What Are Tropical Orchids (Exotic Orchids)? A Basic Introduction to Exotic Orchids
Tropical orchids, also known as exotic orchids, come in many varieties, such as Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis Paphiopedilum, Vanda, and more. Tropical orchids have large blooms with peculiar, varied and gorgeous flower shapes; a long flowering period of up to about 3 months; and a growing medium that is not soil but bark, moss, and the like. They rarely suffer from pests and diseases and help keep the home clean and tidy, which is why they have become a popular potted flower for the New Year season in recent years.
The tropical orchids currently more popular on the flower market mainly include:
1. Cattleya. With gorgeous blooms and many varieties, it has long been known as the "King of Orchids" tropical orchids. Cattleya flowers come in almost every color except blue and black, and each bloom also features multiple colors.
2. Phalaenopsis. It is named for its drooping flowers, whose shape resembles dancing butterflies, and is known as the "Queen of Orchids." Along the long flower stalk, butterfly-shaped blooms open in succession from bottom to top, and can be enjoyed for 60 to 70 days in a row. The flower colors include white, purple, red, orange, and more, and different varieties of Phalaenopsis bloom throughout the year.
3. Cymbidium. Also known as the tiger-head orchid, it has many varieties, a large plant form, and large petals, with brilliant colors and many flower colors, including red, white, green, yellow, pink, purple, and various transitional and compound colors. Its flower stems stand upright, and the flowering period lasts as long as 2 to 3 months. It is one of the most widely cultivated exotic orchids in the world.
4. Dendrobium has thick, fleshy stems and a graceful, approachable posture. Each flower stem can produce 20 to 70 blooms, with a faint fragrance, and each bloom can stay open for 1 to 3 months.
Tropical orchids have aerial root systems, so the growing medium must have good drainage, strong moisture retention, and good air permeability. Generally, moss, charcoal, and crushed bark will do, or you can buy prepared medium materials at the flower market. When caring for tropical orchids day to day, keep the potting medium moist; when the surface dries out, it should be watered, and water thoroughly. Generally, water once a day in summer and 2 to 3 times a week in winter. During high summer temperatures, sprinkle a small amount of water around the flowerpot or mist the leaves. During the growing season, apply a dilute liquid fertilizer made from inorganic fertilizer or a special orchid fertilizer to the plant once every 10 days. The suitable temperature for tropical orchids during the growing season is 18°C to 25°C, with plenty of indoor diffused light, avoiding direct sun exposure so as not to affect growth and flowering. During the flowering period, place the plant in a spot with weak light so the flowers become more gorgeous and last longer. The overwintering temperature should be kept above 10°C.
Tropical orchids can be repotted right after the flowering period. When repotting, cut off dead, damaged old roots and spent flowers, let them dry, then wrap the roots with moss that has been soaked through with water and pot them up, filling in fresh growing medium. Keep them in a cool place for about a week, then care for them as usual.
The common propagation method for tropical orchids is division.
The method is: before new shoots emerge in spring or after flowering, separate the old clumps, with the number of divisions depending on the size of the old plant; after division, the procedure is the same as when repotting. For pots for growing tropical orchids, clay, ceramic, and sand pots are suitable. When growing tropical orchids at home, in pursuit of a beautiful look, you can place a slightly larger decorative pot outside the flowerpot. Tropical orchids generally grow slowly, and going from seedling to finished flowering plant usually takes 2 to 4 years of growth, tropical orchids so home growers generally buy finished plants from the flower market.