If you're new to the orchid world, you may have heard the word "botanical" come up on forums and in articles. But what does it actually mean?
Natural form
Botanical orchids are wild orchid species grown in their original, natural form. Unlike artificial hybrids, which are grown specifically to accentuate certain traits, botanical orchids retain the unique characteristics of their wild ancestors.
The appeal
Botanical orchids are found in a wide variety of climates and have evolved evolutionarily in a special way to survive. Many orchid collectors and enthusiasts are attracted by the natural beauty, rarity and ecological history of botanical species. But the challenge of mimicking the climate to make the plant grow as beautifully as possible is also an attraction of the botanical orchid.
3 popular botanical orchids
The most sought-after and well-known botanical orchids are the Phalaenopsis amabilis, Cattleya mossiae and the Paphiopedilum rothschildianum. On our website we usually have the amabilis and the rothschildianum as well.
Phalaenopsis amabilis
The Phalaenopsis amabilis is a popular orchid of this because of its butterfly-like flowers. The orchid is native to Southeast Asia.
Cattleya mossiae
Also nicknamed "spring queen," Cattleya mossiae is a colorful orchid from South America (Colombia). The flower of the Cattleya mossiae is often used in expensive bouquets.
Paphiopedilum rothschildianum
The Paphiopedilum rothschildianum is a venus shoe orchid and is native to Southeast Asia. This orchid is popular among collectors because of its unique flowers and the way it can be crossed with special species from which very interesting flowers can then be produced.
In short, botanical orchids often have specific care needs and are therefore often kept by experienced hobbyists. However, their history and beauty make them worth keeping for many enthusiasts.
