10 Most Favorite Orchid Flower Types in Indonesia, Suitable for Cultivation

Kapanlagi.com - In general, each type of flower has its own charm, some have cute or interesting shapes like cacti, some are colorful like roses, some also have a fragrant aroma like jasmine that can make anyone like them. Some flowers have unique floriography since the Middle Ages. Floriography is used as a communication tool to express feelings that cannot be spoken, so before giving flowers to a girlfriend, friend, or parent, make sure you know the meaning of the chosen flower or commonly called floriography. For example, orchids have the meaning of love and beautiful women. Orchids can be a symbol of exotic beauty and leave a lasting impression.

Based on its history, orchids have existed since 75-83 million years ago or in the Cretaceous period, growing alongside dinosaurs that are now extinct. This flower, which is not known for its original habitat and can only be found in Southeast Asia (from Japan to America), is known to the world as Orchid. The use of the name orchid was first mentioned by a Greek botanist named Theophrastus and was found in the book Enquiry into Plants in 300 AD. The oldest Orchid family is estimated to have existed since 120 million years ago. Every year, at least 200-400 new species of orchids are discovered, so now there are approximately 25,000 types of orchids scattered in several countries. Here are the top 10 favorite types of orchid flowers in Indonesia. Let's take a look.

1. Moon Orchid

(credit: pixabay)

This type of orchid generally has white flower petals and because of its beauty, this flower is considered as the national flower of Indonesia. Although it is the national flower, it does not make it difficult to cultivate at home.

2. Slipper Orchid

Next, the type of orchid that you need to know is the slipper orchid or Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum. This orchid has a unique shape resembling a pitcher plant and a slipper. The color of the flower is purple and the dots on the lip of the flower are its attraction for orchid lovers. Slipper Orchid is commonly found in East Java because its natural habitat is on the slopes of Mount Semeru, Lumajang.

3. Orchid Kebutan

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The Kebutan orchid has orange-colored petals. Its beautiful appearance has made this type of orchid spread widely in Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Java, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Sumatra. The natural habitat of this Kebutan orchid is in environments with hot and moderate temperatures, such as in open forests. If you want to cultivate this type of orchid at home, you can use a potting medium filled with wood chips, broken tiles, pine bark, ferns, or old cloth that does not retain excess water for too long.

4. Larat Orchid

This type of orchid flower, which has purple petals, is a rare and protected plant in Indonesia. The name 'Larat' is taken from the name of an island in the Maluku Islands, namely Larat Island, which serves as the habitat for this plant.

5. Orchid Sugar Cane

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Named Orchid Sugar Cane because the stem of this orchid resembles a sugar cane stem. In addition, this plant is also often referred to as tiger orchid, because it has yellow flower petals with spots resembling a tiger.

6. Emerald Orchid

This flower is widely distributed in the Philippines, Papua, and several islands scattered in the Western Pacific. Emerald Orchid or Dendrobium macrophyllum has a diameter of 2 to 5 centimeters and is green to yellowish in color.

7. Black Orchid

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Black orchid or Coelogyne panduratahas a black-colored tongue (labellum), which is also included in the category of protected plants due to its decreasing numbers. This orchid is the mascot of East Kalimantan province and can only be found growing in the Malay Peninsula, Kalimantan, and Sumatra.

8. Vanda Douglas Orchid

This orchid has become a favorite type of orchid because it is very easy to cultivate and maintain. It is resistant to extreme weather conditions, making it suitable to be planted in your front yard that receives direct sunlight.

9. Cattleya Orchid

(credit: pixabay)

The name Cattleya was first given by John Lindley, an English botanist, in 1824 to commemorate his friend named Sir William Cattley, who was the first to successfully cultivate this type of orchid until it bloomed. This flower has beautiful and striking petal colors, ranging from yellow to purple.

10. Papua Paphiopedilum Orchid

The Papua Paphiopedilum orchid is a highly protected orchid species, which has three species namely Paphiopedilum glanduliferum, Paphiopedilum Wilhelminae, and Paphiopedilum Violascens. This orchid is known for its pouch-shaped petals and beautiful, unique, large flowers with a relatively long blooming age.

Those are some of the most favorite types of orchids in Indonesia that you need to know. In addition, orchids also have benefits and functions such as being used as ingredients in making perfume, being used as food ingredients to make cakes, being used as traditional medicine, and being used for stress-relief therapy. So, which type of orchid is your favorite?

(kpl/dtm)