Orchids (Orchidaceae) are the largest family of flowering plants with over 100,000 species and hybrids. There are four broad types of orchid, each originating from a distinct growing environment. There are the climbing epiphytes, whose roots attach to the bark of trees, and the saprophytes which live on decaying matter. Terrestrial orchid plants grow in the soil and lithophytes can survive on rocks with very little soil.

The orchid enthusiast needs to select plants depending where he, or she, wants to display them in their orchid home garden. Fortunately, plant breeders have done the selection for us and today there are many varieties of easy-to-grow orchids that we can raise with little fuss. The most common orchids found in garden centers are the Cattleya, Dendrobium, Cymbidium, Odontoglossum, Paphiopedilum, and the Phalaenopsis. As an orchid gardener you will need to decide what is best for your own particular situation - the space available, local climatic conditions and the color of the orchid blooms which you like the most. Orchid growing need not be a difficult task.

Cattleya Orchids

The Cattleyas are probably the most popular of the orchids found in the garden and home. This is because they have a delicate scent and come is a large variety of colors. Cattleyas are popular with florists, especially for use in bouquets and corsages. This orchid is also known as the "Queen of Orchids". They are epiphytic orchids from temperate regions. Most species prefer day temperatures between 75 degrees F and 85 degrees F, with night temperatures between 55 degrees F and 65 degrees F. The preferable humidity levels should be between 50% and 60%. Moderate amounts of air circulation are needed by Cattleya orchid plants to prevent fungal infection. An oscillating fan, set at a low speed, provides enough air circulation around the plant. Cattleya orchids thrive best in strong light conditions, but only in indirect sunlight. Because they have pseudobulbs, Cattleyas prefer to receive a deep watering and then have the potting mix dry out. When the plant is not growing, or flowering, watering ought to be reduced to once a week. Add a weak, water-soluble orchid fertilizer (NPK 20-20-20) every couple of weeks.

Dendrobium Orchids

Another popular orchid is the Dendrobium. Again, they come in many colors and varieties and being a large plant, are used as features in the home. These epiphytic orchid plants produce a generous spay of flowers and there are many different colors found among Dendrobium varieties. In general, Dendrobiums prefer day temperatures of about 80 degrees F and night temperatures of 65 degrees F. They like full morning sun but need to be shaded as the day temperature increases. Dendrobium orchids flourish in small pots with a bark/charcoal/perlag potting mix that allows for free drainage so taking care of Dendrobium orchids is quite easy.

Cymbidium Orchids

Cymbidium orchids originate from South America and are among the most common home and garden orchids found, mainly due to the blooms lasting for months. Cymbidium orchids flower between November and May, and while the flower spikes are forming, night time temperatures need to be below 60 degrees F. Use a potting mix, which has been developed for orchids, and repot the plant after flowering has ended. During the growing season, liquid feed the plant moderately.

Odontoglossum Orchids

These are cool growing orchids, originating from the Andes Mountains. Their colorful flowers usually have delicate patterns and markings. Humidity control for Odontoglossums is easier in a greenhouse where evaporative cooling increases the humidity level as well as having a cooling effect. Ideally humidity levels ought to be between 40% and 80%. Odontoglossums need to be kept continually moist and the potting mix must not dry out. Odontoglossum orchids should ideally be repotted once a year in either autumn or spring. Use a fine-grade potting mix that has good drainage qualities. While the plant is actively growing, fertilize regularly with a dilute solution of NPK 20-20-20 approximately twice a month.

Paphiopedilum Orchids

Originating from East Asia, flowers often are stripped or spotted. Commonly known as the Slipper Orchid, they have broad leaves and prefer indirect sunlight. Caring for Lady Slipper orchids is not too difficult, but there are several things that you need to keep in mind. The environment temperature can be gauged depending on the leaf type; plain-colored leaf types prefer a cooler temperature with daytime highs of the upper 70 degrees F and night temperatures of around 50 degrees F. The warmer-growing mottled-leaf plants thrive in temperatures in the upper 80 degrees F and night-time temperatures of around the mid-60s. Phaphiopedilum orchids dislike direct sunlight but still need to be in a well lit area.

