Types of Orchids
With thousands of types of orchids available, it’s no wonder they are one of the most popular flowering houseplants. But along with their popularity, orchids have also earned a reputation as being finicky, difficult to grow and expensive. Although this may be the case with some of the rarer varieties, there are many more common orchid types that are perfect for the beginning grower, along with more advanced varieties as your confidence, and your orchids, bloom.
Beginner Orchids
If you’ve ever seen an orchid in the grocery store, what you’re seeing is the easiest type of orchid to grow, the Phalaenopsis or Moth Orchid. The Moth Orchid offers blooms in shades of pink, white, yellow and red and is the perfect choice for a houseplant for beginners. Just give them a bright location with no direct sunlight and they will be happy. As a tropical flower, orchids also love humidity, so place the pot on a tray of rocks to give them the moisture they crave without causing root rot.
Other popular choices for beginning orchid growers are the Sharry Baby variety, with small, long-lasting blooms, and the Sweet Sugar variety that offers cheerful yellow blooms. One hint for the beginner orchid grower: don’t use regular potting soil for your orchids; there is a special orchid mix of bark and peat moss available.
Intermediate Types of Orchids
As you grow more comfortable caring for your orchids, take another step in discovering their beauty and try a new variety. The Dendrobium is a reasonably priced orchid that offers large showy purple, white and pink flowers. One of the largest varieties of orchids, it takes a little more care than the Moth Orchid but the blooms reward you by lasting longer. Other types of orchids that are best for the budding orchid grower:
· Cymbidium or Boat Orchid – popular in floral arrangements and corsages, the Cymbidium is one of the most popular winter and spring blooming orchids
· Cattleya – called the Queen of Orchids with good reason, their blooms can be up to eight inches and oh-so fragrant, making them perfect for a corsage.
· Paphiopedilum – also known as the Lady Slipper Orchid, Paphiopedilum Orchids offer long lasting, compact blooms that inspire a devotional following. While beginning growers may become frustrated with their slow growth and slow flowering, the Paphiopedilum rewards the grower with very distinctive blooms.
Difficult and Rare Orchid Varieties
We can also term these varieties not for the faint of heart, for these varieties are not only pricey, but require just the right growing conditions.
· Ghost orchids are the ‘Holy Grail’ of the orchid world, as they are extremely rare and difficult to grow in captivity and must be grown from seed. A seedling can easily run $60 but is an unusual and beautiful sight when it blooms. It is leafless and offers a most unusually shaped white bloom.
· Vanda orchids are finicky but they offer several long lasting blooms on a single stem in a handsome range of color.
· Dockrillias are difficult to grow in that they need the proper mount for growth. The foliage is quite unusual, almost looking like that of a cactus, and the blooms are small, spikey and white.
While some varieties of orchids have earned their finicky reputation, there are many types of orchids suitable for those looking for a showy, flowering houseplant. Starting with an easier to grow variety of orchid and working your way up is the best course. When you first see your orchid bloom, it will be well worth it.
With thousands of types of orchids available, it’s no wonder they are one of the most popular flowering houseplants. But along with their popularity, orchids have also earned a reputation as being finicky, difficult to grow and expensive. Although this may be the case with some of the rarer varieties, there are many more common orchid types that are perfect for the beginning grower, along with more advanced varieties as your confidence, and your orchids, bloom.
Beginner Orchids
If you’ve ever seen an orchid in the grocery store, what you’re seeing is the easiest type of orchid to grow, the Phalaenopsis or Moth Orchid. The Moth Orchid offers blooms in shades of pink, white, yellow and red and is the perfect choice for a houseplant for beginners. Just give them a bright location with no direct sunlight and they will be happy. As a tropical flower, orchids also love humidity, so place the pot on a tray of rocks to give them the moisture they crave without causing root rot.
Other popular choices for beginning orchid growers are the Sharry Baby variety, with small, long-lasting blooms, and the Sweet Sugar variety that offers cheerful yellow blooms. One hint for the beginner orchid grower: don’t use regular potting soil for your orchids; there is a special orchid mix of bark and peat moss available.
Intermediate Types of Orchids
As you grow more comfortable caring for your orchids, take another step in discovering their beauty and try a new variety. The Dendrobium is a reasonably priced orchid that offers large showy purple, white and pink flowers. One of the largest varieties of orchids, it takes a little more care than the Moth Orchid but the blooms reward you by lasting longer. Other types of orchids that are best for the budding orchid grower:
- Cymbidium or Boat Orchid – popular in floral arrangements and corsages, the Cymbidium is one of the most popular winter and spring blooming orchids
- Cattleya – called the Queen of Orchids with good reason, their blooms can be up to eight inches and oh-so fragrant, making them perfect for a corsage.
- Paphiopedilum – also known as the Lady Slipper Orchid, Paphiopedilum Orchids offer long lasting, compact blooms that inspire a devotional following. While beginning growers may become frustrated with their slow growth and slow flowering, the Paphiopedilum rewards the grower with very distinctive blooms.
Difficult and Rare Orchid Varieties
We can also term these varieties not for the faint of heart, for these varieties are not only pricey, but require just the right growing conditions.
- Ghost orchids are the ‘Holy Grail’ of the orchid world, as they are extremely rare and difficult to grow in captivity and must be grown from seed. A seedling can easily run $60 but is an unusual and beautiful sight when it blooms. It is leafless and offers a most unusually shaped white bloom.
- Vanda orchids are finicky but they offer several long lasting blooms on a single stem in a handsome range of color.
- Dockrillias are difficult to grow in that they need the proper mount for growth. The foliage is quite unusual, almost looking like that of a cactus, and the blooms are small, spikey and white.
While some varieties of orchids have earned their finicky reputation, there are many types of orchids suitable for those looking for a showy, flowering houseplant. Starting with an easier to grow variety of orchid and working your way up is the best course. When you first see your orchid bloom, it will be well worth it.
The most complete guide to orchid care that we have found is Orchid Care Expert: A Practical Guide to Orchid Care. The guide is perfect for both beginners and those that have been growing orchids for years.
