Orchid species – overview with pictures and care tips

Phalaenopsis are by far the best-selling orchids. This is partly because there are so many different colors, patterns and sizes and partly because they are really easy for orchids to care for. The hybrids are bred to cope well with indoor conditions. In addition, the plants bloom for a long time and have moderate prices due to the mass production.

• Form up to 30 cm high stems with large leaves and numerous aerial roots
• The impressive panicles of flowers can be up to a meter long, but are usually much shorter

Showy varieties

• P. ‘Alois Handlbauer’ – dark red petals with an irregular white border – quite a new variety
• P. Taida ‘Salu’ – carmine-red flowers with the finest markings and a fine margin in yellow, grass-green foliage
• P. Chingrueys Goldstaff – yellow flowers with pink stripes, very showy flowers
• P. ‘Little Emperor’ – yellow flowers, a rarity
• P. Sogo ‘Anna’ – yellow-pink flowers, very daring color combination, small-flowered

Care Tips
Phalaenopsis are the easiest orchids to care for. You have to be careful not to drown them (cause of death number 1). But too little water is not good either. High humidity is important, which is why the plants should be sprayed regularly. The best time to do this is in the morning.

• Temperatures in summer between 18 and 25 ° C
• In winter temperatures up to 16 ° C at night
• Location in an east or west window
• High humidity is important – spray regularly
• The substrate should never dry out completely
• Pour lime-free water at room temperature
• No standing wet!
• Ventilate regularly
• No temperature differences of more than 10 ° C
• Add orchid fertilizer every third watering
• Repot as soon as a new heart leaf appears
• Propagation by Kindel – must have two leaves and several roots at least 5 cm long
• Cut back immediately after flowering
• Cut back over the second or third stem knot from below

Cambria

Numerous hybrids have emerged from crossings of different orchid genera, which are summarized under the name Cambria. Usually the plants have two or more ancestors from different genera. The goal of the breeders was very simple, they wanted to create beautiful plants that are not that complicated to care for. Only the best traits should pass to the offspring. Here, the bigger the plants, the more numerous the flowers. You buy flowering specimens when the panicle has opened up to a third.

Nice varieties

• x Beallara ‘Peggy Ruth Carpenter’ – pink flowers with white, very easy to care for
• x Odontobrassia Kenneth Bivin ‘Santa Barbara’ – spider orchid, dark red graceful flowers with a white lip
• ‘Hansueli Isler’ – yellow flowers with dark red markings,
• x Wilsonara ‘Anna Claire’ – white flowers with red patterns, very durable
• x Burrageara hybrid ‘Nelly Isler’ – dark pink flowers, very profuse and vigorous

Grooming Tips
Cambrias are pretty easy to look after. By crossing different orchids, easy-care flowering plants were created. However, due to their different “ancestors”, they do not all have the same claims. It is best to inquire about what needs to be considered when purchasing the plants.

• Bright location, but partially shaded, without direct sun
• In summer not above 25 ° C
• Humidity over 40 percent
• Just keep it slightly moist
• Lots of fresh air, but without drafts
• Fertilize once a week after purchase
• After flowering, only add nutrients every third watering
• Maintain this dose permanently
• No particular rest period
• But water less after flowering
• Just so moist that the bulbs do not shrink and place a little cooler
• A new annual shoot marks the end of the resting phase
• Repot as soon as a new shoot appears
• The vessel must be large enough to accommodate two annual shoots

Cattleya

Cattleya are hybrid breeds, in the production of which up to nine orchid genera were involved. There are many different hybrids, around 45 species and many varieties, as well as hybrids. They have very large, colored, often patterned flowers and are therefore quite common on offer. There are usually a few large flowers on the racemose inflorescence. There are pink and yellow monochromatic flowers and brownish-red, green, white and pink flowers in the two-colored ones. Patterns are diverse and rich in shapes. Cattleya originally come from South America and are now bred and propagated all over the world.

Nice varieties

• x Laeliocattleya ‘Tropical Pointer’ – extravagant, elegant flowers in orange to salmon-colored with pink-colored dots. This orchid is fragrant.
• X Epilaeliocattleya ‘Don Herman’ – strong yellow flowers, very compact variety, good for beginners, blooms easily
• Blc. Blanche Aisaka Yuki FCC / AOS – Taiwancattleya – white flower with pink and a little yellow, very nice pattern
• Blc. Eagle Eye ‘All Victory’ – pure white flowers with a yellow lip, fringed edges
• C. intermedia var. Aquinii coerulea – white-lilac flowers, interesting drawing, very conspicuous

Care tips
Cattleya grow epiphytically, so they need to be cared for accordingly. The plants are ideally placed in a light-flooded bathroom, but must not be in direct sunlight.

• Partly shady to light location, but without direct sun
• Room temperature during the day, about 5 ° C less at night
• Sufficient air movement is important
• About 40 percent humidity
• Substrate with a high proportion of coconut chips
• Only pour when the substrate is completely dry
• The resting phase is important for the flowers to develop
• Fertilize only during the growth phase
• Repot every two to three years
• Support large-flowered varieties
• Propagation by small bulbs that can be separated, best when repotting

Cymbidium

Cymbidium are large orchids. There are huge varieties that look best on their own as solitaires. However, smaller varieties are also bred for the window sill, which still have the advantage that they are much easier to cultivate. The great flowering plants originally come from China and were very popular there as potted plants even before our era. The flower stems are often offered as cut flowers, simply because of their long shelf life.

