Various types of orchids

Orchids are known for their elegance and beauty. There are so many different types of orchids in this world and some of them do not have the usual appearance we have come to expect. Available in various colours, some orchids are easy to care for as potted plants while others require very special care. The one thing they all have in common is their undeniable beauty and the way they manage to captivate any onlookers.

The Orchidaceae family is divided up into several sub-families, namely: Cypripedioideae, Vanilloideae, Orchidoideae, and Epidendroideae. These are then divided further into tribes for more accurate classification of each type. With so many different types of orchids, it’s easy to see why they need to be organised in this manner.

Each tribe has something special and new to offer. Within the Vanilloideae sub-family, we have the Vanillaea tribe which, as the name suggests, is the tribe to which the Vanilla orchid belongs. These plants are cultivated on a commercial level for the delicious vanilla flavouring.

The Cymbidieae tribe falls under the Epidendroideae sub-family and here you will find the popular Cymbidium orchid along with various other types that share some common properties. Colourful and easy to care for as a potted plant, this orchid makes a lovely gift for all occasions.

The Dendrobium  orchid is also part of the Epidendroideae sub-family and, like the Cymbidium, it too is one of the easier orchids to care for. This is why these two types of orchids are so popular and stocked by professional florists around the world.

While some of these flowers are cultivated for their culinary use or as decorative plants, there are still plenty of which that are not grown commercially. There are even a few that are particularly rare and need to be protected. Some of the rarest orchids include the Ghost Orchid, Rothschild’s Slipper Orchid, and the Bull Orchid, to name just a few.