The following list of orchid types should give you a general idea of the kinds of orchids in the world.

The list is not an all encompassing orchid type schedule. However, the list of orchid types is pretty extensive.

Each orchid type has an explanation of colors and background.

The list of orchid types is broke up into multiple pages. Please click on the bottom of each page to be taken to a different orchid type page.

A list of orchid types:

A survey of Sanders' Orchid Guide, L. H. Bailey's Standard Cyclopedia of Horticulture, B. S. Williams' Orchid Grower's Manual, and Schlechter's Die Orchideen produces the following list of important orchids and orchid type, compiled for ready reference by the amateur.

The aids to pronunciation are given to facilitate the study. There are other accepted pronunciations; ideas on such subjects differ as widely as do those on methods of culture.

Cattleya Dowiana (catt'lee-a dow'ee-an'a or dow'ee-ay'na). Habitat Costa Rica, a warm, moist region. Blooms July to September. Parent of many gorgeous hybrids with its golden-yellow sepals and petals flushed crimson; rich, deep red-purple lip flushed and striped with gold. Imparts a sheen to its progeny, prominent among which is C. lustre.

C. Gaskelliana (gas-kell-ee-an'a or ay'na). Habitat Venezuela, up to 6000 feet. Blooms July, August, September. Similar to Mossiae. Decided touch of yellow at the throat. Fragrant.

C. gigas (jl'gas), also named Warscewiczii (war'see-wick'see-ee or eye). Hab¬itat Colombia. Blooms June, July, or later. The prima donna of the genus in its desirability, but temperamentally difficult to bloom (an in¬herited characteristic of the progeny). Extra-fine, large flowers, all shades of orchid with a deeper crimson-purple lip. The large white spots in the throat, like eyes, are a dominant factor in the hybrids and enhance their beauty. Very prolific.

C. Hardyana (hard'ee-an-a or ay-na). Habitat Colombia. Blooms August. Natural hybrid of C. gigas and C. Dowiana var. aurea. Lacks the crimson flush in the petals and sepals and has more gold in the throat than the species. A fine handsome flower; lip marked with the gigas eyes and the vivid magenta and gold of Dowiana aurea. The hybrid is written thus:

C. gigas C. Hardyana
C. Dowiana var. aurea
C. labiata autumnalis vera. Habitat Brazil. Blooms in the fall months. Flowers very large, rose-lavender; with rosy-purple lip, frilled, with yellow at the throat.

C. Mendellii (men'dell-ee or eye). Habitat Colombia. Blooms April to June. Large flowers of lavender shades; darker lip.

C. Mossiae (moss'ee-ee or eye). Habitat Venezuela. Blooms April through August. Large flowers, varying through the orchid shades, tinged yellow; some white in the throat. Has a characteristic mottled coloring in the throat, which is predominant in many of the progeny. Has many fine varieties, including: C. Mossiae var. Wagneri. Pure white; frequently used as a fine parent.

C. Perdvaliana (pur'see-val'ee-an-a or ay-na). Habitat Venezuela, 8 to 14,000 feet in elevation. Blooms in December. Lavender sepals and petals; lip fringed and deep red-purple; with handsome gold markings in the throat. This latter characteristic is predominant. Flowers are not large but prolific.

C. Schroederae (shrow'der-ee or eye). Habitat Colombia. Blooms March to April. Similar to Trianae but with darker, frilled lip and yellow throat. Fragrant. Many fine varieties.

C. Trianae (tree'an-ee or try'ay-nee; named after Dr. Triana, it really should be Trianaei, but the awkward pionunciation has brought Trianae into common usage). Habitat Colombia, up to 8000 feet in the Andes. Blooms December through March. Famous as the 'Christmas bloomer.' Flowers large, ranging through the orchid shades; frequently yellow tints at the throat. Has handsome alba variety.

C. Warneri (war'ner-ee or eye). Habitat Brazil. Blooms June and July. Re¬sembles labiata autumnalis vera in all but time of flowering. Although the labiates are much sought for their breeding possibilities, the remainder of the Cattleya genus, although usually producing smaller, less showy flowers, are attractive and interest¬ing also. The following are desirable in any amateur collection.

C. bicolor (buy'color). Habitat Brazil. Blooms September. Flowers pale green;
purple lip and pink throat. C. Bowringiana (bow'rin-gee-an'a). Habitat Central America. Prolific. Similar to Skinneri. C. citrina (si-tree'na or si-try'na). Habitat Mexico. Blooms any time from May to August. A clear lemon-yellow, edged with white. Grown on a raft, it has a drooping (pendulous) habit of growth. The flower never opens beyond half-open bud shape. Spicy fragrance. C. Forbesii (forbes'ee-ee or eye). Habitat Brazil. Blooms June to September. Flowers greenish to yellow, whitish outside; yellow lip touched pink.

Intermediate house.
C. Loddigesii (lod'di-gez-ee or eye). Habitat Brazil. Blooms August, Septem¬ber. Four flowers to a stem, pink lavender; whitish outside lip, rose, flushed yellow. C. Skinneri (skin'ner-ee or eye). Habitat Costa Rica and Guatemala. Blooms March to June. Flowers not large; many on a spike; striking, brilliant rose-purple. Intermediate house.

Laelia anceps (lee'lee-a or lie-leea an'seps). Habitat Mexico. A valued and variable species. Used frequently and satisfactorily with Cattleya as parent. Blooms December and January. Flower large, slenderly graceful, and of delicate but durable texture. Many lovely varieties, including alba.

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