This species was discovered in 1981 and revolutionized Phrag breeding with its bright orange-red coloring and round flower shape. Until this point the only comparable species was Phrag schlimii. It is this Peruvian/Ecuadorian species that is responsible for the vast majority of Phrag hybrids available today. Hybrids made with besseae inherit the species' sequential flowering habits and many also exhibit the plant's relatively compact size. When this species was first introduced it was hard to get and commanded high prices; today plants are redily available and at reasonable prices. Now threatened in the wild, the species is usually one of the first that beginning Phrag growers lust after. Its cultivation is fortunatley not too difficult and any avid grower can easily succeed.

This is a fantastic Colombian species that, until the discovery of Phrag. besseae in 1981, was responsible for the majority of Phrag hybrids and was the only "colorful" Phrag species. It has always been very popular with collectors, and unfortunately is not all that readily available, but worth seeking out if you are a Phrag fan. It is one of just a few miniature Phrags, growing to a modest size with handsome fans of leaves. A sequential bloomer, its cotton candy pink, fuzzy, soft-textured flowers are sometimes fragrant. It may just be the cutest Phrag out there! Phrag schlimii is a terrestrial or lithophyte from relatively high elevations.

A native of Taiwan, this miniature stick-growing orchid blooms once a year. The bloom season depends on your latitude. In Northern Hemisphere, it normally blooms in spring on short spikes, at base of plant, with 4-6 blooms per spike. The vanda/phalaenopsis-like growth is best displayed mounted on a medium to large sized “stick” mount. This species is best suited for a high humidity terrarium culture with high quality water (R.O. or rain water). It is normal for roots to ramble out into the air if given plenty of humidity. Mature plants will have 8 or more 2" leaves.

These striking orchids, which are also known as pansy orchids, owing to their similarity to garden pansies, are enjoying increasing popularity. Miltoniopsis are cool-growing orchids that originate in the higher elevations of the Andes in Colombia, Panama and Ecuador. The warmer-growing species, properly miltonias, originate from the Minas Gerais area of Brazil and more closely resemble large-flowered oncidiums. Their flowers can be brilliantly patterned.

Lycastes are deciduous in various degrees, from the strongly deciduous, yellow-flowered species like Lycaste aromatica that flowers from leafless pseudobulbs to the evergreen types like Lycaste skinneri with pseudobulbs that retain their leaves at flowering. This genus produces large, long-lasting, showy, triangular flowers that are waxy. The plants are distinctive for their roundish pseudobulbs and broad, plicate (pleated) leaves. Culture for the hybrid genus Angulocaste (Lycaste x Anguloa) follows the culture for the Lycaste parent.

Masdevallia is a genus of some 350 species usually from cool, misty mountains of the New World Tropics. Masdevallias are best known for their showy flowers consisting of sepals fused into a tubelike structure. Their origins in cool, damp environments make them an excellent choice for cool or coastal climates. Most species and hybrids are compact enough so that they can be easily accommodated on windowsills or under lights.

This unusual group of orchids offers fascinating, waxy flowers that often have the peculiar habit of discharging their pollen masses (pollinia) onto pollinators. Almost always deciduous, the pseudobulbous plants have strict growing and resting periods. Most flower before entering a dormant period when they drop their leaves.

This is commonly called large yellow lady's slipper. It is a relatively common and widespread slipper orchid found across canada and the US. It is also the most commonly cultivated Cyp species. It is very easy to grow and is the most adaptable Cyp species to garden conditions. When happy, it multiplies fairly rapidly to form a large clump with many flowers, and double-flowered stems are common. If hybrids are unavailable to you or out of the budget, I recommend this species as a first Cyp. It is readily available and at a reasonable price.

Phragmipedium is a genus of slipper orchids native to tropical Central and South America. Like all slipper orchid genera, its species are highly variable; some have sprays of several flowers open at the same time with long, drooping petals while others have more rounded flowers that open sequentially. Most are large, vigorous plants with fans of sword-shaped leaves. These plants are typically rainforest dwellers (terrestrials) that receive a lot of mositure, but some are lithophytes (grow on rocks) or sometimes epiphytes (grow on trees) that receive less moisture. For this reason the genus can be divided into two: the mositure-loving species (Phrag. besseae group) and the dryer growing species (Phrag. caudatum group).

Cypripedium acaule is commonly called pink lady's slipper, stemless lady's slipper, or mocassin flower. It is a widespread species found across Canada and the United States. It grows mainly in coniferous forests but can also be found in roadside ditches, railway gradings, and similar areas. It is a unique species with a pair of oval, basal leaves and a tall, leafless stalk bearing a single flower, which is ususally pink but can be white as in forma album. This is a beautiful plant but is known as a very tricky species to grow. The secrets to this plant's successful cultivation will be discussed here.