Although they come in a wide range of colors and color patterns, the color orchid is named for one of the flower colors found in cattleyas. Most cattleyas make the large, showy flowers common in corsages. They are tropical epiphytes with sympodial growth and pronounced pseudobulbs. They are native to higher elevations in Central America and northern South America. They grow best in warm, but not hot, conditions and grow and flower best at brighter light, brighter than that preferred by most orchids.
Dendrobium is a sympodial epiphyte native from India to Japan and Australia.
There are several subtypes with distinctly different cultural requirements. These include the pseudobulb dendrobiums, evergreen cane dendrobiums, deciduous cane dendrobiums, evergreen phalaenopsis type dendrobiums, and black hairy-stemmed dendrobiums. Many dendrobiums produce smaller flowers but in large sprays. Many need a dry period prior to bud development. Laelia is a genus of orchids closely related to the cattleyas.