New At Growing Orchids? Here Are the Most Popular Orchids for Beginners!

Oh! I see that look in your eyes.  You'd love to grow orchids but are afraid that you just don't have what it takes to actually grow them - you're new to the arena after all.

Don't worry.  I have a few suggestions of easy-to-care-for orchids that beginners like yourself just love.  These are the ideal flowers to grow while you're still learning the secrets of orchid growing.

So just where do we start?

Let's talk Oncidium intergenerics.  These are very often suggested to those who are novices in cultivating orchids.  Many flowers in this species are fragrant and they bloom twice a year.  But they need light - among other considerations.  One orchid in this species is called the Comnara Wildcat. By far, it is the easiest orchid you can take care of.  And the flowers can last for up to three months. Imagine that!

Another in this species is called Oncidium Sharry Baby.  Imagine, if you will, a flower that smells like chocolate!  This flower blooms several times throughout the year.

Certain members of the group of orchids called the Cattleya group are also both easy and rewarding to grow. The only drawback to this group is that just about every one of the individual plants in this group needs some type of supplemental light.  If you're thinking about the cattleya group, you need to know that some of these get quite large.

And if you don't mind the shorter blooming period, but their absolute beauty outweighs the shorter than usual bloom period.

Another type of orchid that is ideal for beginner orchid growers is phragmepediums.  They require much bright light, though, than most orchids.  And these are a little more delicate in the way of watering and fertilizing needs.

You may notice, if you choose this particular orchid, that its leaves may turn brown.  If this is the case, then you've fertilized it a bit too much and its beginning to accumulate.

Before you run off to choose your orchids, you need to consider two more types.  These are the phalaenopsis and the paphiopedilum hybrids.  These are the quintessential “beginner orchids.”  The reason?  They bloom well (very well!) under just about any windowsill condition you can subject them to.

Both of these species don't require a lot of light (if you've already grown African violets, then you know exactly the lighting conditions I'm talking about!). These two orchids are also highly adaptable to just about any humidity level as well.

The one thing you don't want to do these species though is overwater them.  This could cause them to get water in their crowns.  And then again you don't want to underwater them either.  These particular orchids don't have pseudobulbs. 

They store moisture and nutrients right in their leaves and roots.  So, if there is a nutrient problem, it'll show up quickly - sometimes far too quickly for you to reverse the situation!

And there you have it. Some of the easiest orchids for beginners to grow.  Now, you don't really have an excuse to start this marvelously satisfying hobby.