There is a whole range of desirable orchids that cannot be covered in detail because of the limited space available. It is, however, intended to publish some detailed cultural information for the main general in due course on this site.   In the interim, a brief indicative guide to the basic requirements appropriate to the more common genera follows.

Recommendations cover the whole span of each genus, and therefore only the predominant culture requirements are indicated. There will always be exceptions to the general rule, but this information should have a good indication of what is most likely required for most the species and hybrids. It is always important that you closely observe your plants, and if they are not thriving, adjust the culture to what is indicated is the normal range for the genus, or seek specialist advice.

The following is an explanation of the symbols shown in the following table.
 

KEY
FOR CULTURE TABLE 

CLIMATE

1

Dry all year
 

2a

Moist all year - cool growing
 

2b

Moist all year - intermediate growing
 

3

Subject to seasonal variations
CULTURE

E

Easy
 

C

Care required
TEMPERATURE

 

Minimum night temperatures 

Day temperatures 5 - 10 degrees C. higher
 

C

Cool   5 - 13 deg C. night
 

I

Intermediate   13 - 15 deg C. night
 

W

Warm 15 - 18 deg C. night
WATERING

1

Moist all year
 

2

Dry in winter
 

3

Dry in summer
 

V

Individual species vary
 

 *

Requires cool winter temperatures
SHADE

F

Full sun
 

L

Light shade
 

M

Medium shade
 

H

Heavy shade
FLOWERING

Su

Spring
 

Sp

Summer
 

A

Autumn (Fall)
 

W

Winter

Temperature Conversions
Enter a number in either field, then click outside the text box.
Click Reset button to clear
Temperature   OF: OC:


CULTURE OF COMMON ORCHIDS 
Links shown to more detailed information on this site

GENUS

EASE OF 

GROWING 
 TEMPERATURE 

REQUIREMENTS		 WATERING SHADE FLOWERING
Anguloa

C

I

2

L

Sp Su

Bifrenaria

C

I - C

2 *

L

W Sp

Bletilla

E

C

2

F

Su

Brassia

C

I

2

L

Sp Su

Brassavola

C

I

2

F L

V

Bulbophyllum

C

I

1

M

W Sp

Cattleya

E

I

1

L

V

Chysis

C

I W

2

M

Sp

Cirrhopetalum

C

I

1 Variable

M

V

Coelogyne

E

C I

2 *

M

V

Cymbidium

E

C

1

L

A W Sp

Dendrobium kingianum type

E

C

3

L

Sp

Dendrobium - nobile soft cane type

C

I C

2 *

F

Sp

Dendrobium  - phalaenopsis hard cane type

C

W

2

F

V

Dendrobium - Himalayan type

C

C I

2 *

F

V

Encyclia

E

C I W

2

L

V

Epidendrum

E

C I

1

L

V

Gongora

C

I W

I

M

V

Laelia

E

C I

2

L

V

Lycaste - deciduous yellow

E

C I

2 *

M

W Sp

Lycaste - all others

E

C I

2

M

W Sp

Masdevallia

C

C

1

H

V

Maxillaria

E

C I

1 2

M

W V

Miltonia

C

I

1

M

V

Miltoniopsis

C

C I

1

M

V

Odontoglossum

C

C

1

M

W V

Oncidiums - equitant types

C

I

2

L

V

Oncidiums - crispum and varicosum types

C

I

2 *

F

Sp Su A

Paphiopedilum - green leaved single flowered

E

C I

1

M

W V

Paphiopedilums - single flowered mottled leaved

C

I

1

H

W Sp V

Paphiopedilums - green leaved multi flowered

C

I W

1

M H

W V

Phalaenopsis

E

W

1

M

V

Pleione

E

C

2

M

W Sp

Rossioglossum

C

I

2 *

F

Sp

Sophronitis

C

C I

2

M

W

Vanda and allies

C

I W

1

F

W

Zygopetalum

E

C I

2

M

V


 

 

OTHER PAGES

Some details of the site author - if you are interested!!
Australasian web sites - a directory of sites I have found useful

I hope that you find the information in this site useful

If you wish you may forward  
E-mail comments etc to me at -

tomnz@ihug.co.nz

 

TOTAL SITE

Site established 9th May 1998