Orchid lovers call their favorite flower brilliant, breathtaking, and beautiful. There is no question the orchid is in a class all its own. The orchid family is the largest plant family. It is estimated there are over 30,000 natural species. The varieties are native to areas around the world such as South America, Australia, and the Philippines. For over 300 years, adventurers have collected orchids from these diverse locations. We visited the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate, which offers one of the world's largest selections of this popular plant. The Orchid Estate is located just 500 feet from the Pacific Ocean, which creates the perfect climate for growing premium orchids. For over 40 years, the family-owned business has provided beautiful blooms to the public. Perhaps the most popular varieties are the Cymbidium and the Phalaenopsis. Cymbidiums come in almost every color of the spectrum from white to almost black. They bloom from November through May and the flower sprays last up to 3 months. Cymbidiums love to grow outdoors, but they can be brought inside to enjoy once they bloom. The plant likes temperatures between 45 and 85 degrees and prefers filtered bright light. They can tolerate full sun from late November through January. Water is required every 10-14 days during cool weather and every 7-10 days during hot weather. Check with your local nursery about the best type of fertilizer to use. Use small fir bark to replant every two years. Phalaenopsis grow indoors next to a window, but you should avoid any direct hot sunlight. They love moderate heat. The minimum temperature at night should be between 55 and 60 degrees. During the day, temperatures should stay between 70 and 85 degrees. Water every 5-7 days in warm weather and every 10-14 days in cool weather. Fertilize with low nitrogen orchid food while they are blooming. Transplant into new bark every 18 months. For more information you can contact the Santa Barbara Orchid Estate at the address and phone number listed below. Santa Barbara Orchid Estate 1250 Orchid Dr. Santa Barbara, CA 93111 (800) 553-3387 If you have questions or comments about this story, please E-mail Producer Allison Lund Thompson at athompson@kvie.org.