Orchids and their Care

Click on the name in the table below to reach the details of a specific plant.

Ansellia Dendrobium Odontoglossum Phragmipedium
Burrageara Doritis Oncidium Promenaea
Cattleya Epidendrum Phalaenopsis Spathoglottis
Cymbidium Miltoniopsis Phaphiopedilum Vanda

Ansellia

Ansellia africana Description: These orchids originate from east Africa. There are both epiphitic and terrestrial Ansellias. The terrestrial species have tall cane like pseudo bulbs with 6 to 7 plicate leaves that give rise to a 20" paniculate inflorescence with many flowers. Care: These plants should get a light till light shadowed and warm place. The soil should get dry between watering. The plants need less water and fertilizer after the pseudo bulbs have matured.
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Burrageara

Burrageara / picture by Eendracht Software   Burrageara / picture by Eendracht Software Description: Burrageara is a group of orchids that cannot be found in nature. It originates from inter breeding Cochlioda x Miltonia x Odontoglossum x Oncidium. Some of these species originate from the tropical mountain forests, while others can be found in tropical forests in the lower coastal districts. The hybrids bred from these wild ancestors are more tolerant to warmth and grow better than the original species. Care: Place: In winter the place should be as sunny as possible, but because of the dry air, not above the central heating. In spring and summer the plants should be protected against direct sunlight. In summer one should also give the plants a cool place.
Temperature: During summer nights, the temperature should not drop below 15oC and during daytime it should be above 19oC. Much higher temperatures are not needed. And especially temperatures above 25oC should be avoided. Temperatures in winter should be some degrees lower.
Water: Make sure that the pot never gets totally dry. Especially not in spring or summer. These plants do not require a resting period in winter. So they may get water in winter, but because they grow only a little in winter, they may need a bit less water. The pot should be well drained.
Dressing: In spring and summer, the plants need a weekly dressing with 0.8 EC, or 0.8 gr/liter, provided that the pot never gets dry. In autumn and winter, plants need only half this amount.
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Cattleya

Description: This was one of the first orchids taken into culture. It used to be very popular in those days, but as years went by, it went out of sight. Nevertheless, Cattleya is among the most beautifull flowers. The genus contains 75 species, which origins from Mexico to Brazil.
To mention a few of the most current hybrids from this genus: Brassocattleya, Laeliocattleya, Sophrolaeliacattleya, Potinara, Fergusonara, Rothara and Otara. All these hybrids are important for the consumers because of the size of the flowers, their color and the time of flowering. They are available the whole year through, but the peak season is in spring and fall. Care: The plants that are grown in culture can in Europe only be kept in house or in a glasshouse.
The plants should preferably get rain water. Give the plants once per week water with just a little bit of fertilizer.
The soil should be cleaned once per 3 months with clean rainwater.
Usually, one does not need to give the plants a new, larger container. This should only be done on a two-yearly basis. Then remove large part of the old soil and some older parts of the plant.
The flowers should be cut after flowering.
Never grow these orchids below 15 oC
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Cymbidium

  Cymbidium / picture by Eendracht Software Description: There is no orchid as strong as Cymbidium. The genus originates from Asia, especially Himalaya mountains. Some species with small flowers have their habitat up to Japan. Other species that require higher temperatures come from places around the equator. All together there are some 70 species.
In the beginning, the nurseries neglected Cymbidium, because the first hybrids did not give that nice flowers. It was until 1925 when the Alexanderi "Westonbirt", became available, which is the basis for nowadays grown Cymbidiums.
Currently there are over 8000 hybrids grown. And in the Netherlands, this is the most popular orchid, both for cutflowers and for container plants. Care: It is often said that Cymbidium should be grown in the cold glasshouse. This is not true. Though they can stand temperatures as low as 6 oC, they prefer temperatures not below 17 oC, especially in the growing season. Cymbidiums love lots of fresh air and light. However, beware of them getting burned by the sun. One should supply some shadow. During summertime, when the plants may get outside, they need a lot of water and fertilize them once a week. Flowering will be stimulated by lower night temperatures.
It is important to give the plants a good place after flowering and much light.
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Dendrobium

  Dendrobium / picture by Eendracht Software Description: This is a large genus with about 1100 species. Our special interest goes to the cultured hybrids that flower in authumn. This has to do with their natural habitat: the warmer parts of Asia. These orchids are however in limited amounts also offered in spring.
Most of these orchids in cluture are white or pink. But there are also yellowish-green, green and yellow flowers.
For the consumer, this is an idial plant, available in sizes varying from small to average and large. It can be combined very well with other plants that do not need much water and it flowers for several months. Care: Special care should be take when watering these plants. Never give water when the plant is still wet. Usually, once per ten days will do. These warmth loving Dendrobiums should not be kept outside and inly in house with very much light.

