Common Orchid Species

Orchids are a family of orchids and are common on all continents. Many decades ago, they became popular indoor flowers. The species of room orchid is so numerous that it is impossible to describe everything in one article. Here are the most popular varieties and hybrids of different genera.

Common orchid species

Description of orchids

Most indoor orchids are bred from species that grow in the tropics and equatorial forests. The name of the flower itself comes from the Greek word “orchis”, which means “egg”. It is associated with a specific oval root shape. In eastern languages, the name of the flower sounds different. For example, in Japanese it is “noun.” About 10% of all plants in the world are orchids.

A characteristic feature of the flower is the fused stamens and pistils, which are called the “column”.Flowers are collected in racemose or spike-shaped inflorescences, rarely are single. Two petals are the same, the third elongated, forms a lip. Sepals consist of 3 petals. The fruit of an orchid is a box or a berry.

Orchids are herbaceous plants. They are divided into several groups according to the growth method:

• Epiphytic. Mostly tropical species that grow on trees, breaking through the trunk to the light that is missing in the dense jungle.
• Lithophytic. They live on roots, in arid mountainous or lowland areas.
• Terrestrial. Such species are characteristic of the temperate zone, their roots are fixed in the soil.
• Underground. A rare Australian flower that is completely hidden underground and pollinated by ground insects.

According to modern scientific classification, orchids are divided into subfamilies:

• apostasian;
• cyripedia;
• vanilla;
• epidendra;
• orchid, or orchis.

Indoor orchids may belong to any of these subfamilies. In addition, there are dozens of genera. Flowers have become a symbol of several countries. They are also described in the literature. For example, in the popular detective “The Jade Empress Cixi.”

Katasetum

The genus Katasetum is an epiphytic orchid with more than 150 species. Their homeland is South and Central America, the most varieties growing in Brazil.

A feature of the genus is the presence of flowers of different sexes in the plant. Male large, saturated yellow-purple, with a cup-shaped lip hanging over the petals. Female small, covered with a wax coating. At home, it is rarely possible to achieve this type of flowering, either male or female buds open.

Stem height – 50-60 cm, at the same time the plant produces several peduncles. In November, it retires, wakes up in early March. Popular varieties of orchids of the genus Katasetum:

• Advanced;
• Spotted;
• Caps;
• Whole;
• Drooping;
• Gloomy;
• Schmidt.

The variety is suitable for growing in an apartment, but in the summer it is advisable to take the flower to a balcony or terrace.

Organization

Variety of orchid varieties great

The genus Aganizia, or Akakallis, from the orchid family is one of the few in the world. It has only 4 species, of which 2 are grown at home. Epiphytic growth, shoots are located with a ladder at a distance of 3-6 cm from each other. Pseudobulbs are light green, narrowed and elongated. Leaves are lanceolate or ellipsoidal, with a pointed tip. The plate is shiny, leathery, with pronounced longitudinal veins.

2-10 flowers of a zygomorphic shape grow on one peduncle. The main colors are white with purple or pink.Flowering begins at the end of winter and lasts until the summer. The plant has no aroma, the flowers live 10-12 days. These types of these home orchids are grown:

• Aganizia blue;
• Aganizia beautiful.

A blue organia has egg-shaped flowers 5-6 cm in size , slightly wavy sepals located at an obtuse angle to each other. The edge of the lip is wavy, indented. Aganizia flowers are beautifully smaller, only 4 cm in diameter, sitting on short peduncles. They have a delicate beige hue and a yellow center.

Macodes

The genus of Macodes orchids grows in Malaysia, New Guinea, the Philippines and other islands of Oceania. The word macos in Greek means long. The plant was named because of the special structure of the lips. These types of orchids have gained popularity due to their leaves. On the olive or dark green plate, light veins are clearly visible, forming bizarre patterns. The stems are 7-8 cm long. They spread along the surface of the substrate.

The flowers are small, white, and collected in a spike-shaped inflorescence. At a high peduncle (about 25 cm) there are 8-15 of them. Homely flowers are inferior in beauty to other species, but they have a pronounced aroma. The genus Makodez includes 7 varieties:

• Makodez Petola;
• Ludisia;
• Dossinia;
• Anektohilius;
• Goodyear;
• Zeuxine.

