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An orchid for cool or temperate zones from the misty reaches of Nepal, the Himalayas, Assam, Bhutan, Sikkim and Java. It grows in lower and upper montane forests at altitudes between 1500 to 2600 m where there is all year fog and mists and bright winter light. Epiphytic on mossy trees and occasionally lithophytic found on rocky outcrops. Pot in medium grade compost, don't overpot, and repot every 1-3 years. Amoderate feeder, feed with 1/4 strength fish emulsion during growing season every week and towards end of growing season give extra feed of potash to encourage bulbs to harden off and good flowers the next year.

After flowering lightly prune to maintain a neat shape. Grow in well drained, lime free soil. From south africa

Good addition to ponds, in addition to a sweet flower and providing overhead shelter for fish, they propagate so much faster than waterlilies. The parent leaf will send off both flowers and new leaves which will then become new plants. In climates less than subtropical, they grow well but will experience a winter dormancy, where they will lose leaves to retain just roots, sink to the bottom of the pond, and emerge next spring. Can grow either rooted in pots or free floating.

orginating the sub tropical and tropical rainforests of Eastern Australia where it grows epiphytically on trees. They can reach massive proportions in their natural environment, like seeing a small car on the side of a tree. The large frond that forms the nest wraps protectively around the spores, attaching itself to the tree with root like structures. Water from above and allow to catch fallen leaves, insects and banana skins in the crown to provide a source of calciumand potassium. Fertile antler fronds will hang down from the base of the crown of a mature plant and reach up to 2m in length. You cannot propagate this platycerium from pups but from spores only. Mainatin humidity filtered sunlight, and good airflow.In temperate climates water sparingly in winter as it can be prone to rot.

Native to the sub tropical rainforests of Queensland in eastern Australia, where it grows epiphytically on trees and sometimes lithophytically. They feed by organic matter such as leaves etc depositing in their crowns where it slowly breaks down. Banana skins are very much appreciated. They do not, as common theory says, absorb moisture form the air throught their leaves but instead obtain it from rainfall. If growing in a colder climate (it does fine in temperate climates)water less over winter. In growing season, water often from above and keep humid. Propagate by slicing pups off the side of parent plant or by spore (harder). The brown on the lower leaves is normal, serves a protective and nutrient catching function, so don't slice off.

Incredibly hardy, in the dry season it survives as a marginal plant or even underground with no visible sign but is best as a fully submerged aquatic

Give a fairly high nitrogen food in spring, or slow release food. If in pot in pond, line pot with newspaper and put about 4cm sand or fine gravel on the top.I've grown it succesfully with pot only a third submerged, to fully submerged

An epiphytic orchid confined to Brazil. It is a naturally occuring hybrid between M. clowesii and M. spectabilis. Grow epiphytically on bark slabs or in pots up to about 8" diameter. Pseudobulbs grow off elongated rhizomes so if grown in pots,use pots that allow for rhizome spread. Use a mix of peat with coarse sand, charcoal and perlite. Ensure high humidity, good drainage, and good ventilation to foliage and roots. Allow for winter rest period but takes a reasonable amount of water in the growing season. Feed with fish emulsion fertiliser at 1/4 strength whilst growing. If grown epiphytically, can use old stocking, wire mesh or permeable fabric to affix to growing medium while roots establish. Flower stalks may need to be staked.

One of the less spectacular orchids but very easy to grow in a temperate climate, they tolerate part shade to full sun and are great planted on masse in a rainforest garden. It has been reclassified as Thelychiton kingianum but is still mostly known as a dendrobium. It naturally occurs half way up the eastern coast of Australia (New South Wales and lower Queensland)in wet sclerophyll bush and temperate rainforests, growing usually lithophytically but also on logs. Keep humid but ensure good airflow, and treat like an orchid as far as growing media and fertilsation with a winter resting period. 2 to 7 leaves and up to 15 flowers per pseudobulb.