Types of Orchids

There are over 25,000 orchid species and more than 100,000 hybrids. While the layperson may refer to these as "types of orchids" there are in fact only two different types of orchids.

The two types of orchids are terrestrial orchids and epiphytes. Terrestrial orchids include orchid species that grow on the ground. Epiphytes are orchid species that grow in trees. Both terrestrials and epiphytes can grow in one of two ways - new shoots can appear alongside the original growth causing the orchid to spread, or new growth can be added to the apex which increases the height of the orchid.

Orchid Species

Both types of orchids are very popular with flower enthusiasts. Some well-known terrestrial orchid species include Cymbidium and Calopogon. Some popular epiphytes are Dendrobiums and Bulbophyllums.

Of course, the two types of orchids also are represented by rare orchids. Because of the popularity of these flowers, there are some species of rare orchids which are endangered due to habitat destruction or smuggling. Because of the high prices that rare orchids can fetch on the open market some rare orchids have become extinct.

Terrestrial Orchids

Of the two types of orchids, terrestrial orchid species are among the most Terrestial orchid types include cymbium

popular. Cymbidium orchids, for example, have 40 species and thousands of hybrids. These were one of the first species of orchids to be cultivated. As well as growing on the ground, they can also grow on trees and rocks. Their natural habitat extends from southeast Asia to Japan and Australia.

One of the reasons that Cymbidium orchids are so popular is that they are easy to grow. Cymbidium orchids are a popular choice for beginners and they will provide beautiful flowers every year with the proper care.

Epiphytes

The term epiphytes is not reserved to a type of orchid. It refers to any plant that has a root system above ground.

Dendrobiums are the best known of this type of orchid. There are over 1000 species of Dendrobiums and they are native to Northern India, South East Asia, Australia and Polynesia. These tropical areas typically have warm, humid growing Epiphyte orchid types include phalaenopsis

Epiphyte orchid types include phalaenopsis

conditions, and Dendrobiums usually do best when kept warm and moist.

Dendrobiums are also easy to grow but require slightly more care than Cymbidiums and do not flower as easily on a regular basis.

Another popular epiphyte species is Phalaenopsis. These orchids are easy to grow and have long-lasting flowers. Phalaenopsis (also called Phals) are often seen at weddings and can be found in various colors including pinks, yellows, and stripes. have long lasting flower and are rather easy to grow. These colorful flowers are a favorite at weddings and are available in pinks, yellows and stripes.

Comments

Owen CORNELL
14 May 2007, 01:58

Am in the process of teaching self about orchids -please advise if you can have a Dendrobian Phalaenopsis as i have a dendrobian - single flower stem with three flowers (were more) on a long stem which has lasted for months - i believe it may have been purchased from Coles or Woolies and is described as Dendrobian tropical colour?Thanks for any info

katie
13 Nov 2007, 19:52

ty! your artical realy helped me on my report!

Payton
08 Nov 2008, 16:34

Thank you so much for this web page I have a very big report due in a week and i dont know about orchids, except their beautiful so thank you again I love to learn about new things especially something as beautiful as orchids

caroline capell
06 May 2009, 19:11

thank you so much i have a report due in 2 ays and this has helped a lot thanks orchid-aid.com

mandy wood
19 Jun 2009, 07:50

I just got a new orchid and i have no clue what kind it is. its tall and has leaves going up it with pink and white flowers. iv never seen one like it. A little help?

pravneel
19 Jul 2009, 14:14

can u email me some of the different types of orchids and their definitions so that it can help me in my project

michael
28 Jul 2009, 21:38

i've been taking care of orchids for some time and i never really thought of trying to classify them. however, i have had some additions to my collection and i am now trying to identify them. is there some way to identify the orchid by its growth? i know cattleyas have this bulbish thing with leaves on top, dendrobiums have leaves that seem to climb the stem and phalaenopsis have that keiki thingy and wide leaves, BUT i get confused now with these new orchids i have that seem to grow have long stems with leaves and it grows DOWMWARD...?

sandra jauregui
31 Jul 2009, 21:21

My question is different from the ones below. well recently ive been wanting to get a tattoo of an orchid and well my mind is set on a specific one one that i received prom night.. but i was a little discouraged when i read how many varieties of orchids there was. is there any way that i can find out or search for the orchid that i have my heart set on?

jacqueline Brooks
02 Aug 2009, 12:47

please send me info on how to grow orchids.

kelly
17 Aug 2009, 00:03

Come on people...come on. you have got to improve this website by giving way more information. I also think you could improve by adding more pictures and labeling which type of flowers they are.

Nellie Trainor
25 Sep 2009, 13:04

How many times a year does this orchid bloom?

bryan
05 Oct 2009, 18:13

how about the pods or the embryo?

Pat
12 Oct 2009, 08:49

10/12/2009
I received a Bak. Samurai 'Warrior' orchid the tag said Proprietary Variety.
It is in a glazed ceramic pot, with soil and green moss covering it, and in the holes on the side of this pot.

How do I take care of it. Is it indeed an orchid that grows on the ground?

I want this orchid to thrive, it has beautiful flowers and their fragance is wonderful and was a gift from a very special friend.

Please help, any information, suggestions and coments will be greatly appreciated.

