Orchids for Dummies (ISBN - 0764567594)
Transcript of Orchids for Dummies (ISBN - 0764567594)
OrchidsFOR
DUMmIESpermil
by Steven A Frowine and the National Gardening Association
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OrchidsFOR
DUMmIESpermil
by Steven A Frowine and the National Gardening Association
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Orchids For Dummiesreg
Published byWiley Publishing Inc111 River StHoboken NJ 07030-5774wwwwileycom
Copyright copy 2005 by Wiley Publishing Inc Indianapolis Indiana
Published simultaneously in Canada
No part of this publication may be reproduced stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or byany means electronic mechanical photocopying recording scanning or otherwise except as permittedunder Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act without either the prior written permis-sion of the Publisher or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the CopyrightClearance Center 222 Rosewood Drive Danvers MA 01923 978-750-8400 fax 978-646-8600 Requests to thePublisher for permission should be addressed to the Legal Department Wiley Publishing Inc 10475Crosspoint Blvd Indianapolis IN 46256 317-572-3447 fax 317-572-4355 e-mail brandreviewwileycom
Trademarks Wiley the Wiley Publishing logo For Dummies the Dummies Man logo A Reference for theRest of Us The Dummies Way Dummies Daily The Fun and Easy Way Dummiescom and related tradedress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley amp Sons Inc andor its affiliates in the UnitedStates and other countries and may not be used without written permission All other trademarks are theproperty of their respective owners Wiley Publishing Inc is not associated with any product or vendormentioned in this book
LIMIT OF LIABILITYDISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY THE PUBLISHER AND THE AUTHOR MAKE NO REP-RESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES WITH RESPECT TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE CON-TENTS OF THIS WORK AND SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES INCLUDING WITHOUTLIMITATION WARRANTIES OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE NO WARRANTY MAY BE CREATEDOR EXTENDED BY SALES OR PROMOTIONAL MATERIALS THE ADVICE AND STRATEGIES CONTAINEDHEREIN MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR EVERY SITUATION THIS WORK IS SOLD WITH THE UNDER-STANDING THAT THE PUBLISHER IS NOT ENGAGED IN RENDERING LEGAL ACCOUNTING OR OTHERPROFESSIONAL SERVICES IF PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IS REQUIRED THE SERVICES OF A COMPE-TENT PROFESSIONAL PERSON SHOULD BE SOUGHT NEITHER THE PUBLISHER NOR THE AUTHORSHALL BE LIABLE FOR DAMAGES ARISING HEREFROM THE FACT THAT AN ORGANIZATION ORWEBSITE IS REFERRED TO IN THIS WORK AS A CITATION ANDOR A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF FURTHERINFORMATION DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE AUTHOR OR THE PUBLISHER ENDORSES THE INFORMA-TION THE ORGANIZATION OR WEBSITE MAY PROVIDE OR RECOMMENDATIONS IT MAY MAKEFURTHER READERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT INTERNET WEBSITES LISTED IN THIS WORK MAY HAVECHANGED OR DISAPPEARED BETWEEN WHEN THIS WORK WAS WRITTEN AND WHEN IT IS READ
For general information on our other products and services please contact our Customer Care Departmentwithin the US at 800-762-2974 outside the US at 317-572-3993 or fax 317-572-4002
For technical support please visit wwwwileycomtechsupport
Wiley also publishes its books in a variety of electronic formats Some content that appears in print maynot be available in electronic books
Library of Congress Control Number 2004117701
ISBN 0-7645-6759-4
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
1BRQQSQVIN
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About the AuthorsSteven A Frowine first started growing orchids under lights whenhe was in high school Since then his love and sometimes obses-sion for orchids has continued to grow He has tended orchids pro-fessionally as a horticulturist when he worked in Hawaii at theNational Tropical Botanical Garden and at Missouri BotanicalGarden where he was Chairman of Indoor Horticulture and man-aged one of the largest orchid collections in the United States mdashover 10000 plants Steversquos greatest pleasure from orchids thoughhas been growing them in his own home under lights and in win-dowsills which he has done now for over 40 years
Steve has a BS and MS in horticulture from Ohio State Universityand Cornell respectively He has had a long and rich career workingas a professional horticulturist for premier botanical gardens in theUnited States and as an executive at top horticultural businessesincluding W Atlee Burpee Company White Flower Farm andInternational Gardening Products Steve is sought out as a lecturerand has delivered hundreds of lectures throughout the country Hispresentations are noted for his excellent photography his knowl-edge of the subject and his sense of humor He has appeared onvarious national TV shows and writes extensively authoring manyarticles for horticultural trade and consumer magazines Hissecond book Fragrant Orchids will be released in the fall of 2005
Steve is now president of his own horticultural consulting firmwhere he works with various horticultural companies on marketingand public-relations issues
The National Gardening Association (NGA) founded in 1972 is anational not-for-profit leader in plant-based education Its mission isto promote home school and community gardening as a means torenew and sustain the essential connection between people plantsand the environment For more information on the NationalGardening Association visit its Web site at wwwgardenorg
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DedicationTo my mother Janet and my late father Samuel who encouragedme to pursue in my life and work what I loved and believed in
To my loving wife Sascha who shares my passions and toleratesmy obsessions
Authorrsquos AcknowledgmentsMany thanks are extended to Glen Decker who served as the tech-nical editor for this book It is comforting to have someone withGlenrsquos extensive experience and knowledge pore over my manu-script and lend his constructive helpful criticism as well as makesure the information presented rings true To my Project EditorElizabeth Kuball who greatly helped to mold and shape this bookto be the best it could be and to Tracy Boggier my AcquisitionsEditor who helped me pitch this book to the folks at Wiley morethanks
I am also appreciative to the National Gardening Association whichdoes admirable good works and specifically to Larry Sommers andCharlie Nardozzi of this organization for giving me the opportunityto produce this book
The American Orchid Society The Orchid Digest and theInternational Phalaenopsis Society deserve a round of applause forthe world-class publications they produce and the information theydisseminate to the legends of new and veteran orchid lovers I havemade frequent use of all of them for many years
The orchid community of amateur and professional growers andorchid societies who inform members and put on orchid showsget accolades for their dedication and efforts Many have beenimmensely helpful to me
Lastly I want to thank my wife Sascha for her patience in puttingup with me pounding away at the keyboard for seemingly countlessdays evenings and weekends and to my dogs Ginger and Zoewho always provided pleasant company and never complained(unless I didnrsquot feed them on time)
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Publisherrsquos AcknowledgmentsWersquore proud of this book please send us your comments through our Dummies online regis-tration form located at wwwdummiescomregister
Some of the people who helped bring this book to market include the following
Acquisitions Editorial and Media Development
Project Editor Elizabeth Kuball
Acquisitions Editor Tracy Boggier
Technical Editor Glen Decker
Editorial Manager Michelle Hacker
Editorial Supervisor Carmen Krikorian
Editorial Assistants Courtney AllenNadine Bell
Cover Photos copy ChromaZone ImagesIndex Stock ImageryPictureQuest
Cartoons Rich Tennant wwwthe5thwavecom
Composition
Project Coordinator Adrienne Martinez
Layout and Graphics Karl BrandtAndrea Dahl Joyce HaugheyStephanie D Jumper Barry OffringaJacque Roth Heather RyanBrent Savage Rashell Smith
Proofreaders Laura Albert Leeann HarneyJessica Kramer TECHBOOKSProduction Services
Indexer TECHBOOKS Production Services
Publishing and Editorial for Consumer Dummies
Diane Graves Steele Vice President and Publisher Consumer Dummies
Joyce Pepple Acquisitions Director Consumer Dummies
Kristin A Cocks Product Development Director Consumer Dummies
Michael Spring Vice President and Publisher Travel
Brice Gosnell Associate Publisher Travel
Kelly Regan Editorial Director Travel
Publishing for Technology Dummies
Andy Cummings Vice President and Publisher Dummies TechnologyGeneral User
Composition Services
Gerry Fahey Vice President of Production Services
Debbie Stailey Director of Composition Services
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Contents at a GlanceIntroduction 1
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 7Chapter 1 Getting the Lowdown on Orchids 9Chapter 2 Choosing the Right Orchid for You 23Chapter 3 Having the Right Tools on Hand 33Chapter 4 How I Love Thy Orchid Enjoying the Orchidrsquos Beauty 47
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 57Chapter 5 Providing the Right Growing Environment 59Chapter 6 Watering and Fertilizing Orchids 77Chapter 7 The ABCs of Potting Materials Containers and
Repotting 91Chapter 8 Two Four Six Eight Let Your Orchids Propagate
Multiplying Your Orchids 103Chapter 9 Keeping Your Orchids Pest- and Disease-Free 111
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 123Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives The Best Choice
for Beginners 125Chapter 11 The Quintessential Orchids Cattleyas and Their
Relatives 147Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 169Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 191Chapter 14 Significant Others 213
Part IV The Part of Tens 227Chapter 15 The Ten (or So) Easiest Orchids to Grow 229Chapter 16 The Ten Most Common Ways Orchids Are Killed 233Chapter 17 The Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions about
Orchids 237Chapter 18 The Ten Most Common Reasons Why Orchids
Donrsquot Bloom 243
Appendix Resources 247
Index253
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Table of ContentsIntroduction 1
About This Book 1Conventions Used in This Book 2Foolish Assumptions 2How This Book Is Organized 3
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 3Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 3Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 3Part IV The Part of Tens 4Appendix 4
Icons Used in This Book 5Where to Go from Here 5
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 7
Chapter 1 Getting the Lowdown on Orchids 9Understanding What Makes an Orchid an Orchid 9Knowing Where Orchids Come From 11Seeing Why You Should Grow Orchids 12Deciding Which Orchids to Bring into Your Home 13Getting to Know Your Orchids by Name 14
Species orchid names 15Hybrid orchid names 16
Growing Orchids Easy As One Two Three 17January 18February 18March 19April 19May 20June July and August 20September 21October 21November and December 22
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Chapter 2 Choosing the Right Orchid for You 23Figuring Out Where to Shop 23
Specialist orchid growers or suppliers 23Your local garden center 24Orchid shows 24Online orchid suppliers 24Home centers and discount stores 25
Considering Your Environment 25Taking temperature readings 26Measuring your light intensity 27Other questions to ask yourself 30
Knowing What to Look for in an Orchid 30Choosing a healthy plant 30Deciding between a blooming plant and a
young plant 31Choosing seed-grown orchids or orchid clones 32
Caring for Your New Orchid 32
Chapter 3 Having the Right Tools on Hand 33Cutting and Pruning Tools 33
Pruners 33Knives and blades 34
Potting Tools and Supplies 35Potting tools 35Potting supplies 36
Watering Accessories 39Water breakers 39Water-flow regulators 40Hoses 41Watering cans 41Sprayers and misters 41Fertilizer injectors 42Deionization and reverse osmosis units 43
Humidifiers Heaters and Ventilation Equipment 44Humidifiers 44Ventilation 45Heating 46Thermometers and hygrometers 46
Chapter 4 How I Love Thy Orchid Enjoying the Orchidrsquos Beauty 47
Caring for Orchids in Their New Home 47If the plant is in bloom 48If the plant is not in bloom 48
Orchids For Dummies x
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Staking and Grooming Your Blooming Orchids 49Figuring out how to stake 49Helping your orchids look their best 51Displaying orchid plants in your home 52Arranging orchid flowers 53
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 57
Chapter 5 Providing the Right Growing Environment 59
Let There Be Light 59The ins and outs of light 60Listening to your orchids 62No natural light No problem 65
Humidity Orchidsrsquo Favorite Condition 68Fresh Air Please 71
Ceiling fans 71Oscillating fans 71Muffin fans 72
Some Like It Hot Some Like It Cold Orchid TemperatureRequirements 72
Too-low temperatures 73Too-high temperatures 73
Giving Your Orchids a Summer Vacation 73A shade house 74A portable greenhouse 75Some orchids enjoy hanging out 76
Chapter 6 Watering and Fertilizing Orchids 77Water Water Everywhere Understanding the Art
of Watering Orchids 77The type of pot 78The type of potting material 78The age of the potting material 78Whether the orchid is pot-bound 79The growing environment 79The temperature 79The amount of ventilation 79Whether the orchids are growing or dormant 79The type of orchid 80
Proven Watering Techniques 80Over- or Underwatering Roots Tell the Story 82
Figuring out whether watering is the problem 82Mission Orchid rescue and resuscitation 83
Table of Contents xi
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Fertilizers Not Magic Potions 85What to look for in orchid fertilizers 86Types of fertilizers and how to use them 88
Chapter 7 The ABCs of Potting Materials Containers and Repotting 91
Choosing Potting Materials 91Knowing your potting material options 92Figuring out which potting materials are best 93Psst Getting your hands on some not-so-secret
recipes 94If mixing your own is not your thing 95Getting your potting material ready to use 95
Giving Your Orchids a Home Potting Containers 96Repotting Orchids without Fear 97
Knowing when you should repot 99Orchid potting mdash step by step 100
Chapter 8 Two Four Six Eight Let Your Orchids Propagate Multiplying Your Orchids 103
Dividing Your Orchids 103Giving Babies a New Home 105Producing New Plants from Cuttings 107Growing Orchids from Back Bulbs 108
Chapter 9 Keeping Your Orchids Pest- and Disease-Free 111
Preventing Problems Before They Start 112Besting the Bugs 113
Identifying common orchid pests 113Finding safe pest-control measures 117
Is There a Fungus Among Us 120
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 123
Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives The Best Choice for Beginners 125
Mirror Mirror on the Wall The Beauty of Moth Orchids 126
Leaves 126Flower shapes 127Flower colors 127Scents 131Size 134Answering the call of the wild 136
Orchids For Dummies xii
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Oh Give Me a Home Cultural Requirements 138Relatives of Moth Orchids 138
Africarsquos gift to orchid lovers The Angraecoids 139Vandas and some of their close cousins 142
Chapter 11 The Quintessential Orchids Cattleyas and Their Relatives 147
From the Jungles to Your Home 148Some selected cattleya species 149Some selected laelia species 151Other cattleya relatives 152
The Queens of the Ball Cattleya Hybrids 157Pristine whites 158Purples pinks lavenders and blues 158Hot reds and oranges 159Sunny yellows 160Cool greens 161Bring out the clowns Splash petals and flares 162Fashionable art shades 163
Minicatts 164The key players 164Some of their prized children 166
Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 169Slipping into a Ladyrsquos Slipper 170
Seeing what ladyrsquos slippers have to offer 170Giving your ladyrsquos slipper a good home 171Getting ladyrsquos slippers to bloom 171
Straight from Nature Bumps Warts Hairs and All 171Paphiopedilum bellatulum 172Paphiopedilum callosum 172Paphiopedilum delenatii 173Paphiopedilum dianthum 173Paphiopedilum fairrieanum 173Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum 176Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum 177Paphiopedilum spicerianum 177Paphiopedilum sukhakulii 177Paphiopedilum venustum 178
One Step Removed from Nature Primary Hybrids 179Some superior primary hybrids 180Marvelous Maudiaes 183Huge and round Modern hybrid ladyrsquos slippers 186A different kind of slipper orchid 187
Table of Contents xiii
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Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 191
Taking a Closer Look at the Ladies 191Oncidiums from the wild 191Hybrid oncidiums 194Miniature oncidiums or tolumnia 195
Pansy Orchids Miltonias and Miltoniopsis 197Miltonias 198Miltoniopsis 199
Other Members of the Club The Oncidium Alliance 202Orchid spiders Brassias 202Butterfly orchids Psychopsis 202Sigmatostalix 204Trichopilia 204
Mixing It Up 205
Chapter 14 Significant Others 213A Huge and Interesting Lot Dendrobiums 213
The most popular dendrobiums 213Some other Dendrobiums worth considering 217
Weird and Wonderful Relatives Bulbophyllum 219Orchid Miscellanea All the Rest 222
Catasetum 222Cochleanthes 222Coelogyne 224Cymbidiums 224Lycaste 226Zygopetalum 226
Part IV The Part of Tens 227
Chapter 15 The Ten (or So) Easiest Orchids to Grow 229
Twinkle Moth Orchid (Phalaenopsis Twinkle) 229Lady of the Night (Brassavola nodosa) 230Maudiae Ladyrsquos Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum
Maudiae) 230Cockleshell Orchid (Epidendrum cochleatum) 230Sharry Baby Oncidium (Oncidium lsquoSharry Babyrsquo) 231Bird-Beak Orchid (Oncidium ornithorhynchum) 231Marirsquos Song (Laeliocattleya lsquoMarirsquos Songrsquo) 232Fan-Shape Orchid (Cochleanthes amazonica) 232Pansy Orchid (Miltoniopsis santanei) 232
Orchids For Dummies xiv
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Chapter 16 The Ten Most Common Ways Orchids Are Killed 233
Overwatering 233Underwatering 233Too Much Light or Heat 234Leaving Orchid Foliage Wet Overnight 234Too Much Fertilizer 235Improper Use of Pesticides 235Insects 235Purchase of Sick Plants 235Poor Water Quality 236Inadequate Ventilation 236
Chapter 17 The Ten Most Frequently Asked Questions about Orchids 237
Are Orchids Difficult to Grow 237Why Should I Grow Orchids 237Do I Need a Greenhouse to Grow Orchids 238Are Orchids Expensive 238How Long and How Often Will Orchids Bloom 238What Makes an Orchid an Orchid 239Are Orchids Fragrant 239Where Can I See the Best Collections of Orchids 239Are Any Orchids Hardy 240Are Orchids Parasites 241
Chapter 18 The Ten Most Common Reasons Why Orchids Donrsquot Bloom 243
Not Enough Difference between Day and Night Temperatures 243
Too Moist during the Winter 244Too Little Light 244Excessively High or Low Temperatures 244Not Using a Fertilizer or Using One with Too Much
Nitrogen 245Immature Plants 245Too Low Humidity 245Disease Insects or Mice 245Not Enough Water 246Recently Transplanted and Divided 246
Appendix Resources 247Plant Suppliers 247Growing Supplies 250Orchid Societies 251
Index 253
Table of Contents xv
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Orchids For Dummies xvi
02_567594 ftocqxd 12405 852 PM Page xvi
Introduction
Believe it or not orchids mdash the most glamorous and spectacularflowering plants in the world naturersquos true masterpieces mdash are
easy to grow You just need to give them what they need And theirrequirements are not difficult to meet mdash adequate light humiditywater and ventilation Sure there are other nuances like fertilizingrepotting insect and disease control but none of these are daunt-ing Irsquove been growing and blooming orchids in my home for almost40 years mdash mostly not in a greenhouse but under lights or on thewindowsill
Helping you achieve success with these glorious plants is mypleasurable mission If you follow the steps I lay out in this bookyou will grow orchids that thrive Everything in this book comesfrom many years of my own trials and errors mdash not from theoriesabout what should happen or what orchids might need Sure Irsquom aprofessional horticulturist but probably more importantly Irsquom ahands-on sometimes fanatical home orchid grower I donrsquot sharewith you anything in this book that I havenrsquot tried myself or amsure that works
Years ago the methods of orchid culture were well-guarded secretshoarded by commercial growers and private estate gardenersThatrsquos not the case here This is a tell-all book where all secretsare revealed So you can now enter this wonderful world of orchidswithout fear knowing that yoursquore armed with the information youneed to be successful and enjoy one of the most rewarding and fas-cinating lifelong hobbies that yoursquoll ever experience mdash growingorchids
About This BookThis book gives you all you need to know to grow appreciateand bloom orchids in your home mdash in a concise easy-to-readmanner This family of plants is so humongous that you may beoverwhelmed by the prospect of choosing and growing one of yourown so I show you only the groups of orchids that are the easierones to grow I also make a point of adding lots of illustrations andphotos (most of which were taken by me) to show you what Irsquomtalking about
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I want you to feel comfortable with these dazzling plants and get toknow them on a personal basis Then yoursquoll be eager to discover alltheir mysteries by slowing down your busy life to savor orchidsrsquoinimitable flowers inhale their sensuous perfumes and observethe unique construction of their roots and leaves
Conventions Used in This BookOrchid names are in Latin which is a challenge for most people(except your high school Latin teacher) to pronounce and remem-ber Donrsquot worry about it Just get into these names graduallyTake some solace in knowing everyone else is struggling withthem too
With such a complex group of plants come names and jargon tomatch This aspect of orchid growing is what scares most peopleoff Donrsquot let this happen to you Theyrsquore just names and wordsthat scientists have assigned to plants because they had to callthem something Think of orchid names as another language thatyou can figure out as you go along mdash with my help In this book Imake the jargon as simple as possible and explain each term in away that is easy to understand
Foolish AssumptionsIn writing this book Irsquove assumed a few things about you andyour experience with orchids At least one of the following appliesto you
Yoursquove seen orchid plants in bloom for sale in the garden sec-tion of your local home-improvement store or garden centerand yoursquove always wanted to give them a try
You purchased your first orchid and are wondering ldquoNowwhatrdquo
You saw orchids at a flower show and you wonder if you cangrow these exquisite flowers in your home
Yoursquove had some orchids for a few years but they donrsquot seemto be doing well and you canrsquot get them to bloom again
Yoursquove grown some other houseplants successfully and arenow ready to move up to orchids
Orchids For Dummies 2
03_567594 introqxd 12405 850 PM Page 2
How This Book Is OrganizedThis book is organized into parts each of which contains severalchapters
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your LifeIn this part I show you how orchids are different from other plantswhat makes them so appealing and where theyrsquore found in natureYou get tips on how to select the right orchid for you which toolsyou need to grow them and how you can fully enjoy their beautyin your home
Chapter 1 tells you what makes an orchid an orchid where theygrow where theyrsquore found and how theyrsquore named Chapter 2 helpsyou select the orchid thatrsquos just right for you and tells you how togive it basic care for its first days in your home Chapter 3 givesyou a rundown of the tools yoursquoll need to be an amateur orchidgrower Chapter 4 helps you get the most out of displaying yourorchidrsquos beauty in your home
Part II The Basics ofOrchid ParenthoodThis is the nitty-gritty on the basics of orchid care
Chapter 5 gives you the information you need to provide yourorchids with the growing environment that they need to thriveChapter 6 addresses the important topics of watering and fertiliz-ing Chapter 7 eliminates your fears of repotting by giving youthe detailed information you need Chapter 8 guides you throughvarious methods of multiplying the orchids you have Chapter 9shows you simple and safe ways to keep your orchids healthy
Part III The Best Orchids for RookiesHere I introduce you to the most popular and easiest orchid togrow Irsquove included plenty of pictures so you can see what theyactually look like
Introduction 3
03_567594 introqxd 12405 850 PM Page 3
