Table of contents
- Brassia
- Burrageara Nelly Isler
- Cambria
- cattleya
- Cymbidium
- lady's slipper
- Ludisia
- Masdevallia
- oncidium
- Phalaenopsis
- zygopetalum
Many local households have orchids, mostly of the Phalaenopsis variety, which is mainly offered in the many hardware stores and discounters. But those who know a little about orchids know that there are around 20,000 species here. In order to give a better picture of the different strains that are also popular with connoisseurs, this short list has been created.
Brassia
The bizarre flowers of this orchid species often do not immediately make the viewer of this plant think of an orchid. Because their appearance is very unusual for an orchid with the elongated petals and the rather bizarre-looking flowers. In the local latitudes, the Brassia is also known as the spider orchid because of its spider-like appearance. This species is an epiphyte so the following care is recommended:
- bright and warm location
- no direct sun
- originally native to the Caribbean
- also in Mexico, Guatemala or Honduras
- needs a lot of fresh air
- without draft
- high humidity
- Epiphyte, requires no soil
- sit on a branch overgrown with moss
- can grow very high with climbing aid
The Brassia is characterized by the fact that the inflorescences are racemose and the long leaves are smooth and blunt at the tip. The flowers are yellow, light green, or white with a lip resembling a tongue.
Tip:
With all orchid species it is important that the rest periods are observed after new growth are in which the plants are brought to a cooler place, not fertilized and only moderately poured become. The orchids could otherwise react very sensitively.
Burrageara Nelly Isler
The Burrageara is not a natural species of orchid, it was created from crosses between different species of orchids, including Oncidium and Miltonia. The name therefore comes from Albert C: Burrage, who was the first to deal with these crosses. The appearance and care of the Burrageara Nelly Isler explained below:
- bright red flowers with a yellow centre
- give off a pleasant rose-like fragrance
- Flower stalks grow up to 60 cm high
- a single flower is about five centimeters tall
- the flowering is not tied to a specific time
- Cut off dead stems
- a new flower stalk follows immediately
- high humidity
- bright, warm location
The Burrageara Nelly Isler is well suited for indoor culture, but may also move outdoors to a sheltered location in warm summer. The different temperatures between day and night are particularly good for the plant. Regular immersion of the roots makes more sense than watering, and the orchid should also be sprayed regularly. Direct sunlight should be avoided despite the bright location.
Cambria
The Cambria Orchid is not a naturally occurring species, it is the result of breeding. The Cambria is based on many different orchid genera, so that it is often referred to as a cosmopolitan globetrotter. This species was "born" for the first time in 1931, it is a very young variety of orchid. The Cambria is quite easy to care for, the appearance striking:
- Flowers red with contrasting color
- Flower stalks grow up to 60 cm high
- is framed by green, lanceolate leaves
- can be cultivated continuously at room temperature
- around 25° Celsius is ideal
- a little cooler in winter
- can go outside in summer
- protect from the sun in any location
- spray regularly
- water and fertilize regularly
Tip:
The Cambria is very easy to care for and is particularly suitable for orchid beginners due to its simplicity.
cattleya
The Cattleya genus originally comes from South America and here mainly from southern and eastern Brazil and the Andes. Here these orchids live as touchdown plants on rocks or trees. The species can grow up to 90 cm high and should therefore be supported with a trellis. The colorful and striking flowers fascinate every orchid lover. The plant has the following characteristics and the following should be considered when caring for it:
- big flowers
- with oval sepals
- broader petals
- three-lobed ragged lip
- spotted in brown, white, green, yellow, or red
- Difference between one and two leaf plants
- Flowering between January and March
- Location bright, warm without direct sun
- also sheltered outdoors in summer
- dip and fertilize regularly
During the growth phase, the orchid should be kept warm and given sufficient water and fertilizer. Only moderate watering during the dormant phase, since the plant is then colder. Fertilizers should be completely avoided during this time.
Cymbidium
The name of this species of orchid comes from the Greek and is derived from the word kymbós, which translated means something like barge or flat boat. The name therefore describes the appearance of Cymbidium quite well, because with a little imagination a small ship can really be recognized in the strong lip. The genus Cymbidium originally comes from India, Thailand, Vietnam or Burma. These orchid species have also been found in Australia. These varieties are very popular with expert orchid collectors:
- Flowering time from autumn to spring
- Flowers last a very long time
- are popular as cut flowers
- give off a pleasant scent
- Pink, Yellow, Green, White or Red
- many-flowered, upright shoots 40 cm long
- withstand nocturnal temperature fluctuations of 20° Celsius
- therefore well suited for outdoor use in summer
- does not require a pronounced rest phase
- fertilize and water regularly
Tip:
Cymbidium orchids want high humidity and a bright location. Therefore, they are ideal to cultivate in a bright bathroom.
lady's slipper
The lady's slipper orchid bears its scientific name Paphiopedilum in honor of Aphrodite, who rose from the sea near the present-day Cypriot city of Paphos. Nevertheless, the home of this variety is far from Cyprus in Thailand, China, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. On the other hand, this species owes its German name primarily to its appearance. Because the flowers are reminiscent of a shoe that is open at the back and closed at the front. Since the lady's slipper is used to shade, especially in its original locations, it must not be exposed to the sun and a north-facing window is preferred in the home. Other features and care instructions as follows:
- multi-flowered
- new shoots are formed from rhizomes
- Flower buds at the end of a shoot
- different types available
- are distinguished by three types of leaves
- spotted
- green and narrow
- green and wide
- all species require different care
- ask when buying in store
The special feature of this orchid species is that it needs soil to grow. Unlike the other orchid varieties, which either want orchid substrate or as top plants The lady's slipper is an orchid that requires soil with a pH between 5.0 and 6.5 needed.
