The term orchid types or types of orchids could have just as many definitions as there are people because of how broad the term is. Many people ask me how many types of orchids are there. Well that depends on what you are trying to classify.

So I decided to just list some of the orchid information that I have been asked in regards to types of orchids.

Orchids can be put into two different types based on how the grow in they grow in their natural habitat one is terrestrial meaning they grow in the ground and the other is epiphytic meaning they grow fastened to trees or rocks. Terrestrial plants get most of their nutrients and moisture from the ground and epiphytic gets their nutrients from organic material rotting from trees or in crevices of rocks and their moisture from the air.

Orchids can also be typed in categories based on what temperatures they can thrive in. They are cool growing, warm growing, and hot growing orchids. Cool growing grow from 50 degrees F to 86 degrees F. Warm growing grow from 55 degrees F to 86 degrees F. Hot growing grow from 64 degrees F to 90 degrees F.

Orchids can also be categorized into indoor and outdoor plants. Of course this has much to do with temperature and humidity in your home and in your outside garden. Some people move potted orchids between indoors and outdoors depending on the temperature, humidity, and amount of sunlight. Some indoor plants to consider are Brassavola Nodosa also called lady of the night, Cattleya Sinneri also called San Sebastian Orchid, Debdrobium Phalaenopis, Laeliocattleya, Ludisia Discolor also called the jewel orchid, and Oncidium also called dancing dolls just to name a few. Outdoors plants to consider the cymbidium, dendrobium kincianum, epidendrum inaguense , and the miniature cymbidium to name some.

The scientific way to type orchids would be by specie. There are over 30, 000 species and 100,000 hybrids. Many of the most popular species I named in the previous paragraph. The typical gardener need not learn but a few of the most popular Latin species name. When picking what type of orchid to get, the key is getting one that you can provide the conditions for growth. Many novices buy one that they like the looks or the pretty flower not knowing that it had been grown to that point in a temperature and humidity controlled space. Then upon bringing it home kill it slowly. Some species can be grown easily in most homes. The phalaenosis family of orchid is one that you should consider if you are a beginner with orchids.

As you can see the general term orchid type can mean anything. There are many other ways to type orchids that I have not listed here because of space. If you are looking for specific data when searching, I suggest you also try orchid classes, orchid families, orchid temperature ranges, orchid humidity needs, and orchid species in order to drill down on the information you are looking for.