The plant, like its other relatives, loves humidity at the level of 80-90%, therefore it is advised to grow it in special mini-greenhouses or in the florarium. It is often used for decoration of winter gardens.

Kalantha

About 100 epiphytic species are included in the genus Kalantha. They are divided into 2 large groups: deciduous and evergreen. In the pseudobulbs of the first group, the bulbous part is absent; this type makes it easy to determine the type of orchid. They are often grown indoors.

Deciduous calendars during the growing season go through 3 periods: intensive growth, peace, flowering. By regulating irrigation, these periods are shifted. For example, they achieve flowering in spring or winter, at Christmas.

When the peduncles grow, the leaves fall off. Small flowers look beautiful and elegant without a green background. Evergreen varieties do not go to rest. The flowering period is spring and autumn. After its termination, they cease to feed the calendula.

The leaves of plants are large, sessile, with longitudinal folding, saturated green. The length of the leaves is about 35 cm, the width is 10 cm. In both groups, about 20 flowers with oval sepals with a diameter of 4-5 cm appear on the peduncle. The color is pink, white, there are varieties of purple, bright yellow, red shades. Flowering lasts several months, cut branches remain fresh for 7-9 days.

Lelia

Large and beautiful flowers

Rod Lelia came to us from South America. The sizes of flowers are from 1-2 cm to 50-60 cm. Pseudobulbs are oval or elongated, painted in gray-green or green, young are smooth, glossy, old ones are wrinkled. Sheets of the vaginal type. Their shape is oval elongated or belt-shaped, with a pointed tip. The color of the leaves is green, in the center they are slightly bent along the central vein.

On one peduncle, 1 or 3-10 flowers with a diameter of 15-20 cm develop. They have 2 petals (petals) and 3 sepals (sepals). The lip is solid and three-lobed, with a smooth or rugged fringed edge, completely covers the column. The shades of flowers are varied: white, purple, red, yellow, purple. The most popular varieties of orchids:

• Double-edged;
• Gould;
• Blushing;
• Gorgeous;
• Purple;
• Tenebros.

A capricious plant, suitable for experienced flower growers. Photophilous Lelia requires lighting at least 10 hours a day. The optimum humidity is 75-85%, water the orchid every other day. A mixture of pine bark and sphagnum moss is used as substrate. .The name received due to the shape of the bud ovary, divided into 3 parts. In the Russian version, this group is called “Venus slipper.”

The phragmipedium does not form pseudobulbs, grows to a height of 1 m, and the rhizome is shortened. The leaves are hard, leathery, belt-shaped, often hanging down. Peduncle high, up to 1 m, straight or curved arc, branches in some varieties. There are few flowers, the petals are narrow, long. The upper sepalium is also elongated, sometimes growing up to 40 cm. The lip is wide, insects sit on it. The column is shortened and thick.

The main types of indoor orchids of the Fragmipedium genus:

• Long-leaved;
• Tailed;
• Sliema;
• Besse;
• Kovacs.

The territories where Fragmipedium orchids grow in nature are now intensively cultivated. In addition, varieties have become popular among collectors, bulbs are constantly dug up for sale. As a result, many species were on the verge of extinction.

Odontoglossum

The genus Odontoglossum is distributed in the highlands, is an epiphyte or lithophyte. Thick pseudobulbs with roots tightly cling to the bark of trees or stones. The leaves are long, leathery, beautiful emerald color. The species has a tendency to sympodial growth, and launches numerous side shoots. The plant itself is small, up to 20 cm in length.

Peduncle height – from 10 cm to 90 cm. Up to 10 spectacular and fragrant flowers 4-7 cm in size bloom on one branch.Sepals and petals are narrow. The lip has several leathery outgrowths resembling teeth, hence the name of the genus. In Greek, “odons” means “tooth,” and “glossa” means language. The flower is painted in different shades: pink, red, green, yellow, milky, purple. Brown or burgundy patterns, spots, stripes are visible on the petals.

