.
 
Pest:           
Any organism that can cause disease or injury to a plant.
 
Rhyzome:    
An underground stem that connects two pseudobulbs.
 
Sympodial:   
Having lateral continued growth (more than one stem) coming from a pseudobulb.
 
Terrestrial:   
A plant that has roots that grow and receive nutrients from the soil.
 
Virus:          
Microscopic pathogen which can be spread by insects or unsanitized equipment.
 
For more information on orchid care, EasyOrchidGrowing.com Happy Blooming!