Chapter 10 deals with the easiest of all the orchids the mothorchids I also introduce you to some of its recommended rela-tives Chapter 11 covers the colorful and favorite cattleyas andtheir relatives Chapter 12 covers slipper orchids These areamong the easiest to grow with handsome foliage They have oneof the largest groups of ardent admirers Chapter 13 is about theoncidium group which is rapidly rising in its popularity becauseitrsquos easy to grow and because it produces many fantastically pat-terned flowers Chapter 14 tells you about more orchid gems thatare not quite as common but are worth the search to find
Part IV The Part of TensThis wouldnrsquot be a For Dummies book without a Part of Tens Thisis where you can turn when yoursquore short on time but still want a lotof useful information
Chapter 15 helps you select the easiest orchids to start withChapter 16 tells you the ten most common ways orchids are killedand how to prevent these plights Chapter 17 gives you answers tothe ten most common questions asked about orchids and their cul-ture Chapter 18 informs you about the ten most common reasonsthat orchids donrsquot bloom
AppendixYou may be fortunate enough to be close to an orchid grower orsupplier but if you arenrsquot donrsquot despair mdash I list some excellentmail-order providers in this appendix Some have paper catalogsand others offer their plants online
Although more home centers and garden centers are carryingorchid supplies you may have trouble finding some of these materials For this reason I include some resources that aredependable
Orchid societies offer valuable services from providing placesto meet talk about and display orchids to producing excellentpublications and sources for information In the appendix I alsolist contacts for the key organizations Theyrsquoll lead you if yoursquore soinclined to others
Orchids For Dummies 4
03_567594 introqxd 12405 850 PM Page 4
Icons Used in This BookI use the following icons throughout the book to point out particu-larly important information
When you see this icon you can be sure to find information thatwill make you a more successful orchid grower
This icon points out some common pitfalls you want to steer clearof when growing orchids
This icon highlights information worth remembering when yoursquoreworking with your orchids
Take it or leave it This icon points out information that may helpyou win your next game of Trivial Pursuit or convince you that youcould be the next Jeopardy champion but itrsquos not essential to yourunderstanding the topic at hand
When you see this icon you can be sure to find a particularly fra-grant orchid
Where to Go from HereThis book is set up in digestible stand-alone pieces Pick out sec-tions that interest you most and read them first You can bouncearound in the book any way you please
If you already have orchids but are having difficulties growingthem you may want to start out with Part IV It gives you quickanswers to common problems
Trying to decide which orchid you should start with Look atChapters 2 and 15 To get jazzed about orchids check out the section of color photographs And if you have an orchid that isin dire need of repotting skip right to Chapter 7
Introduction 5
03_567594 introqxd 12405 850 PM Page 5
Orchids For Dummies 6
03_567594 introqxd 12405 850 PM Page 6
Part IWelcoming Orchids
into Your Life
04_567594 pt01qxd 12405 851 PM Page 7
In this part
Growing orchids could change your life mdash forever Ithas for me and many people No other plant family
offers the number and diversity of breathtaking and intrigu-ing flowers that orchids do When you discover that youcan actually grow these exotic plants in your home and thatthey arenrsquot expensive your resistance will be lowered andyour chances of catching the extremely contagious butwonderful obsession or addiction called the ldquoOrchid Bugrdquoare high
In England and the rest of Europe in Victorian times thesefabulous plants used to be only for the eyes of royalty orwell-heeled aristocrats because of the one-time astronomi-cal prices that they commanded at flower auctions Theywere grown in elaborate and costly glasshouses usuallyby a staff of professional growers
How times have changed Orchids have entered the main-stream Theyrsquore now the second most popular pot plant inthe world and are gaining quickly on the leader (poinset-tia) Because of new techniques and modern growingmethods award-quality orchids are available to everyoneat prices lower than ever before You can buy an orchidplant in full bloom for less than you would pay for a bou-quet of flowers from the florist
In addition to the orchids of today being less expensivetheyrsquore also much easier to grow Most of them have beenbred to be compact and easy to grow and flower in win-dowsills and under artificial lights Some bloom more thanonce a year and others are fragrant And with thousandsof hybrids and new ones being produced all the timethere is an orchid that will strike anyonersquos and everyonersquosfancy
Join me in this part as I introduce you to this marvelousplant family I show you what makes an orchid an orchidwhy you just have to give these exceptional plants a tryand help you make decisions about which orchids are bestfor you and your growing space This is going to be a funjourney so letrsquos begin
04_567594 pt01qxd 12405 851 PM Page 8
Chapter 1
Getting the Lowdown on Orchids
In This Chapter Getting to know orchids
Deciding whether orchids are right for you
Knowing what to do for your orchids each month of the year
Yoursquore about to enter the wonderful world of orchids Yoursquore instore for an exciting adventure This is the largest plant family
on our planet with an estimated 30000 wild types (species) andmany more man-made varieties No other plants can compete withorchids for their power to seduce and bedazzle the most jaded plantlover with their fantastically beautiful flower colors shapes andtextures and heady and sensuous perfumes
Understanding What Makes an Orchid an Orchid
You can easily tell when a rose is rose but orchids are quite a bitmore complex and varied when it comes to their flower shapes andthe construction of their leaves stems and roots In Part III I giveyou lots of information on flower leaf and stem construction ofspecific orchids In this chapter I talk generalities
Certainly the flamboyant colors of modern orchid hybrids are astandout and are the primary reason these plants are so treasuredBut there are so many different types of orchid flowers so the ques-tion is ldquoWhich one is typicalrdquo There is really no correct answer tothis question Many people think of the cattleya-type orchids (seeChapter 11) while others may picture moth orchids (see Chapter 10)
To get a better idea how orchid flowers are constructed take alook at a typical cattleya flower and compare it to a more ordinary
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 9
flower a tulip (see Figure 1-1) Table 1-1 shows some of the majordifferences between these two flowers
So what makes an orchid an orchid The column This fused sexualstructure located in the middle of the flower is what separates theorchid from all other plants
Figure 1-1 Comparing a cattleya flower with a tulip flower
Table 1-1 Differences between Tulip and Orchid FlowersFlower Part Tulip Orchid
Petals The most obvious part of A very prominent part of the flower the flower and what makes but comprises only half of the showa tulip look like a tulip
Sepals Hardly noticeable in the Very striking in many orchid flowers tulip flower especially Can be as brightly colored as the after they open petals
Lip or Not found in the tulip Usually a very showy part of the labellum orchid flower Actually a modified
petal
Anther and The two sexual parts of the These separate organs are not stigma tulip The anthers are male found in the orchid instead orchids
reproductive organs and the have a column in which the male stigma is the female part and female parts are fused
Column Not found in tulip Only found in orchids
1 Petal2 Lip
3 Sepal4 Stigma5 Anther6 Column
Tulip Cattleya
11
23 3
341 1 1
3 3
6
55 5555 55
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 10
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 10
Knowing Where Orchids Come From
About 80 percent of orchids are from the tropics in both the NewWorld (Central and South America) and the Old World (Asia andMalaysia) A smattering can be found in North America andEurope
The ones that grow in your home though are all of tropical orsemitropical origin They mostly hail from areas of high rainfall andhumidity and enjoy tropical to above-freezing temperatures duringthe winter
Orchids are divided into two major categories based on wherethey grow Those that are commonly found clinging to branchesof trees are called epiphytes those that thrive growing on or in theground are called semiterrestrials and terrestrials
So how can you tell the difference between the two Many of theterrestrial roots are hairy like those found in the slipper orchid(see Figure 1-2) Epiphytes have thick roots (called aerial rootsbecause theyrsquore frequently suspended in the air) which are cov-ered with a silvery material called velamen which can absorbmoisture from the air like a sponge (see Figure 1-3)
Figure 1-2 Terrestrial and semiterrestrial orchids like most slipper orchids frequently have hairy roots
Terrestrial OrchidRoots
Roots of paphiopedilumspecies are covered bya thick coat of hairs
Chapter 1 Getting the Lowdown on Orchids 11
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 11
Figure 1-3 Epiphytic orchids have thick roots covered with silver velamen
Seeing Why You Should Grow Orchids
Growing and studying orchids will provide you the ultimate horti-cultural experience and pleasure Here are some key reasons tostart growing orchids now
Growing orchids is fun Thatrsquos the most important motive
Orchids are easy to grow See Chapter 5 for tips on how to besuccessful
You can start with beginner orchids that any newcomer canbe wildly successful with See Chapter 15 for some plants tostart you off
Orchids cost less than they ever have and you can easilyselect just the right one for you See Chapter 2 to make thisprocess a snap
No group of flowering plants comes close to the deliciousperfumes that orchids emit Pay attention to the Fragranceicon used throughout this book to find the most-fragrantorchids
Orchids are available from ldquoboxrdquo stores specialty growersorchid shows garden centers botanical gardens orchidsocieties and mail-order suppliers See the appendix for alist of suppliers
Aerial rootsEpiphyte Roots
Greenish-brownroot-tip
Silveryvelamen
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 12
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 12
Because of the huge diversity of orchids yoursquoll never tire ofthem Yoursquoll always find new ones to try and enjoy Check outthe chapters in Part III for some of the many possibilities
Yoursquoll meet new friends who are as fanatical about theseplants as you are See the appendix for lists of orchid soci-eties to join Their magazines are a marvelous source forinformation and gorgeous pictures These are some of thebest-quality plant magazines in the world
Orchids donrsquot require an expensive greenhouse to growTheyrsquoll be happy with a windowsill or artificial lights SeeChapter 5 for the skinny on how to grow these orchids to perfection in your home
Theyrsquoll beautify your home and life See Chapter 4 for sometips on how to enjoy them to the fullest in your home
Orchids can live forever so as they grow you can divideand multiply them to share with your friends or to trade forother orchids See Chapter 8 for more tips on dividing andmultiplying your orchids
Deciding Which Orchids to Bring into Your Home
Choosing an orchid is an exciting but sometimes confusing deci-sion So many types of orchids so little space In this book I makethis process easy for you
Check out Chapter 2 to walk through some of the steps totake in deciding what orchid will fit in with your home envi-ronment and suggestions of where you can scope out and purchase them
Consider starting your orchid collection with moth orchidsTheyrsquore the most foolproof of all See Chapter 10 for detailsabout these
Next check out slipper orchids another easy group SeeChapter 12
Then if you want to try others look over Chapter 15 for someof the easiest orchids to grow
When yoursquore ready to expand or you want more choicescheck out all the other orchids in Part III
Chapter 1 Getting the Lowdown on Orchids 13
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 13
Getting to Know Your Orchids by Name
Probably one of the most intimidating hurdles that the beginningorchid grower faces is the complex names given to orchids Whenyou realize what an immense group of plants this is yoursquoll sooncome to realize why most orchids are referred to by their Latinname rather than a common name Actually very few orchids evenhave a common name In this book I always use the Latin namebecause thatrsquos the universally accepted name and I add a commonname when there is one
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 14
Why do I care that an orchid was awarded
Awarded orchids are the cregraveme de la cregraveme of the orchid world Theyrsquove beendeemed this distinction by trained discriminating orchid judges The AmericanOrchid Society a nonprofit educational organization that is dedicated to the studyof orchids has established the judging criteria Similar organizations serve the samefunction in other parts of the world
At each accredited orchid show a covey of judges carefully examines orchids that areexceptional They use Internet connections to check all existing records of the orchidsbeing judged They look for ones of the same grex or similar parentage to see whathas been awarded in the past to serve as a benchmark of excellence These recordswill reveal which of their parents have been awarded what size and number of flow-ers were on the awarded plants and so on These criteria are then used to decideif these specimens are indeed superior to others of this type and whether theyrsquoreworthy of awards The three award categories used by the American Orchid Societythat yoursquore most likely to encounter are (from highest to lowest)
First Class Certificate (FCC) This is the coveted highest award that only a hand-ful of orchids (10 or 15) receive every year
Award of Merit (AM) Usually a few hundred orchids win this distinction every year
Highly Commended Certificate (HCC) Another few hundred orchids are giventhis level of award
Very few orchids make it through this gauntlet Because of modern cloning techniques(see Chapter 2) you can now obtain these prize winners for your own collection atvery reasonable prices Some types of orchids like the slippers are not yet able tobe cloned so in that case picking out those hybrids with awarded parents is a goodidea Remember It takes the same amount of space to grow a high-quality orchidas it does a poor one so why not grow the best
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 14
If you struggled through high school Latin classes as I did you mayhave thought (and hoped) that this language died with the RomansAlas it is alive and well in the natural-science world and itrsquos thestandard language used to name flora and fauna Yoursquoll start to makefriends with Latin as its use become more familiar and comfortableto you
Taking the name a little at a time makes it easier to digest In thefollowing sections I show you the names one word at a time of aspecies orchid and then a hybrid
Species orchid namesPlants that are sold as they were created by nature not hybridizedby man are referred to as species orchids They have two names thegenus name which comes first and is capitalized and the speciesname which comes second and is lowercase Both names are inLatin so theyrsquore italicized (which is just the way foreign languagesare usually treated)
You may see a third part to the name the botanical variety afterthe species name This is a name given to an orchid that variessomewhat mdash it could be a larger flower or one with slightly differ-ent coloration mdash from the standard species It will be preceded bythe letters ldquovarrdquo and will be in lowercase and in Latin
The genus name is much like your last name and the species nameis like your first name In other words orchid naming is backwardto the way you say your own name If my name were written as anorchidrsquos is I would be Frowine steven
Herersquos an example of the name of a species orchid Cattleya walkeri-ana var semialba Table 1-2 explains the orchidrsquos name
Table 1-2 The Components of a Species Orchid NamePart of Name Name Explanation
Genus name Cattleya The first name of the orchid is the genus andis like your last name Itrsquos always capitalizedand in Latin
Species walkeriana The second name of the orchid is the name species Itrsquos always in lowercase italicized
and in Latin
(continued)
Chapter 1 Getting the Lowdown on Orchids 15
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 15
Table 1-2 (continued)Part of Name Name Explanation
Botanical var semialba Sometimes a third name appears for a variety species orchid This is called a botanical
variety and means this form of this specieshas something special about it (for exampleflower shape or color) that separates it fromthe more common form of the species Thisname is in lowercase italicized and in Latin
Hybrid orchid namesOh it would be so simple if naming stopped here but man gotmixed up in all this and started developing hybrids Hybrids resultfrom crossing two species (taking the pollen from one orchid to useit to ldquomaterdquo with another) A marvelous thing happens when twodifferent species of orchids are crossed or mated to each otherTheir progeny is usually stronger easier to grow and frequentlyproduces larger flowers than either of its parents mdash which is whyhybrids are so desirable and popular
Herersquos an example of a hybrid orchid name Brassocattleya CynthialsquoPink Ladyrsquo HCCAOS (See the color section for a photograph ofthis orchid) Table 1-3 breaks down the name and explains its vari-ous parts
Table 1-3 The Components of a Hybrid Orchidrsquos NamePart of Name Name Comments
Genus Brassocattleya This genus combines two different genera mdashBrassavola and Cattleya mdash to result in theman-made name of Brassocattleya Thename is capitalized in Latin italicized andfrequently abbreviated Bc
Species None This is a hybrid that has several differentspecies in its parentage so no single one islisted When an orchid hybrid comes fromjust one species the species name will alsobe listed lowercase in italics and in Latin
Grex Cynthia All the resulting progeny from this cross aregiven a name thatrsquos known as a grex Think ofthis as you and all your siblings having a labelThe grex is always written in a language otherthan Latin is capitalized and is not in italics
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 16
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 16
Part of Name Name Comments
Cultivar lsquoPink Ladyrsquo This is a selection from this grex that was (cultivated deemed in some way superior to the other variety) members of the progeny This name is always in
any language other than Latin is capitalizedis not italicized and is in single quotes Thereare frequently several or more cultivars in agrex Think of the cultivar as one of your par-entsrsquo children Yoursquore all labeled with a grexbut the cultivar is you in particular
Award HCCAOS Highly Commended Certificate from the Designation American Orchid Society (See the nearby
sidebar ldquoWhy do I care that an orchid wasawardedrdquo for more information on thesedesignations)
Orchid hybridizing can produce plants with quite complex namesespecially in some of the very large groups like the cattleyas (seeChapter 11) and the oncidiums (see Chapter 13) In these chaptersI deal with their names in more detail
You donrsquot have to be an expert in orchid names in order to enjoyand grow orchids Yoursquoll catch onto many other name nuancesafter yoursquore drawn further into the orchid web For now donrsquotworry about them much mdash theyrsquore only names
Turn to the Cheat Sheet at the front of this book for a list of commongenera names that yoursquore likely to run into along with their abbre-viations and pronunciations Tear out the Cheat Sheet and take itwith you when you go shopping for orchids
Growing Orchids Easy As One Two Three
To be successful in growing orchids just follow these suggestions
Know the environment you have to offer your orchids andmatch this with the orchids that fit See Chapter 5 for moreinformation on your growing environment
If necessary modify your growing area to help your orchidsperform to their best Check out Chapter 5 for information onhow to do this
Chapter 1 Getting the Lowdown on Orchids 17
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 17
For the most common questions and problems check out Part IV
Beyond choosing the right orchid for your environment you haveto pay attention to the time of the year to know what your orchidneeds In the following sections I give you a rundown of the yearmonth by month Note You canrsquot be too exact with the timing ofthis care schedule because the United States is a vast countrywith climates from the cold north country to semitropics
JanuaryThis is a period of cold short days and low light so orchids donrsquotgrow much in such times Fortunately many moth orchids slipperorchids and some other cattleyas and their relatives will be buddingup getting ready to show off their splendiferous blooms very soon
For orchids such as some of the dendrobiums cattleya speciesand deciduous orchids like the catasetums this is a time ofrest so yoursquoll want to reduce your watering
Keep the humidity high with good air movement
If you are using well water warm it up to room temperaturebefore using it on your orchid plants Ice-cold water can causeforming buds to drop and may stunt new growth
Donrsquot put your orchids too close to the windowpanes or theleaves could be damaged by the cold
Apply very little fertilizer The orchids wonrsquot need it
FebruaryThis is another dark month but the days will be getting longer andbrighter which should cause an increase in growth
Toward the end of this month increased light may mean youhave to be careful with your orchids that require less lightlike the slippers and moth orchids so they donrsquot get burned
More of your orchids will be showing buds and some espe-cially some of the moth orchids and some of the oncidiumsshould be blooming
Donrsquot overcrowd your plants mdash make sure they receive asmuch light as possible
Provide good air circulation to prevent disease problems
Stake your cymbidiums which should be spiking now
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 18
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 18
Donrsquot forget to keep your miltonias and miltoniopsis damp
If yoursquore growing under lights take note of when you lastchanged your bulbs Fluorescent lamps can lose up to 40 per-cent of their light output after several months of use Becausenew growth is starting on orchids this is a good time to changethe lamps so the plants will receive the most light possible
Apply very little fertilizer during this month
MarchFinally signs of spring with longer and brighter days
Be careful that the increased light doesnrsquot heat up too much inyour greenhouse or windowsill Apply shading if necessary
The increased light and warmth of this month will mean anacceleration of growth Sprouting new roots should be moreevident
This is the beginning of the show for many orchids Many catt-leyas moth orchids slipper orchids and oncidiums will bestarting to bloom
As the days get brighter and warmer you can resume yourregular fertilizing schedule
This month and next are prime times to check out orchidshows in your area
AprilIn April many orchids will be in glorious flower
Yoursquoll probably have to increase the frequency of your water-ing because of the new plant growth
As soon as you see new roots emerging in cattleyas this isthe time to repot Do it before the roots grow a few inches (5 cm) long
Many other orchids showing new growth can also be repottedat this time
Be on the lookout for bugs The warmer temperatures causethem to hatch out
Dormant orchids should be showing new growth now so youcan resume your regular watering schedule
Chapter 1 Getting the Lowdown on Orchids 19
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 19
If you didnrsquot apply shading on your greenhouse last month itmay be needed now
A gauze curtain may be needed to soften the light for orchidsgrowing in a south window
Check out orchid shows in your area
MayGrowth will continue at full speed this month This is anotherprime month for orchid flowering
More frequent watering and fertilizing will be called for
If yoursquore in a northern climate move some plants to a shadedprotected spot outdoors by the end of this month but becareful not to do this too quickly Orchids that prefer it warmlike moth orchids donrsquot appreciate being too chilled at nightnot below around 65degF (18degC)
Increase your ventilation to remove excess hot air and pre-vent fungal disease spotting on the flowers
This is usually an opportune time to repot most of your slip-per orchids because they should be in active growth nowAlso repot moth orchids and their vandaceous relativesAttend to this right after theyrsquove flowered
