Other types of orchids that you might want to have a look at are Blue Orchids, Cattleya Orchids, Silk Orchids and Wedding Orchids.

Miltonia Orchids have slim arching stems producing brightly colored, scented flowers. The vibrant colors of the Pansy Orchid blooms can vary from charming reds, pink, and white with different tinted spotting to yellow. These flowers have a very short bloom time just like that of a cut flower. Here is a video that shows it in real time.

There are nine different species of the Miltonia Orchid. They are named as Miltonia anceps, M. candida, M. flavescens, M. cuneata, M. spectabilis, M. regnellii, M. russelliana, M. clowesii, and M. kayasimae. Each of these genuses has its own specific and distinctive characteristics and growing needs based on the local environment where they grow naturally.

Some of these Miltonia species are very difficult to grow while others are comparatively easy to cultivate. The novice of Orchid grower should start with a stronger plant type, i.e. any Miltonia hybrid.

Miltonia Orchids are particularly very sensitive to vivid, hot, and direct sunlight. Burn marks starts appearing on their leaves once they are kept in these situations for a long time. Therefore, they should be placed in indirect light.

The suitable temperature for these Orchids range from 75 F to 80 F in the daytime whereas 60 F to 65 F is the perfect temperature for them at night. Keeping the temperature appropriate will make the plant healthier.

Miltonia Orchid plant grows throughout the year and should be placed in the humid area. In cold weather, the plant needs to be watered once a week while in hot weather it should be watered twice a week.

Repotting is also important for Miltonia Orchid as they tend to creep and climb with the passage of time. The best way is to grow them in baskets slackly filled with chopped sphagnum moss. Basically Miltonias are epiphytes therefore they grow well in a general bark or Orchid mix. They need to repot at least once every two years.

The Miltonia plant requires to be fed with a regular quantity of 30-10-10 high nitrogenous-based Orchid fertilizer. It should be given once a year for a healthy and rapid growth.

Miltonia Orchids are little difficult to grow and cultivate but if they are provided with suitable temperature and appropriate lighting, they can flourish well in the home garden or greenhouse.

The attractive and appealing Miltonia Orchid plants are productive bloomers, and are surely reward the Orchid grower with a lot of enjoyment and splendor.

Epidendrum species of Orchids differ from truly epiphytic to rarely terrestrial. Few of them are lithophytes. But all of these species have slender, simple, or branched stems with leaves at distances throughout their whole length.

There are almost more than 1000 different kinds of Epidendrum Orchids. Some of them have pseudobulbs, while others have reed-like stems; several of them vary from miniature to small, while others differ from medium to large. Its blooms also vary in size from a quarter of an inch to six inches.

Some of the popular species and hybrids of Epidendrum Orchids are Epidendrum Cilare, Epidendrum Costa Rica, Epidendrum Ilense, Epidendrum Hokulea, and Epidendrum Plastic Doll.

A number of Epidendrum Orchid species have fragrant flowers that bloom from summer to autumn. Some of the species are almost ever blossoming. These flowers come in variety of colors like shades of white to pink, purple to red, or yellow to orange, brown, green etc. some of them are bi-colored, dotted, or mottled.

Epidendrum Orchids also bear distinctive Orchid pods. These pods have numerous dust-like seeds.

Epidendrums are among the easiest of Orchid plants to cultivate. A plastic or clay pot can be used to grow them. But the best container for them is clay Orchid pots because in plastic pots, water does not evaporate as quickly as in clay pots. Usually these Orchids can grow well in any medium if the potting mix allows good drainage.

Fir bark with any mixture of coarse lava rocks, river rocks, charcoal, tree fern, moss, coconut husks, gravel, or pieces of broken pottery is thought to be the best media for the proper and healthy growth of the plant. This media allows the roots to be wet, but after that dry fast.

Epidendrum Orchids like to be in temperatures between intermediate to warm. Normally the suitable temperature ranges from 50 – 85 F.

These plants need to provide with sufficient amount of water especially in summer season. Make sure that the roots are moist and not water-logged. Generally, they need to give water once or twice a week in winter season, however water them at least three times a week in hot climate conditions.