Main varieties:

• Bickton;
• Large;
• Beautiful, or Pretty;
• Kinky;
• Dew;
• Lemon;
• Cripsum;
• Heart-shaped.

Odontoglossum is rarely found in stores, mainly its hybrids are sold. For example, on the basis of the Odontoglossum, complex hybrids of Bellar, or Beallar, Kalmanar, or Colmanar, Burragear, Cichlid were created.

The plant is whimsical, therefore not suitable for beginners. In nature, it grows in a cool and humid climate and needs a long period of rest. It is better to grow Odontoglassum in a pot or clay pot.

Tselogin

A large number of flowers on the branch

The genus Celogin originates from South Asia, is found on the islands of the Pacific Ocean, in India, Vietnam. The height of the plants is about 30 cm, pseudobulbs are miniature, about 3-12 cm in diameter, resemble green grapes. Growing up, Tselogina forms large colonies. Leaves are strap-shaped, with short fleshy petioles.Leaf length is up to 30 cm, width is 3-5 cm, longitudinal relief veins are expressed on the plates.

Peduncle appears in winter, its length is 0.2-0.6 m. The flowers are small, with a pleasant smell, 5-17 pieces per branch. Sepals have a lanceolate shape, sometimes they are spread out. The lip is three-lobed, with several thick growths. The main colors are white, beige, cream, yellow, lemon.

Common orchids of this species with the names:

• Cristata, or Combed;
• Massange;
• Flacid, or Wilted;
• Pandurat;
• Specios;
• Fringed.

Tselogin – photophilous plant, because it is highlighted 12-14 hours a day. There is no pronounced dormancy period; the temperature should not fall below 10 ° C all year round. The combed Zeldogin is cold-loving, it can not be kept in too hot a room. Its range covers the territory from equatorial forests to temperate zones. Refers to deciduous land orchids. The plant extends to a height of 1.5 m. The stem is covered with spiral leaves.

The original flowers bloom on a 30-centimeter branch. Their diameter is 3-6 cm, the size increases as you approach the tropics. Sepals are large, deployed in different directions. Petals are rounded or lanceolate, with a serrated edge.A lip with 1-3 lobes and a fringed edge, a spur protrudes beyond it.

The second name of the genus is Lead. There are several varieties of it:

• Jesuit;
• Radiant, or radiata;
• Linear;
• Psychoid;
• Psychic large-flowered;
• Ciliate.

In stores, there are mainly tropical varieties of Povodnik, which is why it is better to grow them indoors. The characteristics of the conditions and care features are the same as for other indoor varieties.

Psychopsis

The name of the genus Psychopsis is translated from Greek as“ like a butterfly ”. This is due to the special shape of the flowers. Epiphytic plants live in the forests of South America. Rhizomes with false bulbs tightly wrap around the bark of trees. The leaves are long, lanceolate. Their color is dark green with a red tint; in some species, purple spots are visible. The leaf plate is bent along the central vein.

The peduncle is long, about 1.2 m, 1-2 flowers up to 8 cm in diameter bloom on it. The bud looks like a butterfly pupa, and the flower itself is like an insect with wings spread. The lateral sepals are rounded, the upper one is elongated and narrow. The lip is fan-shaped, wide. The color of the petals is yellow-orange or yellow, they are decorated with red and terracotta spots.

Popular orchid varieties and species with names:

• Mariposa;
• Papilio;
• Papilio peloric;
• Caliha;
• Kaliha mountain alba;
• Moth or butterfly;
• Mendenhall;
• Krameriana;
• Limminghei;
• Versteegiana;
• Sanderae;
• Alba.

Cultivation of Psychopsis is simple, therefore this flower is recommended for beginners. All varieties need lighting at least 11 hours a day, the temperature should be maintained at 20 ° C-25 ° C, and humidity – 70-80%. The bush is planted in a substrate consisting of bark of coniferous trees, peat, sphagnum, charcoal, it is also advised to add nutshells. The second name of the genus is the Head of the Bull. These are epiphytes with ovoid ribbed false bulbs. The leaves are wide, in the form of a pointed lancet, folded, with clear longitudinal veins.

