subject: The Easiest Orchids To Grow [print this page] Opinion varies as to the easiest orchids to grow but there are three varieties that pop up over and over again. Those three orchids are Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum. One of the best things about growing these three orchids is that they have very similar, temperature and water needs which makes them especially good "roommates" and they are easy to care for, should you decide to branch out and grow several different varieties of orchids
Cattleya orchids are the favorite orchids of The American Orchid Society, America's MOST prestigious orchid society. You probably bought a big, beautiful Cattleya bloom at one time or another for your mother for Mother's Day or as a corsage for your junior prom. At one time the blooms were almost always lavender or purple but now they come in a variety of colors. The Cattleya is named after William Cattley who was the first to import them to England from Brazil in 1818.
Cattleyas are very adaptable because they grow naturally in many different conditions. The plants themselves grow to about 12 inches but the flowers can be up to seven or eight inches across - a truly magnificent bloom. Most bloom once a year.
Phalaenopsis orchids are often called "Moth Orchids" because their blooms resemble moths or butterflies. The Phalaenopsis is considered to be America's favorite orchid. There are currently over fifty known species in existence. The first mention in literature of the Phalaenopsis was by Carolus Linnaeus, the "Father of Modern Botany" in 1753. Indigenous to the Phillipines and Australia, the Phalaenopsis is available in a riot of colors and even in "patterns." You can find Phalaenopsis orchids with dots and stripes!
They are considered the easiest orchid to grow in the home. It is the most popular orchid grown today. According to the American Orchid Society, 75% of all orchids grown today are Phalaenopsis orchids. They sport long lasting sprays of blooms that last for weeks and sometimes even for months. The blooms are very fragrant and the leaves are very attractive - dark green and glossy. This type of orchid is epiphytic, or grows on trees.
The third variety is Paphiopedilum Orchids. These are called lady slipper orchids due to their resemblance to little slippers. The Paphiopedilum was named by Ernst Hugo Heinrich Pfitzer, in 1886, for the temple Paphos on the island of Cyprus. Pedilum is derived from "pedilon", the ancient Greek word for slipper. Most of these orchids are terrestrial, or live naturally on the ground. There are over 80 species currently known to be in existence. They are originally from Asia and are often considered to be the variety of most interest to home growers. The blooms come in a huge variety of pouched configurations and colors. Slipper orchids bloom for many weeks and, like the Phalaenopsis, have very attractive leaves so they are beautiful even when not in bloom.
All of the above orchids, the Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis and the Paphiopedilum are easy to care for and are great orchids for a newbie to choose as his or her first venture into orchid growing.