Tip:
The lady's slipper orchid variety is very popular in the local latitudes, but it has to be pointed out that the plant is slightly poisonous and can already trigger a contact allergy can.
Ludisia
Like the lady's slipper, the Ludisia variety also spreads via rhizomes and should therefore also be cultivated in soil. It unfolds like many ground covers do. Originally, this orchid species is at home in India, southern China and the Philippines. Ludisia grows best here in the shade of large trees. A rather shady place for this orchid species should also be chosen in the living room at home. Even without flowers, this is a decorative ornamental plant. Above all, the Ludisia has these other characteristics and requires the following care:
- intensive coloring of the leaves
- Sunlight bleaches them
- nevertheless bright location
- does not require typical rest periods
- loves a warm location all year round
- Pouring and dipping equally allowed
- normal potting soil mixed with sand
- fertilize regularly
- can easily be multiplied
Tip:
A transparent container can also be chosen to allow enough light to reach the orchid roots. This improves the metabolism of the plants.
Masdevallia
The orchids of this species are still exotic in the local latitudes, which is actually a shame. With their spectacular flowers, they often attract admiring glances. Nevertheless, these varieties are not suitable for beginners, because they require a certain amount of sensitivity and experience to care for them. The Masdevallia is originally native to the Andes and Mexico. It prefers above all the high altitudes over 2000 meters and grows here on rocks or trees. Therefore, this is also a touchdown plant that does not need a pot with soil when cultivated in the living room. This species is characterized above all by the following characteristics and care:
- round-oval shape of the leaves
- Flowers triangular in shape
- 50 cm high stems as ears
- single flowers are also normal
- Colors between red, violet, pastel red, orange and yellow
- do not have a dormant period, flowering spread throughout the year
- cool location without direct sun
- outdoors in summer
- high humidity
- only use rainwater
The colder the Masdevallia is, the less it needs to be poured or dipped. In order to obtain the desired high level of humidity, it can also be sprayed daily in addition to setting up a humidifier.
Tip:
In order to prevent the roots of top plants from drying out, they are ideally wrapped with sphagnum moss, which has good moisture storage qualities.
oncidium
Like many others, this topper plant originally comes from the high altitudes of Central and South America. The orchid genus Oncidium prefers the moist rain forests. Nevertheless, this genus still has to be divided into two categories, because some like it warmer, others rather colder. This should be clarified directly when purchasing from a well-stocked specialist retailer. The bizarre flowers inspire many orchid connoisseurs, the care is recommended as follows:
- after the Greek word onkos = bulge or callus
- Swelling at the base of the lips of the flowers
- branched flower stalks with many flowers
- grow out below the pseudobulb
- Flower color usually brown or yellow
- lime intolerant
- only water with rainwater
- Location bright without direct sun
- requires orchid soil
- water and fertilize regularly
Tip:
A pseudobulb, a term that is often used in connection with orchids, is a single stem from which the leaves emerge.
Phalaenopsis
As already mentioned in the introduction, this genus is the most widespread and known species. Beginners usually start with this orchid variety. The Greek name here is made up of moth (phalaina) and appearance (opsis), which already describes this orchid well. As with any other orchid, there are a few things that need to be taken into account when caring for them. Appearance and care instructions:
- leathery texture
- inflorescences between the leaves
- also directly at the blade axis
- Flower with three petals and three sepals
- in the center the stamen
- always use special orchid soil
- spray regularly with water from above
- Dip root balls in water every one to two weeks
- Location warm and bright
- cooler in winter
Tip:
Almost all orchid species want a very loose soil, the roots must not be pressed into the ground. If no commercially available orchid soil is used, a coarsely structured bark substrate is also suitable.
zygopetalum
The orchid species Zygopetalum is a challenge. Because it not only stands out from the other orchids in appearance, but also when it comes to care, a lot of effort and special requirements are to be expected. This genus originally grows in the rainforests of Brazil. Since these plants are very susceptible to fungus, they should not be sprayed directly. It is better to cultivate them in a humid room or even in a display case with the necessary humidity. In addition, this type of orchid does not tolerate any sunlight and reacts more sensitively to it than other orchid varieties. Other features and care instructions:
- Flowers mostly purple or blue
- different varieties with small or large flowers
- blue orchids very rare
- Sprouts grow from lateral axes
- Inflorescences up to 60 cm long
- upright or hanging
- forms very thick roots
- Location slightly dark
- Make sure there is enough air supply in the display case
- fertilize and water regularly
Tip:
The varieties of the Zygopetalum have become more and more popular in the local latitudes in spite of the extensive care in recent years.
garden editorial I write about everything that interests me in my garden.
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