Continue your fertilizing program to strengthen new growth
June July and AugustTemperatures are starting to heat up now Some orchids like a fewof the summer blooming hybrid cattleyas oncidiums and slipperorchids will be in flower
Be sure your windowsill or greenhouse doesnrsquot get too hotConsider moving the orchids you have in the south window tothe east window where theyrsquoll have reduced light and heat
For orchids growing under lights make sure your growing areagets plenty of ventilation because it could be getting very warmnow under the lights If you have trouble keeping the tempera-tures low enough consider summering your orchids outsidein a shaded and protected spot Theyrsquoll enjoy the vacation
This is also a prime time for insect problems If it gets hot anddry be on the lookout for mites If itrsquos wet slugs and snails willbe a plague Aphids and scale can show up anytime If you needto spray do it in the morning when it is cool and be sure theorchids are well watered before you spray
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 20
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 20
The orchids should now be responding to your earlier repot-ting efforts with new root growth
Repot miltonias Remember They like to be pot-bound sodonrsquot put them in too large of a pot
SeptemberCool evenings and shorter days are signs of the change of seasonMany of the hybrid vandas will be at their blooming peak thismonth Buds will be showing up for the fall-blooming cattleyasoncidiums dendrobiums angraecums and moth orchids and slipper orchids
If yoursquore in a cold climate this is the month to bring indoorsany plants that have been summering outside Before doingthis check them closely for pests If spraying is called fordoing so is much easier while the plants are outdoors
These cooler nights are very beneficial for setting flower budsand spikes
Start cutting back on the frequency of watering deciduousorchids like catasetums (which will have yellowing foliage atthis time of year)
This is the time to remove shade on the greenhouse in mostparts of the country
Move orchids that require a lot of light from the east windowback to the southern exposure
OctoberSome cattleya species and their relatives and hybrids will be inbloom now So will some moth orchid species and hybrids andoncidiums
As days continue to shorten and the angle of light gets lowerin the sky position the orchids in your windowsill and green-house so that they capture the most light
For greenhouses and windowsills be sure your glass or glaz-ing surface is clean This can make a real difference in lighttransmission
Growth will start to slow on many orchids from lower temperatures and light so reduce watering and fertilizingaccordingly
Get ready for winter Insulate your greenhouse Get a standbyemergency propane heater
Chapter 1 Getting the Lowdown on Orchids 21
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 21
November and DecemberFlowering spikes will be showing up on some moth orchids slip-pers and oncidiums Some of the nobile-type dendrobiums will bestarting to show buds Low light short days and cold temperaturesbring most orchid growth to a stop or at least a crawl Yoursquoll seemore growth on plants grown under lights than in a greenhouse oron a windowsill because of the additional light that can be provided
For cold parts of the country November is the last month tosafely purchase mail-order plants before it gets so cold thatthere will be a higher risk chance for freeze damage in transitThis a great time to visit orchid nurseries to pick out holidaypresents for your orchid growing friends (or yourself)
Put orchids that require more light like vandas in a brightwindow close to the lights or high in the greenhouse toexpose them to as much light as possible
Water in the early part of the day to ensure that there is nostanding moisture on the leaves In cold damp weather espe-cially such moisture can cause disease outbreaks
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 22
05_567594 ch01qxd 12405 852 PM Page 22
Chapter 2
Choosing the Right Orchid for You
In This Chapter Finding orchids for sale
Deciding which orchid to buy
Picking out a healthy orchid
Caring for your new arrival
One of the main reasons some people fail with orchids is thatthey simply choose the wrong ones Considering that there are
thousands of different kinds of orchids itrsquos easy to see how peoplemay not know which one to buy To be successful you need tochoose a dependable supplier healthy plants and the type of orchidthat fits your growing area In this chapter I walk you through theimportant questions to ask yourself and your supplier so you endup with the orchid that will be just right in your growing spot
Figuring Out Where to ShopFinding orchid suppliers used to be difficult unless you were luckyenough to live in a very warm area like Southern California orFlorida Nowadays because orchids have skyrocketed in popular-ity you can find them for sale in myriad places In the followingsections I fill you in on your supplier options
Specialist orchid growers or suppliersAn orchid specialist is always my first choice when Irsquom buyingorchids Reputable suppliers in this category have been sellingorchids for many years before it was the chic thing to do Almostall of them are orchid fanatics whose hobby grew totally out ofcontrol mdash so they were forced to either stop buying more orchids
06_567594 ch02qxd 12405 852 PM Page 23
or start up a business They know everything about their plants mdashwhere they came from their attributes and how to grow themThey almost always have the largest selection and cater to both thebeginner and sophisticated experienced growers They love to helpother people discover the pleasure of growing orchids and are fullof helpful information
The only disadvantage of specialist growers or suppliers is that youmay not have one near where you live Of course that doesnrsquot haveto be a deterrent It just means yoursquoll need to do some planning andsearch out these growers so you can take your own orchid-buyingsafari
Turn to the appendix for a short list of some of my favorite special-ist orchid growers and suppliers
Your local garden centerHaving a local orchid source is very convenient both for buyingthe plants and for information on growing Today garden centersoffer more unusual and more interesting plants than ever before mdashand orchids are among these The types of orchids they offer variesgreatly from one garden center to the next
Look for a garden center that specializes in tropical plants andhouseplants Unless the garden center is noted for its orchid offer-ings the selection will probably be limited Search out the typesmentioned in this book especially the moth and slipper orchids
Orchid showsAt orchid shows yoursquoll find dazzling displays of a broad range ofgorgeous orchids Be prepared to be wowed Vendors of orchidsare a regular feature of orchid shows so theyrsquore a great place toshop To find an orchid show in your area check out the variousorchid magazines or search their Web sites (see the appendix)
Online orchid suppliersYou can buy a fine selection of orchids without ever leaving yourhome Most orchid suppliers now have Web sites and some of thesites are very detailed and informative
To get started check out the Orchid Marketplace at httporchidweborgmarketplacehtml and Orchid Mall at wwworchidmallcom Each of these sites provides many links to various orchid-grower Web sites If you already know what types of orchids you
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 24
06_567594 ch02qxd 12405 852 PM Page 24
want you can use a search engine (such as Yahoo or Google) tosearch for them by type or name
If you use the Latin name when searching for plants on the Webnot the common name yoursquoll get many more hits In other wordsinstead of searching for ldquomoth orchidsrdquo search using its Latin namePhalaenopsis Check out wwwchebuctonscarecreationorchidcongressengnamehtml for lists of the Latin names withtheir English common names
Home centers and discount storesBecause orchids have had such a meteoric rise in popularity homecenters and discount stores now frequently stock a limited selec-tion of them The good news They usually carry the orchids thatare easy to grow The bad news Getting information at these storesis difficult But if yoursquore shopping for your first inexpensive orchidand if you donrsquot have easy access to a garden center or orchidgrower these are good places to start
When shopping for plants at home centers and discount stores findout what day of the week their weekly shipments come in Thatrsquosthe day you want to be there to get the best quality and selection
Considering Your EnvironmentWhen you go to shop for orchids you can very easily get carriedaway The excitement of the moment can completely win overrational plant selection Few beginning orchid growers take thetime to consider their environment before they buy Unfortunatelyif you do this you may end up bringing home a gorgeous orchidthatrsquos completely wrong for you
If possible always choose an orchid that comes close to fittingyour growing area Even though in Part II of this book I give youpointers on how to modify your growing area to make it more suit-able for orchid growth you can only modify your environment somuch For instance an orchid that is commonly found growing infull sun in Hawaii probably wonrsquot take well to a windowsill duringthe winter in low-light areas like New England And an orchid fromthe cloud forest that is drenched with almost constant rainfall andvery high humidity probably wonrsquot be happy and bloom in the hotdry air of Arizona
In the following sections I help you assess your environment soyou can be confident that yoursquoll pick out a stunning orchid that isright for you and that will thrive where you live
Chapter 2 Choosing the Right Orchid for You 25
06_567594 ch02qxd 12405 852 PM Page 25
Taking temperature readingsBefore you bring home an orchid you need to consider the aver-age daytime and nighttime temperatures in summer and winterwhere you live
To determine high and low temperatures indoors get a maximumminimum thermometer that records this information and place itin your growing area (see Chapter 3)
For an idea of what your minimum temperatures are outdoors whereyou live check out the USDA hardiness map at wwwusnausdagovHardzoneushzmaphtml If yoursquore a weather nut like I amyou can use a recording weather station that reads the maximumand minimum temperature humidity wind speed rainfall andbarometric pressure every hour and stores this information so itcan be charted Mine has remote sensors and a wireless connec-tion to my computer
A broad selection of temperature and weather recording instrumentsare available from the orchid-supplies dealers listed in the appendix
When yoursquove determined the average summer and winter tempera-tures in your area turn to Table 2-1 which lists some of the mostcommon types of orchids by temperature requirements Noticethat some orchids are adaptable enough to fit into more than onetemperature range
When orchid publications refer to temperature preferences theyalways mean the evening temperature The daytime temperature isusually about 15degF (95degC) higher than the evening temperature
Table 2-1 Orchid Temperature PreferencesTemperature (Nighttime Minimum) Genus
Cool (45degFndash55degF72degCndash128degC) CymbidiumDendrobiumOdontoglossum
Cool (45degFndash55degF72degCndash128degC) to CymbidiumIntermediate (55degFndash60degF128degCndash156degC) Dendrobium
EncycliaMasdevalliaMiltoniopsisZygopetalum
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 26
06_567594 ch02qxd 12405 852 PM Page 26
Temperature (Nighttime Minimum) Genus
Intermediate (55degFndash60degF128degCndash156degC) AerangisCattleya and hybridsCymbidiumDendrobiumEncycliaEpidendrumLaeliaMaxillariaMiltoniaOncidiumPaphiopedilumPhragmipediumVandaZygopetalum
Intermediate (55degFndash60degF128degCndash156degC) Aerangisto Warm (65degF183degC or higher) Amesiella
AngraecumAscofinetiaBrassavolaCattleyaDendrobiumEncycliaEpidendrumNeofinetiaNeostylisOncidiumRhynchostylisVandaVascostylis
Warm (65degF183degC or higher) AngraecumPhalaenopsisVanda
Measuring your light intensityJust as important as temperature is the amount of light your orchidwill get Orchids that thrive in high light need several hours of directsunlight (preferably in the morning to early afternoon) while thosethat thrive in lower light will perform with less direct and more dif-fused light in a windowsill or under lights See Chapter 5 for moredetails
Chapter 2 Choosing the Right Orchid for You 27
06_567594 ch02qxd 12405 852 PM Page 27
Will you be growing the plants under artificial lights Most lightsetups consist of multiple florescent lamps and can provide ade-quate illumination for medium- to lower-light orchids High-intensity-discharge lamps are capable of much more light output but can beexpensive to operate and generate quite a bit of heat For moredetails see Chapter 5
How bright is your light Figure 2-1 illustrates a simple yet effectiveand reasonably accurate method for determining the intensity ofyour light
Figure 2-1 The shadow test is a simple and reasonably accurate way to measure light intensity
After you determine your light levels turn to the following sectionswhich list orchids by the amount of light they need Remember tokeep in mind temperature (see the preceding section)
Bright lightThe following orchids require a bright greenhouse a very brightsouth-facing window or very-high-output (VHO) fluorescent lamps(which require specialized ballasts to operate) or metal halide lamps
Angraecum
Some varieties of Cymbidium
Some varieties of Dendrobium
Vanda
Medium lightThe following orchids need a shaded greenhouse an east-facingwindow or a four-tube 40-watt florescent light fixture
Bright light Medium light Low light
1 ft (30 cm)
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 28
06_567594 ch02qxd 12405 852 PM Page 28
Chapter 2 Choosing the Right Orchid for You 29
Amesiella
Ascocenda
Ascocentrum
Ascofinetia
Brassavola
Brassia
Cattleya and hybrids
Some varieties of Cymbidium
Some varieties of Dendrobium
Epidendrum
Laelia
Leptotes
Masdevallia
Miltonia
Miltoniopsis
Neofinetia
Neostylis
Odontoglossum
Oncidium
Paphiopedilum (strap-leaf multiflorals)
Phragmipedium
Rhynchostylis
Zygopetalum
Low lightThe following orchids do well with a low level of light easily attainable with two 40-watt florescent lamps or on an east-facingwindowsill
Paphiopedilum (not including strap-leaf multiflorals)
Phalaenopsis
All orchid seedlings
06_567594 ch02qxd 12405 852 PM Page 29
Other questions to ask yourselfIn addition to considering temperature and light you want to askyourself the following questions
Does the growing area have moist (humid) air or is the airvery dry If it is already humid (50 percent or greater) itrsquosperfect If not your orchids will be happier with moister airSee Chapter 5
How much space do you have to grow orchids If you haveplenty of head room you can grow some of the taller orchidslike cane dendrobiums and full-size cattleyas If space is ata premium search out very compact or miniature growersPart III gives you plenty of choices for plants of all sizes
When do you want your orchids to bloom Spring summerfall or winter In the evening or during the day Armed withthis information you can pick those orchids that will be inbloom in the season and time of day of your choice
Do you have air circulation in the growing area Most homeshave adequate air circulation but if your orchids are going tobe located in the basement or some other spot where the air isstagnant yoursquoll want to consider a fan of some type to providethem with fresh air See the ventilation section in Chapter 5 formore information
When yoursquore armed with this information yoursquoll be better pre-pared to choose an orchid that will thrive
Knowing What to Look for in an Orchid
After you consider your environment yoursquore ready to go shoppingYou have an idea of which types of orchids will work best whereyoursquoll be growing them and now you just need to look at a fewthings such as the plantrsquos health and age I fill you in on these fac-tors in the following sections
Choosing a healthy plantPicking out a healthy orchid plant is essential Even in the best ofcircumstances the orchid that you bring home will have to adaptto changes in its environment A strong robust plant has a muchbetter chance of surviving this ordeal than a weak plant does
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 30
06_567594 ch02qxd 12405 852 PM Page 30
Herersquos a checklist of things to look for when you select an orchid
Look carefully at the leaves They should be stiff not shriv-eled or dehydrated They should also have a healthy greencolor Brown or black spots on leaves could mean diseaseor they could be harmless if you find spots ask the growerabout them
Look for any signs of insects Most insects hang out on thenew young growth on the flower buds of the plant or on theundersides of the leaves Also check under the pot for snailsor slugs
Examine the exposed roots on top of the potting materialThe roots should be firm and light colored not black softand mushy
Watch out for plants infested with oxalis (which looks likeclover) Oxalis is a pesky weed that is difficult to get rid ofafter itrsquos established It will not directly harm the orchids butit can harbor insects and is a cosmetic distraction
Make sure the plants are labeled Labels will be important to youlater if you want to look up information on growing your particulartype of orchid
Be sure to ask the grower about the temperature light and humid-ity requirements of the orchid yoursquore considering Check out itsultimate size Then match this information with what you knowabout your orchid growing area
Deciding between a blooming plant and a young plantWhen you buy a mature blooming plant you get to see exactlywhat the flower of this orchid is like Because many orchid flowerscan last quite a while yoursquoll be able to enjoy this orchid for weeksafter you bring it home The biggest disadvantage of bloomingplants is that theyrsquore usually the most expensive because theyrsquorein the highest demand
Younger plants mdash ones that are months or even years away fromblooming mdash are much less expensive than their mature counter-parts The joy in choosing these plants is anticipating when theyrsquollbloom and what they may look like
If yoursquore a beginner I recommend that you buy mature plants withbuds or flowers Waiting for immature plants to bloom is somethingyou may enjoy after you have a small collection of the mature ones
Chapter 2 Choosing the Right Orchid for You 31
06_567594 ch02qxd 12405 852 PM Page 31
Choosing seed-grown orchids or orchid clonesVery few orchids sold today have been collected from the wildInstead theyrsquove been grown from seed The flower color flowersize and growth habits of these seed-grown plants vary Seed-grown plants are generally very reasonably priced
Cloned orchids also referred to as meristemmed or mericlonedorchids are orchids that have been multiplied from single cellsusually from a plant of very high quality in a flask which is a typeof laboratory bottle The result is that theyrsquore all identical
The advantage of purchasing a cloned orchid is that you candepend on the orchid that you buy being exactly like its parentwhich is frequently an award winner In general these clones are abit more expensive than the others but theyrsquore usually worth it
Caring for Your New OrchidAdding new orchids to your plant collection is exciting but this isalso a time for caution Even though you may have been very care-ful in the selection process your orchid still may be harboringinsect eggs that may hatch or it may have a disease problem thatyou didnrsquot notice before
So to be on the safe side keep your new plant isolated from allyour other plants for at least two to three weeks mdash enough time tosee if any insects appear or a disease shows up If you need to treatyour new plant doing so will be easier when itrsquos separated fromyour other plants
To identify pests and their safest treatment see Chapter 9
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 32
06_567594 ch02qxd 12405 852 PM Page 32
Chapter 3
Having the Right Tools on Hand
In This Chapter Knowing which tools you need
Taking your toolkit to the next level
Every hobby has its tools And just as you need the right sawsand sanders if yoursquore building a cabinet you need the right
tools for growing orchids The amount of tools you need will dependon how serious you are about orchids and haw many of them youhave to care for In this chapter I fill you in on the tools I use
Cutting and Pruning ToolsYoursquoll probably use your cutting and pruning tools more than anyothers Orchids always have a leaf that needs to be trimmed or adead or diseased stem that needs to be cut off These tools arealso used in the repotting process (see Chapter 7) Figure 3-1shows the kinds of tools covered in the following sections
PrunersYoursquoll need different types of pruning tools depending on thethickness of the plant part yoursquore removing
Hand prunersYoursquoll use hand pruners to cut thick creeping stems There arebasically two types of hand pruners An anvil type of hand prunerhas a flat cutting blade and can mash the stem tissue (which isnrsquotwhat you want) I much prefer the other type of hand pruner mdash thebypass type which has a curved blade (refer to Figure 3-1) It makescleaner and closer cuts
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 33
ScissorsAll scissors are not created equal I prefer those that are designedfor bonsai or flower arranging (like the scissors shown in Figure 3-1)Theyrsquore extremely sharp and have large comfortable vinyl handgrips Some are made of high-carbon steel that hold an edge for along time Others are constructed of stainless steel and offer theadvantage of not rusting The smaller scissors are really handy forfinesse work like removing spent flower spikes as close as possi-ble to the foliage and trimming delicate leaves The heavier onesare ideal for cutting thick stems
Figure 3-1 Cutting tools mdash from left to right thin knife two pairs of scissors bypass hand pruners single-edge razor blade and folding pruning saw
Knives and bladesKnives and blades can come in very handy but choosing the righttype is important In the following sections I guide you through thetypes available
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 34
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 34
KnivesKnives are used most often to circle the inside of the pot to removethe plant when its roots are packed into its container especiallywith clay pots (You can usually cut plastic pots with sharp scissorsalong the length of the pot to remove the plant) A very-thin-bladedknife like the type used for filleting fish (refer to Figure 3-1) is veryhandy because itrsquos easier to maneuver in tight spaces
Razor bladesTo be on the safe side always use the single-edge type of razorblade (refer to Figure 3-1) Theyrsquore perfect for making very precisecuts when trimming edges of leaves or cutting apart divisions ofplants Another great feature of these is that theyrsquore so inexpensivethat you can throw them away after yoursquore done Disposing of usedrazor blades also prevents spreading disease to other plants andsaves you the hassle of sterilizing them
Hand pruning sawUsing a hand pruning saw is bringing out the big gun This tool ismost useful to cut very thick creeping stems when dividing plantsYou can also use them to score the roots when theyrsquore very tightlypacked together or to cut away a very thick plastic pot whenyoursquore transplanting or repotting an orchid
You can find various different types of these saws but the onesthat are compact and folding are most handy I find a small bladedand fine-toothed type often used for cutting bamboo especiallyuseful (refer to Figure 3-1)
Potting Tools and SuppliesThe tools and supplies in this section make the potting processeasier For specific potting techniques and guidelines check outChapter 7
Potting toolsPotting is a combination of force and finesse These tools makethe process easier and more effective
HammersRegular steel-clawed hammers can be useful for breaking clay potscontaining overgrown plants that canrsquot be removed any other wayBut for most purposes a rubber mallet (see Figure 3-2) comes inmore handy Itrsquos used frequently to pound in stakes or clamps thathold newly transplanted or divided orchids in their pots
Chapter 3 Having the Right Tools on Hand 35
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 35
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 36
Dibbles and planting sticksGetting the potting material to settle in around the roots of theorchids is important because large air spaces can cause the orchidroots to dry out or not form properly Dibbles (refer to Figure 3-2)and planting sticks are used to push the potting material into theseair spaces