Dendrobium nobile hybriden

Dendrobium nobile hybride / picture by Eendracht Software

Description:

Another group of Dendrobium originates from India and Himalaya. In th UK, these plants were very popular in the begin of the 20th century. This was mainly because of the work done on hybrids by the gardener of Sir Schroeder.
In the arly sixties, nurseries in Japan started to offer new hybrids. Good results were made because of the increased knowledge about auction and culture techniques. These new hybrids made Dendrobium popular with the consumers.
Nowadays, plants are offered in various sizes and in colors varying from white to dark pink. For the small flowering types, the flowering time is in authumn and spring in colors white and yellow. Care: These are beautifull plants to see. They flower a long time and do not need special care, only very much light. Between March and October, when the plants are growing, they should be fertilized.
In winter, the plants should be kept cool for at least 6 weeks. In this period, the plants should be kept moist, but not wet.
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Doritis

Doritis pulcherrima Description: This is a small genus, closely related to Phalaenopsis and grown under the same conditions. There are many hybrids between Doritis and Phalaenopsis and if no specialist, it is difficult to see the difference between a Phalaenopsis and a Doritaenopsis.
Doritis is a nice small plant with a long stalk that carries several flowers.
One of the hybrids is Doricentrum, which originates from a hybrid with Ascocentrum.
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Encyclia

Encyclia cochleata / foto door Eendracht Software Description: This orchid owes its name to the shape of its flowers. It is sometimes called the octopus orchid. These are epiphytic orchids from tropical America. An adult bulb on a plant can flower all year round. Care: The plant needs plenty of light and temperatures of between 17 and 24 degrees Celsius. The soil should be kept moderately moist. It is sufficient to immerse the plant in lukewarm water once a week. During the growing period (March to September) the plant should be fed once a month. The plant needs repotting once every three years and special potting compost must be used.
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Epidendrum

Epidendrum garcianum Description: This is a very large genus, that is the source of many discussions. Plants by many poeple still indicated as Epidendrum, have changed name long ago, like to mention one of the best known ones: Encyclia. The genus contains about 750 species which have many synonyms.
The plants grow between rocks and on trees and originate from Latin America.
We are manily interested in Epidendrum ibaguense H.B.K., better known as Epidendrum radicans.
This genus does not have pseudobulbs, but only a stem that may be small or large, up to 1.50 meter.
Bunches of flowers appear at the end of the stem. The plant may flower for several months.
The plants are known to be strong and having many roots, both inside and outside the container.
Currently offered species are available with yellow, pink, white or red flowers. Epidendrum Ballerina is one of these. Another one is the small red flowering Epidendrum hybrid named Epiphronitis veitchii. Care: This plant is a gain for your window-sill or sun lounge. The plants need much light, almost full sun. The plants can be kept outside at a sheltered place during summer.
Preferred temperature between 18 and 25 oC during summer, with night temperatures of about 12 oC. In winter, the day temperatures should be lowered to 12 to 15 oC. Water should be given once a week, with some fertilizer. When the plants are kept in the living room, that is being heated, the watering should be continued in winter in this frequency. When the plants are kept in the cool sun lounge, it will be sufficient to give water only once per 2 weeks. Mind that the leaves do not shrivel. This may indicate that the plant got too much water or that it had stayed dry too long.
After flowiring, which is in summer, it is adviced to cut the plant till about 15 cm above the soil. This forces the plant to have a restart before the winter season.
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Miltonia