Adequate sunlight is vital for their healthy and vigorous growth. The most perfect place for these Orchid plants is the east facing area where morning sunlight will reach the plant and the hot afternoon sun will not be able to shine over it.

Epidendrum Orchids can grow to the height from 6 inches to 6 feet. Therefore, they are best for outdoor, garden, or greenhouse environments.

Whatsoever type of Epidendrum Orchid you select to grow, following the tips discussed in this article will make it easy for you to get the maximum pleasure from these attractive Orchids.

You might want to read more about Blue Orchids, Vanila Orchids or Oncidium Orchids.

Orchids normally require an adequate amount of continuous availability of mineral nutrients. Although they are making their own food by the process of photosynthesis in which they use water, carbon dioxide and energy from the sun, they surely need some special kind of fertilizers to grow and flourish properly.

Seventeen different components have been identified that are necessary for the growth of Orchid plant. Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K) are needed in larger amounts and are called “macro nutrients”. Whereas elements such as Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Zinc (Z), and Copper (Cu) are required in much smaller amounts and are known as “micro nutrients” or “trace elements”.

Almost every commercial Orchid fertilizer is marked with three numbers, like 10-20-30. These numbers show the percentage by weight of the macro nutrients that are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K), in the fertilizer.

The properties of these three macro nutrients are as follows:

Nitrogen (N) is essential for the growth of stem and leaves, and gives them a rich green color.

Phosphorous (P) helps in the development of roots and flowers.

Potassium (K) aids in building Orchid tissues, and is also necessary for the production of chlorophyll.

Any fertilizer is considered to be complete and balanced when it contains N, P, and K in the equal ratio. Some of the fertilizers used for the Orchid plant are in ratio of 20-20-20, 10-10-10, and 30-10-10. Only nitrogen element can be added more than other two elements because it helps in giving the plant rich green color that is very useful in the healthy growth of Orchid plant.

Orchids grow best when given the water soluble fertilizers which are easily available and also easy to use. These fertilizers should be given to the plant in every 2-3 weeks.

Orchid plants warn you by showing some specific symptoms when they are not given the proper and appropriate food. Some of these symptoms are as follows:

• A lack of nitrogen stops the growth and makes the leave turn yellow at the tip, whereas excess nitrogen bears fast, soft, and flaccid growth.

• Inadequate phosphorus sometimes causes a brownish-purple discoloration, and also turns the tips of the leaves into yellow and the edges burn and dry.

• Improper and insufficient fertilizers make the growth of the Orchid plants slow, whereas very dark green leaves that are limp shows that the plant has been over-fertilized.

The Orchid plants require starting feeding when they begin to grow. For the novice, it is best to use the Orchid food which is commonly used among the Orchid growers.

There are several things which should be considered before buying Orchids. They are as follows:

• Before buying the plant, make sure that the plant is mature enough to bloom sooner than the seedlings. It becomes especially important if you are a novice. Mature plants are stronger and they need less care than the young plants.
• Select the plant which is best suited to your growing atmosphere. The most suitable type of Orchid is Phalaenopsis for the novices.
• You should be honest about the environment you can give to the Orchid plant. If your plant needs full sunlight then placing it in indirect light will be inadequate for its growth.
• You can buy Orchid plant from grocery store or garden center but before buying you need to examine the health of plant. You can also buy them from online Orchid suppliers but you should be careful about their prices. Paying high price for an unhealthy plant is just wastage of money.
• It is important to examine the plant closely before buying. The plant should be healthy, strong and should have firm leaves and bulbs; its leaves should be uniformly green.
• If you can see the roots of the plant then they should be firm and white with green tips. Dead roots show that the plant is not healthy.
• Don’t choose the plant having wet and decaying potting mix. Select the plant having moist media.
• If you want to choose the plant which is about to bloom then buy one having half its flowers open and the rest in bud.
• Don’t try to buy the plant having lots of flowers if it is bad health overall. It will soon give you great disappointment by withering away completely.
• Try to buy the Orchid plant which is labeled with its full name, i.e. its species name or hybrid name. It will help you in learning more about that specific plant.