Torches for sterilizing toolsDirty cutting and potting tools can spread diseases Preventing dis-ease by sterilizing any tools that come in direct contact with orchidroot and leaf tissue is always a good idea You can use chemicalsolutions to do this (for instance a 110 ratio of household bleachto water) but chemicals are very corrosive and some are toxicA very simple way to sterilize metal tools is to flame them with apropane or butane torch (see Figure 3-3) Both are available insmall handheld sizes
Potting suppliesThe orchid tag that comes with the orchid or the one you makeyourself contains very important information that you want to pro-tect Knowing the correct name of the orchid is crucial informationwhen yoursquore looking up cultural information Also many times thetag includes the orchidrsquos parentsrsquo names which can also providehelpful cultural clues If you want to enter your orchid in a show itmay be disqualified without proper labeling
Figure 3-2 Potting tools mdash clockwise from top-left rubber mallet dibble potting clamps labels marking pens
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 36
Figure 3-3 This compact lightweight self-striking butane torch is a breeze to use
So the important message is Keep a legible label in the pots of allyour orchids Maintaining a separate list of your orchids is also agood idea To make it easier assign numbers to each of your plantsand place this number on the label This serves as a safety net incase the label is damaged or lost
LabelsMany types of labels are available in all different sizes and colorsWhich size or color you choose is a personal choice mdash the mate-rial theyrsquore made of is a more important consideration Table 3-1lists some pros and cons of each kind of label
Table 3-1 Pros and Cons of Various Types of LabelsType Pros Cons Comments
Metal Lasts many years More expensive Good for very-long- (copper) term use
Not as readily available Is usually thin enough
to mark by indentingwith a pencil
Metal Lasts many years More expensive Good for very-long-(zinc) term use
Not as readily available Can be marked on with
2 lead pencil orengraved
(continued)
Chapter 3 Having the Right Tools on Hand 37
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 37
Table 3-1 (continued)Type Pros Cons Comments
Plastic Inexpensive Becomes brittle Recommended for (especially if exposed short-term use only
Available in to sunlight) and then (less than a few years)largest range of breaks very easilysizes and colors Will accept a broad
range of markers
Vinyl Does not get More expensive Probably the best nearly as brittle than plastic overall choiceas plastic
Not as readily Will accept a broad available range of markers
Wood Inexpensive Rots quickly Because it lasts such a short time in damp
Readily available orchid potting materialit isnrsquot recommended
Label markersUsing the right marker can mean the difference between being ableto read the name of the orchid three years after you bought it andnot Table 3-2 lists some advantages and disadvantages of each type
Table 3-2 The Pros and Cons of Various Types of Label Markers
Type Pros Cons Comments
Engraver Lasts forever Slow to use Handy for long-term labels that
Most effective on Difficult to write are exposed tometal labels small letters the elements andespecially zinc chemical sprays
More expensive
Hard to read after a few years
Paint pen Comes in a variety Takes longer to dry My favoriteof colors and than permanent markersthicknesses Available at craft
Must be more care- and art-supply Wonrsquot fade as ful in using them not storesbadly as perma- to smear the paint nent markers before it dries
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 38
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 38
Type Pros Cons Comments
Pencil An old-fashioned Not as easy to read Use 2 lead for best but still very effec- as some other legibilitytive marker on markersplastic and vinyl
Can smear
Permanent Easy to find and use Will bleach out Reasonably good to marker in sun use but after two or
Available in many three years may colors and Can also be have to be traced thicknesses affected by over to remain
pesticides legibleMakes dark visible letters Some brands have
more resistance tosunlight than others
Clips and stakesNumerous types of stakes and clamps are used to hold the orchid inits pot when it has been transplanted and its roots are inadequateby themselves to anchor the plant Figure 3-2 shows some samplesof metal stakes Bamboo stakes are also available
Watering AccessoriesMastering the art of watering is one of the critical keys to successin orchid culture (see Chapter 6) These accessories deliver waterand in some cases fertilizer gently and effectively
Water breakersWater breakers are attached to the end of a hose to diffuse thewater and prevent it from washing out the orchid potting material(see Figure 3-4) They deliver a large volume of water but in a verygentle way mdash and they work really well
You can find water breakers that deliver different volumes andwater patterns such as mist fine shower jet or flood Some water-ing heads can be dialed to whichever of these forms you want mdashvery handy
Yoursquore usually better off choosing the water breaker that deliversthe finest steam of water possible This will be most useful for thebroadest range of watering applications
Chapter 3 Having the Right Tools on Hand 39
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 39
Figure 3-4 A common type of water breaker
Water-flow regulatorsWater-flow regulators are attached to the hose before the waterbreaker to regulate the volume of water The simplest ones aremanual onoff valves I find the thumb or squeeze valves are easi-est to use more precisely and determine the volume of water youwant to deliver to your orchids (see Figure 3-5)
Figure 3-5 Thumb valves make watering easier
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 40
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 40
HosesBuy the best-quality hose you can find The better ones will notkink and will last much longer
If hoses tend to get in the way consider the newer ldquocoilrdquo hosesThey take up much less space and can be attached to a sink spigotAgain buy the best grade you can find mdash the cheaper ones tend tokink very easily
Watering cansMany of the sprinkling or watering cans on the market are close toworthless for using on orchids They deliver too much water too fastand are awkward to use in tight indoor spaces The best type to usefor most situations is one that holds 1frasl2 to 1 gallon (2 to 4 liters) hasa long spout (so you can reach orchids in the back row) and has aremovable water breaker (sometimes called a rose) on the end ofits spout that delivers a very fine stream of water (see Figure 3-6)The watering can may be made of metal or plastic but the waterbreaker should be made of metal preferably a nonrusting one likecopper
Figure 3-6 The most useful watering can is one with a long spout
Sprayers and mistersYou can use sprayers and misters for misting the orchids to tem-porarily increase the humidity to clean the leaves or for applyingpesticides If yoursquore going to use any chemicals in them the plasticsprayers are less prone to being affected by these corrosive mate-rials so theyrsquore a better choice than metal ones
Chapter 3 Having the Right Tools on Hand 41
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 41
One type of hand sprayer that Irsquove found particularly effective forapplying insecticides is a teat sprayer because its spray headpoints up instead of straight forward like standard sprayers Theseare actually used to wash off cow udders (hence the name) sotheyrsquore sold at farm-supply stores But for orchid growers theyserve admirably to apply these chemicals to the undersides ofleaves where the bugs usually hang out (see Figure 3-7)
Figure 3-7 A teat sprayer has a nozzle that points up so you can reach under the leaves
Fertilizer injectorsCommercial growers use a device called a fertilizer injector thatldquoinjectsrdquo into the water a small amount of water-soluble fertilizereach time the plant is watered In this way the orchids are con-stantly fed a very diluted amount of fertilizer instead of largeramounts every two weeks or so as is frequently done These unitstend to be on the expensive side and may be a luxury item unlessyou have quite a large number of orchids to fertilize
A much cheaper way around this is to use a simple siphon mixerSeveral brands are on the market but they all work basically thesame You attach the siphon mixer to the spigot before the hose Aflexible hollow rubber tube is inserted into a concentrated solutionof fertilizer When the spigot is turned a suction action created bythe water flowing through the hose draws this concentrate throughthe tubing so it flows into the water in the hose and is diluted whileitrsquos being applied to the orchid plants
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 42
Phot
ogra
ph c
ourte
sy o
f Mar
c He
rzog
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 42
Chapter 3 Having the Right Tools on Hand 43
To get the most benefit from a siphon mixer here are a few tips
Use a completely soluble fertilizer so it wonrsquot plug upthe unit
Use a water breaker that functions with a low volume ofwater The water flow coming out the end of the hose will besignificantly reduced when the siphon mixer is attached
Be sure the unit you have also has a backflow preventerThat way when you turn off the water breaker but not thespigot the back pressure wonrsquot cause the concentrated fertil-izer solution to flush back into your house water or back intoyour fertilizer concentrate
To be on the safe side use the siphon mixer only for apply-ing fertilizers not pesticides
Be careful to dilute the fertilizer to the correct concentrationThese usually inject the fertilizer on a 116 fertilizer-to-waterratio but always read the directions that come with the unit
Deionization and reverse osmosis unitsDeionization and reverse osmosis units are used to purify yourwell or tap water to reduce or eliminate concentrations of saltsthat can be harmful to some particularly sensitive orchids Theunits arenrsquot cheap and can be cumbersome and bothersome touse So before you consider getting one make sure you need it
Here are some things to consider before you buy
If your orchids and other houseplants have been growingthen donrsquot worry about using a deionization or reverse osmo-sis unit Most households can get by with the water they have
If yoursquove had water problems or just want to be on the safeside check with your public water provider to see what theaverage total dissolved solids (TDS) is in your water If youhave your own well yoursquoll need to have a test done at a pri-vate water lab
bull If you have 60 parts per million (ppm) or less of TDS andless than 5 ppm of sodium yoursquore home free Your wateris of good quality for orchids
bull If your water tests at 60 to 120 ppm and you have up to10 ppm of sodium all except the most sensitive orchidsshould be okay but yoursquore on the edge with water quality
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 43
bull If you have readings higher than 120 ppm for TDS or10 ppm of sodium you may have more orchid-growingsuccess if you use better-quality water To do this youcould collect rainwater (you can buy special rain barrelsfor this purpose that hook up to your downspout) orconsider buying a reverse osmosis or deionization unit
If yoursquore on the higher end of the TDS level be particularlycareful not to overfertilize
Humidifiers Heaters andVentilation Equipment
Your home environment is designed to make you not necessarilyyour plants comfortable Fortunately many of your living require-ments are the same as the living requirements for most of theorchids in this book In some cases though yoursquoll need to modifyyour orchidsrsquo growing space to better suit them
HumidifiersThe importance of providing sufficient humidity for better healthfor both you and your orchids is detailed in Chapter 5 To humidifyan entire room there are at least three possible approaches cov-ered in the following sections
Evaporative-pad humidifiersWith these units fans blow across a moisture-laden pad that sits in areservoir of water Evaporative-pad humidifiers are my first choicefor home humidification because
Theyrsquore reasonably priced and readily available
They donrsquot spray the room with droplets of water that cancarry mineral deposits and bacteria
They circulate air at the same time
They only increase the humidity to about 50 to 60 percent(most have an adjustable humidistat which measures humidity)This is a level that is beneficial to plants but not sufficient tocause moisture damage to the house
They require no plumbing and very little maintenance mdash justchange the moisture pads one or two times a season
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 44
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 44
Cool-mist humidifiersCool-mist humidifiers can be effective for small areas but with con-stant use they can cause deposits of minerals on leaves and be abacteria carrier
Greenhouse-type foggers or humidifiersIf you have a greenhouse or a very large growing area that reallyneeds a lot of humidity a greenhouse-type fogger or humidifier isfor you These units can be pricey Theyrsquore plumbed into a constantwater supply that is controlled by a float (much like a toilet bowl)The humidity level can be regulated by a separately purchasedhumidistat
VentilationAdequate air circulation is very important in orchid cultureFortunately many convenient and inexpensive pieces of equip-ment do this job admirably Here are some of the best choices
Ceiling fans These are readily available and do a super jobof moving large volumes of air in a figure-8 pattern at a lowvelocity Most of them have reversible motors so they caneither be set to pull the cooler air from the floor (usuallythe summer setting) or push hot air down from the ceiling(usually the winter setting)
Oscillating and standard fans You can find these in all bladesizes and most have variable speeds All will do the job butyoursquore better off getting one with a larger blade size and run-ning it at low speed This will move more air but not at as higha velocity so the plants wonrsquot become dehydrated by a strongair current Also for oscillating types splurge on a better-grademodel that has metal or heavy-duty gears otherwise theyrsquollstrip in short order and yoursquoll then have a stationary fan
Muffin fans These are very small handy fans (3 to 6 inches8 to 15 cm) that are used to cool electronic equipment likecomputers Theyrsquore great for bringing a gentle quiet breezeto a small corner of your growing area You can find them atelectronic or computer-supply stores or in catalogs
For more information on the importance of ventilation and airmovement see Chapter 5
Chapter 3 Having the Right Tools on Hand 45
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 45
HeatingIf yoursquore like most people yoursquoll rely on your home heating systemto provide most of the heat for your orchids You can supplementthat with small electric heaters or water-resistant heating matscommonly used to start seeds If yoursquore growing under lights youcan enclose your growing area in plastic film to help retain heatproduced by the lights and ballasts
Thermometers and hygrometersI have to admit and my wife will quickly concur that Irsquom a nut abouttemperature and humidity monitoring Irsquove got remote sensors allover my home that tell me maximum and minimum temperature andhumidity levels each day As I explain in Chapter 5 temperaturedifferentials are important to know about if yoursquore interested in get-ting your orchids to bloom Thanks to modern digital thermometersand hygrometers that are simple to use and not expensive you cankeep track of temperature and humidity with little effort
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 46
07_567594 ch03qxd 12405 851 PM Page 46
Chapter 4
How I Love Thy OrchidEnjoying the Orchidrsquos Beauty
In This Chapter Caring for your orchids in their new home
Staking your orchids when they bloom
Showing off your orchids in your home
Making beautiful orchid flower arrangements
Getting the most mileage out of your orchid flowers
The main purpose for growing orchids is to enjoy theirunmatched beauty in your home In this chapter I walk you
through tips that will make your experiences with orchids moresuccessful and pleasurable
Caring for Orchids in Their New Home
Bringing an orchid plant into its new home can be traumatic forboth the plant and you You have to get to know each other Mostorchids you buy will have come from a very high-light high-humidityenvironment of a commercial greenhouse You bring them intoyour home environment which is usually less bright with lowerhumidity so the plant has to make some adjustments Doing thiswith the least amount of distress is your goal and in this sectionI help you get there
In Chapter 5 I give you the details of routine orchid care but here Iwant to give you some tips that will make the short-term transitioneasier for both of you
08_567594 ch04qxd 12405 851 PM Page 47
If the plant is in bloomHere are some tips that will make the flowers on your new orchidlast longer
Place the plant somewhere in your house thatrsquos bright butwhere it wonrsquot get direct sunlight except possibly in themorning Too much harsh sunlight can bleach out the flowers
Keep the plant on the cool side mdash not above about 75degF(about 24degC) Flowers stay fresher longer this way
Be sure to keep the plant well watered Even though theorchid plant stops growing much when itrsquos in bloom theleaves and flowers still need water
Donrsquot let any bees or flies in the room where your orchidsare blooming If the bees or flies pollinate them the flowerswill collapse afterward
Donrsquot put the plant close to ripe fruit Fruit gives off ethylenegas which can cause flowers to collapse prematurely
Keep your orchid plants away from strong fumes like paintthinners or other pollutants These can cause the blossomsto fade
Donrsquot spray the flowers with water or place the bloomingplant in a room that is highly humid with no air movementThis can cause spotting on the flowers from fungal diseases
If the plant is not in bloomBefore you add your new not-yet-blooming orchid to your collec-tion follow these tips
Look under the leaves and at the younger growth to makesure there are no bugs
To be on the safe side isolate this new plant from your col-lection for at least three weeks This will allow time for hiddeninsect eggs to hatch out
As a further precaution spray the plant thoroughly with aninsecticidal soap Use a paper towel to wipe off the excessspray This will not only kill any soft-bodied insects but willalso clean the leaves
Consider repotting the orchid into your own potting mixThat way yoursquoll be assured that the potting mix is fresh andyoursquoll know its watering requirements
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 48
08_567594 ch04qxd 12405 851 PM Page 48
Staking and Grooming YourBlooming Orchids
Orchids deserve to look their best when theyrsquore putting on theirshow Proper staking and grooming can make a big difference inhow orchid flowers appear
Figuring out how to stakeFlowers and spikes of orchids can be heavy and if they arenrsquotstaked properly theyrsquoll open at an awkward and disconcertingangle This can be a distraction because the most interesting andalluring perspective to view orchids is usually the head-on view
Staking techniques vary somewhat with the type of orchid Thetwo major types are the spray orchids like phalaenopsis andoncidiums or those with single flowers or just a few on one spikelike cattleyas and most paphiopedilums
For spray-type orchidsBe sure to start this process before these orchids are actually inflower This will ensure that the flowers are oriented correctlywhen they open Here are the steps I recommend
1 As soon as the flower spike is about 12 inches (30 cm)long insert a vertical bamboo stake (you can get a greenone so it blends in better) close to where the spike origi-nates at the base of the plant (see Figure 4-1)
2 As you insert the stake twist it to work it around roots tominimize damage to them
3 Attach the first tie on the lower part of the spike close tothe first node (the bump in the flower stem)
Use twist-ties or Velcro not sharp string or wire whichcould damage the stem
4 Attach another tie a few inches higher on the flower spike
5 Put additional ties every few inches as the flower spikegrows
6 Place the last tie a few inches below where the firstflower buds are forming
This allows the spike to form a natural arch with the firstflower open at the highest point and the others gracefullyfollowing suit right below that one
Chapter 4 How I Love Thy Orchid Enjoying the Orchidrsquos Beauty 49
08_567594 ch04qxd 12405 851 PM Page 49
Figure 4-1 Staking flower spikes of spray-type orchids like phalaenopsis or oncidiums
Flower spikes always grow in the direction of the strongest lightAfter the flower spike reaches about 12 inches (30 cm) tall and thebuds are starting to form never change the plantrsquos orientation tothe light source If you do the spike will try to reorient itself andyoursquoll end up with a twisted distorted spike with flowers openingin all directions
When the flowers are fully open theyrsquoll stay that way so you canthen move the plant anywhere you want
For single- or few-flowered orchidsStaking these orchids is simpler When the bud or buds start toswell on the flower spike insert a vertical bamboo stake close towhere the spike originates at the base of the plant
Make last tie 2 belowfirst flower bud
Use twist-ties orVelcro to attachspike to bamboostake
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 50
08_567594 ch04qxd 12405 851 PM Page 50
Be sure to do this before the flower has opened so that the bud willorient itself to gravity If the flower spike is at an angle the flowerwill adjust itself to open perpendicular to the angle the flower stemis pointing If you tie the spike up after it has opened it will keepits original orientation and will look awkward
In the last few years orchid growers have discovered one of thebest ways to attach upright flowering stems to bamboo or woodstakes spring-operated baby hair clips Theyrsquore available in allcolors are inexpensive and frequently are formed in whimsicalshapes of butterflies or dragonflies which fit well with the orchidlook Plus they work well
Helping your orchids look their bestAfter growing the plants for months on the windowsill underlights or in a greenhouse they can look a little rough around theedges The leaves are probably dusty andor blemished with chem-ical deposits older leaves may be wilted or dead and some of thetips of the leaves may be brown
When the plants are in flower and you want to show them off totheir best in your home or get them ready to exhibit in an orchidshow here are a few suggestions to keep in mind
Clean their leaves A simple way to polish the leaves is withmilk Dampen a paper towel with milk and rub off the blem-ishes This will give a very attractive sheen that is harmless tothe plant
Carefully remove any dead or severely damaged leaves
If yoursquore planning to bring your orchid to a show be surethat you tape to the pot the name of your orchid plus yourown name so that you donrsquot lose the plant Also make a listof what plants yoursquove entered so you have a record
Trim off the brown tips of leaves with very sharp scissorsThe sharper they are the cleaner the cut and the less leaf-tissue damage will result When trimming follow the naturalshape of the leaf as shown in Figure 4-2
Chapter 4 How I Love Thy Orchid Enjoying the Orchidrsquos Beauty 51
08_567594 ch04qxd 12405 851 PM Page 51
Figure 4-2 Trim off brown tips of leaves following the natural curvature of the leaf
Displaying orchid plants in your homeWhen yoursquore showing off your prized blooming plants in yourhome here a few tips to keep in mind
Be sure to protect your furniture by placing the orchidplant pots on waterproof pads like cork platters
If you place your plants on saucers be sure theyrsquore water-proof Terra cotta platters are porous and moisture will seepthrough and can cause serious damage to unprotected woodfurniture
Place felt or rubber protectors under cachepots platters orsaucers so your furniture wonrsquot be scratched
Place the blooming plants where they get bright light butnot hot late-afternoon light so the flowers will last longer
If the growing pot is encrusted or ugly insert it into a largerornamental pot or basket Choose simple green white orneutral colors that donrsquot compete with the orchid flowers
Place a layer of sheet moss or Spanish moss on the surfaceof the pot This is a nice touch for covering up the sometimesunattractive potting material
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 52
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Display the orchid on a pedestal or higher elevation so youcan view it at eye level (see Figure 4-3) Few orchids are asattractive when theyrsquore viewed from above
Think about how you will light your orchids to display thembest Many people are only able to view their orchids during thework week in the evening so artificial lighting plays an impor-tant part in viewing them Track lights work great Use halogenor other bulbs that produce white light or as close to sunlightas possible so the orchid flowers will be rendered accuratelyRegular incandescent light produces a yellowred light thatwill make reds glow but that really dulls blues and greens