Miltonia / picture by Eendracht Software   Miltonia / picture by Eendracht Software Description: These are epiphytic orchids from Asia. There are over 100 kinds of Miltonia with large differences in size, appearance and color. Some plants measure only a few centimeter and have only 1 or 2 flowers, while others measure over 2 meter and have hundreds of flowers. In this case the pseudobulbs reserve organs in the form of stems. The leaves are mainly oblong. Care: Some of these orchids are best grown in a cool glass house, while others should be kept in a warm glass house. This depends on their natural habitat. The plants prefer a light place, but should be protected from direct sunlight. The plants that drop their leaves periodically, need a dry resting period. Outside the resting period, the plants do not need much water, except when it is very warm in combination with low humidity. Apply lime-free water only. Fast growing plants need a bi-weekly dressing with orchid dressing. Other need a less frequent dressing or dressing with reduced concentration.
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Miltoniopsis

   Description: This plant is often callen Miltonia. Miltonia however is the name of another genus which originates from Brazil. Miltoniopsis comes from Colombia, from the high Andes mountains.
The laymans name for this plant is Violet Orchid.
It is a nice, attractive plant that flowers long. It is the whole year through available, with a peak in May-July. Care: If taken good care after, it sometimes flowers twice a year.
Never place it in the burning sun. The plant should however not be placed at a dark place.
Keep it moist, but not wet. And also do not expose it to higher temperatures.
The whole year through, it should be fed weekly with a little fertilizer.
Beware of draught. The plant should be sprinkled daily during summer and if the plant is kept in the living room, also in winter when the heating is on.
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Odontoglossum

Cambria / foto door Eendracht Software Description: The genus Odontoglossum probably contains the most beautiful orchids of all. There are over 300 species, that originate from America. They are mostly mountain plants and very popular. The flowers seem to have teeth at the basis of their lips.
The early orchid nurseries started already in the beginning creating hybrids from this genus. Famous ones are Vuylsteke in Belgium, Charlesworth & Co in the UK and Duval in France.
There are currently many new orchids and hybrids available in this genus, which grow better are easier to grow than the original species. Those are better known as Cambria. That includes amongst others Vuylstekeara, Odontocidium, Odontioda, Wilsonara, Beallara, Sanderara, Colmanara. Care: In their home-lands, these orgids grow in the mountains and do therefor need a lot of fresh air when grown in culture.
In Winter, the temperature should drop to around 9 oC. Summer temperature should never be above 20 oC and the plants should be protected well against direct sunlight. At night, temperature may drop till 12 oC.
One should be very careful when giving water. Especially during Winter, when the temperature is low. The best way to keep the roots healthy is to keep them quite dry. In spring, when conditions are better, one should immediatley start applying orchid dressing and put the sun-protection in place.
The summer period can be a tough time for these orchids because high temperatures can give problems. It is advised to sprinkle the plant and its environment daily, early in the morning.
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Oncidium

Oncidium / picture by Eendracht Software Description: This genus contains many species from the American continent. These plants need only a little care and can be grown under several circumstances. Some species in these genus originate from the coastal areas, whereas others come from the snow covered mountain peaks. Therefor there is a large choise in Oncidium species. The main problem in this genus is that due to the many species and the great variety, it is difficult to settle the discussions about how this genus should be structured in botanical terms. The main groups in this genus Oncidium are Cyrtochilum, Slenidiopsis, Mesospinidium, Ada, Baptistonia, Tolumnia, Braasiella, Olgasis, Sigmatostalix, Aspasia, Comparetia, Cischweinfia, Helcia, Notylia, Trichopilia, Ionopsis, Leochilus, Psygmorchis, Macradenia, Lockhartia. But there are many more. Care: When speaking about an Oncidium group that needs a real resting period, one could think of the yellow Dancing Ladies. This is a plant with long branches covered with yellow flowers and should be kept dry in winter. It should then receive water only once in three weeks.
Other Oncidiums like Oncidiums ornithorhynchum and Oncidiums sphacelatum should be kept moderately moist, but certainly not wet.
Oncidiums that grow best in a humid atmosphere are the Oncidiums known as sycopsis papilio and Psygmorchis pusila. They originate from warm tropical areas.
Every Oncidium needs a humidity between 30 and 60 %.
Dressing should be applied twice a month.
Temperatures range from 12 oC to 20 oC at night for the warmth loving species.
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Phaphiopedilum

