Surely you’ve never seen an orchid or heard of it. Although it may sound incredible to you, orchids are one of the most extensive plant families in the plant kingdom. There are some 30,000 known species and around 60,000 hybrids grown by horticulturalists.

Most orchids live in tropical countries with hot and humid climates. In Spain we only know a few varieties that are usually found in nurseries or florists and that we buy to give to someone on a special occasion or to be with us as a precious prize during flowering.

In Spain we can find:

• Phalaenopsis
• Dendrobium
• Cymbidium
• Cattelya
• Vanda
• Cambria
• Oncidium
• Miltonia
• Paphiopedilum
• Zygopetalum
• Brassia
• Epidural

Be aware of all the variations

Phalaenopsis

Undoubtedly the most famous orchid since it is found in all garden centers, its name comes from butterflies (phalaena = butterfly, opsis = like). They are native to the Philippines, the tropics of Asia and Australia. They grow on tree branches or among rocksIts roots absorb nutrients from rainwater and organic matter that slides through trees in the rain.

Phalaenopsis is sold in clear plastic containers filled with pine bark. If you want to buy a phalaenopsis don’t look at the flowers, look at the roots. They should be dark green and large in size.

Dendrobium

Most of them live on trees and tree branches and They eat the organic matter that carries the rain from the branches and tree trunks. They live in humid and tropical environments. Many species of dendrobium can be grown at home because they do not require special care other than good lighting. Dendrobia are made up of rhizomes and very fleshy leaves.

Cymbidium

Cymbidiums are epiphytic plants, but also can be grown on land. Its development is symmetrical, that is, the plant develops from a series of pseudobulbs from which two types of stems arise, those from which a new pesudobulb emerges and those from which a stem emerges. flowery.

Its flowers are very strange because if the flower stalk is not cut it can take about 10 weeks. If it is cut like a flower, its lifespan is much longer than any other flower. Its flowering period extends from September to January and flowers only once a year.

Cattleya

Like the vast majority of orchids, Cattleya are epiphytes, that is, they live in tree branches and rocks. They grow well indoors places with a lot of light and even a little sun and a minimum temperature of 12º and maximum of 30º. Pine bark, peat or polystyrene should be used as a substrate. It needs perfect drainage because its roots need to dry out between waterings.

Vanda

Most of them are epiphytes. They form a central stem from which new long and slender leaves are born. Flower buds arise from the stem and between the base of the leaves. The roots are fleshy and there are some small pores where they absorb moisture and nutrients. Flowers can last for several weeks and some have a delicate scent

Cambria

It doesn’t exist naturally. It is a hybrid of odontoglosum. They can’t stand places without a lot of oxygen than drafts. It needs sunny environments but does not tolerate direct sunlight. Flowers can be kept on the plant for a long time

Oncidium

These orchids are also known as female orchids because they generate several flowering branches with many small branches and flowers that resemble a dancer’s silhouette. They are careless and easy to maintainr at home because they need direct light without excess, moderate temperature and little humidity.

It is an epiphytic and sympathetic plant, that is, it grows on the branches of trees and Grows from new pseudobulbs born at the foot of the old. Each new pseudobulb generates a flowering stalk that goes to a branch to produce many flowers.

Brassia

They are also called spider orchids becauseflower shape reminiscent of spiders. The plant is formed at the base of pseudobulbs from which the leaves and flower peduncles are born.

Zygopetalum

Its flowers give off a very sweet fragrance and combine the colors purple, white, pink and purple. Flowers it can last up to 8 weeks both as a plant and cut to form a bouquet

Epidural

they are orchids easily reproduced by dividing adult plants. Its flowers are small, but not so beautiful. Their maintenance is very easy because they adapt to many environmental conditions. Offers several types of delicate scents

Miltonias

They are not easy to maintain because require tropical temperatures and high humidity. They have a nice color combination and a light scent. They have no bumps

Paphiopedilium

This orchid is also called the “sandal of Venus” its shape is reminiscent of a sandal. Each flowering stem produces a single flower that lasts up to 10 weeks. It does not require special care.