Orchids are exotic guests from the tropics, who have long “taken root” in our latitudes. The fantastic appearance and colors of these plants captivate at first sight, making them a favorite both in the circle of plant growers and among admirers of bouquets and compositions from fresh flowers.
Phalaenopsis will easily become a pearl of the room collection of plants, decorate a winter garden and help express feelings by acting as a gift. Incredible in its scope, the color palette of orchids will amaze the imagination of any esthete tempted in floristics. In the photo presented in the article, you can see what amazing colors the orchid phalaenopsis has: black, blue, red, purple, orange, burgundy, green, pistachio and others.
Classification
Phalaenopsis is a species of herbaceous epiphytes (in rare cases lithophytes) of the genus Phalaenopsis, belonging to the Orchid family.. In colloquial terms - orchids. The genus name is derived from the Greek word “Phalaenopsis”, which means “similar to a moth”. And indeed, the inflorescences of these tropical plants look like fanciful butterflies, crouching to rest on the dark wax leaves.
Different types of orchids can vary in size of the vegetative part, the mode of growth, as well as the shape of the petals and the color of the inflorescences. Wherein, Based on the conditions of detention, phalaenopsis varieties can be divided into 3 groups according to flower color.
Consider what are the varieties and types of orchids in their natural environment and at home.
At home
As a rule, home-contained phalaenopsis flowers in white and pink, red, violet, blue or yellow. In this case, the color depends entirely on the selected plant species. Most often the following types of Phalaenopsis become the decoration of the home flower garden.
Aerides
Aerides features a white and pink color palette.. Look very decorative.
Ascofinetia
The inflorescences of this species usually have a color of white-pink or yellow tones.
Ascocentrum
Ascocentrum can have inflorescences of various colors.. From white to almost all shades of blue and purple.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Askocentrum orchid:
Cattletonia
The flowers of this species have a characteristic fiery red color.
Neofinetia
For characteristic for this type of pronounced spur, neofinetia is called the “Samurai Flower”. Very beautiful and unusual color.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of Neofinetia orchid:
Sophronitis (“Fire”)
The flowers of this species resemble flames and can be painted in yellow, red and orange tones.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Sophronitis orchid:
What else are there?
In addition to the above types There are many artificially cultivated phalaenopsis varieties for indoor floriculture. The inflorescences of such plants can be painted in all colors of the rainbow, presented in a wide range of combinations and shades.
In the natural environment
The color palette of phalaenopsis growing under natural conditions also depends on the variety of a particular plant. Most often in the natural habitat are the following species and varieties of phalaenopsis.
Wanda
Wanda is characterized by flowers of white, pink and purple color. There are also instances with blue petals.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Vanda orchid:
Dendrobium
Epiphyte, preferring to “settle” in the more often forests. The flowers of the dendrobium are varied in their color and shape.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Dendrobium orchid:
Dracula
This orchid has a black and purple hue and an unusual flower structure.
We recommend to watch a video about the features of the Dracula orchid:
Cumbria
Peduncle Cumbria densely covered with medium-sized inflorescences. Red flowers are decorated with small pink and white dots.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Cumbria orchid:
Cattleya
Inflorescences of unusual shape can be painted in all shades of white and purple palette.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Cattleya orchid:
Odotonglossum
It has a pink inflorescence racemes. Corrugated at the edges of the orchid petals decorated with dark red dots.
We recommend to watch a video about the features of the Odotonglossum orchid:
Oncidium
Differs in flowers of lemon, chocolate and orange flowers.
We recommend watching the video about the features of the Oncidium orchid:
Cymbidium
One of the few soil varieties of orchids. It has a wide color palette of petals.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Cymbidium orchid:
What colors does a plant have?
Orchid - the undisputed favorite of the flower business. And the popularity of this tropical beauty often pushes lovers of money on a variety of tricks to change the usual color of its inflorescences. Unusual colors seriously increase the cost of phalaenopsis, often issued as a newly bred hybrid. In fact, an exotic copy is a fake, cleverly created with the help of dye.
Board: You can protect yourself from financially costly forgery and disappointment by finding out in advance which colors are not typical of orchids.
As a rule, the victims of “paint” therapy are orchids with flowers of blue, orange, red, green and black. It is important to note that the last two colors and does not happen in nature at all, while the red, blue and red varieties are found, but quite rarely.
An orchid painted by enterprising vendors either dies shortly after purchase. Either survives, preparing a serious disappointment to its owner in the form of completely not “piece” buds during the next flowering.
Color Varieties
The color palette of now famous orchids is incredibly wide. Consider the most popular varieties of this plant, classified them by color.
Black
Phalaenopsis of this color does not exist. Nevertheless, there are varieties whose inflorescences are so intensely dark in color that they appear black at first glance. As a rule, petals of maroon, violet and purple color possess this property. Before black, dark shades of inflorescences have the following varieties of phalaenopsis.
