They take brighter light than the cattleyas and go dormant during the cooler weather. Hold off on feeding and watering during the winter months. Purple and white are dominant colors. The flowers are carried on spikes and are much smaller than the cattleyas but still make a nice show. They can bloom several times a year.
Oncidiums are good bloomers with yellow flowers predominating.
Their airy spikes of bloom can extend for several feet above the plant. I have only the common yellow type that blooms for me in the spring. I have seen them in bloom at other times of the year but this may be a species variation. I consider the other common species a bit more challenging for the beginner. Vanda orchids originate in Southeast Asia and need full sun, hot weather and daily watering.