Orchids are one of the oldest families that appeared in the late Cretaceous era. These flowers are unparalleled in their beauty. There are so many varieties and types of orchids that the special Sander’s List of Orchid Hybrids is updated every five years.
Below you will find out what types and varieties of orchids are, and what varieties of indoor orchids are grown at home. You can also get acquainted with the photos and names of orchid species obtained as a result of the cultivation of plant hybrids.
View of a flower orchid Aerides
Aerides (AERIDES) is a large epiphytic monopodial plant. The name of this type of orchid comes from the Latin aer – “air”, which indicates its epiphytic lifestyle. There are about 20 species in the genus, which are easily cultivated and which are characterized by very fragrant flowers that retain freshness for a long time.
Light is a limiting development factor for aerides: it requires high illumination (up to 30,000 lux) for the formation of flower buds. For additional illumination, you can use special phytolamps.
In culture, the most famous is Aerides odorata, or fragrant (Aerides odorata), a species in nature widespread in Southeast Asia. Flowers can be of different shades, from rich pink to white.
As a rule, aerides bloom in spring and summer and prefer bright, intense light. Grows well in hanging baskets.
In culture, an intergeneric hybrid of aerides and vanda (Vanda x Aerides) – Aeridovanda is interesting.
As you can see in the photo, this type of orchid has an erect, long stem with oblong leaves, up to 30 cm long.
Fragrant, waxy flowers 2-3 cm in diameter, of various colors. Aerivands need good lighting and high humidity.
Arachnis – “spider orchid”
The genus Arachnis (ARACHNIS) contains about a dozen species of monopodial epiphytes growing in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia and New Guinea. The name comes from the Latin word arachne (“spider”), orchid flowers really look like pretty spiders.
These orchids need a very warm, humid environment and bright sunlight. In the autumn-winter period, illumination is necessary. During the growth period – abundant watering.
The most popular intergeneric spider orchid hybrids are aranda and mokara.
Aranda (Aranda) – a hybrid obtained from crossing peanut and vanda orchids (Arachnisx Vanda), a rather large plant with narrow dark green leaves and bright fragrant flowers of various colors. Arandas are often used for cutting. The conditions of detention are the same as those of the vands. In culture, it is usually grown in pots, a sunny (shaded from midday rays), well-ventilated area is best suited.
Mokara (Mokara) – this type of home orchid is obtained from crossing three genera of arachnis, ascocentrum and vanda (Arachnis x Ascocentrum x Vanda). These plants have a high frequency of flowering, up to 12 flower stalks per year and are popular cut orchids in Southeast Asia.
Interesting species of domestic orchids Mokara Chao Pray a Boy ‘Blue’ with a high peduncle and lilac flowers.
Type of orchid Ascocentrum at home
The monopodial genus Ascocentrum (ASCOCENTRUM) is a group of 6-8 small, compact, densely leafy epiphytic plants, very similar to “mini vandas”. They bloom in spring and summer with brightly colored flowers that stay fresh for a long time.
The genus was first described in 1916 by the German botanist Rudolf Schlechter and got its name from the Latin askos – “bag” and kentron – “spur”, which indicates a large spur on the lip of the flower.
This type of orchid flower is quite demanding in culture, plants prefer a warm mode of keeping and bright light. Suitable for growing in hanging baskets on brightly lit window sills with shading from direct sunlight.
Ascocentrums quite easily form hybrids with other genera, many of whose representatives are used in indoor floriculture.
One of the most popular hybrids – Ascocenda (Ascocendra), obtained from crossing Ascocentrum and Vanda (Ascocentrum x Vanda). The very first ascocenda was recorded in 1949. In culture, the height of the ascocend plants does not exceed 60 cm. The straight peduncle bears an inflorescence-brush, which contains 12-25 flowers with large rounded petals that retain freshness for a long time. The color of the flowers is very varied.
For example, very interesting:
Ascocenda Princess Mikasa – with variegated flowers from white to dark blue (Ascocenda Princess Mikasa ‘Blue Velvet’ – purple (blue) flowers.