Dracula roezlii
It has an unusual shape of dark-tinged flower stalks. Petals adorn small white and pink blotches.
Fredclarkeara After Dark Black Pearl
The inflorescences of this variety have a bluish-black color.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Fredclarkeara After Dark Black Pearl orchid:
Maxillaria schunkeana
A rare specimen of the species Phalaenopsis, whose petals are painted in rich and dark tones of burgundy or purple.
Paphiopedilum Pisgah Midnight
One of the brightest representatives of the "black" orchids. Petals of a flower are decorated with opaque streaks of coal color.
Paphiopedilum de Nachtwacht
The flowers of this orchid are distinguished by a deep tint of wine, saturated to black.
Phalaenopsis Black Butterfly "Orchids"
The peduncle of this orchid looks like a black butterfly fluttering, with the tips of its wings adorning a scattering of white dots.
Blue
Heavenly colors are the privilege of the Wanda and Cattleya families. Such copies rarely appear on sale and cost a lot of money.
Wanda phalaenopsis inflorescences can have the most diverse shade of blue, including the combination of several tones that form intricate patterns on the surface of the petal. Vanda orchids are capricious and demanding to the conditions of the plants, which is important to consider when buying them.
In nature, Cattleya's phalaenopsis have a delicate shade of indigo, which can only be called blue.. However, on sale can be found and bright blue specimens, derived artificially in favor of the floral fashion.
Red
Red is a win-win color for lovers of tropical exotic. Real orchids of this color are rarely available for sale, while “painted” specimens, alas, regularly hit the shelves.
Maroon
Knowledge of true red phalaenopsis varieties will help protect against counterfeiting. In burgundy shades are painted petals of the following varieties of phalaenopsis.
Paphiopedilum de Nachtwacht
Black-maroon petals of these plants are quite large.
Phalaenopsis Black Butterfly "Orchids"
Butterfly-like petals have a dark burgundy color, and their tips are decorated with white dots.
Purple
Purple-shaded orchids are the most frequent guests of store shelves., and there is a quite simple explanation: plants with flower stalks of this particular shade are the most simple to care for. Among the most prominent representatives of the purple orchids are the following phalaenopsis.
Wanda
The root system of this variety is completely open, carrying out its power from the air. Such an orchid does not need a substrate: it is enough to place its roots in a transparent cache-pot of a suitable size and not to forget to maintain a suitable humidity.
Dendrobium
The most common type of flower is a purple shade, representatives of which are the varieties Dendrobium phalaenopsis and Dendrobium nobile.
Cattleya
Orchid difficult to maintain, able to thank for the thorough care of large fragrant inflorescences. Petals of most varieties of Cattley have a non-uniform color..
In nature, the following varieties of Cattleya are found:
- Bowring;
- Spongy;
- Ekland;
- Triana;
- Skinner.
Among the hybrid plants of the species worth noting:
- Eclipse;
- Margaret Degenhardt Saturn;
- Miyuki Little King.
Orange
Red petals - like flames. This color is inherent in some varieties of Cattley, characterized by large peduncles with a rich color. Another representative of the “fiery” phalaenopsis are the Askocendsy.
Green
Herb-green phalaenopsis does not exist, but there are varieties of pistachio and olive hues.
Pistachio Amadeus and Otom Wind
Have a lush brush middle-sized inflorescences. In the daytime flowers exude a unique delicate fragrance..
Precious Ludizia
It has a delicate olive color of flowers and a bright red core.
Yellow
Grammatofillum
It has bright yellow flowers in brown speck.
Brassia
The inflorescences of this orchid look like rich yellow spiders.. Very bright and unusual flowers.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Brassiya orchid:
Whites
White phalaenopsis are not demanding to the conditions of detention and have long been favorites among beginners.
Apple blossom
This variety is most often found on the shelves. Inflorescences reach 8 cm in diameter and are decorated with an orange core.
Brassavola
Thanks to its refined elongated petals, the flowers of this plant resemble elegant stars. Some specimens have a greenish or yellowish tint. Scent flowers only in the dark.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Brassavol orchid:
Blue
Royally capricious and luxurious blue orchid - Wanda. Large peduncles of this phalaenopsis species can have a shade from pale blue to dark blue. Another orchid capable of pleasing blue flowers is Cattleya.
Pink
Abundant bloom with a minimum of labor costs for the care is able to give a pink orchid. Phalaenopsis of this color only need to provide special conditions for watering.
Schiller
This orchid has a drooping, branching peduncle, densely covered with flowers of pale pink color.
We recommend to watch the video about the features of the Schiller orchid:
Sander
Sander is very beautiful and luxuriantly blooms and has up to 50 buds on one peduncle. This type of orchid is one of the most expensive and rarely found in nature, and is under the protection of the state.
Conclusion
Orchids are exotic and fragile in nature plants that require special care and specific conditions. A competent florist who has managed to provide proper care for phalaenopsis will be rewarded with a fantastically beautiful flowering, the palette of which is as wide as any other plant species.
