Need Help Identifying These Orchids

[paulpearl]

Hi, I'm a newbie and recently purchased these orchids from a store. Can anyone help in identifying them. Thank you.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

This is a Cymbidium, not a Dendrobium. If the tag said Dendrobium, somebody switched tags. The green and white flowers in the background are definitely Dendrobiums, and the dark red one probably is, too, but I can't see it well enough.

Cymbidiums have long, grass-like foliage from elongated-round pseudobulbs down at the surface of the potting medium. The spikes come from the base of the pseudobulb.

Dendrobiums have taller stems with leaves coming out alternately in one plane. Spikes come from the tip, and sides of the stem nearer the tip.

[Optimist]

If you are in a warm state of the USA like southern Cali, Arizona, or the deep south, the cymbidium can be grown outside most of the time. They like a lot of light and are heavy feeders. The 2 other are phalaenopsis, and unless they have tags on them, or if you have a way to contact the grower, they are usually not specifically identifiable. Just grow them like any hybrid phalaenopsis. There are many instructions here on OB for that.

[paulpearl]

Thank you very much for your assistance. How much light should I give the cymbidium. I live in Hawaii, the plant is in my patio and receives about 6 hours of indirect light daily. I water it twice a week, fertilizing it at half strength, once a week.

[estación seca]

The more light, the better they grow and bloom. Cymbidiums need more light than most other orchids. With good air circulation full sun is best. With still air full sun can burn the foliage. I gradually put most of my plants into more and more light until they show signs of heat or light stress.

Maybe there is an orchid society near you. They can give more locale-specific information.

I just saw the second two photos. As mentioned, those are Phalaenopsis. They are full shade plants. They do best in pots if they get almost dry between waterings.

[paulpearl]

Thank you for your help. I'll place the cymbidium in an area where there's longer sunlight.

[Roberta]

Depending on exactly where you live, the biggest challenge with the Cymbidium is giving it enough of an overnight temperature drop (especially in the fall) to get it to bloom. But the breeders are are now producing so-called "warmth tolerant" Cyms that don't need a chill, and yours may be one of them if you bought it locally. (Essentially all Cyms are warmth-tolerant, they will handle over 100 deg F if protected a bit from direct sun) They do need bright light and once they get used to it, can handle it pretty much all day. So that one is easy, put it on the patio, squirt it with a hose when you think of it, and repot about every 2-3 years. In Hawaii, you can probably even get away with growing the Phalaenopsis outside most of the year - they just don't like to go much below 60 deg F. (If cooler than that, indoors is best) They want indirect light (outside, shade or bright shade)

[Fairorchids]

The Cymbidium is almost certainly Vanna White 'Mana' (see photo attached).

This is a warmth tolerant clone, which is easily bloomed in Hawaii (it does not need the cool nights, which are necessary for standard Cymbdiums to set buds). This clone is mass produced by one of the local nurseries.

Here in NJ, I grow it outside in full sun from late April till first frost.