Paphiopedilum Orchids

Opinion varies easiest orchids to grow, but there are three varieties that appear again and again. These three orchids are Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum. One of the best things about the culture of these three orchids is that they have very similar temperature and water requirements which makes them particularly well "roommates" and they are easy to maintain, if you decide to branch out and grow several different varieties of orchids

Cattleya orchids are orchids favorite of the American Orchid Society, America's Most prestigious company of orchids. You probably bought a large handsome flower Cattleya at one time or another for your mother for Mother's Day or a corsage for your prom Junior. At one time the flowers were almost always the 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 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 in diameter - a beautiful flower. Most flowers once a year.

Phalaenopsis orchids are often called "moth orchids because their flowers resemble moths or butterflies. Phalaenopsis orchid is considered America's favorite. There are currently more than fifty known species in existence. The first mention in literature of Phalaenopsis was Carl Linnaeus, the "Father of Botany" in 1753. Native to the Philippines and Australia, the Phalaenopsis is available in a riot of colors and even in "models" . You can find Phalaenopsis orchids with dots and stripes!

They are considered the easiest orchids to grow in the house. It is the most popular orchids grown today. According to the American Orchid Society, 75% of all cultivated orchids Phalaenopsis orchids are today. They sport long sprays of flowers that last for weeks and sometimes months. The flowers are very fragrant and the leaves are very attractive - dark green and shiny. This type of orchid is epiphytic or growing on trees.

The third variety is Paphiopedilum orchids. It is the lady slipper orchids because of their resemblance to the little slippers. Paphiopedilum was named by Ernst Hugo Heinrich Pfitzer in 1886, for the temple of Paphos on the island of Cyprus. Pedilum is derived from "pedilon" the Greek word for slipper. Most of these orchids are terrestrial and live naturally on the ground. There are over 80 species currently known to be in existence. They are native to Asia and are often considered the range of most interest to producers of the house. The flowers are available in a wide variety of configurations and colors of the Gambia. Slipper orchids bloom for several weeks and, like Phalaenopsis leaves are very attractive if they are beautiful, even when not in bloom.

All orchids above cattleyas, Paphiopedilum and Phalaenopsis are easy to care for orchids and are great for a novice user to choose as his first project in the cultivation of orchids.