Group orchids with other tropical foliage plants These pro-vide an attractive backdrop for the orchid flowers
Figure 4-3 Placing plants on pedestals and inserting their growing pot inside a more ornamental one draws attention to the best attributes of the orchids mdash their flowers
Arranging orchid flowersNothing is more elegant than orchids in a flower arrangementTheyrsquove always represented the pinnacle of good taste and sophisti-cation The key to using them for such purposes is to keep it simpleand not to let the elegance of the orchids get overwhelmed by toomany other elements
Chapter 4 How I Love Thy Orchid Enjoying the Orchidrsquos Beauty 53
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Understanding the three basic flower-design elementsWhen it comes to flower arranging flowers and greens comes inthree basic shapes mdash line mass and filler All of these play a keypart in the construction of an attractive flower arrangement
Line flowers are tall and are used to give your arrangementheight and width Various branched orchids with buds (forexample oncidiums and cymbidiums) are used to create thiseffect
Mass flowers give your bouquet weight or mass and are gen-erally round or full-faced Theyrsquore usually the focal point ofcolor and interest in a bouquet Examples are cattleyas andtheir relatives as well as paphiopedilums and angraecums
Filler flowers have stems with many little flowers and usuallyhave fine textured foliage Examples are miniature oncidiums
Here are some tips on how to make simple yet elegant arrangements
Line flowers by themselves can make a striking arrangementin a tall cylindrical vase Select a vase or container that is inproportion to the flowers The vase should be about one-halfto one-third the size of the total arrangement For instance 3-foot-tall spikes of cymbidiums or oncidiums need a vase 12 to 18 inches tall
You can arrange mass flowers by themselves in a low widevase or container (see Figure 4-4)
A small arrangement of filler flowers by themselves can adda light elegant touch to any room Many of these filler flowersare well suited for drying
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 54
A super-simple homemade orchid flower preservative
Herersquos an easy recipe for making your cut orchids last longer Combine one 12-ouncecan of a lemon-flavored soda drink (like Sprite or 7-Up) an equal quantity of water and1 teaspoon of household bleach The sugar in the soft drink serves as food for theflower the citric acid lowers the pH (increases the acidity) and the bleach kills thebacteria in the water that can plug up the water-conducting network in the flower stem
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Some flowers can be used as more than one element Forexample phalaenopsis sprays especially the multifloral typescan be used as line elements while large single flowers can beused as mass flowers
Figure 4-4 This miniature arrangement contains only three small cattleya flowers for the mass and three pointed leaves for the line element
Supporting the orchid flower stemsHaving some method of supporting the stems of orchids in anarrangement so you can arrange them to face the direction youprefer is usually a good idea Here are several methods and materi-als you can use
For a clear vase add marbles or rocks
Crossing the top opening of the vase in a tic-tac-toe patternof floristrsquos tape works well
Frogs (pincushions on which the orchid stems are impaled)work well in shallower containers
Florist foam is most popular with professional arrangersbecause itrsquos easy to use effective and retains water well sothat the flowers last Itrsquos usually used in low containers
Donrsquot cut the orchid flowers until theyrsquore fully open Otherwisethey may never have their proper shape or complete color
Chapter 4 How I Love Thy Orchid Enjoying the Orchidrsquos Beauty 55
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Making your orchid arrangement last longerTo make your cut flowers last longer follow these suggestions
For cymbidiums wait about ten days to two weeks aftertheyrsquove flowered before cutting for cattleyas wait severaldays Cut the orchids only when theyrsquove fully opened
Before you put the orchids into a vase their stems shouldbe recut at an angle under water To keep them fresh recutthem every several days
Condition the orchids first before arranging them Placetheir stems in warm (180degF82degC) fresh water and let them sitsomewhere cool (around 50degF10degC) overnight
Make sure all leaves that will be submerged under water inthe vase are removed
To use orchidsrsquo short stems (like cattleyas) in taller arrange-ments insert the flower stem into orchid tubes (water-holding test tubes available at your local florist) and thentape the tubes to a wood stake for more height
Add a commercial or homemade solution of floral preserva-tive (see the nearby sidebar) to the warm water containingthe flowers Change this water and solution every three tofour days
Place the arrangement out of the direct rays of sunlight andin a cool room
Double the life of your orchid flowers by placing thearrangement in the refrigerator at night or when yoursquoreaway from home
Part I Welcoming Orchids into Your Life 56
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Part IIThe Basics of Orchid
Parenthood
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In this part
Growing orchids is easy but as with anything youneed to know the right things to do or not to do
In this part I tell you what environments orchids preferand give you all you need to know to make your home theperfect growing space for these tropical beauties Yoursquollfind information on light humidity temperature and ven-tilation requirements I cover proper watering in detail abig problem for many beginners I also demystify theprocess of purchasing and using fertilizers on orchids
Dividing and repotting orchids is a daunting task for manynew growers In this part I give you detailed drawingsshowing you step-by-step methods and techniques to usefor various types of orchids so you can do this job withno fear
One great aspect of orchids is that they get bigger andbetter every year When this happens you have theopportunity to multiply your orchids and share them withfriends or use them for trading for other desired varietiesIrsquoll show you in detail various ways to do this
Healthy orchids are happy orchids Fortunately orchidsare not a buggy lot but they sometimes do succumb tovarious diseases and insects I show you the safe andeffective way to keep these unwanted organisms in check
After reading Part II yoursquoll be ready to grow orchids as thepros do
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Chapter 5
Providing the RightGrowing Environment
In This Chapter Knowing how much light your orchid needs
Providing enough humidity
Giving your orchids a breath of fresh air
Getting the temperature right
Orchids are not difficult to grow But like all plants they havecertain needs that have to be met so they can perform their
best In this chapter I detail orchidsrsquo most fundamental require-ments and the simplest most effective ways to provide them basedon my 40 years of experience growing orchids on my windowsillsunder lights and in a greenhouse
If you put a little effort into modifying your growing environment tohelp your orchids feel at home itrsquoll pay off in healthy plants thatprovide plenty of flowers
Let There Be LightLight is essential for all green plants including orchids Lightwater and carbon dioxide are the raw materials plants use to pro-duce their food Providing enough light is the most challengingrequirement for indoor gardeners in areas of the country like theNortheast and the Midwest who experience short days and lowlight during the winter Fortunately plenty of species and hybridsof orchids donrsquot require super-high light intensities and so aremore suited to these climates
If yoursquore blessed with naturally high light mdash like the kind found inHawaii California and Florida mdash you can grow both the high- and
10_567594 ch05qxd 12405 854 PM Page 59
the low-light-intensity orchids You just have to use greenhouseshading or light-reducing draperies to satisfy those orchids requir-ing modest amounts of light
The ins and outs of lightOrchids are traditionally categorized by their light requirements mdashhigh medium and low Turn to Chapter 2 for a simple way todetermine the intensity of your light source called the shadowtest Most orchids are in the medium light category You can easilygrow orchids in the low to medium light categories under artificiallights or on bright windowsills From a practical point of view theorchids with high light requirements are most successfully grownin bright greenhouses
Greenhouses Your high light sourceGreenhouses like the one shown in Figure 5-1 are the most effi-cient collectors of natural light
The amount of light penetrating the greenhouse is determined bythe glazing material used its geographic location how itrsquos sited onthe land and whether itrsquos shaded by surrounding trees or a com-mercial shading compound or fabric
The greenhouse option is the most expensive but you donrsquot haveto own one to grow most of the orchids in this book
Figure 5-1 High-quality greenhouse setups provide shading and efficient use of space to accommodate as many orchids as possible
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 60
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Windowsills Not all windowsills are created equalWindowsills are the most readily available and cost-effective sourceof light The amount of light windowsill growing can provide is pri-marily determined by
The size of the windows
Whether there is an overhanging roof This can make a dif-ference in how much light will actually reach the plants (seeFigure 5-2)
How far back the windows are recessed Bay or bow win-dows expose the plants to more light than other types of win-dows (see Figure 5-3)
The direction the windows face Whether the windows facenorth south east or west makes a big difference in theamount and quality of light the orchids will receive
bull South-facing window This is the brightest windowso it offers the most possibilities Itrsquos an ideal locationfor those orchids that demand the strongest lightYou can place most of the other less-light-demandingorchids a few feet back from the window or you candiffuse the light from the window with a sheer curtainNote This exposure can get hot especially during thesummer
Figure 5-2 The extent of the roof overhang will make a difference in the amountof light the orchids will receive
Morning and afternoon Midday
Chapter 5 Providing the Right Growing Environment 61
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bull East-facing window This window offers morning sun-light which is bright but not too hot During the springsummer and fall this is usually an ideal exposure formost orchids in this book except those that requireextremely high light (like vandas) During the short darkdays of winter many of these same orchids usuallyprefer a south-facing window
bull West-facing window This window receives as muchlight as the east window but because it gets afternoonlight itrsquos much hotter mdash so this isnrsquot as desirable a loca-tion as the east-facing window If you need to use a west-facing window make sure your orchids donrsquot dry out toomuch because of this increased heat
bull North-facing window A north-facing window simplydoesnrsquot provide enough light to sustain the healthygrowth of orchids Use it for low-light plants like ferns
How far the plants are placed from the windows
The age and condition of the glass Tinted and reflectiveglass can dramatically reduce light intensity so itrsquos usuallynot recommended No matter what kind of glass you havekeep your windows clean especially during the winter whenthe light intensity is low so your orchids will receive as muchlight as possible
The time of the year During the winter the sun is lower in thesky and the day length is shorter The opposite is true duringthe summer As a result a south-facing window may be fine forcertain orchids during the winter but you may have to movethe orchids to an east-facing window during the summer
Listening to your orchidsDifferent types of orchids have varying light requirements becausethey naturally grow in a wide range of habitats Some thrive in fullsun on exposed rocks while others are at home in dense jungleshade
The leaves of the plant give you some clue as to their light require-ments (see Figure 5-4) Those with very tough thick stout andsometimes narrow leaves frequently are adapted to very highlight intensity When the leaves are softer more succulentand wider this is usually a clue that theyrsquore from a lower-lightenvironment
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 62
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Figure 5-3 Bay windows increase the size of the growing area and the amount of light the plant receives because light can penetrate from multiple angles
Figure 5-4 The type of leaf indicates an orchidrsquos light requirements
Your orchids will tell you by their growth habits and leaf color iftheyrsquore getting adequate too little or too much light Whenorchids are getting enough light yoursquoll notice the following
The mature leaves are usually a medium to light green
The new leaves are the same size or larger and the sameshape as the mature ones
Very Bright Light
Leaves gradually becomebroader and softer
Lower Light
Larger soft greenleaf
Chapter 5 Providing the Right Growing Environment 63
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The foliage is stiff and compact not floppy
The plants are flowering at approximately the same time theydid the year before
One of the most frequent results of inadequate light is soft darkgreen foliage with no flowering Another symptom of inadequatelight is stretching where the distance between the new leaves onthe stem of orchids like paphiopedilum phalaenopsis or vandas isgreater than with the older mature leaves On other types oforchids the new leaves tend to be longer and thinner
When orchids get too much light their leaves turn a yellow-greencolor or take on a reddish cast and may appear stunted In extremecases the leaves show circular or oval sunburn spots (see Figure5-5) The sunburn is actually caused by the leaf overheatingAlthough in itself this leaf damage may not cause extreme harmto the plant if the damage is isolated to a small area it does makethe plant unsightly
If the sunburn occurs at the growing point it can kill that leaf orthe entire plant Higher light intensities than are usually recom-mended are possible with some orchids if you increase the ventila-tion to lower these elevated leaf temperatures Some orchidcut-flower growers like to push their orchids with the highest lightintensity they can take without burning to yield the maximumamount of blooms However for most hobby growers I donrsquot rec-ommend this
Figure 5-5 A paphiopedilum leaf with a round or oval brown spot caused by too much light or sunburn
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 64
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No natural light No problemArtificial light sources make it possible for everyone without green-houses or bright windowsills to enjoy growing orchids in theirhomes Although the limitations of what can be grown under theselight sources are only restricted by equipment and electricitycosts itrsquos a very practical method of growing for low- to medium-light orchids
Wading through the many lighting options available today can bea daunting task especially for beginners In this section I helpyou out
Fluorescent lightsFluorescent systems are still the most accessible and economicallighting systems to buy Three-tiered light carts like the one shownin Figure 5-6 are highly versatile and practical Most of them areabout 2 feet wide by 4 feet long so their three shelves provide 24square feet of growing area If you grow compact orchids this willbe enough space to have at least one or more orchids in bloomyear-round If you collect miniatures it will provide a growingspace adequate for an entire collection The convenience of such acart canrsquot be beat You can place it in a heated garage in a base-ment or in a spare bedroom
When the orchids start to produce their tall orchid spikes thereusually isnrsquot enough head room under most fixed-height light unitsto accommodate this growing spike At that point you can movethe orchids to a windowsill or use a light fixture that can be raisedas the flower spikes develop like the one shown in Figure 5-7
Which bulbs or lamps you should burn in your fixtures is a highlydebated topic Years ago the only real choice was cool whiteand warm white tubes Some people still feel that a 5050 mix ofthese tubes is the best option because theyrsquore bright and veryinexpensive
Over 40 years ago Sylvania started manufacturing Gro-Lux tubes mdashdesigned to provide light that more closely reflected the spectrumof light that plants used in photosynthesis the process that plantsuse to produce their own food This started a new race to producethe ldquobestrdquo plant bulb The evolution of lamps has gone from theGro-Lux to wide-spectrum bulbs and now to full-spectrum bulbsThe light cast by the full-spectrum lamp is supposed to mostclosely resemble natural sunlight Viewed under these lampscolors of the flowers are rendered more accurately
Chapter 5 Providing the Right Growing Environment 65
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Figure 5-6 Four-tube rather than two-tube units are highly recommended for low- to medium-light orchids
Figure 5-7 An adjustable light fixture like this one is very handy for accommodating developing flower spikes
Irsquove grown orchids well under all these types of lamps If you wantto have the flowers appear most naturally colored under the lightsand donrsquot mind paying a premium for the lamps the full-spectrumtypes are the best choice The most economical pick mdash and stillsatisfactory mdash is the 5050 ratio of warm-white to cool-whitelamps A compromise would be a blend of half warm-white andcool-white tubes and half wide- or full-spectrum lamps
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 66
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High-intensity-discharge lightsNewer to the artificial-light choices are high-intensity-dischargelights These are very efficient in their production of light and areespecially useful where you want to grow orchids requiring higherlight intensities than fluorescent lamps can provide andor whereyou want a greater working distance between the lights and plants(see Figure 5-8)
High-intensity-discharge lights do have the disadvantage of pro-ducing quite a bit of heat so make sure not to get the plants tooclose to the bulbs
Figure 5-8 Approximate growing areas for different wattages of high-intensity-discharge lamps
1000
wat
t
Ideal Mounting Height5 to 7 Feet
=
AreaCoverage
12prime times 12prime
400
wat
t
Ideal Mounting Height3 to 5 Feet
=
AreaCoverage
8prime times 8prime
250
wat
t
Ideal Mounting Height1 to 3 Feet
=
AreaCoverage
5prime times 5prime
Chapter 5 Providing the Right Growing Environment 67
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The two most frequently used lamps for these systems are metalhalide (MH) and high-pressure sodium (HPS) HPS is more energy-efficient than MH but the light it emits is orange-yellow and dis-torts the color of the flowers and foliage MH produces blue lightthat is more pleasing to the eye Some manufacturers now producelamps that combine the advantages of both
Another newer option is the high-intensity compact fluorescentlight The fixtures for these look much like high-intensity-discharge(HID) units They donrsquot produce quite as much light as HID butthey have the advantage of producing little heat mdash so there ismuch less likelihood of orchids being burned
If yoursquore a beginner light gardener I recommend starting with fluorescent-light setups I find them to be most practical Laterif you have the need you can give the high-intensity-dischargelamps a try
Humidity Orchidsrsquo FavoriteCondition
Humidity is something you canrsquot see but you can feel it on amuggy summer day or in a steamy greenhouse The vast majorityof orchids are from the tropics where high rainfall and humidityprevail When orchids get enough humidity they grow lushly andtheir leaves have a healthy shine
Insufficient humidity can stunt an orchidrsquos growth and in severecases it can cause brown tips on leaves It can also contribute tobuds falling off (known as bud blast) leaves wrinkling and dryingof the sheaths (the tubelike structures that surround the develop-ing flower buds) which can result in twisted or malformed flowers
During the winter homes especially those in cold climates withforced-air heating systems usually have a relative humidity ofabout 15 percent Because this is the average humidity found inmost desert areas you have to do something to raise the humidityto at least 50 percent mdash a level that will make orchids happy
For greenhouses this process is a relatively simple matter You caneither regularly hose down the walkways or hook up foggers andcommercial humidifiers to a humidistat so that the entire opera-tion is automatic
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 68
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If yoursquore growing your orchids in your home yoursquoll need a differentapproach High humidity levels that would be no problem in agreenhouse will peel the paint plaster and wallpaper off the wallsof your house Assuming thatrsquos not the look yoursquore going for youcan take several steps to get to the desirable humidity range with-out causing damage to your house
If you can put your orchids in a naturally damp area like thebasement
Wherever you put your orchids use a room humidifier I find thebest type of humidifier is an evaporative-pad humidifier (in whichfans blow across a moisture-laden pad that sits in a reservoir ofwater) An evaporative-pad humidifier is usually better than a misthumidifier because unlike a mist humidifier it doesnrsquot leave yourorchids with a white film (from the minerals in the water beingdeposited on the leaves)
To further increase the humidity level you can try growing theplants on top of a waterproof tray filled with pebbles Add water tothe tray so that the level is just below the surface of the pebblesthen put the plants on top of this bed of damp gravel The problemthat I find with this system is that the pots especially the heavyclay ones frequently sink into the pebbles resulting in the mediain the pots getting soggy and after repeated waterings the pebblesbecoming clogged with algae and being a repository for insectsand various disease organisms
The approach that I think works much better is to add sections ofegg-crate louvers (sold in home-supply stores for diffusing fluores-cent lights) to the trays (see Figure 5-9) You can cut this materialwith a hacksaw to whatever size you need Itrsquos rigid so it will supportthe plants above the water and the water is more exposed to air somore humidity results The grating is simple to clean mdash just removeand spray it with warm water To prevent algae or disease buildupyou can add a disinfectant like Physan to the water in the trays
Misting is another way to increase humidity This works okay butin order for it to be effective you need to do it several times a daybecause the water usually evaporates very quickly A problem withmisting is that if your water source is mineral-laden your orchidrsquosleaves may become encrusted in white mdash not only is this unsightlybut it keeps light from penetrating to the leaves A benefit to mist-ing is that it can clean the dust from the leaves
Chapter 5 Providing the Right Growing Environment 69
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Figure 5-9 An egg-crate louver set inside a waterproof tray This setup is a simple way to increase humidity and itrsquos easy to keep clean
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 70
Blasted bud blastNothing is more disheartening than having the buds of your orchids shrivel up rightbefore they open This is referred to as bud blast and is caused when the orchidundergoes different types of stress Here are some of the specific causes of thisexasperating event
Low humidity
Hot air from furnaces or cool dry air form air-conditioners directly blowing onthe orchid plant
Over- or underwatering
Poor root development
Temperatures that are too high or too low
Water standing in the buds or bud sheaths
Dramatic change in the orchidsrsquo environment like bringing the plants from out-side to inside
Natural-gas leaks in the house
Ethylene gas from ripened fruit
Light thatrsquos too bright on the developing flower buds
Pollution such as smog
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Fresh Air PleaseIn most tropical lands where orchids reside they luxuriate in inces-sant but gentle trade winds Air movement in a growing environ-ment ensures a more uniform air temperature and dramaticallyreduces disease problems by preventing the leaves from stayingwet too long It also evenly distributes the gas (carbon dioxide)that is produced by the plants in the dark and used by the plantsto produce their food during the daylight hours