The flower stalk is directed sideways or down, because such varieties are grown in hanging pots or a cache-pot, like gardenia. The flowers are large, up to 20 cm in diameter, 2-7 pieces develop on one branch. The lip has 2 outgrowths resembling bull horns, hence the second name Stangopey. The color of orchids is different. They exude a strong aroma.

The flowering period is short – only 2-3 days.

Tender white orchid

Popular types orchids of the genus Stangopeia:

• Tiger;
• Black-violet;
• Snow-white dawn;
• Glazovaya.

In summer, a thermophilic plant is kept at a temperature of 20 ° C-27 ° C, in winter at 10 ° C-15 ° C. During the growing season, watered 1-2 times a week, and during dormancy – 1-2 times a month. The substrate for planting is taken standard.

The correct cultivation of Srangopeia is simple, therefore it is recommended for beginners.

Pleione

The genus Pleione has about 20 varieties. In nature, it is found in China, Vietnam, Thailand. Lives in moist forests or mountains (at an altitude of up to 4000 m), as an epiphytic or lithophytic plant.

False bulbs are small, grouped in large groups. Creeping stems, lanceolate leaves, about 15 cm long. The leaves resemble a pleated skirt bent along the central and lateral veins.

The flowers of the wild Pleione orchid are small, found in large hybrids, reach 10 cm. The lip is tubular or spindle-shaped, fringed, brightly colored in contrasting color to the rest of the bud. The sepals and petals are widely spaced apart like a fan.

About 150 varieties and hybrids are derived from Pleolene.Here are some of them:

• Hooker;
• Squat;
• Early;
• Elegant;
• Formosana;
• Tongariro;
• Bulbocodia.

The plant does not tolerate heat, but low temperatures also harm it. In winter, he begins a period of rest, at this time they clean the pot in a cool room. The species is deciduous, because flowering bushes drop leaves. It happens in late spring or early fall.

Oncidium

Bright flowers of the house

The genus Oncidium is distributed in the south of America, right up to Florida, and on the Antilles. It is found in mountainous areas at an altitude of 4000 kilometers. Grows on trees or stones; stems have a sympodial branching type. Pseudobulbs are large, oval, lanceolate, bent along the central vein.

The inflorescences are racemose, branched, straight, drooping or arched. Their length ranges from 0.1 to 5 m, and the size of the flowers is from 1-2 cm to 10-12 cm. Ankle boots and petals are not much different from each other, but in some varieties sepals can grow together. The lip has the shape of a guitar, there is a scallop outgrowth on the tip. The color scheme is dominated by yellow and red-brown tones.

The main varieties and hybrids:

• Warty;
• Sinuous;
• Limming;
• Fine;
• Tiger;
• Moth;
• Lanza;
• Sugar Suite;
• Yellow;
• Twinkle;
• Hoveara.

Indoor orchids Oncidium – one of the most popular. When growing, it is recommended to create conditions as close to natural as possible.

Tolumnia

The genus of Tolumnia, or Tolumnia, is relatively young. More recently, it was united with the genus Ontsidium. The difference between them is minimal. Distribution area – islands of the Caribbean. Includes about 30 varieties. Unlike Oncidium, Tolumnia lacks or practically reduces pseudobulbs. The creeping stalk, leaves on it are arranged in pairs, sometimes form rosettes. The plate is fleshy, in the form of a pointed oval or lancet, 5-20 cm long and 5-15 wide.

Peduncle length – up to 75 cm, it contains from 15 to 60 small flowers. The sepals are small, oval or obovate, narrow. The petals are larger, with a wavy or indented edge. A lip of a complex structure, revealed by a wide fan, three-lobed and divided. In size, it is 2-3 times larger than the rest of the flower. The color of the petals is different.

Popular varieties of true Tolumnia:

• Variegata;
• Guiana;
• Beautiful;
• Tsiku Vanessa;
• Catherine Wilson;
• Charming.