Phalaenopsis Orchids

Phalaenopsis orchids, often known as Moth Orchids, have wing-like flower petals resembling moths in flight. They come in many colors, patterns and shades. How to grow Phalaenopsis orchids - the optimum positioning for a Moth orchid is near an east, or west, facing window where the plant will get the morning and evening sun, but won't be burned in direct midday sunlight. If you are growing these orchids in a greenhouse, you'll need to protect them with shade cloth.

Moth orchids will not survive heavy watering. They should receive a good drench and then only watered again when the potting mix is nearly dry. Fertilize your plant with N:P:K fertilizer (liquid or slow-release), but when your Moth orchid is about to flower, use a fertilizer that has a higher phosphorus concentration. Once the orchid is in bloom, stop fertilizing altogether.

Growing orchids is a relaxing and rewarding hobby. How to grow orchids is not too difficult. Best pots for orchids are either clear plastic containers or terracotta pots. Propagating orchid plants is usually left to the experts, but simple divisions can be done by the hobby gardener. Most orchid diseases are caused by either fungi or bacteria. Identifying which disease is affecting your orchid plants is critical if you want to give the plant the correct treatment. Orchid fungal diseases usually manifest themselves as small brown spots that eventually turn black. Yellow spots, with a black edge, are another sign of a fungal infection. The main causes of fungal disease in orchids are poor air circulation and a too high humidity.

If your plant has brown/black smudges on the leaf edges, this is a sure sign of bacterial blight. If the orchid's leaves are turning black and wilting, then the best you can do is immediately remove it from other plants and remove all infected areas. Orchid bacteria diseases can be treated with Physan disinfectant, but if this does not work, the orchid plant needs to be removed away from other neighboring plants.

This is a summary of the more popular types of orchid and their care. For more valuable orchid care information, have a look at the populat orchid care guide, the Orchid Care Expert.

Learn How To Care For and Grow Amazing Orchids Using Easy To Follow, Step-By-Step Techniques

• Find out how much light your type of orchid needs.
• Does your Cattleya need to be watered at different intervals to your Epidendrum? It certainly does...
• Follow the 7 step procedure for producing hybrids.
• Find out how the use of bamboo skewers can solve your watering problems.
• Are you using fertilizer on your orchids? Learn to use it in the correct frequency.
• Find out how to care for your orchid throughout the year with the Taking Care of Your Orchids For Every Season chapter.
• Hot tips for buying the right orchid.
• Learn about growing orchids in a hydroponic garden.
• Recommendations on which orchids are suitable for experts or which can be grown by beginners.
• Hot tips for growing virus free orchids.

For more information on this unique orchid care guide, visit the Orchid Care Expert.

For the newbie orchid grower, starting off with younger orchid plants is a great way to learn how to care for them as you watch them grow and blossom. When getting a young orchid plant for the first time, try and find out as much about it as possible. Knowing what species it is is very important, as is the sort of environment it is found in the wild. From here you'll have a better idea what watering, temperature, light and humidity requirements it needs.

Make a list of supplies you may need for your young orchid plant. This should include the correct potting mix and a specialized orchid fertilizer. Keep a plant pesticide and fungicide handy in case your plant suddenly gets attacked by something. Orchids generally need repotting once a year so there is no hurry to get another pot just yet. A water sprayer is handy as it is easier to control the quantity of water you give your plant.

It is essential that you get the potting mix right. Most orchids do not grow in the standard garden soil or garden plant potting mixes. There are species of orchid that prefer a bark potting mix and others that prefer a sand mix. Always leave the young orchid plant in the potting mix that you received it in. Don't repot the plant until it has grown to a size where it has overgrown the existing pot. When you do repot, select a pot size slightly bigger as orchids do not like being transferred to containers that are much larger then the one they are in.

Often young orchid plants are kept in potting media that appears quite dry. This is done on purpose to prevent fungal infections. Orchid roots rot very easily if they are over watered. It is much better to gradually water the plant over time, rather than do a sudden soak if the potting medium is very dry. Because young orchid plants are not yet flowering, they require different light intensities to those needed by mature orchids. If the lighting is too low, the leaves will start to turn a dark green color. Gradually increase the light by changing the plant's position and when the leaves appear a healthy light green color then that should be fine.