By following these tips before buying the Orchid plant, you can get the Orchid plant that could stay with you for several years. Checkout our Growing Orchids section to read more about it.

Many of Oncidium Orchids are epiphyte having their roots exposed to the air. Some kinds of Oncidium Orchids include Aspasia, Brassia, Mitonias, and many of their hybrids. Some of its species have the bloom sprays that are over ten feet long. The flowers having long life are mostly in shades of yellow and brown with infrequent strokes of other different colors. Some give the impression of dancing dolls, and others appear to be showers of gold.

Oncidium Orchids grow well indoors. Usually they like cool to intermediate temperatures, indirect sunlight, and plenty of water. Some small Oncidium Orchids prefer warmth and can easily grow under lights. These types of Orchids can also grow under artificial light.

Different types of Oncidium Orchids need different temperature. Generally they prefer 55 to 60 F at night, and 80 to 85 F during daytime. They can also tolerate the temperatures 95 to 100 F if moisture and air circulation is increased with the rise in temperature.

These Orchids need to be given water every 2 to 10 days depending on weather conditions, potting medium, pot size and Orchid species.

Humidity level of these Orchids must be kept in between 30 and 60 percent. At home, humidity level can be increased by placing the plant on the moist rocks and pebbles in a tray filled with water.

When the Orchid plants are growing actively, they should be given appropriate and proper fertilizers. Plants having bark-based potting mix should be given 30-10-10 formulations fertilizer twice a month whereas plants in other potting medium need to provide fertilizer with 20-20-20 formulations.

By giving little extra attention to these Orchid plants, they can flourish well and will give vivid blooms that will surely add beauty to the whole environment.

Oncidium Orchids have such a variety of flowers that these flowers can easily change the look of any place whether it is home or an office. That is why they are in high demand by the flower lovers and Orchid collectors.

These Orchids can eliminate the dull and boring environment of the office or house. They can be placed in the nice vase or pot to decorate the center tables, can be used in functions and get together parties.

You can also present Oncidium Orchids as the gift to your friends, colleagues, and relatives. They prove to be a wonderful gift as they have vibrant colors and forms. An Orchid plant in a nice pot is an ideal gift.

Butterfly Orchids include species of Orchid family like Phalaenopsis, Epidendrum tampense, O. Pupilio, Habenaria psycodes, and Oncidium krameranum. Because of their vibrant and attractive colors, these species are thought to be the most beautiful types.
Butterfly Orchids have two types. They are:

• Lesser Butterfly Orchid
• Greater Butterfly Orchid

Lesser Butterfly Orchid is a beautiful plant having cream white blooms tinged with green. The good thing about Lesser Butterfly Orchids is that they can easily grow on different types of soil whether it is acidic soil, overlying sand, gravel, or clay.
These Orchids are very tolerant to wet circumstances and are mostly found in meadows, grasslands, open areas, woodland edges, and on highlands and heaths. They bear flowers mostly in June and July. Their flowers are comparatively smaller, are more clustered and somewhat whiter than the Greater Butterfly Orchids.
One flower spike can bear up to 25 white blooms tinged with yellowish green. The Lesser Butterfly Orchid grows to a height of about 30cms.

Greater Butterfly Orchid is very much alike in shape to the Lesser Butterfly Orchid, but they can be differentiated by examining closely into the spur of the bloom.

In Greater Butterfly Orchid, the spur is wide, opened and down turned, with two pollinia (clumps of pollen) diverging from each other at the tops, whereas in Lesser Butterfly Orchid the spur is horizontal and the pollinia are quite perpendicular. The blossom spike of Greater Butterfly Orchid is also wider in overall look.

The Greater Butterfly Orchids are less tolerant of acid conditions than Lesser Butterfly Orchid, and can only be found on moors and on swampy grounds. They can grow to a height of about 50cms.

Both these Butterfly Orchid types are popular among the most Orchid collectors. Apart from other Orchid varieties, these Orchids are quite easy to grow and cultivate. But they do need specific care and attention.