You donrsquot want to create gale-force winds in your growing area butyou do want to produce enough airflow to cause the leaves of theorchids to very lightly sway in the breeze Irsquove found that two ofthe most effective methods for providing such an airflow in both ahobby greenhouse and an indoor growing area are ceiling fans andoscillating fans
Ceiling fansCeiling fans move a huge volume of air at a low velocity in a circularpattern so they effectively prevent severe temperature differencesare inexpensive to operate (they use about the same electricity as a100-watt bulb) are quiet have variable speeds and are easy toinstall They stand up well to moist conditions especially if you buythe outdoor types Another nice feature is that you can adjust theair-circulation pattern on most of them so that they can either pushwarm air down (the recommended winter setting) or pull cool airup (usually the best summer setting) as shown in Figure 5-10
Oscillating fansOscillating fans are also a good choice because they effectivelycover large areas with a constantly changing airflow pattern with-out excessively drying off the plants
Figure 5-10 Ceiling fans can be set either to push warm air down (best forwinter) or pull cool air up (best for summer)
Chapter 5 Providing the Right Growing Environment 71
10_567594 ch05qxd 12405 854 PM Page 71
If you decide to go with oscillating fans splurge for the better-grade ones Fans that are very inexpensive have plastic gears thatstrip easily so the oscillating feature wonrsquot last long
Muffin fansYou may have small hot or cold spots in your greenhouse win-dowsill or light cart where just a touch of airflow is needed This iswhere small muffin fans frequently sold for cooling computers(available at electronics or computer-supply stores) are perfect forthe job Theyrsquore efficient quiet and very inexpensive to operate
Some Like It Hot Some LikeIt Cold Orchid TemperatureRequirements
Orchids are frequently placed by professional orchid growersinto three different categories based on their night temperaturepreferences
Cool 45degF to 55degF (72degC to 128degC)
Intermediate 55degF to 60degF (128degC to 156degC)
Warm 65degF (183degC) or higher
The assumption is that the daytime temperature will be at least15degF (95degC) warmer than these night temperatures
These numbers are guidelines not absolutes Most orchids are quiteadaptable and tolerant of varying temperatures short of freezingBut for optimum growth these temperature ranges are good targets
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 72
Get rid of the laggardsYou may find that a few of your orchids just donrsquot appreciate the home yoursquove giventhem Maybe they donrsquot get enough light or your home is too cool Whatever thereason if yoursquove done your best to provide the right conditions and the orchid stilldoesnrsquot grow well and bloom itrsquos time to get tough and get rid of it Give it to a friendwith different growing conditions There are too many orchids out there that areeasy to grow to be wasting your time and valuable and limited growing space on apoor performer
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Too-low temperaturesIf orchids are exposed to cooler than the recommended rangestheir growth will be slowed down and in extreme cases buds mayfall off before they open (known as bud blast) Also cooler temper-atures can reduce the plantrsquos disease resistance
Too-high temperaturesIf it gets too hot orchids will show their displeasure by slowing orstopping their growth having their flower buds wilt before theyopen having their leaves and stems shrivel and in extreme casesby dying A short bout of higher-than-desired temperatures wonrsquotbe that harmful as long as the humidity stays high
One critically important factor with orchids is that they need at least15degF higher daytime temperatures than they get in the evening Ifthey donrsquot get this temperature difference the orchids wonrsquot growvigorously and probably most importantly they wonrsquot set flowerbuds Not meeting this temperature requirement is one of the mostcommon reasons that homegrown orchids donrsquot bloom
Giving Your Orchidsa Summer Vacation
Some orchid growers continue growing their plants indoors underlights on windowsills or in their greenhouses throughout thesummer The challenge during this time is to reduce the light inten-sity and control the high heat both of which can be damaging
For these reasons summering the orchids outdoors is an attractiveoption For the light gardener this means a welcome relief from highelectric bills and for the greenhouse and windowsill grower it pro-vides an opportunity to clean up the growing area Also mostorchids arenrsquot in bloom during the summer so they arenrsquot at theirbest visually and they respond very favorably to a summer vacationoutdoors
Besides providing an opportunity to clean up your indoor growingarea having a space outdoors allows you to apply pest controls ifnecessary without smelling up your house The natural tempera-ture differential between day and night especially in the early fallis very effective in setting flower buds for the upcoming late-falland winter blooming
Chapter 5 Providing the Right Growing Environment 73
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A shade houseI summer my orchids in a shade house made of preconstructedlath (slates of crisscrossed wood) nailed or screwed to pressure-treated upright wood supports Figures 5-11 and 5-12 show whatmy shade house looks like
Shading (usually about 50 to 60 percent or more depending on thelocation of the shade house and the types of orchids grown) is nec-essary and is provided by lath or shading fabrics I also installed inthis shade house a watering system made up of multiple smallsprayers or misters controlled by a timer that has a manual over-ride I grow the plants on stepped wire frame benches that ensureeven lighting and easy watering
Figure 5-11 My shade house is an 8-foot (24-m) square simply constructedusing wood lath and 4-x-4-inch (10-x-10-cm) pressure-treated wood posts
I cover the roof of the shade house with 6 mil (0006-mm-thick)heavy-duty clear plastic which is stretched over a peaked woodenframe I used to leave the roof of the lath house open to receivenatural rainfall but I found that it sometimes rained when I didnrsquotwant it to (at night when it was too cool or when it was alreadywet) I find the covered roof gives me the control to water when myplants need it
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 74
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Figure 5-12 Inside the shade house plants are arranged on stepped-wirebenches to allow easy watering and good air and water drainage
A portable greenhouseIrsquove also summered orchids in a portable greenhouse on the deck(see Figure 5-13) If you use such a structure be sure to put it in aplace that receives shade during the heat of the day or use a com-mercial shading fabric to cut down the light intensity Also bemindful of the daytime temperatures inside such a structureThese units require good systems of ventilation otherwise tem-peratures inside them can skyrocket in sunny periods
Chapter 5 Providing the Right Growing Environment 75
Keeping things in balance The yin and the yang of orchid growing
When it comes to your orchidsrsquo growing conditions itrsquos a matter of keeping every-thing in balance Here are some tips to keep in mind
If the air temperature is cool the orchids need less water and light
If the humidity is high the orchids need more air circulation
If the light is very bright andor the temperature is high the humidity needs tobe high
When orchids are not actively growing reduce or stop fertilizing
If the temperatures are high the light and humidity need to also be high and theorchids will require more-frequent watering
10_567594 ch05qxd 12405 854 PM Page 75
Figure 5-13 An outdoor portable greenhouse can be an ideal place to put yourorchids in the summer
Some orchids enjoy hanging outOrchids that have higher light requirements like vandas and asco-cendas grow wonderfully dangling from pot hangers clipped to thepot (see Figure 5-14) and then hung from a pole or other supportJust make sure the light intensity of this growing area matches theneeds of the orchids
Figure 5-14 You can easily summer your orchids outdoors by using pot clamps tohang them from a freestanding support or a suspended rod against the garage
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 76
10_567594 ch05qxd 12405 854 PM Page 76
Chapter 6
Watering and FertilizingOrchids
In This Chapter Mastering the art of watering
Knowing when and how to water
Recognizing symptoms of over- and underwatering
Selecting and using orchid fertilizers
Probably more orchids are killed by improper watering usuallyby overwatering than by any other cultural practice Discover-
ing how to properly water orchids is one of the more challengingaspects of growing orchids In this chapter I explain some simplebut very effective methods that will turn you into a watering pro
In addition to mastering the art of watering the fertilizing gamecan be very confusing mdash so many different types and formulationsIn this chapter I show you how to wade through the maze of fertil-izer terms to get to the important information mdash yoursquoll be able tochoose the fertilizer that will give you healthy orchids with thebest blooming
Water Water EverywhereUnderstanding the Artof Watering Orchids
When I give talks about orchids one of the first questions asked bythose in the audience is ldquoHow often should I water my orchidsrdquo Ireally wish this question had an easy answer but it doesnrsquot Somany variables are involved in watering In the following sections Icover some of the factors that affect how often you should water
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 77
The type of potYou can grow orchids in clay or plastic pots The potting materialdries off much more slowly in plastic pots than it does in clay potsWith plastic the potting material dries out from the top down soeven though the potting material may be dry on top it may bedamp 1 inch below the surface With clay pots the potting materialdries out more uniformly (clay pots are porous so they ldquobreatherdquoand allow water to evaporate through the walls of the pot)
The bottom line If yoursquore using a plastic pot yoursquoll want to waterless often than if yoursquore using a clay pot
Either type of pot will grow orchids they merely have differentwatering requirements For orchids that do best when theyrsquorealways slightly damp (like miltonias slippers and moth orchids)I prefer to use plastic pots For those that need to dry out morebetween waterings (like cattleyas and most of the dendrobiums)I recommend clay pots
In Part III I provide an overview of numerous orchids to choosefrom that are available throughout the United States
The type of potting materialPotting materials vary dramatically in terms of the amount ofwater they retain For instance sphagnum moss a highly water-absorbent plant that is harvested from bogs to be used as a pot-ting material usually stays wet much longer than bark which isnrsquotas water-retentive
If yoursquore using a potting material that absorbs a lot of water yoursquollwant to water less often than if you use a potting material thatdoesnrsquot absorb the water To determine whether the potting mate-rial is absorbent soak some of it in water for a few hours Thenremove the material and squeeze it If itrsquos absorbent it will releasethis water under pressure like a sponge
The age of the potting materialFresh potting material requires much more frequent watering forthe first few weeks until it gets properly wetted As it gets older itretains water longer
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 78
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Whether the orchid is pot-boundAn overgrown orchid (sometimes referred to as an orchid that ispot-bound) will dry off much more quickly than one that has plentyof space in the pot When pot space is limited there is less pottingmaterial to hold onto the water so the overgrown plant quicklyuses it up
In general most orchids need to be repotted every one to two yearsIn Chapter 7 I give you the complete scoop on repotting orchids
The growing environmentAre you growing your orchids in high humidity or low Orchidsand potting materials in low humidity dry off more quicklybecause the drier air quickly absorbs the moisture from both theplant and the potting material
The temperatureWarmer temperatures increase water evaporation because warmerair absorbs more moisture and because the plants are growingmore quickly in warmer temperatures and require more water Ifyoursquore growing orchids in a cooler temperature you wonrsquot need towater as often
The amount of ventilationThe more ventilation your orchids get mdash especially if air is ventedto the outside or if the air is hot and dry as is found in most cen-trally heated homes mdash the quicker the water in the potting mate-rial evaporates Gentle air movement is ideal It will keep the airfresh without excessively drying out the plants or potting material
Whether the orchids are growingor dormantWhen species of certain orchids (like some of the dendrobiumsand catasetums) are going through their winter rest period theyneed and should only be given very little water But when theystart active growth in the spring and summer they require copiousamounts of water
Chapter 6 Watering and Fertilizing Orchids 79
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 79
In Part III I give you information about rest requirements for spe-cific orchids
The type of orchidSome orchids like cattleyas like to dry out between wateringsothers like paphiopedilums phalaenopsis and miltonias prefer toalways be damp This difference has a lot to do with where the par-ticular type of orchid grows naturally If the orchid naturally growsin an area where it doesnrsquot get natural rainfall on a regular basis itwonrsquot need watering as often as orchids that grow in areas of fre-quent rainfall
See Part III for specific watering needs for each type of orchid
Proven Watering TechniquesWhen yoursquove considered the factors such as potting material envi-ronment and type of orchid (see the preceding section) you needto make the decision as to when and how much to water
I find the pot-weighting method of determining when to water isone of the easiest In this method yoursquore relying on feel instead ofprecise weights Herersquos what you do
1 Thoroughly water the orchid in its pot
2 ldquoWeighrdquo the pot by picking it up
Now you know how heavy it is when itrsquos saturated withwater
3 Wait a day or so and ldquoweighrdquo it again by picking it up
Yoursquoll feel the difference in the weight as the potting mate-rial becomes drier
4 Repeat Step 3 each day until you judge by looking at thesurface and sticking your finger into the top 1 inch (25cm) or so of the potting material to see if itrsquos damp thatitrsquos time to water
Keep in mind whether this type of orchid prefers to be onthe damp or dry side
5 Note what this dry ldquoweightrdquo is
Now the orchid is ready to be watered thoroughly
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 80
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 80
This entire process may sound tedious but yoursquoll be amazed athow quickly you catch on And when you do yoursquoll always knowthe right time to water Just lift the pot note its weight and yoursquollhave your answer
If yoursquore still not quite sure about watering keep the followingwatering tips in mind
Grow orchids of the same type media pot type and size inthe same area This strategy will make watering them easierbecause theyrsquoll have very similar moisture requirements
Water with warm water Very cold water can cause root andbud shock which sets back the plant and slows down itsgrowth
Always use a water breaker (a water diffuser that youattach to the front of your hose to soften the flow of water)For only a few orchids a sprinkling can with a long spout witha rose (a water diffuser placed on the end of the water-canspout) that has many small holes works well These devicesallow thorough watering without washing out the pottingmaterial
A huge selection of watering wands is available I really likethe ones with multiple settings on the head that allow you todrench or mist without changing attachments Regulating theflow of water is much easier with wands equipped with fingertriggers than it is with those that have an on-and-off valve(See Chapter 3 for more information on tools and supplies)
Never let the water breaker or end of the hose touch theground or floor This commandment was given to me by myfirst horticulture professor Dr D C Kiplinger who preachedthat floors and soil are where the diseases and insects hang outand a hose can be an all-too-effective way of spreading them
When you water water thoroughly The water should pourout from the bottom of the pot This method of wateringensures that the potting material is saturated and flushes outany excessive fertilizer salts
Never let the pots of orchids sit in water for over a fewhours If the orchid pots have saucers make sure to keepthem free of water Excess standing water will prematurely rotthe media and roots and will be a source of accumulating fer-tilizer salts and pathogens (disease-causing organisms likebacteria fungi or viruses)
Water the orchids early in the day or afternoon That waythe foliage will have plenty of time to dry off before nightfallWet foliage in the evening is an invitation for disease
Chapter 6 Watering and Fertilizing Orchids 81
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 81
Over- or UnderwateringRoots Tell the Story
Over- and underwatering show many of the same symptomsbecause the effect of both practices is the same mdash damaged ordestroyed root systems which result in the orchid becoming dehy-drated The signs of dehydration include
Pleated leaves on orchids like miltonias (see Figure 6-1)
Excessively shriveled pseudobulbs (thickened swollen stems)of some orchids like cattleyas
Droopy soft and puckered leaves on cattleyas
Yellow and wilted bottom leaves on phalaenopsis
Bud blast (in which the buds fall off instead of opening) on allorchids
Figure 6-1 The pleated or puckered leaf of this miltonia orchid is a sign that the orchid is dehydrated
Figuring out whether wateringis the problemIn order to better evaluate whether over- or underwatering hascaused these symptoms remove the orchid from its pot Manybeginner growers are reluctant to do this but if yoursquore careful
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 82
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 82
removing the orchid from its pot wonrsquot disturb most orchids to anydegree and itrsquos an absolutely necessary procedure to see whatrsquosgoing on with the root system
To determine if yoursquove under- or overwatered your orchid followthese steps
1 Turn the orchid plant in its pot upside-down
2 Gently rap a hard object (like the handle of a gardeningtool) against the pot to loosen the potting material
Cup your hand over the surface of the pot to hold the loos-ened potting material as it falls out Doing this over a work-bench or a table covered with clean newspaper to hold thepotting material is a nice neat approach
3 If the potting material doesnrsquot loosen easily use a thinknife to circle the inside of the pot to loosen the pottingmaterial from the wall of the pot
In some situations the potting material may be so packedinto the pot that it wonrsquot come out easily
4 When the orchid is removed from the pot check out thepotting material
Is it soggy Does it have a bad (rotting) smell Are the rootsdark and mushy These are all signs of overwatering
If the roots are dry and shriveled not stiff and plump andhave no or few growing root tips the orchid probablyhasnrsquot gotten enough water The potting material may betoo coarse making poor contact with the roots otherwiseyou simply havenrsquot watered the orchid frequently enough
5 If the roots look okay or only slightly damaged pot upthe orchid again in fresh potting material
See Chapter 7 for more details on potting orchids
6 If you find that the roots are badly damaged read the fol-lowing section for more information
Mission Orchid rescue and resuscitationThe approach you take to remedy root damage depends on howdire the situation is
Chapter 6 Watering and Fertilizing Orchids 83
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 83
If the orchid still has some healthy firm roots cut off all the softmushy roots with a sterile tool like a single-edged razor and repotthe orchid in new potting material Go light on the watering for afew weeks to encourage new root development Using a spraybottle mist the orchids a few times a day to prevent the leavesfrom drying out
If the roots are almost all gone emergency measures are called forand recovery is not definite This is what I recommend
1 Cut off all the dead or damaged roots
2 Drench the roots with a liquid rooting hormone like Diprsquon Grow
3 Let this liquid hormone dry on the roots for about anhour then repot the orchid in fresh potting material thathas been predampened
4 Donrsquot water for a day
5 Water once and then put the potted orchid in an enclosedterrarium (like a high-top propagator a clear plastic boxwith vents at the top and a tray below to hold pottingmaterial) or an empty aquarium with damp sphagnummoss or pebbles on the bottom to add humidity
6 Close the top of the terrarium and put it in a locationwith diffused light
In a greenhouse this would be a shady spot with no directsunlight Under florescent lights put the terrarium at theends of the tubes where there is less illumination If the ter-rarium is in the cool part of the greenhouse or growingarea put the entire terrarium on water-resistant soil orseedling heating mats available at most garden centersGet one that has a built-in thermostat set for about 70degF(21degC) to provide bottom heat to stimulate rooting
7 If yoursquore concerned about disease spray the orchidleaves with a disinfectant solution
A good disinfectant is Physan a commonly used hospitaldisinfectant available from mail-order orchid-supply com-panies or at garden centers
In this environment of 100 percent humidity the leaves wonrsquot dehy-drate so there will be no stress on the orchid while it reroots itselfWater the potting material only when it gets dry keep the gravel ormoss in the bottom of the terrarium damp and leave the orchidenclosed until new root growth is very apparent This may take afew months
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 84
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 84
This method has no guarantees but following this procedure hassaved orchids for me that were in the ldquohopelessrdquo category
Figure 6-2 shows my orchid rescue the place where I put orchidsthat have suffered a loss of roots Itrsquos like a miniature greenhousewith high humidity which encourages the orchids to form newroots
Figure 6-2 My orchid rescue the place where I put orchids that have suffered a loss of roots
Fertilizers Not Magic PotionsMany people place much too much faith in fertilizers They thinkfertilizer is some type of elixir that will save the day Actually if theorchid is in poor health fertilizers are rarely the answer
In fact if the roots are damaged (a frequent problem) applying fer-tilizers will make the problem worse If roots arenrsquot functioningwell they canrsquot absorb the fertilizer and if the fertilizer isnrsquot usedby the orchid it can accumulate in the orchid potting materialThis buildup of fertilizer salts can further dehydrate and damagethe remaining roots
Fertilizers are most useful as a boost to help an already healthyorchid grow better
Many people mistakenly think of fertilizer as food mdash which it isnrsquotPlants produce their own food from sunlight carbon dioxide andwater Thatrsquos the miracle called photosynthesis By fertilizing yoursquore
Chapter 6 Watering and Fertilizing Orchids 85
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 85
merely providing minerals that your orchids can use to make pho-tosynthesis more efficient
The number and types of fertilizers on the market can make yourhead spin Yoursquoll hear a lot of mumbo-jumbo about why one fertil-izer is better than another Fortunately the choice is not nearly ascomplicated as some manufacturers seem to make it
What to look for in orchid fertilizersFrom my experience and after listening to other veteran orchidgrowers Irsquove come to some conclusions about fertilizers The fol-lowing suggestions apply to most orchid-growing situations
Look at the label and choose a fertilizer that has the wordsnitrate nitrogen or ammoniacal nitrogen not ureaAlthough all forms can be used by plants recent researchshows that the nitrate and ammoniacal forms not urea aremost beneficial to orchids These chemical terms may soundlike Greek to you but itrsquos not really important for you to knowany more than to look for these types of nitrogen in your fer-tilizer It will be spelled out on the label
