Why does orchidslive in trees than in soil?or does orchids need soil?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orchid

Why does orchidslive in trees than in soil?or does orchids need soil?
No, because orchids are related to parasites too! Orchids do not need soil, but it does need water for photosynthesis process. My Gran plant the orchids in hanging pots with coal, not with soil.
Reply:the orchid is a bloom from a plant or tree that is in the soil
Reply:I still have a few orchids, but 20 yrs ago I had more than 20 and I belonged to the American Orchid Society (link below). There are different families of orchids, like cattleya, dendrobium, Phalaenopsis. Some grow in trees and are called epiphytes and some grow in soil like regular plants are are called terrestial. The epiphytes are NOT parasitic, but use the host trees to anchor themselves and get closer to the sun or rain and derive their nutrients from falling dead insects, bird and animal manure or decaying vegetation.





Vanilla is the seed of an species of orchid. There are over 25,000 natural species of orchids and many more hybrids which are raised by enthusiasts. It is quite a challenging hobby growing orchids, I can tell you.





Another type of plant, the bromeliads, native to South America can also either live in trees or in the ground. But they are another story.

Rubber Slippers