Suitable for experienced orchid lovers. It grows well at room temperature, but at night the indicator is lowered by 3 ° -5 ° C. Daylight hours should last 1-10 hours. The optimum humidity is 45-70%. Instead of watering, it is advised to lower the entire pot into warm water. They feed Tolumnia every 5 waterings after it has produced flower stalks.

Ascenterum

The color is very bright and noticeable

The genus Ascocentrum has about 9 varieties. Distributed in the territory from the Himalayas to the Philippines. On the basis of the genus Ascocentrum, many varieties and hybrids were bred. This is a short epiphytic orchid that has creeping shoots. The leaves are narrowed, dark green, their length is about 10 cm.

The inflorescence is racemose, straight or slightly drooping, there are more than 10 small flowers on it. The petals are wide open, the lip is three-lobed, sometimes fused to the column with lateral lobes. The spur is short, the pharynx has a swelling resembling a bag. From here comes the name of the genus, “ascos” in Latin means “bag”. The color of the flowers is bright and varied.

Main varieties and hybrids:

• Matte red;
• Curved leaf;
• Miniatum;
• Ampulaceum ;
• Aurantiacum;
• Christensonianum.

The care of these orchids is standard. They love heat and humidity. Reproduction is carried out by cuttings. Transplanted into a new pot every 2-3 years.

Brassia

Rod Brassia is sometimes affectionately called a “spider”. It has 30 species and is distributed in the rainforests of America. It has single pseudobulbs, which are sometimes collected in small heaps. Leaves are lanceolate or belt-shaped, located fan-shaped around the stem. The species is epiphytic, with numerous aerial roots.

The name “spider” was given to the genus because of the original colors. They have thin inverted petals of a yellow or brown hue. On the surface there are pimples of a contrast color with the main tone. The sepals reach 15 cm in length, while remaining narrow, similar to the legs of a spider. Inflorescences are racemose, each growing up to 15-20 flowers.

The main types of orchid spider:

• Warty;
• Tailed;
• Royal;
• Spotted.

Brassia is a relatively new genus, which is considered one of the most original. These are unpretentious house orchids, even beginners can grow them.Providing growth conditions that are close to natural, the culture will delight hosts with blooming for almost the whole year.

Felenopsis

Orchids of the genus Felenopsis are one of the most popular indoor plants. Epiphytic herbaceous plants came to us from Southeast Asia and Phillipin. The stems are shortened and grow only up, release aerial roots. The leaves are leathery, do not fall, 4-6 pieces grow on one branch. The color of the plate is dark green, in many species there is a marble pattern.

Peduncles are long, often branched, produce several large flowers that resemble a butterfly in shape. The colors are different, there are flowers in white, pink, red, yellow, purple, blue and even black. These are real rainbow butterflies, and each hybrid smells differently.

Flowers are in demand

Today, Felinopsis takes first place in sales.Here is a kaleidoscope of popular varieties:

• Sacramento;
• Sorrento;
• Lottery;
• Stone Rose;
• Olenorogy;
• Horse;
• Stuart;
• Schiller;
• Pink;
• Adorable;
• Violet;
• Ludemann;
• Manna;
• Sumatran;
• Sander;
• Dendrobium;
• Sakura;
• Blue Orchid, or Turquoise;
• Royal, or “Elephant Ears”;
• Black Pearl;
• Dutch;
• Sahel.

Caring for Felinopsis is uncomplicated. The plant requires good lighting, warmth in summer and coolness in winter. Buying it is also easy, even elite varieties are sold in almost all flower shops.

Orchids of the temperate zone

Orchids grow in nature

In the temperate climate zone, in the north of America and Eurasia, there are also representatives of the Orchid family. Often these are inconspicuous flowers with spike-shaped inflorescences that hide in the shade of coniferous and deciduous forests, some grow on high mountains. Most species are terrestrial, deciduous, as well as tropical relatives, like moisture, but are resistant to cold.

Ofris

The genus Ofris includes terrestrial orchids. The stems are cylindrical in shape, small leaves are collected at the bottom in a socket. Inflorescences are racemose.Bracts fall, sepals of some representatives hang over the column, have a green, pink or white hue. The petals are small, threadlike, the lip is long, with an interesting pattern, in some varieties it is with the edge.

