ORCHIDACEAE A plant family with an extraordinary diversity of species. Orchis, a genus of European Orchids, lent the name to the entire family.
Welcome to the world of Orchids. The variety, rarity, mysticism that surrounds the flower all contributes to the love, curiosity of the people around the globe.
The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew list 880 genera and nearly 22,000 accepted species, but the exact
number is unknown (perhaps as many as because of taxonomic disputes. The number of orchid species equals about four times the number of mammal species, or more than twice the number of bird species. 25,000) It also encompasses about 6–11% of all seed plants. About 800 new orchid species are added each year. The largest genera are Bulbophyllum (2,000 species), Epidendrum (1,500 species), Dendrobium (1,400 species) and Pleurothallis (1,000 species). The family also includes the Vanilla (the genus of the vanilla plant), Orchis (type genus) and many commonly cultivated plants like some Phalaenopsis or Cattleya.
CATTLEYA:When people think of orchids, nine times out of ten, they are thinking of cattleyas. Over sixty species of Cattleya and their thousands of hybrids were named in honor of William Cattley, an early 19th century orchid collector. Cattleyas are found in the American tropics from Mexico to Brazil.
These epiphytic orchids are roughly divided into two groups: the labiate, one-leaved with one to three large flowers; and the bifoliate, two-leaved with large numbers of small, narrow, brightly colored flowers. Both groups have narrow pseudobulbs and leathery leaves
Many beautiful hybrids have been produced from Cattleya species and from crosses with other closely related genera such as Brassavola, Epidendrum, Laelia, etc. There are also multi-generic hybrids where the hybridizers attempt to take the best features of each genus and combine them all into one perfect flower. The flowers usually grow from the top of the pseudobulb.
Blooming time depends on the species or hybrid. Cattleyas that will flower can be obtained at any time of the year. The cut flowers last one to two weeks. Give cattleyas intermediate to warm temperatures, bright but not burning light, good air circulation, high humidity, and excellent drainage. Drench and let dry. Give them less water when they are not actively growing.
If the pseudobulbs start to shrivel, unpot. If the roots are brown, the plant was given too much water. If the roots are white, the plant was not given enough water. Repot and revise watering. It is best to repot at the beginning of the growing cycle, when the new leads are about an inch long.
ONCIDIUM is a large genus of over 700 species of orchids found growing from southern Florida to Argentina. The name comes from the Greek word “onkos; tumor or swelling,” and refers to the warty growths on the lip.
While the size of the plants and the requirements for care vary greatly, most Oncidium orchids are epiphytic. Since they prefer to have their roots exposed to the air, let the roots hang over the edge of the pot. On some species, the flower sprays are over ten feet long. The long-lasting flowers are usually shades of yellow and brown with occasional touches of other colors. Some look like dancing dolls, and others look like showers of gold.
Oncidium orchids adjust well to indoor living. Generally, they prefer cool to intermediate temperatures, full sun, and plenty of water while they are actively growing. Keep them bone dry for two to six weeks after they finish growing and give them anotherrest period after flowering.
There are many small Oncidiums that like it warm and grow easily under lights. Some have flower sprays four to six feet long. It may be necessary to move the plant foliage out of the way so the flower sprays can get light when the plant begins to bloom.
The PHALAENOPSIS (moth orchids) from east Asia and the western Pacific get
their name from “phalaina; moth” and “opsis; appearance.” Most are slow growing, monopodial, epiphytic orchids with dark, glossy-green or bluish mottled leathery leaves. There are about thirty-five species and hundreds of hybrids. Phalaenopsis have been hybridized since 1887, not only within the genus, but also with other closely related genera such as Doritis, Renanthera, Rhynchostylis, and Vanda.
The long lasting flowers of Phalaenopsis orchids come in shades of white, cream, pink, and lavender. The hybrids usually have larger flowers than the species. After blooming, if the stem is cut off just under the first flower, the stem may
branch and produce more flower buds. Individual plants can have fifty to seventy-five individual flowers in a year. Plants started from seed often are ready to flower in two years.
Welcome to the world of Orchids. The variety, rarity, mysticism that surrounds the flower all contributes to the love, curiosity of the people around the globe.
The Royal Botanical Gardens of Kew list 880 genera and nearly 22,000 accepted species, but the exact
number is unknown (perhaps as many as because of taxonomic disputes. The number of orchid species equals about four times the number of mammal species, or more than twice the number of bird species. 25,000) It also encompasses about 6–11% of all seed plants. About 800 new orchid species are added each year. The largest genera are Bulbophyllum (2,000 species), Epidendrum (1,500 species), Dendrobium (1,400 species) and Pleurothallis (1,000 species). The family also includes the Vanilla (the genus of the vanilla plant), Orchis (type genus) and many commonly cultivated plants like some Phalaenopsis or Cattleya.CATTLEYA:When people think of orchids, nine times out of ten, they are thinking of cattleyas. Over sixty species of Cattleya and their thousands of hybrids were named in honor of William Cattley, an early 19th century orchid collector. Cattleyas are found in the American tropics from Mexico to Brazil.
These epiphytic orchids are roughly divided into two groups: the labiate, one-leaved with one to three large flowers; and the bifoliate, two-leaved with large numbers of small, narrow, brightly colored flowers. Both groups have narrow pseudobulbs and leathery leaves
Many beautiful hybrids have been produced from Cattleya species and from crosses with other closely related genera such as Brassavola, Epidendrum, Laelia, etc. There are also multi-generic hybrids where the hybridizers attempt to take the best features of each genus and combine them all into one perfect flower. The flowers usually grow from the top of the pseudobulb.
