Orchid Care

Native to Costa Rica and much of South America, this flamboyant, many colored orchid was extremely popular in flower arrangements (especially for corsages, as its name implies) in the 1950s. It typically has large, fragrant flowers which last for a shorter period of time than other orchids.

Cymbidiums are recognized by their plentiful, strap-like foliage and dense clusters of long-lasting flowers. Popular as cut flowers or grown as an ornamental, Cymbidiums are semi-terrestrial orchids from tropical and subtropical Asia and parts of Australia.

This genus of orchid, first described in 1799, is made up of over 1,000 species. Some Dendrobiums are evergreen, some are deciduous, and some are a mixture of the two. The types of Dendrobiums found in most stores are evergreen Phalaenopsis-type hybrids.

Oncidiums belong to a large and diverse family of orchids whose common name comes from the shape of its highly modified, ruffled flower. Oncidiums’ habitats are so diverse that they can be one of the more challenging orchids for beginners.

Paphiopedilums are southeast Asian orchids which are native to humid forests. They are most notable for their unusual, pouch-shaped flowers.

Popular since Victorian times, this moth-shaped orchid is now what most people think of when they think “orchid.” Phalaenopses are showy, come in many varieties, and are naturally comfortable in home environments.