Can you plant orchids in the ground, or do they have to grow in a pot?
im about to buy orchids for my garden. but all the research ive been reading say things for life in a pot. I wanted to plant them in the ground.
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It matters what type of material you’re planting it in, what type of orchid you have and where you live.
If you can grow them in a pot then they should grow in the ground.
What type of orchid are you asking referring to? The long grasslike leafed orchid, cymbidiums, are often grown outdoors. They are considered terrestrial orchids, BUT, they still need extremely good drainage, appreciate airspace around roots, and rarely do well in regular garden soil. Plants will water-log, roots will drown and rot and eventually your plant will die in the ground.
I’ve seen cyms planted en masse in large several foot long planters with prepared orchid mix on raised platforms. Mix does have to be changed out every 3 years, however.
All other orchids require pots and special mix to grow well.
In nature orchids grow on the side of trees by attaching to the bark. That is why they are in pots full of material similar to bark. They won’t do well in the ground. In fact they will probably die rather quickly.