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Plant Types / Orchids


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Orchids

Orchids are a diverse and beautiful group of plants that come in a range of colors, shapes, and sizes. Here are some key facts and information about growing them:

  • Orchids are a type of flowering plant that can be found in almost every part of the world, from tropical rainforests to arid deserts.
  • There are over 25,000 species, making them one of the largest families of flowering plants.
  • Orchids are prized for their exquisite flowers, which come in a variety of colors and patterns.
  • They can be grown as houseplants, in greenhouses, or in outdoor gardens, depending on the species and growing conditions. Some popular species of hardy orchids, including the lady's slipper orchid, the bee orchid, and the bog orchid, are a great addition to any garden. Unlike their tropical counterparts, they can tolerate frost and require a period of cold dormancy to bloom successfully. 
  • Orchids require specific growing conditions, including the right amount of light, water, and humidity. Some species require cooler temperatures, while others thrive in warmer environments.
  • They can be propagated through division, stem cuttings, or by using keiki paste to encourage the growth of new shoots.
  • Orchids are often associated with symbolism and have been used in traditional medicine and cultural practices for centuries.
  • Some popular types of orchids include Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobium, and Oncidium.
  • Orchid flowers can be prone to pests and diseases, including mealybugs, scale insects, and root rot, so proper care and maintenance are important.
  • Orchid enthusiasts and collectors often join orchid societies or attend orchid shows to learn more about these fascinating plants and connect with other enthusiasts.

Growing orchids can be a rewarding and enjoyable hobby, but it does require some specialized knowledge and care. With the right growing conditions and attention to detail, you can enjoy the beauty of these unique and stunning plants in your own home or garden.

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Bletilla formosana (Taiwan Ground Orchid)

Bletilla formosana (Taiwan Ground Orchid) is a deciduous terrestrial perennial orchids with arching, linear green leaves, and loose spikes of up to 6 nodding pale-pink or white flowers with lips marked with deep yellow and red spots. Blooming in late spring to early summer, the blossoms are borne on wiry stems above the foliage. Arising from pseudobulbs, the foliage remains fresh-looking during the entire growing season before fading and disappearing in the fall.

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Bletilla striata 'Alba' (Chinese Ground Orchid)

Unlike many orchids, Bletilla striata 'Alba' (Chinese Ground Orchid) is an easy-to-care-for hardy terrestrial orchid. It produces small, cattleya-like, pure white flowers, 1 in. (2.5 cm). Borne in elegant racemes of 5-10 blossoms, they rise artfully above the foliage. Each exotic-looking flower has five spreading petals with an undulating, furrowed lower lip. Blooming for about 4-6 weeks in early to mid-summer, the flowers open from the bottom of the raceme and progress to the top.

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Bletilla striata 'Big Bob' (Chinese Ground Orchid)

Unlike many orchids, Bletilla striata 'Bib Bob' (Chinese Ground Orchid) is an easy-to-care-for hardy terrestrial orchid. It produces small, cattleya-like, rose-lavender flowers, 2 in. (5 cm), adorned with dark lavender highlights. Borne in elegant racemes of up to 20 orchids, they rise artfully above the foliage. Each exotic-looking flower has five spreading petals with an undulating, furrowed lower lip. Blooming for about 4-6 weeks in late spring to early summer, the flowers open from the bottom of the raceme and progress to the top.

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Bletilla striata 'Kuchibeni' (Chinese Ground Orchid)

Unlike many orchids, Bletilla striata 'Kuchibeni' (Chinese Ground Orchid) is an easy-to-care-for hardy terrestrial orchid. It produces small, cattleya-like, soft pink to white flowers with a marked pink flush around the lip. Borne in elegant racemes, they rise artfully above the foliage. Each exotic-looking flower has five spreading petals with an undulating, furrowed lower lip. Blooming for about 4-6 weeks in early to mid-summer, the flowers open from the bottom of the raceme and progress to the top.

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Bletilla striata 'Shi-Ran' (Chinese Ground Orchid)

Unlike many orchids, Bletilla striata 'Shi-Ran' (Chinese Ground Orchid) is an easy-to-care-for hardy terrestrial orchid. It produces small, cattleya-like, purple-pink flowers, 2 in. (5 cm). Borne in elegant racemes of up to 7 orchids, they rise artfully above the foliage. Each exotic-looking flower has five spreading petals with an undulating, furrowed lower lip.