A novice can start growing Butterfly Orchid by selecting the suitable soil for it. Proper and constant humidity is also essential for these Orchids. Placing the Orchid pot on a tray full of pebbles and pouring water in that tray would be enough to provide the adequate humidity to the plant. These Orchid plants also need to be given regular fertilizers. A dilute solution of fertilizers is considered as the most beneficial for the Orchid plant. You need to mix the fertilizer in the water and feed the plant at least once in a month. Last but not the least, these Orchids require to be placed near a window for proper air circulation.

Butterfly Orchids are fun to grow at home or in the garden. By taking little care of them, you can enjoy having bright colored flowers every year.

There are the varieties of Vanilla Orchids which are the species of 110 types of the family of Orchids. These comprise the Vanilla Planifola species that is cultivated worldwide for commercial use in different food items.

Vanilla Orchid was first discovered in 16th century by Aztec Indians. French were the first one who cultivated its bean commercially in the Indian Ocean especially Madagascar.

The Vanilla Orchid is the true type of Epiphyte and belongs to the damp rain forests of Central and South America, Mexico, and Madagascar. In those regions, this Orchid takes 7 to 8 years to become fully grown plant.

The aroma of real Vanilla is unique and can be distinguished easily. In aromatherapy, the fragrance of Vanilla is utilized for a number of different purposes. Some of them are:

• Aphrodisiac
• Restfulness
• Intensifying the admiration of beauty
• Escalating the beauty attunement
• Uplifting

When it comes to growing Vanilla Orchid, it can be cultivated indoors as well as outdoors. But the plant needs proper and regular care to become fully mature. It requires the appropriate medium, proper watering timetable, adequate light, suitable fertilizing, and accurate level of moist to develop into a strong and healthier plant that can bear flowers and Vanilla pods.

Vanilla Orchids need minimum three years before they bear fruit. Each flower of the plant produces small, pale greenish yellow Orchids and looks like Cattleya Orchids. These flowers have 12 to 20 buds and take more than a month to open. At that time, all of them are ready for pollination. Plant in good health and in appropriate environment bear more than 1000 flowers in a season, each lasts for only one day.

Along with producing a flower, Vanilla Orchid also bears the seed pods. These seed pods are used as Vanilla. They usually dry in more than 6 months. Scientific methods are also used to produce more seed pods for commercial purposes.

Some Orchid lovers want to have this plant because of its aroma, and beautiful flowers which add beauty to their environment as well as give fragrance that soothes our mind and senses.

Orchids of almost all kinds are available in silk Orchids. In past, plastic was used to make stem and leaves and different clothes were used to make flowers. But nowadays, the silk and nylon are used to make the flowers that look real and give you the impact of genuine and true flowers.

Silk or artificial Orchids are used for multipurpose. They are available in several different types and colors that they can be set and arranged in innumerable ways. They can be potted alone or combined with matching flowers. The general look of the flowers decorations are highly impacted by the container in which they are placed. Luckily, variety of different stylish vases, pots, and containers are available in the market. You simply need to know the size and shape of the container that best fits in your home or office interior.

The popularity of silk Orchids has been increased rapidly by past few years because they have many advantages over genuine Orchids.

A person who is suffering from flower allergy but love Orchids can enjoy having as many Orchids as he wants in silk or artificial form.

Another advantage of silk Orchids is that you can even buy those Orchid types which are not easily available in your region or country. These fake Orchids can be a great gift you can proudly present to your friends or colleagues.

In wedding ceremonies and functions, silk Orchids can be a great choice because they are not sensitive to heat and cold, therefore, they do not need care that real Orchids need and can also be reuse in other functions. They are also used in different party decorations worldwide. They are getting more popularity across the world because they are inexpensive whereas the real Orchids are very costly. Some varieties of Orchids are hard to find in real form in some parts of world.

Silk Orchids give you the loveliness of these eye-catching flowers without the high price and much care. Like all other flowers, silk Orchids can easily be bought from decoration-pieces shops, and even from online stores.