   Description: This is a very popular orchid, that originates from Asia, where it grows from the Himalaya mountains to the Phillippines and Papua New Guinea. The genus contains 60 species.
The Phaphiopedilum culture has been devided into two groups, plants with green leaves, which originate from a moderate climate region and plants with leaves that have a more or less marble like or spotted pattern. These originate from a warm climate area.
When selecting a Phaphiopedilum, it is important to know which temperatures it will meet at your place. Ifyou make the wrong choise in this respect, you will face problems.
There are many Phaphiopedilums to choose from. Currently there are over 100 hybrids available with colors ranging green to white or pink and combinations of these. These plants do not form any pseudobulbs. One of the flower leaves is shaped like a lady slipper. This gives the plants their common name. Care: These plands do not need special care. They need much light, but do not stand direct sun light.
Usually it is sufficient to give water once per week, but make sure that they are always a bit moist. And during the growing season, they need a dressing once per 10 days. Most of these orchids should be kept quite cool. Especially in resting period during winter. The plants need a high relative humidity and during the summer much fresh air.
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Phalaenopsis

  Phalaenopsis / picture by Eendracht Software Description: This plant has become very popular in the last 20 years and is often called the living-room queen. This has to do with the way we heat our houses and with new auctiona and breeding techniques.
The genus counts some 50 species, which have been described by Karl Blume.
The origin of Phalaenopsis lays in Asia, from India, Taiwan, Phillippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and northern Australia. The name is derived from Phalaina = nightbutterfly and opsis=looks like.
There have been developed over 100 hybrids in the past 30 years. Phalaenopsis offers therefor a wide range of colors, shapes and sizes. By interbreeding species that originate from different climates, one has obtained plants that can be grown under more moderate circumstances. The consumer benefits from this by better results in our living rooms.
Like in many other occasions, there are also hybrids outside the Phalaenopsis genus like Doritaenopsis with Doritis, Renanthopsis with Renanthera or Hawaiiara with Renanthera x Phalaenopsis x Vanda.
And there are more hybrids like Tanakara, Vandaenopsis and Limara. Care: Phalaenopsis is the ideal plant for at home.
It needs a lot of light, but no direct sun light.
Temperature not below 16 oC.
The plants need water weekly. The best time of day to give water is early in the morning. If the plant gets a bit dusty in the living room, one can sprinkle the plant a bit or hold it under the tap for a short while. It is good to wash the plant now and then with clean rainwater.
Fertilizer should be applied in a low concentration.
If you have a glass house in the garden, you can put the plant there during the summer, provided that you protect it from direct sun shine.
Make sure that the plant is not exposed to draught.
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Phragmipedium

Phragmipedium / picture by Eendracht Software Description: Many people are interested in orchids that originate from the American continent. The hybridization efforts of the last 20 years and newly found species stimulate that proces. Phragmipedium does not only differ from Paphiopedilum by its shape of flowers, but also by its stem, which is not hairy.
The genus contains about 25 species. Plants that are offered in shops are usually hybrids. Care: Phragmipedium can be grown as easy as Paphiopedilum. They only need more lime.
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Vanda

Vanda Gordon Dillon   Vanda Marygold Description: These orchids from tropical Asia and northern Australia have a central stem, which grows only at the top. This stem has 2 rows of leaves. The following Vanda plants are regularly offered: Ascocenda, Kagawara, Renancentrum, Aranthera, Bokchoonara, Vandofinetia, Aranda, Wilkinsara, Okaara, Darwinara, Opsisanda, Mokara, Rhynchovanda, Debruyneara. But there are more. Care: The plants that are grown in cluture do all need much licht and warmth. Light is very important. Vanda can even bear direct sun shine. But it is better to temper the sun shine a bit. That will prevent possible burning damage.
Humidity should be about 80 %.
The temperature should never drop below 15 oC and may raise at daytime to 27 oC with sufficient humidity.
The plants need a lot of fresh air during summer nights. And all species need much light. They like much water, which should be free of lime and appreciate regular dressing.
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Promenaea

  Description: These dwarf orchids grow high in trees. They form short pseudobulbs with 1 or 2 leaves on it and a flower stalk that usually has 1 flower only. This genus has 14 species in Brazil. Care: These plants need a high humidity.
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Spathoglottis

Spathoglottis plicata / picture by Eendracht Software Description: These south-Asian orchids grow at the ground. The plants form pseudobulb, from where some long folded leaves grow. A long flower stalk grows from the bottom of these pseudobulbs, at which appear 1 or more flowers that open one after the other. The plant may thus be flowering for several months. Care: The plants should be grown with temperatures between 20oC and 25oC. As soon as new leaves appear, they like full sun and a lot of water and fertilizer.
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