Main types of the Office:

• Bee-bearing;
• Bumblebee;
• Water-bearing;
• Dark;
• Insect-bearing;
• Kopetdag;
• Yellow;
• Woodcock;
• Mirror;
• Caucasian (almost extinct species);
• Siberian.

Cultivation at home orchids of this variety and species are not very popular. But it is often planted in flowerbeds, in gardens, used to design alpine slides. In nature, it is found in the Caucasus, in the region of the Usman river, in the Volga region, on the Caspian coast.

Gudayer

Gudayer’s genus is a land deciduous plant found in conifers shady forests. The root system is located in a litter of leaves and needles. The leaves are lanceolate, sometimes with white spots, the stem is fragile, 20-25 cm in height.

Flowering begins in May-June. On the arrow, 10-30 white or creamy fragrant flowers are formed, collected in a spike-shaped inflorescence. They constantly turn to the sun throughout the day. In appearance, Gudayer is similar to a lily of the valley, it is often confused with this plant.

Popular varieties:

• Mencis;
• Creeping;
• Fluffy;
• Maksimovich;
• Schlechtendal.

Gudayer is planted in a moderately shady and humid area. Direct sunlight will cause her a burn, with a large lack of light, she will switch to an underground lifestyle. Soil is chosen neutral or acidic.

Rook

Rook Rocks has about 15 representatives. A feature of the plant is the complete absence of leaves and chlorophyll. It feeds on saprophytic fungus enveloping a broad coral-shaped rhizome.

The stem is low, yellow in color. It develops from 2 to 40 flowers collected in a spike-shaped inflorescence. Bracts are small, light green. Petals are oblong, lanceolate, their size is 4-6 mm. Lip no more than petals, three-lobed, with small denticles. The flowering period is May-June.

The most famous orchid variety is Trekhnadrezny. It is found in the European part of Russia, in the Caucasus and is threatened with extinction. This is a small plant with white-yellow or brown flowers that appear in late June or early July. It prefers moist coniferous or deciduous forests.

Kokushnik

The genus Kokushnik has only 15 species, there are 4 in Russia. This is a ground plant with a thin stem. The leaves are lanceolate or linear, arranged alternately, with the base covering the stem.

The inflorescence is spike-shaped, it contains dozens of small flowers. The column is short, sepals and two petals form a kind of blanket over it.The lip is in the form of a rhombus, three-lobed, at the end there is a threadlike spur. The color of the flowers is white, lilac, pink or purple.

Common Kokushnik species:

• Fragrant;
• Dense flowering;
• Komarnikovy;
• Kamchatka;
• Long-horned.

This genus of orchids is rarely bred at home, it is more common in the wild.

Pollen head cap

The genus pollen cap head, or Cephalanter, spans 14 species. According to the description, this is a terrestrial herbaceous plant with a straight or winding stem, some species are devoid of chlorophyll. The leaves are located at the rhizome or alternately on the stem, lanceolate, small, underdeveloped in mycopheterophytes.

The flowers are collected in loose spikelet inflorescences. Their diameter is relatively large – 1.5-2.5 cm. The sepals are free, almost the same size. The petals are short, the lip is two-bladed. Column and anther straight, ovary bent into an arc. The flowering period lasts from May to June.

On the territory of Russia, the following species are found:

• Long-acorn;
• Red;
• Large-flowered;
• Ka Wazakian;
• Kurdish;
• Lush flowering.

A pollen-headed grows in shady, humid places, most often found in deciduous forests. It is easy to determine the appearance of this orchid by a characteristic arched peduncle and a flower lip divided in two. Recently, it has been found in flowerbeds and gardens.

To summarize

Not all varieties worth knowing are listed in the material. Only an impressive guide-determinant is able to accommodate them. There are interesting varieties that are rare in our country.For example, the Australian duck-orchid Big Kalania or the Flying duck resembling waterfowl with a duckbill shape, the mysterious leopard orchid with Phillipin or the Star of Darwin from Madagascar.