Decorations and arrangements of silk Orchids adorn any place. It gives you the great pleasure and relaxing sensation when you see these lovely Orchids in your living room after a long, hectic and tiresome day.

The most pleasant things about these Orchids are that they are easily affordable, do not demand the maintenance, never wither away, and last long; yet they give you all the visual worth of the real and true Orchid flowers.

The most important part of the Orchid plant is roots as the health of the whole plant depends on them. Mostly the Orchids grown in the houses, greenhouses, and gardens are epiphytes. They originate from regions having tropical conditions which are most favorable for the plant growth. Some Orchids, that are inhabitant of temperate climates such as Cypripediums, start out growing on the ground. Conversely, thousands of plants grow in tropical regions, causing the shortage of growing space. Therefore, epiphytic Orchids start climbing into shrubs and trees in search of more light. They have roots which support them in climbing into higher places.

Orchid roots have two cores. The inner core is called Cortex which is very hard and contains sustenance, whereas the outer core is known as Velamen which is fairly an amazing material as it absorbs water, oxygen, minerals from the fertilizer, and adheres to any support so well that it becomes very difficult to detach these gripping roots. Thus, these Orchids exploit any moisture or nutrients with help of their roots.

Different Orchid species have different roots. Some species have large, round, and thick roots having a diameter of approximately 2 cm, others are thin like hair. The color of Orchid roots also varies a lot. They can be white, silver, grey, brown, red, purple, or green. These roots can be scaly, smooth, spiky, or warty. Some Orchid growers are so experienced that they can tell the type of an Orchid just by looking at their roots.

When growing Orchids at home, it is important to take good care of Orchid roots. Generally, they need proper air circulation which can be provided by putting Orchid plant in a pot having big holes on its sides and also at the bottom.

Apart from holed-pot, the potting mix also plays a vital role in providing adequate air flow. It is highly recommended to use specialized for Orchids potting mix for the healthy growth as they are made up of both organic (e.g. fir bark) and inorganic (e.g. nitrogen) elements.

It should be remembered that roots are more essential than flowers as the plant will not survive without roots. Orchid plants get the surviving strength and necessary minerals from their roots. In order to make the Orchid plant live long and bear colorful flowers yearly, their roots should be kept healthy.

Many people prefer Orchids as gifts for a number of different occasions such as wedding ceremonies, birthdays, graduation, Mother’s Day, and even Valentine’s Day. There are thousands of various kinds of flowers available throughout the year but Orchids are in high demand. Orchids are beautiful and refreshing flowers and many people love to place Orchids in their drawing room or living room.

Orchids can be bought from florists, nurseries, or greenhouses, but with the advanced technology, they are also available online. You can send Orchids to your loved ones in other countries through online Orchid malls. These online malls offer a wide range of different kinds of Orchids, and also all necessary information about them.

Besides Orchid flowers and Orchid bouquets, you can also know through these online malls about the major activities held at different parts of the world regarding Orchids and also the services and supplies information. These Orchid malls also offer complete information about Orchid art, paintings, jewelry, sculptures, books, DVDs, CDs, and many others.

Some well-known online Orchid malls also present complimentary gifts such as gourmet baskets, rare plants, and chocolates. Sending Orchids through online malls is not only convenient but also add a special touch to the present.

The online Orchid malls have a great advantage that they save a lot time. Customers can order any Orchid product from online catalogs. Generally, these product catalogs contain photographs of different Orchid arrangements to make it easier for the customers to select from them.

Another advantage is that these online Orchid malls are not time bounded. Customers can buy any product online at any time they want. The majority of online malls provide almost every kind of consulting services for different occasions such as weddings, birthdays, and even funerals. Those Orchid growers who have launched their own websites provide the detailed information e.g. contact numbers, mailing address, delivery service areas, charges, and product catalogs. Usually, almost all online Orchid malls give fast and reliable home delivery service.

Hence, online Orchid malls not only offer total Orchid-buying convenience from unlimited selection, but also provide a lot of information about different Orchid species.