Blooming time depends on the species or hybrid. Cattleyas that will flower can be obtained at any time of the year. The cut flowers last one to two weeks. Give cattleyas intermediate to warm temperatures, bright but not burning light, good air circulation, high humidity, and excellent drainage. Drench and let dry. Give them less water when they are not actively growing.
If the pseudobulbs start to shrivel, unpot. If the roots are brown, the plant was given too much water. If the roots are white, the plant was not given enough water. Repot and revise watering. It is best to repot at the beginning of the growing cycle, when the new leads are about an inch long.
ONCIDIUM is a large genus of over 700 species of orchids found growing from southern Florida to Argentina. The name comes from the Greek word “onkos; tumor or swelling,” and refers to the warty growths on the lip.
While the size of the plants and the requirements for care vary greatly, most Oncidium orchids are epiphytic. Since they prefer to have their roots exposed to the air, let the roots hang over the edge of the pot. On some species, the flower sprays are over ten feet long. The long-lasting flowers are usually shades of yellow and brown with occasional touches of other colors. Some look like dancing dolls, and others look like showers of gold.
Oncidium orchids adjust well to indoor living. Generally, they prefer cool to intermediate temperatures, full sun, and plenty of water while they are actively growing. Keep them bone dry for two to six weeks after they finish growing and give them anotherrest period after flowering.
There are many small Oncidiums that like it warm and grow easily under lights. Some have flower sprays four to six feet long. It may be necessary to move the plant foliage out of the way so the flower sprays can get light when the plant begins to bloom.
The PHALAENOPSIS (moth orchids) from east Asia and the western Pacific get
their name from “phalaina; moth” and “opsis; appearance.” Most are slow growing, monopodial, epiphytic orchids with dark, glossy-green or bluish mottled leathery leaves. There are about thirty-five species and hundreds of hybrids. Phalaenopsis have been hybridized since 1887, not only within the genus, but also with other closely related genera such as Doritis, Renanthera, Rhynchostylis, and Vanda.The long lasting flowers of Phalaenopsis orchids come in shades of white, cream, pink, and lavender. The hybrids usually have larger flowers than the species. After blooming, if the stem is cut off just under the first flower, the stem may
branch and produce more flower buds. Individual plants can have fifty to seventy-five individual flowers in a year. Plants started from seed often are ready to flower in two years.Phalaenopsis have long roots and do not like to be disturbed. When growing them in clay pots, it is sometimes possible to transfer the plant in its pot into a larger pot Phalaenopsis are ideal for growing indoors. They prefer warm temperatures (65°F nights and 75°F to 80°F days) and shaded light. Watch out for sunburn. To avoid rot, hang or tip the plants so water does not collect between the leaves.
Orchid Vocabulary: A good way to begin any new project is by learning the language associated with it, and growing orchids is no exception.
Aerial Root: an orchid root high on the plant stem or growing outside the pot.
Anther: the part of the flower that carries the pollen.
Back Bulb: an old pseudobulb, often without leaves, that can be encouraged to start growing again.
Botanicals: the name used for orchids species not too well known and not commercially grown for cut flowers.
Bract: a modified leaf or leaves, often very colorful, that grows around flowers or stems in bromeliads.
Clone: an individual plant and all its offspring that are reproduced by cuttings and by division rather than from seed.
Column: the reproductive organ unique in the orchid family that contains both female and male parts.
Deciduous: the losing of leaves at certain periods.
Epiphyte: a non-parasitic plant that grows perched high in the air or on other plants -- such as an orchid; roots are used for attaching the plant to a surface.
Genus: a grouping of distinct but closely related species (plural is genera).
Infloroscence: the flowering part of the plant
Keiki: an orchid offset; the Hawaiian word of baby.
Labellum: the orchid lip.Lead: the growth on sympodial orchids.
Lipor Labellum: a modified petal. In orchids, it is usually different from the other two petals.
Meristem: actively growing tissue in plants, usually at the tip of a stem or a root.
Monocotyledon: a plant that has only one seed leaf, such as bromeliads, orchids, and corn, rather than two, as in cabbages, roses, and beans.
Monopodial: a form of growth in orchids where the plant keeps growing from the tip; hard to divide.
Osmunda: the fibrous roots of osmunda ferns; used for potting bromeliads and orchids.
Petal: the flower parts, often brightly colored, that are inside the sepals.
Pistil: the seed-bearing organ of the flower.
Pseudobulb: a thickened bulblike stem.
Pup: a bromeliad offset.
Rhizome: the horizontal, modified, rootlike stem.
Scape: a stalk that comes up from the ground and has no true leaves.
Sepal: a part of the flower envelope; the outside of the flower.
Species: a subdivision of genus. Plants in the same species have the same distinctive characteristics (plural is species).
Sympodial: a form of growth in orchids where the plant produces new shoots that grow up from the root-bearing steam; easy to divide (see drawing at right).
Terete Leaves: the leaves that are circular in cross section.
Terrestrial: a plant that naturally grows in the ground. In bromeliads and orchids, these plants have well-developed root systems.
Velamann: a thick, corky layer of cells that covers aerial roots and is able to condense moisture and absorb it.