Ascocenda Princess Mikasa ‘Pink Charm’ – pink, Ascocenda Princess Mikasa ‘White Angel’ – white). It should be noted that Ascocenda Princess Mikasa is the best option for the first experience in growing vandas.
Orchid flowers of this species do not like excessive dryness of the air, excessive watering and a dense substrate. Does well in wooden hanging baskets in bright light and prefers warm to moderate conditions. It is very good to grow these orchids on sunny windowsills, provided that the plants are not supercooled.
View of the home orchid Neofinetia (with photo)
The miniature orchid Neofinetia – “Samurai Orchid” (NEOFINETIA) – is very popular in Japan, it occurs naturally in the cold seasonal semi-deciduous forests of Japan and Korea.
The name of this type of orchid flower comes from the Greek neo – “new”, and was given in honor of the French botanist Achille Finst.
Sacred Japanese plant – crescent neofinetia (Neofinetia falcate) – a small orchid with shoots 10-15 cm long with hard leaves. Blooms in June – August. On short peduncles, several (2-7) white flowers open.
With the help of neofinetia, many compact hybrids with fragrant flowers of green, yellow, pink, lilac color were obtained. Forms with variegated leaves are especially valued.
What are the varieties of Neofinetia orchids
“Fu-ran” (Fuuran) (“Wind Orchid”) – the Japanese name for crescent neofinetia, these are plants found in nature with unusual leaves and flowers;
“Fuukiran” (“Rich and noble (noble) orchid”) – the name of the decorative forms of neofinetia.
The orchid prefers cool to moderate conditions and bright light. In winter, it is necessary to use additional lighting, in summer it is useful to keep in the garden, in places shaded from the midday sun.
At home, this type of orchid requires regular watering, between waterings the substrate should dry out, but not dry out. The correct watering regimen is the most important condition for the well-being of neofinetia. In winter, the plant is not watered, but moss is sprayed, keeping the roots moist. In the spring, watering is resumed.
The optimum temperature in summer is +24…+27 °C, in winter about +15…+18 °C.
From May to August, the plant is fed every 2-3 weeks.
Neofinetia can be grown in a pot with a rough substrate, as well as on a block, in rooms with high humidity.
A variety of home flowers orchid Ascofinetia
Ascofinetia (Ascofinetia) – an intergeneric hybrid of ascocentrum and neofinetia (Ascocentrum x Neofinetia) – a small monopodial plant that reaches a height of 15-20 cm.
As you can see in the photo, this type of homemade orchid has fleshy, tough leaves covered with red spots.
Peduncle erect, many-flowered. The flowers themselves are round, about 2 cm in diameter. This type of orchid belongs to a moderately warm temperature regime.
Another interesting intergeneric species of indoor orchids – nakamotoara (Nakamotoara) was obtained from crossing three genera of ascocentrum, neofinetia and vanda (Ascocentrum x Neofinetia x Vanda).
The name is given by the name of the Japanese breeder Nakamoto. These are relatively easy orchids to cultivate, brightly colored and fragrant. Flowers in different varieties are pink, yellow or white.
Varieties of indoor orchids Renantera and Sarcohilus
Renanthera (RENANTHERA) – in the genus about 15 species of monopodial orchids, common in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and New Guinea. Among the species there are both very miniature plants and quite large ones. Peduncles are tall with lush racemes of flowers. These orchids need warmth and light.
Sarcochilus (SARCOCHILUS) – in the genus about 20 small monopodial epiphytes and lithophytes from Eastern Australia and New Caleidonia. The genus Sarcochilus was discovered by Robert Brown in 1810. The name comes from the Greek sarx meaning “meat” and cheilos meaning “lip”, referring to the fleshy lip of the flower. Blooms in spring and summer. The flowers open on short peduncles and are distinguished by a wide variety of shapes and colors.
A well-known lithophytic species of a variety of domestic orchids – Hartmann’s sarcochilus (Sarcochilus hartmannii) – has a very shortened, densely leafy stem with two rows of 10 cm leathery leaves. Multi-flowered peduncles reach a length of 20 cm, the flowers themselves are 2 cm in diameter, white with a small yellow-red lip and red dots in the center.