Look for a fertilizer with 20 percent or less nitrogen (this islisted on the label) High amounts of nitrogen much morethan 20 percent are not necessary to grow the best orchidsno matter what media they are grown in Too much of anynutrient cannot be used by the orchid plant and as a resultmerely ends up as a pollutant
Donrsquot worry about the amount of phosphorus in the fertil-izer It was earlier thought that a high-phosphorus fertilizerwas necessary for better orchid bloom This has now beenfound not to be the case
In most cases a fertilizer with supplementary calcium (up to15 percent) and magnesium (up to 8 percent) is a real plus
For most water sources adding trace elements (chemicalsin very small amounts) including sodium manganesecopper zinc boron iron and molybdenum has been foundto be beneficial to orchid growth Donrsquot worry about theexact amounts just check the fertilizer container or label tosee if they appear in small amounts
Any fertilizer that meets these requirements will do To find out ifyour chosen fertilizer does carefully look at the fertilizer con-tainer By law the manufacturer is required to list what chemicalsare included in the fertilizer Figure 6-3 is an example of a label soyou can see what to look for
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 86
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 86
Figure 6-3 The label on an orchid fertilizer reveals what the product containsRead it closely
Inte
rpre
ting
the
Orc
hid
Ferti
lizer
Lab
el
Ferti
lizer
des
igne
d fo
r a w
ater
sou
rce
cont
aini
ng fe
w n
utrie
nts
Firs
t num
ber (
12) i
s ni
troge
n (1
2 lb
s p
er 1
00 lb
s o
f fer
tilize
r) S
econ
d nu
mbe
r (6)
is P
hosp
horo
us (6
lbs
) Th
ird n
umbe
r is
Pota
ssiu
m T
hese
are
refe
rred
to a
s th
e p
rimar
y o
r m
acro
nut
rient
s
Trac
e el
emen
ts o
r mic
ro e
lem
ents
Nut
rient
s th
at a
re im
porta
nt b
ut in
ver
y sm
all a
mou
nts
The
chem
ical
form
of t
he n
itrog
en c
ompo
nent
It i
s m
ost d
esira
ble
that
this
be
mos
tly in
the
nitr
ate
form
not
ure
a
Dosa
ge fo
r fer
tilize
r Do
not
exc
eed
reco
mm
enda
tion
Unle
ss y
ou k
now
that
you
r wat
er h
as a
n ad
equa
te s
uppl
y of
mag
nesi
um a
nd c
alci
um l
ook
for a
ferti
lizer
that
con
tain
s th
em B
oth
thes
e nu
trien
ts h
ave
been
foun
d to
be
very
impo
rtant
for s
trong
orc
hid
grow
th
Actu
al c
ompo
unds
from
whi
ch th
e nu
trien
ts a
re b
eing
der
ived
Ferti
lizer
s fre
quen
tly c
onta
in v
ery
smal
l am
ount
s (tr
aces
) of o
ther
ele
men
ts
This
sta
tes
whe
ther
the
ferti
lizer
has
a b
asic
or a
cid
reac
tion
Whe
re it
is m
anuf
actu
red
and
wha
t com
pany
dis
tribu
tes
it
Ferti
lizer
bra
nd n
ame
Tota
l nitr
ogen
12
Iron
(Fe)
0
16
12
5 n
itrat
e
Man
gane
se
008
ni
troge
n
(Mn)
07
a
mm
onia
cal
nitro
A
vaila
ble
6
0
Zinc
(Zn)
0
03
Pho
spha
te (P
2O5)
Pot
ash
(K2O
) 13
0
Co
pper
(Cu)
0
03
C
alcu
im (C
a)
7
Boro
n (B
) 0
01
Mag
nesi
um (M
g)
20
M
olyb
denu
m
001
(M
o)De
rived
from
ca
lciu
m
Deriv
ed fr
om I
ron
nitra
te m
agne
sium
nitr
ate
ED
TA z
inc
sulfa
te
pota
ssiu
m n
itrat
e amp
co
pper
sul
fate
bor
icm
onop
otas
sium
pho
spha
te
acid
am
mon
ium
mol
ybda
te
Plus
trac
es o
f sul
fur (
S) c
hlor
ine
(Cl)
cob
alt (
Co)
nick
el (N
i) s
odiu
m (N
a)Po
tent
ial B
asic
ity 4
20
calc
ium
car
bona
te e
quiv
alen
tpe
r ton
Mad
e in
USA
Reg
in
Ohio
by
Robe
rts F
low
er S
uppl
y
Use
14
teas
poon
per
gal
eve
ry o
ther
wat
erin
g
Orc
hidM
ixTM
Fer
tiliz
erPu
re W
ater
Fer
tiliz
er
12-6
-3
Chapter 6 Watering and Fertilizing Orchids 87
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 87
Do not use water that has passed through water-softening units onyour orchids Such water may contain high amounts of sodium thatcan be harmful to orchids
Types of fertilizers and how to use themFertilizers come in many forms mdash granule (which looks like smallpieces of gravel) slow-release and water soluble being the mostcommonly available Table 6-1 lists the pros and cons of each ofthese types
Most granule fertilizers are best suited for agricultural or lawnapplication Slow-release fertilizers are chemicals that have beenencapsulated in a shell that slowly releases nutrients Althoughsome orchid growers use this type Irsquove found especially withsome of the very porous potting materials that are frequently usedwith orchids that the fertilizer can wash out and not be effectiveAlso some orchid roots are very sensitive to fertilizer salts sothese fertilizer capsules can damage or ldquoburnrdquo their roots
This leaves the most common form of fertilizer used with orchids mdashthe water-soluble type Water-soluble fertilizers are packaged as aconcentrated liquid or in dry forms
Here are some of the advantages of these types of fertilizers
Theyrsquore readily available in a wide range of formulations
Because theyrsquore soluble in water theyrsquore easily and quicklyabsorbed by roots and even leaves of orchids
Theyrsquore very simple to use You just dissolve them in waterand apply them with a sprayer or sprinkling can If the orchidsare mounted on slabs or in baskets you can dunk them in thefertilizer solution
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 88
Fertilizer burnWhen too much fertilizer has been applied if it has been applied when the media is dryor if the roots of the particular orchid are hypersensitive to the salts in fertilizer the rootscan become dehydrated by these moisture-robbing salts resulting in fertilizer burnThis damage shows up as brown or black root tips andor leaf tips It looks as thoughthe root tips or leaves have been burned (thus the name) To prevent it donrsquot applymore fertilizer than is recommended and fertilize only when the potting material is damp
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 88
The disadvantages of water-soluble fertilizers include the following
The nutrients donrsquot last long in the potting material so thefertilizer needs to be applied once every two to three weeks(or constantly if yoursquore using a very low dosage)
These fertilizers in their original containers are very con-centrated and can damage the orchids if you donrsquot dilutethem correctly
The application rate or dosage of all fertilizers depends on the con-centrations that are used The safest procedure is to always checkthe fertilizer container for their recommended application ratesNever apply more than recommended or plant damage can result
Table 6-1 The Pros and Cons of Different Fertilizers and How to Use Them
Type of Advantages Disadvantages How It Is Fertilizer Applied
Granule Readily available Short-term (lasts In dry formEasy to use a few to several On top of or Inexpensive weeks) incorporated
Can easily burn into the potting orchid roots materialOften doesnrsquot include valuable trace elements
Slow Easy to use Can sometimes In dry formrelease Lasts a long time burn sensitive On top of or
(three to nine orchid roots incorporated into months depend- In coarse potting mediuming on the material can be formulation) washed out
when wateredRelatively expensive
Water- Readily available Must be applied Diluted in water soluble in a wide range frequently mdash every and applied by
of formulations few weeks when watering canEasy to apply plants are actively Nutrients are growinginstantly available for plants
Chapter 6 Watering and Fertilizing Orchids 89
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 89
Here are some pointers to help you know when itrsquos time to fertilizeyour orchid
Fertilizing frequently at a more dilute rate is better thanfertilizing less often at a higher concentration Some orchidgrowers including me find that feeding their orchids everytime they water with a diluted amount of fertilizer worksgreat Itrsquos the most natural way (as opposed to the feast-or-famine routine of fertilizing at a higher concentration everytwo or three weeks)
Never apply more fertilizer than is recommended by themanufacturer When in doubt apply less not more fertilizerRemember that fertilizers are a form of salt and salts weresome of the earliest weed killers so theyrsquoll damage orchids athigh concentrations
Drench the potting material several times in a row everyfew weeks or so with fresh water that contains no nutrientsto wash out any excess fertilizer salts This process is calledleaching
Look at the orchidrsquos leaves and flowers Very dark greenleaves that are succulent and floppy can be a sign of overfer-tilizing If orchids are overfertilized they also produce poor-quality flowers
When the orchids are actively growing fertilize them Whenthey arenrsquot donrsquot
If the orchids are diseased and in poor condition stopfertilizing
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 90
Fertilizer deposits on potsAs water evaporates from the potting material in the pots it leaves behind any solidminerals or salts that were dissolved in the water including fertilizer salts Thesesalts can accumulate on the edges of the pots When this salt crusting is noticedremove it with a damp cloth If you donrsquot these deposits can burn the leaves of theorchids when they touch it
Because clay pots are porous they tend to accumulate more salt deposits on theedges than plastic pots do One way to prevent this is to dip the tops of the clay potsinto about 1frasl2 inch of melted paraffin (wax used to make candles) before potting yourorchids in them
11_567594 ch06qxd 12405 856 PM Page 90
Chapter 7
The ABCs of PottingMaterials Containers
and RepottingIn This Chapter Selecting the right potting materials
Choosing the best container
Planting an orchid in a wooden basket
Repotting orchids
Mounting an orchid on a slab
If yoursquore just starting out with orchids the process of choosingcontainers and potting materials and then repotting orchids can
be daunting Orchids do have special requirements unlike mostother houseplants But have no fear mdash in this chapter I walk youthrough all the steps so you have the information you need Whenyou repot a few orchids yoursquoll realize that this is a very fun andrewarding part of orchid growing
Choosing Potting MaterialsJust as you wouldnrsquot be happy in any old place with four walls anda roof your orchids wonrsquot be happy in any kind of potting materialIn this section I give you the inside scoop on what goes into pot-ting material and which material is best for your orchid I also giveyou some not-so-top-secret recipes for potting material so you canmake your own mdash and I let you know what to do if yoursquod rather not
12_567594 ch07qxd 12405 855 PM Page 91
Knowing your potting material optionsWhen I used the words potting material in the heading for this sectionit wasnrsquot just a fancy way of saying dirt Itrsquos because most orchidshave roots that need more air space than soil can provide Orchidsalso need potting material that drains rapidly and at the same timeretains moisture Because orchids usually go at least a year andmany times longer between repotting they also need materialsthat are slow to decompose (So if you were thinking of just throw-ing a little dirt in a pot and calling it a day yoursquoll want to think again)
No single potting material works best for every orchid or orchidgrower In Table 7-1 I list of some of the most common pottingmaterials used along with some of their pros and cons
Table 7-1 The Pros and Cons of Various Potting MaterialsPotting Pros ConsMaterial
Aliflor Doesnrsquot decompose Heavy
Provides good aeration
Coco husk Retains moisture while also Must be rinsed thoroughly to chunks also providing sufficient air remove any salt residue
Slower to decompose than Smaller grades may retain bark too much moisture
Coco husk Retains water well Does not drain as well as bark fiber or coco husk chunks
Decomposes slowly
Fir bark Easy to obtain Can be difficult to wet
Inexpensive Decomposes relatively quickly
Available in many grades(sizes)
Gravel Drains well Heavy
Inexpensive Holds no nutrients
Hardwood Very slow to decompose Holds very little moisturecharcoal
Absorbs contaminants Can be dusty to handle
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 92
12_567594 ch07qxd 12405 855 PM Page 92
Potting Pros ConsMaterial
Lava rock Never decomposes Heavy
Drains well
Osmunda Retains moisture Very expensivefiber
Slow to break down Hard to find
Perlite Lightweight Retains too much water if (sponge rock) used alone
Provides good aeration and water retention
Inexpensive
Redwood Lasts longer than fir bark Hard to findbark
Sphagnum Retains water and air Can retain too much water if moss packed tightly in the pot or
Readily available after it starts to decompose
Styrofoam Inexpensive Should not be used alone peanuts because doesnrsquot retain water
Readily available or nutrients
Doesnrsquot decompose Best used as drainage in bottoms of pots
Rapid drainingCan be too light for top-heavyplants
Tree fern Rapidly draining Expensivefiber
Slow to decompose Low water retention
Figuring out which potting materials are bestIf you read the preceding section and yoursquore thinking ldquoHow theheck am I supposed to choose a potting material when none ofthem are perfectrdquo donrsquot worry The individual potting materialsare rarely used by themselves mdash theyrsquore usually formulated intomixtures so the final product will retain water drain well and lasta reasonable amount of time Every orchid grower has his own
Chapter 7 The ABCs of Potting Materials Containers and Repotting 93
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favorite potting formulations mdash kind of like every grandmother hasher favorite apple-pie recipe
The combination of potting materials that will work best for yourorchid depends on various factors Answer the following questionsto get an idea of what you need
How often do you water If you tend to be heavy-handed withthe sprinkling can or hose use materials that drain well anddecompose slowly
What type of an orchid are you growing Some orchids thatnaturally grow on or in the ground called terrestrials usuallyprefer to be kept slightly damp all the time while those thatlive in trees called epiphytes or grow on rocks called litho-phytes want to dry off thoroughly between waterings Whenyou look at catalog listings or search for information on theWeb about your particular orchid look for these terms to seewhat growing conditions suit them best or ask the groweryoursquore buying from
How mature are the plants Large plants usually do best incoarser potting materials and smaller plants do better in finerpotting materials (See the following sections for potting mixesof varying degrees of coarseness)
How big are the roots of the plants In general smaller rootsgrow better in finer more water-retentive materials whilelarger roots perform best in coarser materials
Psst Getting your hands on some not-so-secret recipesAlthough some orchid specialists have complicated formulationsfor each type of orchid they grow Irsquove simplified this process totwo basic mixes that suit most orchids The mixes are based on thetexture or particle size of the mix which is connected to the size ofthe orchid roots and their need for water retention (If this soundscomplicated just read on mdash I let you know which mix works bestfor which orchids)
Recommending specific potting mixes or formulations is a riskything to do because there are so many opinions as to what worksbest In truth many different mixes will work The most importantthing is to match your watering habits to the potting material youuse If you are a heavy and frequent waterer (as most people are)use a more porous well draining mix (like the ones I recommend inthe following sections) If you tend to water less frequently usepotting mixes that contain higher percentages of some of the morewater-retentive materials listed in Table 7-1
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 94
12_567594 ch07qxd 12405 855 PM Page 94
These formulations work well for me but you may find some othermix works better for your situation
Keep your watering habits in mind If your orchids tend to dry outtoo often use plastic pots rather than clay and use the fine mix Ifyou tend to be a heavy waterer use clay pots with the coarse mix
Fine mix4 parts fine-grade fir bark or fine-grade coco husk chips orredwood bark
1 part fine charcoal
1 part horticultural-grade perlite or small-grade Aliflor
This mix works well for smaller plants of all types of orchids slip-per orchids most oncidiums miltonias and any other orchidswith small roots that like to stay on the damp side
Medium mix4 parts medium-grade fir bark or medium-grade coco huskchunks
1 part medium charcoal
1 part horticultural-grade perlite or medium-grade Aliflor
This is your middle-of-the-road mix If you arenrsquot sure which mix touse try this one This mix is also good for cattleyas phalaenopsisand most mature orchids
If mixing your own is not your thingIf yoursquod rather just buy your mix ready-made potting mixes arereadily available from most places that sell orchids includinghome-improvement stores The mixes that they sell are very simi-lar to the ones I outline in the preceding section Most contain firbark perlite charcoal and sometimes some peat moss and aresuitable for most orchids
Getting your potting material ready to useWhatever potting material or mix you choose mdash whether you mixit yourself or buy it ready-made mdash it must be wetted before youuse it Otherwise it will never hold moisture properly and willalways dry out Herersquos how you do it
Chapter 7 The ABCs of Potting Materials Containers and Repotting 95
12_567594 ch07qxd 12405 855 PM Page 95
1 Pour the amount of potting material you intend to useinto a bucket that has about twice the volume of the mix
2 Fill the bucket with hot water
Hot water penetrates the material better than cold water
3 Let it soak overnight
4 The next day pour out the mix into a colander or strainer
5 Rinse the mix thoroughly to wash out the dust that was inthe mix
Now the mix is ready to use
Giving Your Orchids a HomePotting Containers
Many different containers are on the market mdash some are more orna-mental while others have functional differences (see Figure 7-1)The most common container is the basic pot mdash plastic or clay
The big differences between standard garden pots and those used fororchids are the number and size of drainage holes in the containerOrchid pots have larger holes and more of them both in the bottomand sides of the pot to ensure better drainage Some are shallow andshorter than standard garden pots with a larger base mdash especiallyuseful for top-heavy orchids
Figure 7-1 You can find many different types of containers for growing orchids
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 96
12_567594 ch07qxd 12405 855 PM Page 96
You can also plant orchids in wooden baskets usually constructedof teak or some other rot-resistant wood (see Figure 7-2)
Figure 7-2 When potting in a basket line the basket with sheet moss then add standard potting mix
Repotting Orchids without FearMost beginning orchid growers are afraid to repot their orchidsDespite their reputation orchids are tough After all they werefirst brought over from the tropics to Europe in the holds of shipsand miraculously many of them made it alive
In this section I give you all the information you need to repotyour orchids with confidence
Chapter 7 The ABCs of Potting Materials Containers and Repotting 97
Mounting orchidsMany orchids that are found naturally growing in trees can be mounted instead ofplaced in pots Mounting gives them perfect drainage simulates their natural habi-tat and can be an easy way to maintain them
To mount your orchid follow these steps (and refer to the nearby figure)
1 Place the plant on a small handful of moistened squeeze-dried sphagnum moss
2 Spread the roots around the sphagnum moss
3 Place the orchid on the mount so its center points down
Donrsquot position the orchid with the growing point up If you do it will collect waterin the center of the plant which can lead to disease that causes the center andgrowing point of the plant to rot (and can lead to death)
(continued)
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Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 98
4 After the orchid is centered properly wrap either stainless-steel wire or clearfishing line (monofilament) around the top and bottom of the moss to hold it inplace
In several months after the new roots have taken hold you can remove thewire or line
5 The finished mounted orchid is ready to hang in a bright place in a home green-house or near a window
Because these mounts drain so rapidly they need to be watered frequently some-times more than once a day during the hot summer months
12
3
4
5
(continued)
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Knowing when you should repotYour orchid will tell you when itrsquos the right time to repot No theplant wonrsquot speak to you (if it does be afraid mdash be very very afraid)
Here are the situations in which yoursquoll want to repot your orchid
When the orchid roots are overflowing the pot
When the plant itself is going over the edge of the pot
When the potting material is getting soggy and drains poorly
The ideal time to repot most orchids is when the plant starts newgrowth usually right after it flowers With certain orchids like thecattleyas yoursquoll see a swelling at the base of the plant which is thebeginning of the new lead or shoot that will form the next stemleaf and flowers (see Figure 7-3) This is when orchids are puttingout new roots
Figure 7-3 Cattleyas should be repotted after flowering when the new roots are about 1 inch (25 cm) long the new lead growth is just appearing and the growth of the plant has reached the edge of the pot
New growth
New roots
Chapter 7 The ABCs of Potting Materials Containers and Repotting 99
12_567594 ch07qxd 12405 855 PM Page 99
If you donrsquot repot your orchid at this new-growth stage the newroots and growths are easily exposed to breakage and the new rootswonrsquot have any potting material to grow into and therefore will bemore likely to dry out If the orchid plant becomes too overgrownyoursquoll have trouble transplanting it later without damaging it
Orchid potting mdash step by stepNow that you know this is the right time to repot your orchid hereare the simple steps to follow (see Figure 7-4)
1 Remove the orchid from the pot
You may need to use a knife to circle the inside of the potand loosen the roots
2 Remove the old loose rotted potting material and anysoft damaged or dead roots
3 If the roots are healthy firm and filling the pot put theorchid in a pot just one size larger than the one youremoved it from placing the older growth toward theback so the new lead or growth has plenty of room
If the roots are rotted and in poor condition repot theplant in a container of the same or one size smaller thanit was removed from
If you place a poorly rooted plant in too large of a containerthe growing material will stay too damp which will resultin more of the roots rotting
Some orchid growers like to add a coarse material likebroken clay pots or Styrofoam in the bottom of the pots toimprove drainage You donrsquot have to do this if yoursquore usingshallow azalea-type pots
4 Place the plant in the pot so itrsquos at the same depth as itwas originally
The new shoot should be level with the pot rim
5 Press the fresh potting material into the pot and aroundthe orchid roots with your thumbs and forefingers
The orchid should be secure in the pot so it doesnrsquotwiggle mdash otherwise the new roots wonrsquot form properly
6 Place a wooden or bamboo stake in the center of thepot and tie up the new and old leads with soft string ortwist ties
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 100
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Figure 7-4 Potting your orchid
Monopodial orchids are those with one growing point that alwaysgrows vertically not sideways (such as phalaenopsis angraecumsand vandas) as shown in Figure 7-5 The potting process for theseorchids is very similar to the cattleya process (outlined in the pre-ceding steps) except that the orchid should be placed in the centerof the container rather that toward the back
1
3
2
4
5 6
Chapter 7 The ABCs of Potting Materials Containers and Repotting 101
12_567594 ch07qxd 12405 855 PM Page 101
Figure 7-5 Monopodial orchids should be potted in the center of the pot instead of at the back
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 102
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Chapter 8
Two Four Six Eight Let Your Orchids PropagateMultiplying Your Orchids
In This Chapter Making more orchids by dividing them
Separating babies from their parents
Making more orchids from cuttings
Producing plants from back bulbs
Because orchids are slower growing than most other plantsthe process of multiplying them takes more time To rear an
orchid from seed to bloom can take as long as five to seven yearsThe other methods I show you in this chapter are much quicker buttheyrsquore still not as speedy as reproducing common garden plantsMultiplying your orchids is worth the effort however becauseorchids are valuable plants that will keep growing forever
Dividing Your OrchidsDividing orchids is the surest and swiftest way to increase yourorchids This method only works with sympodial-type orchids(ones that grow sideways across the top of the pot like cattleyashown in Figure 8-1) Just about all the orchids in this book mdashexcept for those in Chapter 10 mdash are sympodials
13_567594 ch08qxd 12405 855 PM Page 103
