The Orchid Varieties that Are Easiest to Grow and Bloom

You don't have to be an expert gardener to successfully grow orchids. Here are the genera that are easiest for the novice orchid enthusiast to grow and bloom.

Orchid Nomenclature

To understand which orchids are smart picks, there first needs to be a little 'name calling'. It's important to recognize some of the basic botanical names that categorize orchids when preparing to make your selection.

All identified organisms have been designated a scientific name. This is a two-part Latinized name that helps everyone speak the same language when discussing living things. Orchids are no different. When you look at the label on an orchid, the first word is the generic name or genus (plural genera), and will be capitalized. The generic name is followed by second name, the specific name of the species, in lower case.

Importance of the Orchid Genus

As a novice to the world of orchids, you only need to concern yourself with the name of the genus. Most plants within the same genus will require similar growing conditions, so if you want to keep things simple, don't worry about the species or variety at this point.

Orchid Genera for the Novice

Novice orchid growers should start with members of the following genera, since these orchids are relatively easy to grow: Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, Dendrobium, and Oncidium.

Phalaenopsis Orchids (sounds like fail-lee-in-OP-sis): Phalaenopsis, or Moth Orchids, are one of the easiest orchids for beginners to grow, as well as the one that is most commonly found in stores. Members of this genus have multiple large, showy flowers on each spike; blossoms that may remain open for six weeks or longer. Often, when a spike is cut after its blooms are gone, a secondary spike will develop on the old stalk below the original flower head, thus extending the blooming season.

Paphiopedilum Orchids (sounds like paf-ee-o-PED-ill-um): Paphiopedilum, the so-called Venus Slipper orchid, is easily recognizable. Most have a single flower per stalk, but there are varieties with multiple flowers. Affectionately called Paphs,' these orchids are relatively easy to coax into bloom if you provide the plant with the right temperature range. Paphs with mottled leaves need warmer conditions than do those with solid green leaves.

Dendrobium Orchids (sounds like den-DROBE-ee-um): Dendrobium inflorescences are loaded with long-lasting blossoms. These plants can often be split when mature, since they are prone to produce small additional offset plantlets. When one of these miniature plantlets has produced several aerial roots, it can be cut from the parent plant and will frequently flower after one year of growth.

Oncidium Orchids (sound like on-SID-ee-um): Oncidiums are commonly referred to as the "dancing girls" orchid, due to the shape and contrasting colors of the numerous flowers on each inflorescence. Since this is a large genus comprised of species native to a wide variety of climates, it is helpful to know the growing requirements of the particular species you select. Still, even if you aren't an Oncidium expert, these hardy plants are forgiving and will often flower even under adverse growing conditions.

Orchid Hybrids

If the plant that you are considering is a hybrid, it may be identified using two names, with the name of each parent separated by an X'. To make things more complex, there may also be third name to indicate the particular variety. Orchids are often cross-bred to create new types, and a multitude of different varieties often exist within each species.

Orchid Care

If you are an orchid novice, start things off right by purchasing a healthy orchid and a variety that is easy to grow. Orchids have specific needs for humidity, temperature, air movement, growing medium and water. But don't get overwhelmed. Orchids are generally very forgiving and it's not difficult to keep them alive long enough to stumble upon the perfect combination that will reward you with a breathtaking floral display. However, don't lose heart of you aren't successful in maintaining your first orchid, the long-lasting blooms make every flowering orchid an economical, even if temporary, orchid bouquet. You can't lose.

Additional Gardening Information

You can supplement your orchid knowledge with one of the many excellent articles, books and web sites devoted to these amazing plants, including: American Orchid Society (AOS), Ortho Books: All About Growing Orchids and the Beginners Guide to Orchids by Geoffrey Hands.

* This article originally appeared in Suite101 online magazine.