So many orchids: types and features

Orchids are one of the largest and most remarkable families of flowering plants. They range from tiny species with flowers a few millimetres across to giants with metre-long sprays, from epiphytes of tropical forests to modest inhabitants of Ukrainian meadows. Here is what makes orchids unique and which ones grow best at home.

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The orchid family

The orchid family, Orchidaceae, has around 28,000 species — one of the two largest flowering plant families, alongside the daisy family. There are even more man-made hybrids and cultivars, over 100,000. Orchids grow on every continent except Antarctica, but most species are tropical, and many live on trees as epiphytes. Vanilla is an orchid too — the best-known “edible” orchid, grown for its spice.

Botanists divide the family into five subfamilies. The largest are Epidendroideae (which includes most houseplant orchids) and Orchidoideae (many terrestrial species), while slipper orchids form the subfamily Cypripedioideae.

What makes an orchid flower unique

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• Symmetry. An orchid flower can be divided into mirror halves in only one way.
• The lip. One petal, the labellum, differs in shape and colour and acts as a landing pad for pollinators; in slipper orchids it forms the “slipper”.
• The column. Stamens and pistil are fused into a single column.
• Dust seeds. Orchid seeds are among the smallest in the world. They carry no food reserves, so in nature they germinate only with the help of fungi.

Many orchids trick their pollinators by mimicking the scent, colour and even shape of female insects, and some tropical species are pollinated by hummingbirds.

Popular indoor orchids

• Phalaenopsis — the most popular and easiest: flowers for 2–4 months and copes with room temperatures.
• Dendrobium — flowers along thickened cane-like stems; some species need a cool winter rest.
• Oncidium — branching sprays of many small yellow “dancing lady” flowers.
• Cattleya — large, ruffled, strongly scented flowers; needs bright light.
• Paphiopedilum — the slipper orchid, which grows well in part shade.
• Cambria — a trade name for Oncidium-alliance hybrids with spotted starry flowers.

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Wild orchids of Ukraine

Several dozen wild orchid species grow in Ukraine, including orchis, marsh orchids, butterfly orchids and the lady’s slipper. Many are listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine, so picking or digging them up is prohibited.

Basic care

Most indoor orchids need bright indirect light, a clear pot with bark-based mix, watering by soaking once the mix has dried out, and humid air.

FAQ

How many orchid species are there?

Around 28,000 natural species and more than 100,000 hybrids.

Which orchid is the easiest?

Phalaenopsis — the ideal choice for beginners.

Can I grow orchids from seed at home?

Practically not: the seeds germinate only in sterile lab conditions on a special nutrient medium.

Flowering orchids are available in orchid delivery in Kyiv.

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Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.