Orchid Care Tips Blog

The Phalaenopsis Orchid is the most popular kind of Orchid people buy, by far. They are not only easy to grow, but require low light. They are easily grown in the home or office and bloom for an extended period of time. As for whether to grow a white, yellow, or other Phalaenopsis, that is up to you. It isn’t the color that determines how long the plant will bloom. It is the breeding of the plant. A person can look in books, the internet, or at a garden/greenhouse and see what traits the parents of a given hybrid Phalaenopsis has. Knowing the parentage is an ideal way to find out what to expect.

My favorite kind of Orchid is currently this kind of Orchid. I, as many of us do, enjoy the extended blooming one gets with a Phalaenopsis Orchid. If the plant is cared for well, it can bloom up to a year. This may mean cutting the stem one centimeter below the node under the bottom flower when the plant is done blooming.

There are many Phalaenopsis Orchids that can be bought affordably. When purchasing a Phalaenopsis, look for Orchids without all flowers yet open. You also don’t want a plant with no buds open, since you’ll need to see the flowers to choose a plant, and ensure that the buds are strong enough to survive transport home.

Phalaenopsis Orchids do well with a humidity tray that fits the size of their leaves, and fertilizing weakly during most waterings. Make sure to water with no fertilizer every number of waterings so that no salts build up in the medium.

Article by Jordan Hardy of Orchid Tips and JordanHardy.net.

It is not necessary for you to be an expert in gardening in order to grow orchids successfully. There are many species of orchids that are easy to grow and maintain even for a beginner. It is important to note though that there are certain types of orchids that require special care and attention for them to live and bloom. “Ortho’s All About Orchids” which is a book with description and tips about the proper care for orchids offers a guide for beginners and experts alike about the proper care for different types of orchids.

On the other hand, you may also want to look into the book, “The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids” to know the varied types of orchid species and choose the best orchid that is best for you and your level of expertise. But for you to successfully choose the right kind of orchid for you and your home, here are some things you might want to know first:

Orchid Nomenclature

All kinds of orchids have scientific names. This term is a two-part name in Latin that aids in letting everyone speaks the same language when they want to identify living things. Identifying orchids are the same because when you look at the names of orchids, you will notice that the plural genera (genus) will be capitalized and it will be followed by another name in lower case.

Orchid Hybrids

There are orchids that are mixed with each other, these kinds of orchids are called orchid hybrid. You can know if an orchid is a hybrid or not by looking at its name. For example, hybrid plants will have the term “X” between the names of each of its parent. Orchid hybrids are also sometimes cross-bred to create new kinds of orchids and it can be seen in its name.

Orchid Genus

If you are only beginning to discover the world of orchids, it is first essential for you to be familiar with the name of genus. This is because orchids with the same genus require the same growing conditions and techniques so you will know how to grow different types of orchids under the same genus.

Orchid Genera

Although being familiar with the orchid genus is very important for a beginner, there are also some genera that a beginner should be familiar with such as Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, and Oncidium because these are common types of orchids.

Orchids have intrigued serious gardeners for centuries more than any other plant. In fact, if people think of exotic and delicate flowers the first thing that comes to their mind are orchids. Orchids have been loved by many for a long time but it looks like their popularity still hasn’t dimmed to this date as there are still thousands of people who grow and take care of orchids in their own houses.

There are actually a wide variety of orchids; you will simply be astounded by the number of plant species of this flower. The orchid species number around 30,000 and each of these orchids has its own characteristics that make it unique from other types of orchids. Of course, with such a wide variety, you can expect that the care and maintenance of each plant varies from one plant species to another. In addition, not all orchids have the same beauty because some orchids stand out from the rest.

The Purple Dendrobium orchid, in particular, is a favorite among many because it is very beautiful while being easy to grow and maintain at the same time. The Dendrobium makes for an excellent houseplant because it blooms extraordinarily; thus it gives the house the enlistment and embellishment it needs.

Another great advantage of orchids compared to other types of plants is their longevity. They can last indefinitely as long as they are cared for properly. Because of this, the the Dendrobium Orchid is the favorite of many. It stands at around 18” – 26” tall and it comes with its split bamboos planter. You will also find care instructions for this plant so you will never go wrong. The most important thing to remember about orchids though is that they need to be watered carefully and should always be placed in an area with indirect sunlight.

The Purple Dendrobium is said to be very hard to find and the truth is, sometimes it is especially if you want the kind that looks extremely healthy and vibrant. But it is not impossible to find the perfect Purple Dendrobium. When you do find it, you will agree that this plant has been worth the search after all. After having a great experience with your first Purple Dendrobium, you will surely want to buy another one as a gift to a special person. This plant can certainly capture the heart of anyone.

Click here to purchase this Orchid on Amazon.com (link opens a new window).

Safe shopping - ensure anytime you click on a link to purchase on a shopping website that the part before the .com is the website you want. In this case you’ll see the link above click to a valid URL starting with http://rcm.amazon.com in the browser.