This variety of orchid flowers adapt well to various temperature conditions. Good ventilation and humidity are very important for plants.
Orchid hybrids Vaskostylis and Darwinara
In addition to the above species, other hybrids obtained with the participation of vandas are also popular in culture.
Vaskostylis (Vascostylis) is an intergeneric variety of an orchid flower, obtained by crossing Ascocentrum, Rhynchostilis and Vanda (Ascocenda (Ascocentrum x Vanda) and Rhynchostylis).
Most registered Vascostilis hybrids are combinations of Ascocenda and Rhynchostilis. These are erect epiphytic plants with belt-like leaves that grow in two rows. Bloom in winter. Peduncles bear showy flowers, which are distinguished by a variety of colors.
Orchids grow well in wooden hanging baskets in bright light and prefer moist, moderate to warm conditions. They do not have a pronounced dormant period. In summer, it is useful to take the plant out into fresh air in places shaded from direct sunlight.
The orchid variety Darwinara (Darwinara) is a complex intergeneric miniature hybrid (Ascocentrum x Neofinetia x Rhynchostylis x Vanda – Ascocentrum x Neofinetia x Rhynchostylis x Vanda). The leaves are dark green, leathery, linear. Inflorescence -many-flowered raceme containing 8-12 blue-violet, very fragrant flowers; their diameter is 2-3 cm. The petals are long and thin, the lip is very small.
A hybrid orchid does not have a dormant period, therefore it requires regular watering and top dressing.
Lithophyte Orchid Fragmipedium
Fragmipediums (PHRAGMIPEDIUM) – terrestrial or lithophytic plants bearing elongated belt-like green leaves and branching inflorescences.
The genus includes 25 species and is distributed in the lowland and mountain rainforests of Central and South America. The genus name comes from the Latin phragma, “part,” and the Greek pedilon, “shoe.” Many representatives of the genus and hybrids with their participation are popular in indoor and greenhouse floriculture.
At the end of the 19th century, breeders began to create the first hybrids. Gradually, two main directions in the selection of phragmipediums took shape: short-petal and long-petal.
One of the first was an interspecific pink-colored compact variety of domestic orchids Phragmipedium sedenii (Phragmipedium sedenii), named after the creator John Seden.
Now the culture is quite popular hybrid orchid-lithophyte phragmipedium “Grande”, which was created by crossing caudate and long-leaved phragmipediums (P. caudatum x P. longifolium). The leaves reach 45 cm in length, the flowers are red-green flowers with long petals.
These are easy -to-grow plants , stable flowering and resistant to pests. For them, you need to follow the same regimen as for paphiopedilum. These homemade orchid flowers prefer regular watering throughout the year, but care must be taken to ensure that the substrate is not waterlogged.
Varieties of room orchid Fragmipedium
A fairly large and most commonly cultivated phragmipedium is the tailed phragmipedium (Phragmipedium caudatum).
The flowers of this species live longer and open at the same time in several pieces. The height of the peduncle, bearing 2-3 flowers, reaches 80 cm, and the leaves are 40 cm long. Greenish flowers have characteristic ribbon-like, strongly elongated petals. There are several varieties that differ in color and shape of flowers. Blooms in autumn.
Long-leaved phragmipedium (Phragmipedium longifolium) – the largest variety of indoor orchids – its leaves reach 60 cm, and the inflorescence is over 1 m. The peduncle bears up to 10 flowers, each of which opens after the previous one has fallen. Flowers up to 15 cm in diameter with long purple-green petals. Lip brown-green lip.
Homeland – Costa Rica, Panama, Ecuador and Colombia. Phragmipedium longifolia was first found in 1849, and already in 1873 it bloomed in the St. Petersburg Botanical Garden.
Orchid-epiphyte Brassavola
A small genus of epiphytic orchids Brassavola (BRASSAVOLA) from Central and South America has about 30 varieties. The genus name is given in honor of the Italian botanist A. M. Brassavole.
Look at the photo of these epiphytic orchids – they bloom with large yellow-green flowers with a large white lip.
In the evenings, the plants exude a delicate aroma. In culture, there are quite a few new brassavola hybrids.