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Bletilla striata (Chinese Ground Orchid)

Unlike many orchids, award-winning Bletilla striata (Chinese Ground Orchid) is an easy-to-care-for hardy terrestrial orchid. It produces small, cattleya-like, pinkish-purple flowers, 2 in. wide (5 cm), in pretty racemes of up to 12 blooms. Rising artfully above the foliage, each exotic-looking flower has five spreading petals with an undulating, furrowed lower lip. Blooming for about 4-6 weeks in early to mid-summer, the flowers open from the bottom of the raceme and progress to the top.

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Brassavola nodosa (Lady of the Night)

Brassavola nodosa (Lady of the Night) is a medium-sized epiphytic or lithophytic orchid species boasting extremely fragrant flowers throughout the year. The blossoms, 4 in. across (10 cm), emit a citrus fragrance at night. Each flower features long, slender, pale green or creamy-white sepals and petals, and a large, heart-shaped lip sometimes adorned with purple or dark red spotting.

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Calanthe 'Takane' (Hardy Orchid)

Calanthe 'Katane' (Hardy Orchid) is a terrestrial orchid with charming spires of flowers in shades of yellow, cream, and soft apricot. Blooming in mid to late spring, they are borne on erect stems above the foliage of 2-3 heavily pleated, oblong, evergreen leaves. The foliage usually survives all but the coldest winters within its growing range.

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Calanthe discolor (Japanese Hardy Orchid)

Calanthe discolor (Japanese Hardy Orchid) is a terrestrial orchid with ravishing sprays of up to 10 tiny mahogany and white flowers, variably-flushed with green or pale pink. Blooming in mid to late spring, they are borne on 10 in. stems (25 cm) above the foliage of 2-3 heavily pleated, oblong, evergreen or semi-evergreen leaves, up to 12 in. long (30 cm). The foliage usually survives all but the coldest winters within its growing range.

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Calanthe reflexa (Hardy Calanthe Orchid)

Blooming when other species are becoming dormant, Calanthe reflexa (Hardy Calanthe Orchid) is a terrestrial orchid forming small clumps with 4 or 5 flowering stems bearing up to 25 scented flowers. Blooming in succession in mid-summer to early fall, the delicate blossoms feature pale lilac petals set around an elongated purple-violet lip. They are borne on a long unbranched flower spike above the foliage of long pleated, evergreen leaves.

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Calanthe sieboldii (Japanese Hardy Orchid)

Calanthe sieboldii (Japanese Hardy Orchid) is a terrestrial orchid with bold and showy spires of brilliant yellow flowers, sometimes flushed brown. Blooming in mid to late spring, they are borne on erect stems above the foliage of 2-3 heavily pleated, oblong, evergreen leaves. The foliage usually survives all but the coldest winters within its growing range.

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Calanthe tricarinata (Hardy Calanthe Orchid)

Calanthe tricarinata (Hardy Calanthe Orchid) is an evergreen to semi-evergreen terrestrial orchid boasting racemes of exquisite nodding flowers adorned with yellow-green tepals and reddish-brown lower lips. Blooming in late winter to early spring, they are borne on erect stems above the foliage of elliptic to lance-shaped, ribbed, mid-green leaves. The foliage is evergreen in milder climates

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Calopogon tuberosus (Grass Pink)

Calopogon tuberosus (Grass Pink) is a delicate, sweetly fragrant orchid boasting graceful, willowy stems bearing several long-lasting flowers, 2 in. across (5 cm), opening in sequence in spring and summer.

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Calypso bulbosa (Fairy Slipper)

Calypso bulbosa (Fairy Slipper) is a deciduous, terrestrial orchid boasting a slender, upright stem usually bearing a solitary, nodding, fragrant flower (rarely 2 flowers), 1 in. across (2.5 cm), with bright pink to magenta petals and sepals. Quite showy, the inflated, slipper-like lip is white to pale pink with purple speckling and a crest of yellow or white hairs.

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Cattleya bicolor (Corsage Orchid)

Cattleya bicolor (Corsage Orchid) is an epiphytic orchid boasting 2-5 inflorescences giving rise to highly fragrant, long-lived flowers. Blooming in the spring and early summer, occasionally in the fall, the scented blossoms, 4 in. across (10 cm), feature green sepals and petals flushed with bronze and a rich crimson-purple lip.

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