Popular Terms
Here is a list of the most popular terms all orchid growers need to know:1. Inflorescence
This is the flowering part of a plant.2. Node
Node is a distinct joint or notch on the inflorescence from which a secondary flower stem can emerge from. It happens after the primary inflorescence has finished blooming.3. Keiki
Keiki is a small plant growing from a node on the flower stem.Flower Parts
The most important parts of an orchid's flower:4. Column
It is a small, rounded and column-like extension between the two largest petals on a flower. This is actually the central reproductive organ of the orchid.5. Lip
Lip is the part of the flower almost completely divided from the rest of the flower. It is connected by the column. Orchids have very unique lips, and it's one of the things that make their flowers so beautiful. The lip is actually a very specialized organ and its role is to aid in pollination.6. Throat
This is the inner portion of a tubular orchid lip. In many cases throat is very colorful.7. Sepals
The outer segments of an orchid flower. They are similar to petals but they make three smaller segments of the flower. Sepals create a triangular shape.Spike
Spike is a flower stalk.General
General gardening terms often used for orchid care:8. Medium
This is not orchid-specific. Medium is the material added to a container. It can range from soil to bark. There are many mediums available for your plants (in this case, orchids).9. Yellowing
This is a common gardening term. It is used when a leaf is yellowing. This usually indicates some issues, such as overwatering or an inadequate amount of light. If you notice yellowing on orchid leaves it's important to inspect your plant or consult a professional about what to do to make it healthy again.Photo credit: Pauline Rosenberg
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