{"id":22364,"date":"2015-11-18T01:00:58","date_gmt":"2015-11-18T09:00:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/?p=22364"},"modified":"2016-06-27T08:02:39","modified_gmt":"2016-06-27T16:02:39","slug":"easy-orchid-species","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2015\/11\/18\/easy-orchid-species\/","title":{"rendered":"Easy Orchid Species"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Unlike tough orchid <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2011\/05\/04\/hybrid-vigor\/\">hybrids<\/a>, many orchid species deserve their finicky reputations. They have exacting care needs, requiring precise temperatures, special potting, or purified water. Fortunately, there are some exceptions to the finicky orchid species rule. These easy <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/category\/warm-growers\/\">warm growers<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/category\/intermediate-growers\/\">intermediate growers<\/a> are great choices for orchid beginners. (I&#8217;ll highlight easy <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/category\/cool-growers\/\">cool growers<\/a> in a future post.)<\/p>\n<p>Although these are known to be tough species, there are never any guarantees. They all need <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/care\/details\/humidity.html\">good humidity<\/a>, and also <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/care\/details\/light.html\">light<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/care\/details\/water.html\">water<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/care\/details\/fertilizer.html\">fertilizer<\/a>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/care\/details\/temperature.html\">temps<\/a>, and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/care\/details\/potting.html\">repotting<\/a> as appropriate for each variety.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2009\/03\/04\/arundina-an-orchid-weed\/\"><strong>Arundina graminifolia<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; The Bamboo Orchid <em>(first photo below)<\/em> is so tough that it can be a weed in the tropics. It can grow large, but if you can provide warm, sunny conditions, it&#8217;s easy to bloom.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/wimastergardener.org\/?q=Brassavola_nodosa\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Brassavola nodosa<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; This <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/identify\/orchids\/cattleya.html\">Cattleya<\/a> relative <em>(second photo below)<\/em> has <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2014\/05\/17\/night-fragrant-orchids\/\">white flowers<\/a> with a sweet scent. It grows best in sun and warmth, and needs <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/care\/details\/dormancy.html\">winter dormancy<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2015\/08\/29\/cochleanthes-an-orchid-from-the-amazon\/\"><strong>Cochleanthes amazonica<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; Warm, shady conditions and regular water will keep this Amazonian species happy <em>(third photo below.)<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Arundina_graminifolia_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-23459 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Arundina_graminifolia_800px-128x128.jpg\" alt=\"Arundina graminifolia, orchid species, Bamboo Orchid, growing outdoors in Quepos, Costa Rica\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Arundina_graminifolia_800px-128x128.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Arundina_graminifolia_800px-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Arundina_graminifolia_800px.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Brassavola_nodosa_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-23460 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Brassavola_nodosa_800px-128x96.jpg\" alt=\"Brassavola nodosa, orchid species with fragrant white flowers, La dama de la noche, Pacific Orchid Expo 2006, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Brassavola_nodosa_800px-128x96.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Brassavola_nodosa_800px-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Brassavola_nodosa_800px.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Cochleanthes_amazonica_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-23461 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Cochleanthes_amazonica_800px-96x128.jpg\" alt=\"Cochleanthes amazonica, orchid species with white and purple flowers, grown in San Francisco, California\" width=\"96\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Cochleanthes_amazonica_800px-96x128.jpg 96w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Cochleanthes_amazonica_800px-225x300.jpg 225w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Cochleanthes_amazonica_800px.jpg 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 96px) 100vw, 96px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2010\/04\/19\/jewel-orchid\/\"><strong>Ludisia discolor<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; Grown for its pink-striped leaves rather than its flowers, this jewel orchid likes warm, shady, humid conditions <em>(first photo below.)<\/em><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2015\/05\/15\/the-coconut-orchid\/\"><strong>Maxillariella tenuifolia<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; The Coconut Orchid\u00a0<em>(second photo below)<\/em> earns its name from its sweet fragrance. Give it <a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2011\/03\/29\/let-the-sunshine-in\/\">morning sun<\/a>, regular water, and winter dormancy, and this intermediate grower will put out a burst of flowers annually.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/2013\/04\/26\/philippine-ground-orchids\/\"><strong>Spathoglottis plicata<\/strong><\/a> &#8211; The Philippine Ground Orchid\u00a0<em>(third photo below)<\/em> is a popular landscape plant in the tropics, and it&#8217;s a reliable bloomer. It needs sun, warmth, fertilizer, and regular water.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Ludisia_discolor_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-23462 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Ludisia_discolor_800px-128x96.jpg\" alt=\"Ludisia discolor, orchid species with pink and green variegated leaves, Jewel Orchid, Pacific Orchid Expo 2010, San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"96\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Ludisia_discolor_800px-128x96.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Ludisia_discolor_800px-300x225.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Ludisia_discolor_800px.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Maxillaria_tenuifolia_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-23463 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Maxillaria_tenuifolia_800px-128x128.jpg\" alt=\"Maxillariella tenuifolia, aka Maxillaria tenuifolia, Coconut Orchid, orchid species with red and white fragrant flowers, grown in San Francisco, California\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Maxillaria_tenuifolia_800px-128x128.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Maxillaria_tenuifolia_800px-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Maxillaria_tenuifolia_800px.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><a href=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Spathoglottis_plicata_800px.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-23464 size-thumbnail\" src=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Spathoglottis_plicata_800px-128x128.jpg\" alt=\"Spathoglottis plicata, Philippine Ground Orchid, orchid species, growing wild in Kea'au, Hawaii\" width=\"128\" height=\"128\" srcset=\"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Spathoglottis_plicata_800px-128x128.jpg 128w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Spathoglottis_plicata_800px-300x300.jpg 300w, http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/Spathoglottis_plicata_800px.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 128px) 100vw, 128px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This is definitely not a complete list, just a sampling of the ones I know best. There are many more easy species which are good for beginners. Ask local experts at a nearby orchid society meeting or show to find what grows best in your area.<\/p>\n<p>Researching an orchid species&#8217; native environment provides a better understanding of its care needs. Two of my favorite resources for that are\u00a0<a href=\"http:\/\/www.orchidspecies.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">the Internet Orchid Species Photo Encyclopedia<\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/www.orchidculture.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Orchid Species Culture<\/a>. There&#8217;s lots of helpful info at both sites.<\/p>\n<p>When buying orchid species, it&#8217;s very important to buy only from reputable vendors. NEVER buy plants taken from the wild. If you&#8217;re not sure, ask. One of my favorite vendors for orchid species is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.andysorchids.com\/\" target=\"_blank\">Andy&#8217;s Orchids<\/a>, which is based in Encinitas, California.<\/p>\n<p>As I mentioned, I&#8217;ll do a future post for easy cool growing species soon. Stay tuned!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Unlike tough orchid hybrids, many orchid species deserve their finicky reputations. They have exacting care needs, requiring precise temperatures, special potting, or purified water. Fortunately, there are some exceptions to the finicky orchid species rule. These easy warm growers and intermediate growers are great choices for orchid beginners. (I&#8217;ll highlight easy cool growers in a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,18,6,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22364","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-growing","category-intermediate-growers","category-photos","category-warm-growers"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22364","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22364"}],"version-history":[{"count":75,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22364\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23528,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22364\/revisions\/23528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22364"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22364"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.aboutorchids.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22364"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}