Many large-flowered Brassoleliocattleyas are cultivated as commercial cut crops. In addition, these orchids are popular for growing as houseplants and are perfect for sunny window sills with bright, intense light, which is absolutely necessary for the growth of these plants.
These light-loving epiphyte orchids need a moderate and warm content. The plants are suitable for growing both in pot and block culture. The substrate should dry well between waterings.
A complex hybrid obtained from crossing the three above-mentioned genera of orchids: brassavola, lelia and cattleya (Brassavola x Cattleya x Laelia) is a brassoleliocattleya (Brassolaeliocattleya) with beautiful large flowers.
These hybrids require warm winter storage, but can tolerate lower temperatures (for a short period if kept dry during dormancy). A substrate based on crushed pine bark is suitable for them.
Epiphytic orchid Broughtonia (with photo)
The name Broughtonia (BROUGHTONIA) is derived from the English botanist Arthur Broughton.
This genus includes only two species of miniature heat-loving epiphytic orchids native to Jamaica and the West Indies.
Often used for crossing with other orchids from the Laeliinae family: Cattleytonia (x Cattleya), Laeliocatonia (x Cattleya x Laelia), Laelonia (x Laelia), Otaara (x Brassavola x Cattlea x Laelia). Hybrids are compact plants with upright flower stalks.
Hybrid home flower
Cattleytonia (Cattleytonia) is a complex hybrid obtained by crossing Broughtonia with Cattleya (Cattleya and Broughtonia).
Very interesting home flowers orchid Cattleytonia Why Not ‘Roundabout’ – plants with fiery red flowers.
Growing conditions are identical to those of cattleya, but cattleya does not tolerate low temperatures and prefers conditions intermediate between moderate and warm temperatures throughout the year. The substrate for plants should be based on pine bark.
Indoor flower orchid Sophronitis
The name of indoor flowers orchid Sophronitis ( SOPHRONITIS ) comes from the Latin sophros – “modest”, characterizing the small size of plants.
There are 8 species of small brightly colored orchids in the genus, originally from Brazil and Bolivia, close to the genus Lelia.
In culture, sophronitis scarlet, or crimson (Sophronitis coccinea), an orchid native to Brazil, with flowers with a diameter of 4 to 6 cm in bright colors, orange or scarlet, is most often grown.
The large-flowered variety (Sophronitis coccinea var. grandiflora) with flowers up to 8 cm in diameter is highly valued by collectors, as well as decorative forms with yellow or orange flowers. Blooms from January to April.
Sophronitis is grown in a moist state with medium light levels in cool to moderate conditions. Plants are best grown in pots, but young specimens prefer a sphagnum moss substrate, while older specimens prefer a ground pine bark substrate. Plants need to be repotted every two years. During growth, abundant watering is necessary, plants planted on a block are watered by immersion.
Sophronitis orchid flower varieties
The scarlet Sophoronitis species (Sophronitisrosea) has been used to create many successful hybrids obtained by crossing it with lelia, cattleya and brassavol.
Sophroleliocattleya (Sophrolaeliocattleya) is a complex intergeneric hybrid of three types of orchids – sophronitis, lelia and cattleya (Sophronitis x Laelia x Cattleya).
They are compact plants with brightly colored flowers that grow in the same conditions as Cattleya, however they prefer good shade and slightly cooler temperatures.
Sophroleliocattles with monophonic flowers are very beautiful:
For example, yellow (Sophrolaeliocattleya Seagulls Mini-Cat Heaven ‘Jannine’);
Or red (Sophrolaeliocattleya Hazel Boyd ‘Redstone’) flowers.
An even more complex intergeneric hybrid of an indoor flower orchid – potinara (Potinara) – was obtained by crossing already four genera: brassavola, cattleya, lelia and sophronitis (Sophronitis x Brassavola x Cattleya x Laelia), and named after the French orchid collector Patin.
These orchids are very popular as houseplants because of their compact form and brightly colored flowers that range from reds and purples to yellows and whites. Plants do very well on sunny windowsills and require bright, intense light for at least 6 hours to thrive. Generally considered easy to care for.