by Tami Port MS

Created on: July 22, 2008   Last Updated: October 04, 2009

You don't have to be an expert gardener to successfully grow orchids. Here are the genera that are easiest for the novice orchid enthusiast to grow and bloom.

* Orchid Nomenclature *

To understand which orchids are smart picks, there first needs to be a little 'name calling'. It's important to recognize some of the basic botanical names that categorize orchids when preparing to make your selection.

All identified organisms have been designated a scientific name. This is a two-part Latinized name that helps everyone speak the same language when discussing living things. Orchids are no different. When you look at the label on an orchid, the first word is the generic name, or genus (plural genera), and will be capitalized. The generic name is followed by second name, the specific name of the species, in lower case.

* Importance of the Orchid Genus *

As a novice to the world of orchids, you only need to concern yourself with the name of the genus. Most plants within the same genus will require similar growing conditions, so if you want to keep things simple, don't worry about the species or variety at this point.

* Orchid Genera for the Novice *

Novice orchid growers should start with members of the following genera, since these orchids are relatively easy to grow: Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, Dendrobium, and Oncidium.

~ Phalaenopsis Orchids (sounds like fail-lee-in-OP-sis): Phalaenopsis, or Moth Orchids, are one of the easiest orchids for beginners to grow, as well as the one that is most commonly found in stores. Members of this genus have multiple large, showy flowers on each spike; blossoms that may remain open for six weeks or longer. Often, when a spike is cut after its blooms are gone, a secondary spike will develop on the old stalk below the original flower head, thus extending the blooming season.

~ Paphiopedilum Orchids (sounds like paf-ee-o-PED-ill-um): Paphiopedilum, the so-called Venus Slipper orchid, is easily recognizable. Most have a single flower per stalk, but there are varieties with multiple flowers. Affectionately called Paphs,' these orchids are relatively easy to coax into bloom if you provide the plant with the right temperature range. Paphs with mottled leaves need warmer conditions than do those with solid green leaves.

~ Dendrobium Orchids (sounds like den-DROBE-ee-um): Dendrobium inflorescences are loaded with long-lasting blossoms. These plants can often be split when mature, since they are prone to produce small additional offset plantlets.

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