We’ve just posted this new page on the Orchid Tips Website to help with Orchid information, Orchid care, and Orchid fertilizing. See the new page here. Enjoy!

What is a Phalaenopsis type Dendrobium? Here is an example of a good one.  Simply put, and of course in my opinion, they are the best type of bright light Orchid for indoors. Many Dendrobiums bloom for 2-6 weeks. The Phalaenopsis type Dendrobium has larger flowers than most Dendrobiums, and it blooms on average for 2-3 months. The flowers on this type of Orchid resemble a Phalaenopsis Orchid. Care for this Orchid is to let it dry out between waterings, fertilize weakly 2 out of 3 waterings, and keep it planted in fine or medium bark in a tight pot. If you have any questions, feel free to post comments to this entry.

The best Orchids to grow inside are Phalaenopsis Orchids and Dendrobium Orchids.

Indoor Orchids

Phalaenopsis Orchids bloom anywhere between 2-6 months at a time depending on proper care. They like shade, and for their potting mix not to dry out to much between waterings.

Dendrobium Orchids bloom for 2-3 months at a time. Thet like bright light and to dry out between waterings.

Outdoor Orchids

Epidendrum Orchids are great to grow in many areas in the US. They like to dry out between waterings, and are best grown in a pot. They cannot freeze. There are many beautiful oranges, yellows, and reds.

Cymbidium Orchids are usually best grown in pots, but in some cases can be grown in the ground. These Orchids cannot freeze. They come in many colors, and standard or minature sizes. Flowers bloom typically 2-3 months.

Other Orchid questions? Contact me here.

Below is a video I took today at the Pacific Orchid Exposition Orchid show in San Francisco, CA. Here are more Orchid videos I have posted.

The Pacific Orchid exposition will take place this year March 5 through 8, 2009. This event is put on by the San Francisco Orchid Society at the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion.  The theme of the event this year is green with envy.  The costs to attend the Pacific Orchid exposition is $12 in advance or $14 at the door.  Orchids are amazing to grow as houseplants because they are so exotic, rare, and often long-lasting.  The Pacific Orchid exposition this year aims to show how Orchids can improve air quality in the home.  If you want to buy some beautiful Orchids, see some terrific exhibits, or learn about how Orchids can help clean the air and make your home more green, be sure to attend the 2009 Pacific Orchid exposition in San Francisco, California.

Cattleya orchids can be amazing to grow at home or in your greenhouse. Care conditions of Cattleya orchids can be created by the beginner or advanced orchid grower. The Cattleya orchid is also known as the queen of orchids. There is an extensive range in the number of colors and sizes for Cattleya orchids. Plant sizes range from the size of a teacup to over 6 feet in height. Cattleyas flowers come in white, lavender, yellow, red, orange, purple, and blended colors. Flower sizes range from inches to almost a foot in diameter.

Here are care conditions of Cattleya orchids:

Light: Bright light to some direct sun when not at brightest, no direct sun in the middle of the day, east, shaded south or west window, 2000-3000 footcandles when in a greenhouse.
Watering: Cattleyas almost like to dry out between waterings, seedlings need constant moisture.
Humidity: Cattleyas prefer 50-80% humidity.
Air movement: Cattletas like good air movement.
Potting media: Cattleya orchids like to be potted in medium to large bark.
Fertilizing: When growing Cattleyas in fir bark use a 30-10-10 fertilizer, otherwise use 20-20-20, in active growth fertilize every two weeks, otherwise fertilize once per month.
Repotting: When your Cattleya plant starts overgrowing the pot or the rhizome protrudes over the edge of the pot, repot. When repotting, soak the roots first for an hour.

Learn more about orchid care in this book.

Phalaenopsis orchids can be one of the easiest orchids to care for if you follow these orchid care and growing instructions. They can often be quite easy to find at local supermarkets, home improvement stores, and garden centers. Phalaenopsis orchids are one of my favorites due to their long lasting flowers and ease of care. They are not only inexpensive but very rewarding to grow at home. Phalaenopsis flowers can bloom for a very long time, between 2 months and over a year. There are 5 kinds of Phalaenopsis orchid plants, including small-flowered miniature, species, large flowered, multiflora hybrids , and novelty Phalaenopsis Orchids. There are more than 85 Phalaenopsis Orchid species, originating from India, Northern Australia, and southern China.

Learn more about Orchid care from the Orchid Care book here.

Phalaenopsis Care and Growing Instructions:

1. Grow Phalaenopsis orchids  in a bright window with very little or no sun. This means you can grow Phalaenopsis orchids in an east, or shaded west or south window. You can also grow Phalaenopsis orchids with fluorescent lighting.
2. Phalaenopsis orchids like a temperature between 65-90 F.
3. Phalaenopsis orchids should not dry out between waterings.
4. Humidity for Phalaenopsis orchids should be 50-80 %. You can create this by using a humidity tray or tray with rocks and water under your plants.
5. For fertilizing, if the Phalaenopsis orchid is planted in bark use 30-10-10 twice per month. If your Phalaenopsis orchid is in another mix, use 20-20-20.
6. Repot Phalaenopsis orchids every year or two in medium bark.