Nice varieties

• C. Butterball – yellow flowers with a little light red, long panicles
• C. devonianum ‘Peter Pan’ – greenish-yellow flowers with a dark mahogany-colored lip, smaller form
• C. Summer Wind White Japan – Mini-Cymbidium, white flowers with a yellow lip
• C. Forgotten Fruits – reddish-brownish or orange-brownish flowers, outlined in white, dark lip, very noticeable
• C. kanran – red lanceolate petals with a white heart

Care tips

• Similar demands as the butterfly orchids
• In summer temperatures around 20 ° C during the day and 17 ° C at night
• Large varieties like a marked difference between day and night temperatures
• Relatively high humidity, between 60 and 80 percent
• Very light needs, more than other orchids
• Protect from direct sun in summer.
• Plenty of watering is required for vigorous growth
• Do not let the substrate dry out even in winter
• No winter rest
• Add fertilizer with every second watering – all year round
• Repot every two years, in spring, after flowering
• These orchids love deeply rooted vessels
• Use high quality orchid substrate

Dendrobium

Dendrobium is the genus that probably has the most varieties. The plants come in tiny sizes up to a height of 2 meters. A distinction is made between very different flower shapes and colors. The two most popular hybrid breeds are Dendrobium nobile (also known as Yamamoto hybrids) and Dendrobium bigibbum. There are around 1,500 species, mostly of tropical origin. These orchids are predominantly epiphytic, mainly on trees, sometimes on rocks.

Nice varieties

• Antelope dendobrium – narrow, upturned and sometimes twisted petals. Quite a strange appearance. Thrive well in room conditions.
• D. kingianum – the most durable representative of this group, pink flowers, grows on rocks
• D. amabile – white flowers with a pink edge and a yellow heart, many flowers per panicle
• D. delicatum – pure white flowers with light purple markings on the lip, very subtle, radiant appearance
• D. lindleyi – yellow flowers, dark heart and getting lighter on the outside

Care tips

When it comes to care, a distinction must be made between the two main types. Dendrobium nobile

• Little demands on the temperature
• Rest time in winter at approx. 14 ° C
• The leaves are falling off. It is hardly poured
• Instead, spray the plant
• Cool dryness promotes flower formation
• Fertilize once a week during the growing season, otherwise only every third watering

Dendrobium bigibbum

• Warm culture
• Switching to room temperature is difficult. That is why it is cheap to buy plants that are almost in full bloom.
• After the bulbs have matured, the rest period begins – temperatures only 5 ° C lower than usual
• As soon as the buds show up, put them in a warmer place and water them more vigorously
• If there are no blossoms, keep drier
• If the buds are shed, then lack of light during formation is to blame.
• Artificial light is beneficial for these orchids that need a lot of light
• Fertilize once a week during the growing season, otherwise only every third watering

Miltonia

Miltonia can be recognized by the typical “pansy face” and we offer them as indoor plants. They are quite unproblematic in terms of care. Miltonia belong to the group of violet orchids and grow very well on the windowsill, sometimes even better than in a greenhouse. However, there are also some problems, mostly caused by moving from damp greenhouses to warm and dry living rooms. The plants do not like hot temperatures and thrive best in partial shade. They are quite frugal and are therefore becoming increasingly popular. There are around 40 species but many hybrid breeds.

Nice varieties

• Honolulu ‘Warne’s Best’ – pink flowers, appear rather delicate, good beginner plant
• M. ‘Newton Falls’ – lilac flowers with white markings on the flower lip, reminiscent of small waterfalls
• M. morelliana – dark red flower with pink lip
• M. phalaenopsis – white flowers with yellow and pink, flowers similar to those of butterfly orchid
• M. spectabilis – white flowers with pink markings

Care tips
Miltonia do not require a pronounced break . They do reasonably well in the room all year round. The plants are sensitive to temperature fluctuations. It is therefore best to place them in a closed flower window or in a plant display case. Care is moderate to demanding, these orchids are not suitable for beginners. Pay particular attention to the humidity and temperatures.

• Warm temperatures: 18 to 25 ° C in winter, 14 to 16 ° C in summer, best outdoors in summer, in the shade, red or yellow leaves indicate that the location is too bright
• It is important that the air humidity is high, so it is best to place it in bowls of water, but on stones
• The substrate must not dry out, but too much moisture can cause roots to rot quickly
• Fertilize with every third dose of water, but in half the dose
• Too much water, fertilizer or drought can lead to leaf deformation
• Quickly snap off faded panicles. Do not unscrew until the stem is completely dry.

Frequently asked questions
What is special about Vanda orchids?
Vanda orchids are impressively beautiful, but not for orchid beginners. They are slow to grow and are a little tricky to maintain. There are two blooming seasons per year and large panicles of flowers. The large-flowered hybrids like it warm and need high humidity. That is why the plants are usually grown in glass vases with a small amount of water in them. They are often also offered in stores. Most of them are hybrid breeds. There are over 50 species of Vanda. Most are epiphytes. The aerial roots wrap around the branches and give the orchids a hold.

Vanda orchids do not need a pronounced rest period. The culture in a glass vase guarantees high humidity and the roots do not rot. The roots should be sprayed with water every day. In addition, they are immersed in water for 10 to 15 minutes about three times a week. The heart of the plant should never get wet, as this can lead to rot. It is important to use lime-free water, preferably rainwater.

• All year round at least 20 ° C, preferably 24 to 30 ° C in summer and 16 to 24 ° C in winter
• Never below 15 ° C
• High humidity
• Cultivate in glass vases with a little water in them
• Mostly cared for without substrate, which is why watering is not necessary
• Dip the plant basket, in which the orchids are mostly sold, in lukewarm water once a week
• Spray the plant frequently (humidity)

Which orchid is the easiest to care for for normal household use?
For beginners and orchid lovers without green fingers, Phalaenopsis are the ideal plants. They are the easiest to care for and usually don’t cost that much if the attempt fails. They also need a good location, the right temperatures and appropriate humidity, but they are not as squeamish as some other orchids.