How to Tell the Difference Between Different Types of Orchids

Orchids are one of the most popular flower varieties, and with good reason – they are beautiful and offer a lot of variety. That being said, it can be tricky to tell the difference between different types of orchids, which can make choosing one a bit daunting. In this article, we’ll teach you the basics of identifying different types of orchids so that you can choose the right one for your needs.

What is an Orchid?

An Orchid is a type of flower that is closely related to the lily family. There are many different types of orchids, but all of them share one common feature: they have an operculum, which is a lid-like structure that hangs down over the flower’s ovary. Orchids are unique in that they can vary enormously in their size and shape, and some even have two or more stem systems.

Orchid flowers come in many colors and patterns, and some varieties can even produce fragrance. They make great additions to any garden, and are especially popular among collectors.

If you’re interested in growing orchids, be sure to check out our blog for tips and advice on how to do so!

The Different Types of Orchids

Orchids come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, with over 1,500 species currently known. They can be found growing in both temperate and tropical climates, and some orchids even require special care to thrive.

There are three main types of orchids: monocots, dicots, and tricots. Monocots are the simplest type of orchid, with just one leaf on the stem. Dicots have two leaves on the stem, while tricots have three leaves. All three types of orchids produce flowers.

To identify an orchid, look for its characteristics. Monocots have a single row of sepals (the outermost petal), while dicots have two rows of sepals. Tricots have three rows of sepals. The labellum (the middle petal) is also different for each type of orchid; monocots have a lobed labellum, dicots have a funnel-shaped labellum, and tricots have a lobeless labellum.

How to identify Orchids By Growing Conditions 

When looking to identify the different types of orchids, it’s sometimes best to look into the growing conditions as different orchids do better than others based on the growing environment. By a process of elimination we can normally work out the orchid type based on humidity levels. Here is a short overview of which orchids grow in certain environments and do better under certain humidity conditions.  

Cypripediums: These are some of the most popular orchids because they have such a wide variety of colors and patterns. They tend to grow in cool, moist environments, and need regular watering.

Dendrobiums: These orchids come in a wide variety of colors and can be quite tall. They require medium to high humidity levels and should be watered regularly.

Phalaenopsis: These orchids are among the most commonly available and come in many different colors and styles. They do best in areas with medium to high humidity levels and should be watered once a week.

Cattleya: Cattleyas are some of the most challenging orchids to grow, but they often produce very showy flowers. They need high humidity levels and temperatures that stay below 78 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).

Laelia: These orchids grow best in areas with high humidity, and they produce large, showy flowers. They should be watered regularly and kept at a temperature between 68 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit (20 and 27 degrees Celsius).

Vanda: Vandas are among the easiest orchids to grow, but they do require a lot of light to flower. They should be grown in bright, sunny areas and should be watered regularly.

How to Tell the Difference Between Different Types of Orchids

There is a lot of information out there about orchids, and it can be hard to tell the difference between different types of orchids. In this section we will discuss the different types of orchids and how to tell them apart.

Types of Orchids:

1. Dendrobium – These orchids are mostly found in warm climates and typically have long, slender stems. They are some of the easiest orchids to grow, but they also require a fair amount of light and humidity.

2. Epidendrum – These orchids are commonly found in cooler climates, and their stems may be shorter than those of Dendrobiums. They also tend to grow more slowly than other types of orchids, but they make great additions to flower gardens because they can tolerate less light than other orchid varieties.

3. Cattleya – Cattleyas are one of the most popular orchid varieties, and their flowers can be quite complex. They need moderate light and humidity, but prefer cool temperatures during the growing season (although they will tolerate warm temperatures).

4. Phalaenopsis – These orchids come in a wide variety of colors, and often require less light than other types of orchids. They also do well with medium to high humidity levels and can tolerate temperatures that range from 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) to 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius).

5. Cypripedium – Cypripediums are some of the most popular orchids because they have such a wide variety of colors and patterns. They grow best in warm, moist climates, but can be grown indoors if you have proper lighting and humidity conditions.

Types of Orchids by Region:

1. Asia: Epidendrum, Dendrobium, Cattleya

2. North America: Phalaenopsis

3. South America: Cypripedium, Cattleya

4. Europe: Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis

5. Central America: Epidendrum, Dendrobium

6. Africa: Cypripedium, Cattleya

7. Australia: Phalaenopsis, Cypripedium

Types of Orchids by Habit:

1. terrestrial orchids that grow on the ground: Dendrobium, Cattleya

2. epiphytic orchids that grow on trees: Epidendrum, Dendrobium

3. lithophytic orchids that grow in rocks and other solid substances: Cypripedium

4. vandaceous orchids that have a thick stem: Vanda, Orchis

5. sympodial orchids that have two sets of leaves near the top of the stem: Aconitum, Schilleriana

If you’re not sure which type of orchid you have, it’s always best to consult a reputable orchid expert.

Identification: Tips and Tricks

Orchids come in all shapes and sizes, with a dazzling array of colors and markings. Even if you’re a flower novice, you can identify orchids by their characteristic petals, which can be divided into five types:

1. Lip orchid: Lip orchids have short, broad petals that are usually shades of purple, pink, or light green. They often have darker markings on the underside of their petals.

2. Paphiopedilum: Paphiopedilum orchids come in a variety of colors including yellow, orange, red, and green. Their petals are long and slender with a slightly pointy end. Some varieties have distinctive frilly edges.

3. Phalaenopsis: Phalaenopsis orchids come in shades of pink, white, yellow, and brown with assorted markings on their petals. The most common type has broad petals that taper to a point at the tip. Some varieties have leaves along the stem instead of petals.

4. Cymbidium: Cymbidium orchids come in shades of blue and purple with frilly edges on their petals. The flowers are typically very small, but they make great decorations for orchid bouquets.5. Oncidium: Oncidiums come in shades of yellow and white with a band of bright colors around their petals. Their petals taper to a point.6. Phalaenopsis: Phalaenopsis orchids come in shades of pink, white, yellow, and brown with assorted markings on their petals. The most common type has broad petals that taper to a point at the tip. Some varieties have leaves along the stem instead of petals. 

7. Vandas: Vandas come in shades of white, pink or yellow with two or three petals that meet at the top and a belly band of contrasting colors.

8. Vanda Orchid: Vanda orchids come in shades of pink, red, purple, yellow, orange and white with one to three petals with a bright band around the top.

9. Zingiber: Zingiber orchids come in shades of greenish blue, dark blue and white with frilly edges on their petals. The flowers can be large but they make terrific decorations for an orchid bouquet.

10. Zygopetalum: Zygopetalums are very similar to Phalaenopsis but they tend to be a little more spiky in their appearance. They have three petals that are arranged around the center and they may not have frilly edges but they still make beautiful arrangements. 

11. Zodia: Zodia orchids come in shades of green, purple, red and yellow with three petals. They are quite small so they will make great decorations for a vase or on a table.

So, now you know the basics of identifying different types of orchids.

If you’re interested in growing orchids, be sure to check out our blog for tips and advice on how to do so!

Conclusion

Orchids are a beautiful, delicate flower that can be tricky to identify. In this article, we discussed the different types of orchids and how to tell them apart. Hopefully, after reading this article you will have a better understanding of what kind of orchid you are looking at and be able to correctly identify it. Thank you for taking the time to read this article!

Make sure to check out Growlands Orchid Food for that added boost in Orchid Growth.