Coelia is easy to pronounce; just ignore the “o” and say “Celia” like the woman’s name. In the wild, it grows as an epiphyte or a terrestrial in rainforests up to 5000 feet (1500 m) in elevation. In cultivation, it needs frequent watering, shady conditions, and winter dormancy. This species tolerates a wide range of temps. However, it doesn’t like repotting, and extra care is needed to avoid damage to roots.

The blooms can be as large as 2 inches (5 cm,) but this plant enjoying life on my back deck has slightly smaller 1.5 inch (3.8 cm) flowers. Besides this variety, another member of the Coelia genus in the final photo has tiny white flowers. This species, Coelia triptera, was on display at a local orchid show. Like Coelia bella, it’s also fragrant.

Australian Dendrobiums, like the next 3 photos, are also popular. Many have rich fragrances. With their incredible diversity, Dendrobiums exemplify the deficiency of one-size-fits-all orchid care instructions. Some grow in hot, steamy jungles, while others grow on cold, windy mountains. As natives to a huge area, from India east to Japan, Australia, and the South Pacific, no single recipe can cover their care. However, they do share commonalities. Most want bright light with morning sun, good humidity, and winter dormancy.

Dendrobium plants come in many forms, but they most commonly have tall, thick plant stems called pseudobulbs or canes. In the next photo, lovely white and purple flowers bloom atop the canes of a Nobile type Dendrobium. Nobile types may drop all their leaves over winter, causing inexperienced growers to think a plant is dead and discard it. Ironically, some kinds flower after they drop their leaves, and their brilliant colors stand out on the bare canes. Other varieties have twisted petals or masses of brilliantly hued blooms.

There’s certainly no shortage of astonishing shapes and colors in the Dendrobium family. They’re true tropical beauties.

• Orchids with pseudobulbs are entering dormancy. If they sport swollen stems like those in the first photo below, they may only need water once or twice per month over winter. Too much water can cause rot, or mess up the plant’s flowering schedule. Cut back on fertilizer, too.
• Orchids without pseudobulbs, like Phals, Paphs, and Masdevallias, don’t go dormant. However, with seasonally lower light levels and cooler temps, it’s best to reduce their water and fertilizer slightly.
• All orchids need good humidity, but home and office heating can dry the air like an arid desert. Low humidity can cause blooms to wilt, and invite pests like spider mites, mealybugs, and scale. Find helpful tips to raise humidity here.
• Consider adding extra light to compensate for the weak winter sun.
• Members of the Cattleya family, like the red and yellow hybrid in the second photo below, may be affected by too many hours of artificial light. They require long, dark nights to trigger flowering. Keep them away from any artificial light at night.
• Remove dead leaves or flowers. This helps limit hiding places for unwelcome pests or disease.
• Don’t panic if a few older leaves wither and drop. Some varieties of Dendrobiums, like the cool grower in the final photo below, lose all their leaves. Other types, like Cycnoches, Epipactis, and Thunia, are also deciduous. Continue to give them bright light and good humidity. Water when their pseudobulbs start to shrivel, only once or twice per month.

• Bring warm growers indoors before temps fall too much. Take the opportunity to remove any leaf or flower debris. Check for pests, paying attention to leaf undersides and the potting media. A little prevention now can save a lot of headaches later, so I always spray with insecticidal soap before bringing orchids inside.
• Increase light levels to compensate for fall’s weakening sunlight and shorter days. Consider adding artificial light as a supplement. For all varieties, even lower-light Phals and Paphs, providing some direct morning sun can keep them happy until spring. Make any light increase gradually over 2 weeks to avoid burning leaves.
• As home and office heating systems switch on, they dry the air. Pay extra attention to maintaining high humidity. Dry air invites pests.
• Many orchids are moving into a dormant stage. Slowly reduce watering for Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, Dendrobiums, Epidendrums, Miltonias, Odonts, Oncidiums, Vandas, and any other variety with pseudobulbs. Begin to cut back on fertilizer as well.

To grow this variety, place in bright light with some direct sun. Water every other day (more if it’s warm,) and keep in cool, breezy conditions. They enjoy regular fertilizer or a good dose of compost. Keep them drier during winter dormancy.

This species is native to the Andes of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, where it grows at elevations up to 10,500 ft. (3200  m.) At those dizzying heights, it’s no surprise that it prefers temps below 80°F (27°C.) It can survive freezes down to 25°F (-4°C,) but it’s best to avoid such cold temps for plants in cultivation.

Don’t let Cyrtochilum’s name scare you; pronouncation is easier than you might think. Say “sear tow KYE lum” to rhyme with “dear go by him.” Botanists have been debating this beauty’s place in the orchid family tree for years, so it’s sometimes labeled as an Oncidium.

To pronounce it, say “see-LODGE-in-ee.” This species originates in the mountains of Vietnam, where it grows in cloud forests up to 6500 ft. (2000 m) high. It can handle a wide range of temperatures. Mine lives outside all year in the San Francisco fog, and receives some direct sun.

Coelogynes like frequent waterings during spring and summer, and less during winter dormancy. They enjoy regular fertilizer, high humidity, and good air movement. Almost 200 different Coelogyne species include varieties to suit warm, intermediate, or cool climates. They’re great for beginners who are ready to try a challenge beyond hybrids.

Besides the name Charming Lady Slipper, it’s also known as the Snakeskin Orchid. That’s not inspired by the fascinating veins on the flower pouch, but by the blue and green patterning on the leaves. In the wild, it grows as a terrestrial, and enjoys the monsoon rains, which have just started in southern India. In cultivation, this orchid requires daily watering, and can handle cooler temps during winter dormancy. Several color variations exist. Along with yellow color forms, many have red and maroon hues.

By the end of May, San Francisco’s rainy season has usually given way to the dry season, but this year’s weather seems anything but typical. Fortunately we’ve had nothing like the violent storms in other parts of the country. Instead, a cool, wet spring is keeping the garden well hydrated. The light rains and mild temps have eased my watering duties, allowing me to concentrate on other seasonal chores:

• The end of winter dormancy means regular and thorough watering. Cymbidiums, Paphs, Masdevallias, and Miltonias need daily watering, but for others, there’s no single formula for how often to water. New leaves and roots, longer hours of light, and warm days all require extra water.
• Only the most sun-loving Vandas and Epidendrums should remain in direct midday or afternoon sun. Many orchids will enjoy morning sun. All need extra shade during hot summer days.
• Fertilize regularly. Standard orchid advice is “weakly, weekly,” which means a dilute solution repeated on a regular schedule.
• Most orchids need repotting every 2 – 3 years. Spring is the ideal time, as flowers fade and new leaves and roots start to grow. Check here to see if you need to repot your orchid.

Related to Odontoglossums and Oncidiums, this Ada species is native to the Andes. It lives as an epiphyte up to 8200 ft. (2500 m) in the mountains of Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela,. It’s an easy grower if kept in cool, moist, breezy conditions, and requires a winter dormant period.

These small, tubular flowers open just slightly. Each bloom is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long. While they may not readily reveal themselves to human eyes, they’re each perfectly shaped to fit a  hummingbird bill. They share their beauty and hardiness, but not their short name, with Ada hybrids like Brassada, Adaglossum, and Kriegerara.