Orchid Care Tips Blog

This mini Phalaenopsis Orchid below (named Country Sunset) is one of our favorites. There are pink, purple, white, spotted, striped, and other variations in Phalaenopsis flower colors and patterns. Usually Phalaenopsis Orchids seen in homes and offices have quite a few flowers on each arching spike / stem. Each flower spike will last a couple of months on average, with flowers opening from one end of the stem to the other.

In the case of the yellow Phalaenopsis Orchid below, each flower is longer lasting than a standard Phalaenopsis Orchid from our experience. The yellow flowers are bright and sunny, exotic, thick, waxy, and vibrant. The plant is compact. This Phalaenopsis is very affordable, and we noticed it ships budded and ready to bloom from well known 1-800-Flowers.com. It comes planted in a beautiful 3″ terracotta-style planter with saucer. Here is a link to read about and/or purchase this beautiful Phalaenopsis Orchid: COUNTRY SUNSET ORCHID

After working a few years for the World’s Biggest Orchid Company at the time (before they were sold), I did develop five favorite kinds of Orchids. This was after running a staff that cared for tens of thousands of Orchids, giving hundreds of talks to the public about Orchids, and breeding hundreds of Orchid mother plants worth up to 5 thousand dolalrs or more each. My opinions come from a perspective and balance between an Orchid judge, hybridizer, Orchid enthusiast, and grower of Orchids to sell to the public.

1. Phalaenopsis Orchids - As much as I love other interesting, rare, and exotic looking looking orchids, I just love Orchid flowers and long bloom time. Phalaenopsis Orchids are easy to care for, bloom 2-3 months per flower spike, and are showy. The range of colors and patterns is very good, including yellow, white, green, pink, purple, striped, spotted, and in between variations. Phalaenopsis Orchids like shade more than sun, so are easy to grow!
2. Paphiopedilum Orchids - Paphiopedilums bloom for 2-3 months on a flower spike. They are compact, have at least one flower per spike, and prefer shade over sun. Cool and warm paphiopedilums are the first Orchids I learned to hybridize, and they have a special place in my heart.
3. Odontoglossum Orchids - These slightly cool growing orchids are very showy and bloom almost 2 months per flower spike on average. The flowers are fairly large, and they come in pinks, yellows, greens, and so many other colors and variations. I love how ornate these Orchids are.
4. Masdevallia Orchids - Masdevallias are quite amazing. They are compact, often vibrant in color, and have interesting flower shapes. Masdevallia Orchids prefer shade and high humidity, so need a bit more attention than some other Orchids to thrive. That is why they are not number 2 or 3 on my list. But they are awesome!
5. Dendrobium Orchids - There is quite a bit of variety here, including Dendrobium Phaleaenopsis types, Dendrobium kingianum, Dendrobium Nobile hybrids, and many other Dendrobiums. Often Dendrobiums like bright sunlight and to dry out between waterings. Dendrobiums come in pinks, purples, yellows, greens, reds, browns, and many more colors as well as patterns.

Beyond these, I enjoy many other kinds of Orchids to grow at home as well as professionally. This list includes the first five I choose in order of current preference. Another post I’ll write soon will include five more for a professional top 10, including Cymbidiums, Cattleyas, Oncidiums, and other favorite Orchids from my experience.