Types of Orchids

The Orchidaceae family is one of the most species-rich families of flowering plants, with over 28,000 species. It is commonly divided into 5 subfamilies: Cypripediodeae, Vanilloideae, Orchidoideae, Epidendroideae, and Apostasiodeae. Subfamilies are further divided into smaller tribes, which are then divided into subtribes and grouped into genera. Some of the more common tribes are laid out below:

Epidendrum Genus

This large genus boasts more than 1000 pure species and an array of hybrids. The flowers are small in size, despite the plant’s bulk, and this particular orchid requires extremely bright light to thrive. Those who grow this species of orchid indoors will often use supplemental grow lights to encourage good development.

Brassavola Orchid: This is a great orchid to grow both indoors and out. It boasts a strong fragrance, which means most people will smell it before they see it. The perfume is released only at night and the flowers are white in hue and are often dependent on moths for pollination.

Encyclia Orchids

Often nicknamed cockleshell orchids, this species is able to flourish when placed on an orchid mount. This helps to replicate the epiphytic growing conditions that it experiences in the wild. Some horticulturists say this species resembles an octopus, due to its dangling petals. Even though it doesn’t produce a fragrance, they still bloom for several consecutive months and can reach a height ranging from 3 inches to 2 feet depending on the variety.

Cattleya Orchid

Also known as the swan orchid or the queen of orchids, this elegant, inflorescence space features an array of male flowers, which resemble a swan’s neck. An impressive 30 spicily scented flowers may grow on just a single stem. They have been extensively hybridized, which has led to a large variety of hues and forms populating. A number of these orchids are very unique in style and boast attractive freckles, streaks, or other bicolor features. It’s important not to water these plants too frequently. In their native habitat they are exposed to heavy rains and extended dry periods. As a result, they have thickened stems known as pseudobulbs which are great at storing moisture.

Dendrobium Orchid

These long-lasting beauties are the second largest group of orchids with over 1,000 species. They house an abundance of top-heavy blooms and thus, often requires staking to support the weight. With over 1000 species in this orchid’s genus, the dendrobium orchid is easy to identify and categorize. The most common assortments feature white, yellow, or lavender blooms.

Dendrobium species live as epiphytes and lithophytes in New Guinea, southern China, Thailand, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and more. As a result, it’s hard to generalize how to care for these types of orchids. Most of them require cooler night temperatures of 50 to 59°F (10 to 15°C) and humidity of 50 to 60 percent. This can be achieved by placing a humidifier in the room or water in the tray just below the gravel surface.

Cymbidium Orchids

These are an easy to care for orchid that thrive outdoors in mild regions. The majority of them are from cool regions in Australia and Asia where the evening temperatures range from 45-55°F. These orchids house smaller flowers (2 to 5 inches across) than the majority of orchid varieties, yet can produce over 35 flower spikes. They’re a great option for those who are growing and caring for orchids for the first time. They come in shades of lime green, yellow, red, or bright pink.

Catasetum Orchid

Native to Central and South America, the catasetum orchid species are unusually waxy flowers. When the leaves of this orchid begin to turn yellow and fall off, don’t panic; as this deciduous orchid loses its leaves naturally during the winter dormancy. There are a number of species in existence and all are slightly different in style; although one feature they all have in common is their ability to produce male and female flowers, which bear few similarities to one and other. The male flowers boast an anatomical trigger that forcefully expels pollen onto visiting bees.