They are the top-class flowers in Mother Nature's realm. Exotic orchids stage themselves with lavish blooms on the windowsill. Particularly ambitious varieties have adapted to our climate and adorn the summer flower bed. Browse through a selection of recommended orchid species for home and garden.

The Venus slipper is a demanding orchid species

Floral luxury for the windowsill - favorite orchids of German hobby gardeners

The following orchid species and varieties have taken the hearts of hobby gardeners by storm. Anyone who walks through the streets with open eyes will encounter these beautiful flowers in the flower windows:

  • Pansy Orchid (Miltonia), an orchid for cooler conditions and multiple flowering
  • Tree orchid (Epidendrum), its varieties prefer to stay on the balcony from May to September
  • Venus' slipper (Paphiopedilum) challenges the gardener with the special demands of its varieties
  • Kahn orchid (Cymbidium) inspires with its tireless willingness to bloom, provided it is cared for in cold weather

If you are on the lookout for an orchid that causes a sensation with extra large flowers, you will find it among Cattleya species. It is primarily the two-leaved varieties, such as the pure white 'Gisela Schmidt' or the motley 'Chian Tzy Lass', which bloom tirelessly without a long rest.

Weightless tropical magic - orchids to hang up

While any epiphytic orchid will tolerate substrate-free cultivation, few species can be hung in a window. In the first place, the genera of the wonderful Vanda and Ascocentrum orchids have made a name for themselves. The following varieties inspire with seemingly weightless exoticism:

  • Vanda 'Blue Magic', one of the very rare blue orchids with flowers up to 12 cm in size
  • Vanda 'Fire Brick' with purple flowers mottled with creamy white up to 10 cm
  • Vanda deninsoniana x Johanna Ljunggren, a bright yellow flowering hybrid with a dark red lip
  • Ascocentrum curvifolium x Rhycoelestis, a profusely flowering cultivar in rich orange and purple

Since a Vanda comes with challenging demands when it comes to care, orchid friends with limited time opt for a clever compromise. You tie the no-fuss Phalaenopsis orchid to a branch and hang the blooming work of art in the window.

The best orchids for beginners

We can't come up with the ultimate beginner's orchid here. After all, these orchid species set the bar for successful care at the beginner level:

  • Butterfly orchid (Phalaenopsis), with countless pretty hybrids that forgive so many care mistakes
  • Antelope orchid (Dendrobium), the primary focus here is on the varieties of Dendrobium phalaenopsis and Dendrobium nobile
  • Tooth tongues (Odontoglossum) meet all expectations as long as they are allowed to stay at a cool 12-18 degrees Celsius

As an orchid novice, don't be afraid to start with a Phalaenopsis from the supermarket. The hybrids do not cost much to purchase and, with frugal requirements, pave the way for you to the higher spheres of orchid fanaticism. Avoid reaching for pure wild species from the specialist trade. Compared to varieties treated by breeding, pure species are much more difficult to care for.

Robust and easy to care for - terrestrial orchids exude exotic floral flair

The following orchid species prefer to have firm ground under their roots than to venture to lofty heights like their epiphytic counterparts. Some of these terrestrial orchid varieties also like to set the scene in the flower bed:

  • Japanese orchid (Bletilla), the hardy orchid species delights with a long flowering period from May to July
  • Lady's slipper (Cymbidium), the robust terrestrial orchid inspires with multifaceted varieties and summer flowering
  • Tibetan orchid (Pleione), its most beautiful hybrids bloom in autumn and accompany us colorfully into winter
  • Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia), the climbing terrestrial orchid that gives us the aromatic spice pods

Calanthe orchids cannot be missing in this category. The diverse genus boasts beautiful terrestrial orchids and picturesque epiphytic orchids. It is mostly the deciduous varieties that prefer to thrive in a nutrient-rich substrate and flower from November to February. In comparison, the evergreen Calanthe hybrids score points for their opulent abundance of flowers, which appear several times a year.

These orchids speak German - an overview of native varieties

You don't have to look far to enjoy the colorful orchid blossoms. The following varieties are native to us and accordingly hardy:

  • White forest bird (Cephalanthera damasonium), ivory-colored flowers on stalks up to 22 cm long
  • Flesh-colored orchid (Dactylorhiza incarnata), purple flower candles for the edge of the pond and the bog bed
  • Forest hyacinth (Platanthera bifolia), white, sprawling, starry flowers with a distinctive spur
  • Yellow lady's slipper (Cypripedium calceolus), the only one of its kind native to Germany

Almost all orchids in Germany are threatened with extinction. By planting and propagating the orchids in your own garden, you make a valuable contribution to the preservation of the unique orchid species.

tips

With so much luxury, the question arises as to who is the most valuable orchid in the world. Experts agree that this honor goes to Paphiopedilum rothschildianum 'Kinabalu Gold'. The monetary value is estimated at a staggering 3,700 euros. The magical floral creature only thrives on the highest mountain in Malaysia and is a nature reserve. The orchid takes a whopping 15 years to flower.

Category:

Indoor plants