Why are pink Phalaenopsis Orchids the most popular?

• They can bloom a very long time, on average 2-6 months depending on plant strength and care
• They are beautiful
• They are compact yet not too small for the average home grower
• There has been a lot of work put into creating hybrids to extend the “potted plant” phenomenon by Orchid growers, to get the perfect plant for the home
• The “blush” to the flower is often different from one plant to another
• They are each unique and not from meristems

When I worked for Rod McLellan Orchid Company (before they were bought so many years ago) this was a plant we grew hundreds of thousands of as they were so popular with customers.
Read more about this Orchid or you can purchase this plant at a discount at Amazon.com by clicking here

I’ve been asked where people can find some great long lasting cut Orchid flowers online to buy that look as if they are the kind from Hawaii. These are the best I’ve seen at a good price, with a nice variety.

Here are some fun, interesting Orchids to grow that we recommend. Again, there are interesting, not mainstream choices. =)

Enc tampensis alba ‘Mendenhall’ AM/AOS (Cattleya Type Orchid) This is a nice clear green and white Orchid. Very interesting sprays of flowers. Award winner. Link on Amazon.

Eplc. Butterfly Kisses ‘Mendenhall’ AM-AD/AOS (Cattleya Type Orchid)This is a very floriferous orange Cattleya award winner variant. Award winner. Highly recommended. Link on Amazon.com.

Darwinara Charm ‘Blue Star’ HCC/AOS(Orchid plant) (vanda type orchid plant) This is a Vanda Orchid with small fragrant blue flowers. Award winner. Link on Amazon.com.

As an Orchid expert, these are the top 7 kinds of Phalaenopsis Orchids I recommend to choose and grow. There are many kinds of Phalaenopsis Orchids, and I have chosen an execellent representation below to show the cross section of the categories of Phalaenopsis Orchids. I do love all kinds of Phalaenopsis Orchids as they are easy to care for, beautiful, and flowers are long lasting. Included below are some great premium Phalaenopsis Orchids that will perform well, as well as some of my favorite novelty Phalaenopsis Orchids.

Enjoy! - L.T.
8/22/06 9:18 PM

1. Mini Green PhalaenopsisThis is a mini green Phalaenopsis Orchid. Although this plant won’t bloom longer than other types of Phalaenopsis Orchids, it is mainly sought after for being more compact. Click to read about this Phalaenopsis on Amazon.
2. Premium Standard Purple PhalaenopsisThis is a standard, premium purple Phalaenopsis Orchid in a 5″ pot. This is the most common standard pot size. This Phalaenopsis will perform and have good plant strength. Click to read about this purple Phalaenopsis on Amazon.com.
3. Compact Novelty PhalaenopsisThis is a novelty Phalaenopsis Orchid. Novelty Phalaenopsis Orchids are my favorite as I love the waxy, thick texture many of these have, their compact nature, long time flowering, and most importantly, variety in colors, patterns, and flower shapes. Click to read about this Phalaenopsis on Amazon.
4. Award Winner Novelty Phalaenopsis with Blended Flower ColorThis is another novelty Phalaenopsis Orchid, but with taller arching spray of flowers and blended flowers. This plant is an award winner and therefore you know the flower shape pleases us Orchid judges with perfect symmetry and other features. Flowers are also well spaced. Click to read about this Phalaenopsis on Amazon.
5. Premium Standard White PhalaenopsisThis is a wonderful perfect premium white standard Phalaenopsis Orchid. This is a large plant which is very strong and should flower for a nice long time. Click to read about this Phalaenopsis on Amazon.
6. Award Winner Yellow Novelty Phalaenopsis with Clear ColorThis is an award winner yellow novelty Phalaenopsis with white lip. Phalaenopsis Orchids this clear are often very sought after and hard to find. This plant has wonderful shape and clarity of color. Click to read about this Phalaenopsis on Amazon.
7. White and Pink Blended Premium Standard Phalaenopsis Award WinnerThis is an award winner pink and white blended Phalaenopsis. This plant has very nice color and is a great plant. Click to read about this Phalaenopsis on Amazon.

Back to Orchid Tips Website

1. You have bright light
2. You’ve never grown a Dendrobium Orchid
3. You sometimes forget to water your Orchids (Dendrobiums like this)
4. You have some room to spare, as these Orchids are sometimes taller than others
5. You have bought and grow Vanda or Cattleya Orchids well (similar care)

Back to Orchid Tips Website

1. You have less than half a day of sunlight, and it is indirect
2. You’d like to buy a compact Orchid
3. You like a long blooming Orchid
4. You like an easy to care for Orchid
5. You have other kinds of Orchids and no Phalaenopsis Orchids

See the Top 7 Phalaenopsis Orchids To Grow and Buy - From an Orchid Expert

Back to Orchid Tips Website