Identifying Your Mother’s Day Orchid

Identifying your Mother’s Day orchid is an important part of basic orchid care. Since Moth Orchids are the most popular varieties, they’re the best place to start. It’s likely that your gift is a Moth Orchid, or Phal, like those in the first row of photos below. This is only a small sampling of countless Moth Orchid colors, patterns, and sizes. They come in many hues, including whites, pinks, yellows, reds, and purples.

Moth Orchid, Phalaenopsis hybrid, Phal flower, Pacific Orchid Expo 2016, San Francisco, CaliforniaPhalaenopsis Taida Lime, Moth Orchid hybrid, Phal flower and buds, Pacific Orchid Expo 2016, San Francisco, CaliforniaPhalaenopsis Little Pink Gem, Moth Orchid hybrid, Phal flowers, Pacific Orchid Expo 2015, San Francisco, California

Lady Slippers, shown in the next row of photos, are also favorite gift orchids. Their distinctive, pouch-shaped flower lips make them easy to identify. Their colors include whites, pinks, greens, reds, and yellows.

Paphiopedilum flower, Lady Slipper, Pacific Orchid Expo 2015, San Francisco, CaliforniaPaphiopedilum flower, Lady Slipper, Pacific Orchid Expo 2014, San Francisco, CaliforniaPaphiopedilum Petula's Glory, Lady Slipper hybrid flower, Pacific Orchid Expo 2015, San Francisco, California

Cattleyas, such as the next photo below, are popular corsage flowers, and often have sweet scents.

Cymbidiums, shown in the middle picture, come in reds, whites, pinks, yellows, greens, and browns.

Dendrobiums, like the last photo of this row, are a diverse group of orchids. Den Phals are the most common types.

Cattleya hybrid flower, Pacific Orchid Expo 2014, San Francisco, CaliforniaCymbidium hybrid flowers, Pacific Orchid Expo 2015, San Francisco, CaliforniaDendrobium Osos Dream, orchid hybrid flowers, Pacific Orchid Expo 2014, San Francisco, California

Epidendrums, like the first picture in the next row, come in reds, yellows, oranges, pinks, greens, purples, and whites.

Miltoniopsis earn their nickname Pansy Orchid from their resemblance to pansy flowers.

Oncidiums, shown in the final photo, are also known as Dancing Lady Orchids. Their sprays of small flowers seem to sway together in a breeze.

Epidendrum hybrid flowers, Pacific Orchid Expo 2013, San Francisco, CaliforniaMiltoniopsis hybrid flowers, Pansy Orchids, Pacific Orchid Expo 2013, San Francisco, CaliforniaOncidium hybrid flowers, Dancing Lady Orchids, Pacific Orchid Expo 2015, San Francisco, California

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