OK, so you’ve been to the garden shop and the botanical conservatory, and you’re a new fan of the orchid. You probably fancy yourself as an avid grower sometime down the road, but fear that they are too difficult to grow. We have some great news! Here are some types of orchids that are easy to take care of, and that we think new growers will really enjoy. These flowers will grow for you even while you’re still a “newbie” at taking care of them.

Where Exactly Should You Begin Your New Hobby?

Where to start? How about Oncidium Intergenerics, which are types that beginners do quite well growing. Many bloom two times a year, and they have a lovely fragrance. They do need an abundance of light, and other care. But you can pick up the basics pretty easily.

Take a look at the Comnara Wildcat. This is one that will give you the most reward for the least amount of effort. And they have blooming flowers for three months. What a handsome reward for such a small amount of work.

The Onicidium Sharry Baby has a very unique property – it has a chocolate smell! Is there a better smell than that? And this one blooms three times or so over the space of a year.

Larger Plants That Will be More Challenging for a Newbie

There are some members of the Cattleya family that are simple for you to grow. These are a little harder to light – most all of them need supplemental light – but they are hardy and can grow quite large. They have a shorter time span when they’re in bloom, but they are gorgeous.

Try Out This Unique Flower Today

Another good beginner orchid is Phragmipediums. These need a lot of bright light, even more than some of the others available. They are a bit more fragile to care for, too, as they have more specific fertilizer and water needs. If you grow this breed and its leaves turn brown, this means you’ve over-fertilized, so you’ll need to cut back on that a bit.

Others That You Should Consider Before Purchasing

Before you head off to the garden store, you might want to consider a couple more species. Paphiopedilum and the Phalaenopsis hybrids are the best beginner orchids, because they bloom very well in almost any windowsill garden. Neither of these two hybrids needs a great deal of light. Their requirements are very similar to those of the African violet. These rare ones also adapt well to different levels of humidity.

Using Water Techniques that Work

With any type of orchid, be very careful not to over-water them, which is a common problem for new growers. That might cause them to rot. By the same token, be careful not to under-water them as well. Once or twice a week will generally suffice. Use these simple strategies for all your plants watering needs.

They store nutrients and moisture in their roots and leaves. If you have a problem with either, it will show up pretty quickly. Keep a close eye, especially if you’re new to the game, and be alert for any sudden changes in the plant’s appearance.

These are some of the best kinds of orchids to care for if you don’t have much experience yet. With proper light, temperature, water and humidity, they will grace you with many years of loveliness in your home.

Orchids aren’t just pretty houseplants that you can easily grow. In fact, this unique family is the largest taxonomic group of flowering plants. There are more than 22,000 accepted species, and more are added each year. There’s no telling how many unidentified varieties there may be.

Locations Where These Exotic Plants can be Found

The family orchidaceae is found all over the world, including within the Arctic Circle. These organisms have a multitude of uses; they supply us with vanilla, some ice creams and fragrances. They are a popular wedding flower, and some varieties are grown commercially to supply the increasing demand for them at all times of the year. But perhaps the most common use is for day-to-day decoration. Many people use them to liven up their homes and workspaces.

Although there are thousands of orchids available, some are much more popular as houseplants than others. Some lend themselves to life indoors, while others prefer to be outside. Most of the ones that make good houseplants are terrestrial, or ground-growing, varietals. Many are epiphytic (tree-growing) or lithophytic (rock-growing); these types are usually more difficult for a beginner to cultivate, but can still adapt to potted life with a skilled cultivator.

Most Popular Plants You Can Find in Ones Home

Some of the most popular types belong to the Cymbidium genus. They are easy to cultivate and require little space. If you are looking for your first plant to grow, one of these might be right for you. Up to 15 flowers grow on each stalk of these plants; colors are diverse and include, green, white, purple and yellow. They typically bloom in the winter, although they are available commercially all year round. There are about 52 types in this genus, so there’s sure to be a color and look that’s right for you.

Phalaenopsis Types are Also Another Good Choice

Plants in the genus Phalaeonopsis are also popular flowers for growing at home. These plants are sometimes called Moth orchids because of the wing-like shape of their petals. They contain about 60 epiphytic types, most of which are native to Southeast Asia. When potted, they have one long stalk, or rhizome, with a few leaves. They produce one bloom a year when provided with the proper care.

Don’t Forget about Paphiopedilum Species

The Paphiopedilum genus contains about 80 different species. These flowers are commonly referred to as “Lady’s Slippers” because of their shoe-like shape. They are native Southeast Asia and the Pacific. They can be difficult to grow, but have some of the most stalwart fans. If you do manage to cultivate a Lady’s Slipper, you’ll be rewarded with a unique, multi-colored flower that’s long lasting. Be sure to use these strategies when caring for these plants in your home.

These are just three of the most popular kinds of orchids, but there are hundreds more genera to choose from if you want to grow a unique plant. If you’re looking to bring home one of these flowers remember that they all require special care. Most of these unique flowers require daily water and monitoring of humidity and light; some kinds have stricter care procedures. Even if you do everything correctly, sometimes they still won’t bloom. So be patient with your plant.

There are so many species in the world, there’s bound to be one out there that’s perfect for you. Once you find your ideal plant, you’ll have beautiful, perfumed flowers with which to decorate your home.