Types of Orchids

The ancient Greeks linked the orchid with virility. The flower's popularity stems from its exotic beauty, and it was thought of as a symbol of wealth in Victorian England. More than 20,000 species of orchids exist, and cross-breeding among gardeners creates an estimated 800 new types annually.

Alaskan Rein

The yellow-greenish Alaskan rein orchid can be found in the Pacific Northwest, Baja California and Canada. It can grow in a variety of soils and is often found in forests; dry, rocky landscapes; or open meadows. Its typical flowering season is April to August. In Ontario, however, this changes to late June through the middle of July.

Cattleya

The cattleya is considered the "corsage" orchid and is the typical orchid seen in flower shops. It is native to Mexico and Asia. The cattleya comes in a multitude of colors, including pink, white, purple, yellow, red and blue. It is often used as the standard when growing new hybrids.

Vandas

Many growers consider the vandas orchid hard to cultivate. Yet, this difficulty draws growers to the flower more often than not. Originating from India, the Philippines and the Pacific Islands, the vandas flourishes in the sun and quite often grows to reach the ceiling.

Horned Orchid

The greenish to brown horned orchid is named for its horned appearance. It flowers from November through January and prefers moist, soiled forests and grasslands, where it blends in easily and is difficult to find. The horned orchid is one of the tallest orchids, growing to an average of 20.5 inches.

Phalaenopsis

There are about 60 different types of phalaenopsis, which originated in Asia. The phalaenopsis is commonly used as home décor and sometimes is referred to as the moth orchid. It is most often seen in pastel shades.

Cymbidium

The cymbidium orchid is native to India, China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines and Borneo. It typically grows in cool climates on high elevations and blooms in both winter and spring, making it a common choice among flower cultivators. The cymbidium comes in a wide variety of colors and is a great choice for patios and decks.

References

• The Orchid Society Royal Botanical Gardens
• Orchids.mu
• Colorado State University

Resources

• Growing Orchids
• Choosing Orchids
• Caring for Orchids