Kent
15 Oct 2009, 12:24

Orchids are the best flower in the world. they are so mystical and attractive. i especially like the ones that are pink or wHite or yellow or red or orange. orchids breathe.

beth
17 Oct 2009, 20:10

Thank you so much for telling me about orchids! I just got a dendrobium Orchid. It is very beautiful flower. i have loved orchids for about 15 years. They are very interesting. I especially love the white ones and the purple ones. my neighbor has brown orchids. Very weird and ugly.

Ashley
22 Oct 2009, 16:49

thank you so much im doing a science prject that i have to grow a orchid. but if you have any more info about this plant can you plzzz tell me?! thx! :D

Megan
02 Nov 2009, 23:46

I've always thought orchids were beautiful, but it wasn't until tonight that I decided to get a tattoo of one. I'm a layperson in the horticultural world and I did always think there were different 'kinds' of orchids but after reading your article I now know which 'species' to research. Thanks so much for the help!

Riza
19 Nov 2009, 19:06

Thanks for that info. I think that orchid is the best flower in the world

Rachel
16 Jan 2010, 21:50

Hi! I just got my very first orchid from DSBGs Orchid Spectacular today. The label on it says Lc. Spring Squall x Bc. Mount Hood Mary. Can you please tell me what "kind" of orchid it is? Not much info is there even on google? Maybe if I can figure out if its a dendrobium or Phalaenopsis or whatever, I can get started on my basic care research. THanks a bunch!

Anita
10 Apr 2010, 20:19

I was given a large potted orchid with just a typed name "Traciana Burn" and told it is a pinkish perfumed orchid.
There are about 9 bulbs in the pot nd 3 stems have flower buds but no visible sign of colour yet.
I cannot find anything on the internet matching this name. Can someone please help me?
Thanks!

Lelia Lightner
15 Apr 2010, 13:15

How do I care for a Atticus Orchid???

Thresa
16 Apr 2010, 14:29

Hi,
I have a orchid not sure what the flowers look like, the plant does not have any, all I can tell you about it, that the leaves are long like grass and the stock is thick and crickly looking. The stock at the top is a little yellow and it was shedding a little, but now there are two new shoots starting to grow off the bottom of the stocks. Should I just leave it alone or cut the thick stocks off at the new growth? PS I RESCUED IT.
PLEASE HELP!!!

stephany anne inolino
18 May 2010, 22:00

hi..im only 16 yrs. old and im one of many people who loves to collect an orchids. i've learn a lot in your web page.thanks

wen kang
08 Jul 2010, 22:57

Orchids are very nice,I like orchids,I wish i could keep some

julie
12 Jul 2010, 03:55

hi i have an orchid that was given to me,
and i have now idea on what type of orchid it is..
it has thick yellow/green stalks, has a thick wide dark green leaf,it shredes a coconut hair like stuff around the stem or stalk. they have been neglected for the last 5 years, i have been looking on the internet at orchid pictures and have not come across one like mine ..
could you please help me out,
thanks julie

Kathy
28 Feb 2011, 19:43

I really like this site. I love orchids the are my favorite type of flower. They are crazy pretty.

Kathleen Odendaal
07 Mar 2011, 07:55

Hi I received an Orchid for my birthday inSeptember 2010 . Small cerise pink flowers on 3 stems. They lasted for about 4 - 5 mnths . I thought the stems on which the flowers were are supposed to be kept and the next bash of blooms will appear on these stems but to my astonishment these stems died off and became brown . I was not sure whether i had to cut them off . Now they are all dead and brown . What should i do , cut them off , will new stems appear afterwards. Please inform me as i do not have any knowledge on this lovely gift.

Chamila
13 Mar 2011, 22:19

I want to know that what are the main varieties of orchids for commercial projects.

thank you

Violet
28 Apr 2011, 15:50

Thank you guys!! I have a paper due on Orchids, and this has really helped. I have a question,though.What is the height of an Orchid? I only got the smallest Orchid's height,but only a bigger one's length across. Could you please answer me? I would like to know the range of the height of an Orchid. Other than that, you guys have helped greatly!!! Orchid's are just SUCH a beautiful flower. In Science, we are learning about the Amazon Rainforest and how plants eat. It was so interesting to learn about Epiphytes. I didn't know an Orchid was one and it was soo cool learning that it is!! Keep up the good work.

Violet
28 Apr 2011, 15:52

By the way, if anyone knows the range of height of an Orchid, please respond by saying Violet~, and than tell me. Thanks so much!

Josephine Albino
10 May 2011, 04:15

I am new to the orchid flowers. Was invited to a meeting of an orchid society in Kenya - and wow!! aren't they beautiful. Have decided to sign up for membership and start my own orchid collection cause of its beauty and love for natural plants. And am sure will learn a lot more from your site - thank you for having this site.

Maureen Cheeseman
12 May 2011, 07:14

Can anybody advise where I can obtain Air Plants. These are normally found in florist shops and are attached to wood. I believe they are a parasitic plant but do not know what their horticulatural name is.

Can anybody tell me whether they would live in a sunny position indoors?

Maureen

Kels Linn
03 Jun 2011, 07:43

Thanks I have a project to do on diffrent types of plants again thanks!!!!

chyvorn
04 Jul 2011, 22:49

I want to know how to plant epiphit ?

Maureen C Howell
30 Aug 2011, 08:31

What do you do after the flowers fall off? Where do you cut them back and how?

Orchid-Aid.com

Types of Orchids

Orchid Species

Terrestrial Orchids

Epiphytes

Comments