Types of Orchids - The Most Common and Sought After

There are many types of orchids and they can be found on all continents of the world (except for Antarctica) but one thing they all have in common is that they love tropical environments.

There are two main types of orchids; epiphytic and lithophytic.

Epiphytic means to 'grow on trees'. Most orchids are epiphytic. Some orchids are also lithophytic which means they 'grow on rocks'.

A small percentage of orchids are also saprophytic, which means that they grow on dead or decaying matter.

Some common orchid species are Dendrobiums, Cattleya, Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis orchids.

Dendrobiums

Dendrobiums are one of the most common species. They are commonly sought after for their white, yellow and purple flowers. Not only are their blooms spectacular, they are also long-lasting. This species can bloom for up to three months.

Dendrobiums can be found all over the globe but more particularly in Australia, New Zealand, Borneo and the Philippines.

What's amazing about this type of orchid is that it can grow in all sorts of climates; from the tropical lowlands, all the way up to altitudes of 8,000 feet. For this reason you find some species of Dendrobiums that prefer hot weather and then others that prefer it cool.

Certain Dendrobium species are cultivated and used for medicine purposes, especially in Chinese herbal medicine. It is said to helpful for kidney-related issues and fatigue.

This type of orchid is great for beginners.

Cattleya

The Cattleya orchid is highly sought-after for its amazing large blooms of white, yellow and purple flowers and its wonderful fragrance. Cattleya flowers can span up to eight inches across.

Because of its beauty and that they are easy to breed, there are many hybrids of this orchid. It has been dubbed 'the queen of all orchids'.

Cattleya orchids are naturally occurring in Asia and Central and South America. Their blooming period lasts between 4 to 6 weeks.

Cymbidium

If you've been to a wedding where orchids were used in the decorations, it's very likely they were Cymbidium orchids. These orchids are commonly used for wedding bouquets, centerpieces and other arrangements.

Their color and scent are quite varied, ranging from fruity to woody.

Cymbidium orchids are very versatile and can grow on trees, rocks or the ground. For this reason they were one of the first to be domesticated.

The natural habitat of the Cymbidium orchid is Australia and Asia.

Phalaenopsis

Another popular home orchid species is the Phalaenopsis (also commonly known as the Moth orchid).

To give you idea of the wide variety of orchid types there are, it is estimated that there are twice as many orchid species as there are bird species, and four times as many orchid species as there are mammal species.

This orchid type does not like direct sunlight (you can know if it's getting too much sunlight if its leaves begin to yellow) and thrives at the east window of a home or in a shaded, low-light environment.

Because Phalaenopsis don't store as much water as other types of orchids, it's important to regularly check for signs of dryness and apply water appropriately.

Phalaenopsis are native to Southeast Asia including Taiwan and the Philippines.