For the cattleya types you want to have divisions of at least threeor four growths (called pseudobulbs) For other types you candivide them with fewer growths but for best results the largerthe divisions the better
You may want to divide your orchid because
The plant has grown too big to handle
You want to share or trade a piece of the orchid you havewith another plant lover
The rhizomes (creeping stems of the orchid) are growingover each other in a tangled mess
When cutting the orchid plant use a very sharp knife or prunersthat have been sterilized to prevent disease spread After yoursquovedivided the plant turn to Chapter 7 for information on potting it
Figure 8-1 When dividing a cattleya try to have at least three if not four front growths
Backbulbs
Mainshoot
Newshoot
Anothergrowing point
Leave threepseudobulbson the plant
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 104
13_567594 ch08qxd 12405 855 PM Page 104
Do not divide your orchids when theyrsquore too small or when theydonrsquot have enough growths The largest divisions with the mostpseudobulbs will grow quickest to blooming plants Yoursquoll alwaysget the best blooming from your orchids when they have multipledivisions or growths
Dividing a large orchid with many growths can be confusing Makea drawing of the plant growth pattern on a sheet of paper andmark where yoursquoll make your cuts before you start doing it asshown in Figure 8-2
Figure 8-2 Making a drawing showing how a large orchid will be divided helps simplify the process
Giving Babies a New HomeThe Hawaiian name for baby is keiki Interestingly the orchidcrowd adopted this name to refer to a baby plant especially onethat sprouts on the stem of a mature orchid
Chapter 8 Let Your Orchids Propagate Multiplying Your Orchids 105
13_567594 ch08qxd 12405 855 PM Page 105
Some plants like the phalaenopsis sometimes produce babies onthe flower stem (see Figure 8-3) When this happens leave theseyoung plants on the flower stem until theyrsquove developed severalroots a few inches long Then you can cut the young plant from theflower stem and pot it following the guidelines in Chapter 7
Figure 8-3 An orchid ldquobabyrdquo or keiki being removed from the mother plant andthen potted
When an orchid grows very tall and has extending roots from itsstem you can create more plants by cutting out the top severalinches of the orchid stem that contains the roots and potting it(this is known as topping an orchid) The bottom half of the plantwill then usually form baby plants that will sprout along the stemThese babies can eventually be cut off and planted Figure 8-4 illus-trates the three steps of topping an orchid
1 Remove the top portion of the stem allowing ample roots
2 Pot the portion yoursquove just removed
3 Leave the mother plant in its original container and waitfor the baby plants to sprout from its stem
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 106
13_567594 ch08qxd 12405 855 PM Page 106
Figure 8-4 The three stages of topping an orchid
Producing New Plants from Cuttings
Some orchids have canes or long stems that you can cut up intopieces called cuttings Herersquos how this works (see Figure 8-5)
1 Cut off one of the long stems or canes with sharp cleanpruners
2 With a sharp sterile knife cut sections of the cane so thateach section contains at least two nodes (the regions ofthe stems where the leaves used to be attached)
Nodes are marked by circular scars around the stems
Mother plant
Entire plant Upper halfreplanted
Lower halfremainingin old pot
20cm
Chapter 8 Let Your Orchids Propagate Multiplying Your Orchids 107
13_567594 ch08qxd 12405 855 PM Page 107
3 Lay the cut stems or canes horizontally half-buried ona bed of damp sand or sphagnum moss in a shallow container
4 Cover the container with glass or plastic wrap to hold inthe moisture
5 Place the container in a warm (70ndash75degF21ndash24degC) areawhere it will get diffused but not direct sunlight
About 6 inches under a two-tube fluorescent fixture wouldbe ideal In a few months small plants will sprout They canthen be potted as outlined in Chapter 7
Figure 8-5 Producing more orchids from stem or cane cuttings
Growing Orchids from Back BulbsAfter some types of orchids like cymbidiums and oncidiumsbloom their older stems called backbulbs eventually lose theirleaves and become lifeless looking If you leave them in the potthey probably wonrsquot ever produce new growth If however youremove them from the main plant and handle them in a specialmanner they can produce new young plants
Here are the steps to follow (see Figure 8-6)
1
2
3
45
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 108
13_567594 ch08qxd 12405 855 PM Page 108
1 Cut off from the mother plant the older back bulbs thatno longer have leaves
2 Put a 2-inch (5-cm) layer of damp sphagnum moss in aplastic bag
3 Place several of the backbulbs with their bottoms aboutone-fourth buried in sphagnum moss in the plastic bagand seal it
Put this bag in a warm (70ndash75degF21ndash24degC) spot that receivesbright diffused light not direct sunlight In about twomonths you should start to see some new growth
4 When the leaves are a few inches long place the youngplants as a group in a shallow container in diffused light
Let them grow for several months Then transplant theminto their own pots
Figure 8-6 Growing new orchids from backbulbs
1
2
3
4
Chapter 8 Let Your Orchids Propagate Multiplying Your Orchids 109
13_567594 ch08qxd 12405 855 PM Page 109
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 110
Growing orchids from seeds Leave it to the pros
Raising orchids from seeds is not a simple task In fact itrsquos quite complicated mdash andit wasnrsquot until the 1920s that the professionals figured it out The biggest problem isthat the orchid seeds are naked which means they donrsquot have their own food sourcelike most other plants As a result to successfully grow them you have to providethem with a nutrient solution along with a special fungus that makes this food avail-able to them
All this is done in laboratory flasks The seed is incredibly small mdash one seed canweight as little as 35 millionths of an ounce Theyrsquore so small that a seed pod a fewinches across can hold over 100000 seeds
Growing orchids from seeds is not something recommended for beginners Leaveraising orchids from seeds to the experts
If yoursquore really interested in growing orchids from seeds you can try a compromiseGet small plants that have already grown for a year or more in shallow containersoutside of a lab environment (see the figure) This is a fun and inexpensive way tohave some extra orchids to trade or give to friends If yoursquore new to this start withfast-growing types like phalaenopsis If yoursquore lucky yoursquoll see blooms in a few years
36
13_567594 ch08qxd 12405 855 PM Page 110
Chapter 9
Keeping Your Orchids Pest- and
Disease-FreeIn This Chapter Running a clean operation
Beating bugs safely and effectively
Diagnosing and curing diseases
Controlling other unwanted critters
Although orchids are relatively pest-free plants if you havethem long enough yoursquoll eventually have to deal with an
invasion of some bug or disease Fortunately there arenrsquot manypests to contend with and they arenrsquot that difficult to identify Inthis chapter I stress the safest and most effective ways to controlthese problems
Always start with the least toxic solution If you are careful andinspect your orchids on a regular basis and detect the problemsbefore they progress too far you will rarely have to resort to morepoisonous materials The more poisonous materials should beyour last line of defense
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 111
Preventing Problems Before They Start
Most insect and disease problems can be prevented by good plantsanitation Here are some steps to take to prevent pest problemsfrom getting out of hand
Always sterilize your cutting tools See the nearby sidebarldquoHow to sterilize your toolsrdquo for more information
Make a practice of regularly inspecting the tips of newgrowth and the undersides of the leaves This is where mostbugs hang out
Provide the best growing conditions possible When orchidsare under stress theyrsquore more susceptible to disease and insectinfestations
When repotting always use new or cleaned and sterilizedpots
Buy plants that are clean and healthy Beware of the ldquobargainrdquo or leftover plants many have serious problemsUnless theyrsquore in excellent condition stay away from them
Donrsquot allow weeds to infest your pots of orchids They canharbor insects
Keep the floor or ground in your growing area free ofweeds dead leaves and dead flowers
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 112
How to sterilize your toolsThese are the two methods that I use for sterilization
Chemical sterilization Dilute household bleach mdash one part bleach to nine partswater Soak your tools in them for a few minutes before you use them Mostchemicals that are used to sterilize tools like bleach are highly corrosive soafter yoursquove sterilized these tools be sure to thoroughly rinse them with cleanwater or their metal will quickly rust
Heat sterilization This is a very fast and clean way to sterilize tools You canuse a compact propane torch for this but Irsquove found the most convenient wayis to use a small butane hand torch (see Chapter 3) like the ones sold to makethe crust of cregraveme brucircleacutee With these torches you merely flame the tool on thecutting edges until they get red Let the tool cool and itrsquos ready to use
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 112
Always isolate new orchids from your other plants for four to sixweeks During this time scrutinize them for any signs of insects
Besting the BugsThe most important aspect of pest control is vigilance Frequentlypeople say ldquoI donrsquot know where these bugs came from All of asudden my orchid was infested with themrdquo Well Irsquom here to tellyou that this isnrsquot the way it happens Even though most insects doreproduce faster than rabbits infestations donrsquot happen overnight
Things can get out of hand quickly though if you donrsquot make apoint of closely inspecting your orchids regularly Keep on thelookout because if you can detect the pests when theyrsquore in smallnumbers getting rid of them will be much easier
Many of the pests described in this chapter like mites and thrips arevery tiny so theyrsquore difficult to see with the naked eye Buy yourselfa 10x hand lens at a camera shop Itrsquoll make the task much easier
Identifying common orchid pestsWhen you first notice pests you need to promptly and properlyidentify them so you can be sure to apply the most effective con-trol In the following sections I describe the common orchid pestsLater in the chapter I tell you what to do if your orchid has them
In many cases especially if there are many pests present yoursquoll haveto apply control measures repeatedly every seven to ten days atleast three times This is because these creatures have laid eggs thatare resistant to the control measure and hatch later By repeatingthe control several times yoursquoll kill these next generations of pestsafter they emerge from their eggs
Chapter 9 Keeping Your Orchids Pest- and Disease-Free 113
Orchid euthanasiaSometimes the best solution is to dispose of a sickly orchid If yoursquove tried the preven-tative and curative measures outlined in this chapter and still the orchid doesnrsquotseem to be recovering getting rid of it is the best solution When a plant becomestoo weakened by infection or a bad infestation of insects it isnrsquot likely to recover mdashand while yoursquore hoping this will happen the infested plant can spread its problemto your other healthy orchids So bite the bullet and bury it in your trash can
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 113
AphidsThese are probably the most ubiquitous insect pests of them allThey come in all colors mdash including green red pink black andyellow mdash and theyrsquore usually found on the new succulent growthincluding the flower buds (see Figure 9-1) They feed with syringe-like mouth parts and are particularly damaging to buds by causingthem to be deformed when they open Aphids are also very effectivecarriers of disease especially viruses
Figure 9-1 Aphids are usually found in clusters on flower buds and young shoots and leaves
If you see clear sticky droplets anywhere on you plant look out foraphids This material euphemistically called honey dew is actuallyaphid waste This sticky substance can also be excreted by anyother piercingsucking insect such as scale
MealybugsThe name of this creature pretty much describes what this insectlooks like mdash mealy or cottony masses (see Figure 9-2) Itrsquos found insimilar areas as aphids mdash the growing tips buds and flower stemsOne type is also found on the roots This is a bothersome pest thatusually needs multiple insecticide treatments to get rid of it
ThripsThrips can be very destructive especially to flower buds maturingflowers and young leaves They are miniscule buggers that looksomething like long gnats and are very difficult to see with thenaked eye Their damage is easier to detect mdash it shows up as lightstreaks on the flowers or stippling on the leaves The flower budsare also usually deformed
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 114
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 114
Figure 9-2 Mealybugs look like white cottony masses
ScaleThis is another creature that comes in various forms but most havea shell that serves as a type of armor for the soft insect body thatis protected by it (see Figure 9-3) This shell must be penetrated bya chemical or by rubbing it off before you can kill the insect Theyrsquorefrequently found on the undersides of the leaves near the middlevein of the leaf or on the edges of the leaf They also commonly hangout on the flower stems This is a very difficult insect to totallyeradicate but with persistence it can effectively be controlled
Figure 9-3 Scale is a very common pest on orchids
Chapter 9 Keeping Your Orchids Pest- and Disease-Free 115
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 115
Spider mitesThese are not insects but are spiders (see Figure 9-4) Theyrsquoreoften found when growing conditions are hot and dry They can begreen or red but in any color theyrsquore very difficult to see becausetheyrsquore so small In extreme infestations yoursquoll see fine webbing onthe leaves Before the infestation gets this bad the foliage will takeon a stippling effect which is a result of their feeding
Figure 9-4 Spider mites are very small hard-to-see pests that can be very destructive
Slugs and snailsSnails and slugs (see Figure 9-5) head most peoplersquos list as beingone of the most revolting of all orchid pests They can do extensivedamage to young orchid roots and stems and developing and matur-ing flowers They usually come out at night so if you suspect themtake a flashlight in the evening to search for these culprits Alsolook on the bottom of the flower pots mdash this is another favoritehiding place They love cool damp spots If they travel across drysurfaces theyrsquoll leave a telltale slime trail
RoachesAnother very unpopular beast cockroaches also feed at night andenjoy munching on flowers and flower buds
MiceMore than once to my great consternation upon inspecting myplants in the morning I discovered that a creature had nibbled offthe flower buds of some of my prized beauties right before theyopened Oh how frustrating Luckily mice can be easy controlled
actual size
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 116
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 116
Figure 9-5 Snails and slugs eat holes in flowers and leaves at night
Bees and other pollinating insectsThese are not really harmful creatures mdash they donrsquot cause any phys-ical damage to orchids but if they land on the flowers and pollinatethem the flowers will very soon collapse So if you want your flowersto last the longest keep pollinating insects out of your growing area
Finding safe pest-control measuresMany of the chemical controls for insects and diseases can damagethe plants to which theyrsquore applied if theyrsquore misused To be on thesafe side always read the pesticide label to see if orchids are listedas a plant that this chemical should not be used with And whenapplying the pesticide never use more than the dosage recom-mended and apply it in the cool of the early morning Also makesure that the potting material is damp mdash a moisture-stressed orchidis much more easily damaged by pesticides
The pest-control methods in Table 9-1 are listed in their approximateorder of safety and are readily available Always start off with thefirst line of defense Some of the least toxic solutions must beapplied more frequently because they kill on contact and arenrsquotresidual (they donrsquot stick around after theyrsquore applied) Most donrsquotsmell bad mdash an important feature for homegrown plants Some likeOrange Guard also serve as pest repellents (which means theyrsquollkill the pests currently there and also repel future pests)
actual size
Chapter 9 Keeping Your Orchids Pest- and Disease-Free 117
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 117
Table 9-1 Common Orchid Pests and Their ControlsPest First Line of Second Line Comments
Defense of Defense
Aphids Wash off with Insecticidal If aphids are on the warm water soap flower buds of orchids
try repeatedly washingOrange Guard them off with warm (orange oil) water Using any
chemical may damageHorticultural oil the delicate develop-
ing buds or flowersIsopropyl alcohol
Mealybugs Use a cotton swab Insecticidal For orchids with drenched with soap mealybugs on their isopropyl alcohol roots remove the
Horticultural oil orchid from the potsoak the roots in a
Neem solution of insectici-dal soap for a fewhours then repot in aclean new pot withnew potting material
Thrips Neem Malathion Malathion and Ortheneare effective on a
Horticultural oil Orthene broad range of insect problems but they
Insecticidal soap both reek so be sureto apply them outsideof the living area
Scale Use a cotton swab Insecticidal This is a difficult pest drenched with iso- soap to eradicate Yoursquoll propyl alcohol and have to apply controls wipe across the Neem repeatedly to get rid armored shell of of it Before I spray Ithis insect Make Horticultural usually try to rub off sure that you pen- oils the armored shells of etrate this shell the scale with my
fingers then wash Orange Guard the leaf with mild
soapy water Then Ispray with my chosencontrol
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 118
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 118
Pest First Line of Second Line CommentsDefense of Defense
Spider mites Wash off with a Insecticidal To prevent mite infes-strong stream of soap tations keep your warm water orchid properly
Horticultural watered and in a oils growing area that
is not too hotOrthene
Snails and Old beer (The yeast Sluggo If you use baits be slugs in beer is a strong sure that theyrsquore
attractant to snails harmless to pets and slugs Put out as Sluggo isa shallow platter of beer (about 1frasl2 inch deep) and wait for these creatures to belly up to the bar atnightfall The next day yoursquoll find them drowned in the brew
Put out pieces of lettuce in the eveningthat will attract slugs and snails This lettuce with attached feed-ing slugs can be removed and dis-carded in the morning
Mice Live traps Old-fashioned I would not recom- snap traps mend using poison Peanut butter baits They could harmis an effective your pets and the bait mice that die from
this poison frequentlyend up in the walls ofyour house and thesmell takes weeks todissipate
Roaches Orange Guard Roach aerosol Orange Guard both sprays mdash use repels and kills on the floor not roaches And it on plants smells good
Chapter 9 Keeping Your Orchids Pest- and Disease-Free 119
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 119
If you want more technical information on orchid pests and theircontrols I highly recommend the booklet published by the AmericanOrchid Society called Orchid Pest and Diseases It can be purchasedonline at the American Orchid Societyrsquos Orchid EmporiumBookstore (httpuser889628wx10registeredsitecommivamerchantmvScreen=PRODampStore_Code=OEampProduct_Code=SO103ampCategory_Code=AH)
Donrsquot spray aerosol insect controls such as those designed forkilling ants roaches and wasps on your orchid plants These areintended to be used to kill insects outdoors and in the kitchen butif sprayed directly on your orchid plants they can cause seriousdamage
All horticultural oils are not the same Do not use dormant oilsUse the ones called superior oils Theyrsquore much thinner and morerefined and are meant to be used when the plants are activelygrowing One common brand name is SunSpray Ultra-Fine
Is There a Fungus Among UsOrchids are tough plants and if you grow them in the correct cul-tural conditions and take the preventative measures mentioned inthis chapter theyrsquoll rarely suffer from fatal diseases Still beingaware of what can happen when things go wrong is a good idea
Diseases are somewhat trickier than bugs to deal with because youreally canrsquot see them You just see the damage they leave behind mdashsuch as rotten plant centers or spots on the leaves
The damage that most fungal and bacterial diseases leave behind arecircular or oblong spots on the foliage or flowers (see Figure 9-6)Sometimes they also cause the center growing point called thecrown to turn black or rot and may lead to the death of the plantWhen this happens the crown has been killed by the organism andthe pattern of spots or rots is a symptom of the disease and is oneof the ways that a disease is identified Fortunately most of thecontrols that I mention in this chapter are effective against a broadrange of disease problems so an exact disease diagnosis is seldomnecessary to remedy the problem
Viruses are dreaded by orchid growers because there is no practi-cal cure for them The most obvious symptom of a virus infectionis streaking or color breaks in the flower
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 120
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 120
Figure 9-6 Leaf spots like these are usually caused by fungal organisms
Detecting these symptoms is nearly impossible mdash in my 40 yearsof growing orchids Irsquove rarely been able to accurately identify avirus on my orchids Of course that doesnrsquot mean my orchidsdidnrsquot have some viruses that I didnrsquot detect but viruses arenrsquotcommon especially if you buy high-quality plants and follow theprevention methods outlined here
Refer to the ldquoPreventing Problems Before They Startrdquo section ear-lier in this chapter This information pertains as much to diseasesas it does to pest damage
Here are a few other pointers that relate specifically to disease
Water your orchids during the day when the moisture willevaporate from the leaves before nightfall Cool damp leavesand water left in the crowns of the plants in the evening are aninvitation to disease
Make sure your orchids have enough airflow This reducesthe time moisture stays on the leaves and removes stagnant air
Remove diseased leaves with a sharp sterile knife or scis-sors (See the sidebar ldquoWhen surgery is requiredrdquo later inthis chapter)
Sterilize your cutting tools each time you use them onanother plant
When you find a disease problem treat it right awayProcrastinating could cost your orchid its life
Chapter 9 Keeping Your Orchids Pest- and Disease-Free 121
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 121
Here are the steps that I recommend
1 If the plant is badly diseased discard it
You probably wonrsquot be able to save it and it could infectyour other healthy plants
2 If you find dark brown spots that look like disease andthey are close to the end of the leaf remove this sectionof the leaf
See the sidebar ldquoWhen surgery is requiredrdquo
3 As a general sanitation practice after yoursquove performedsurgery or if your orchid has a disease spot that cannot beremoved surgically spray the leaves with a mild fungicidebactericide and hope for the best
Physan 20 Phyton 27 Natriphene or RD-20 are all mildfungicidesbactericides that work for this purpose
4 Reevaluate the area yoursquore growing the orchid in to besure itrsquos getting enough air circulation and yoursquore doing allyou can to follow the recommended disease-preventionmeasures
All chemical pesticides are poisons that have some toxicity tohumans Read the precautions on the pesticide label and followthem carefully Wear rubber gloves (the disposable ones workgreat) when mixing and spraying these materials
Part II The Basics of Orchid Parenthood 122
When surgery is requiredPerforming surgery to cut out the infection is the simplest and most effective methodof stopping the spread of disease A single-edge razor blade is ideal for the jobbecause itrsquos extremely sharp and sterile and can be disposed of after the operationThe sharpness is important so that as little as possible of the healthy tissue is dam-aged in the process
Remove all the damaged or diseased leaf by cutting the leaf off about 1frasl2 inch to 1inch into healthy leaf tissue that shows no signs of the disease Be careful not to cutinto the diseased tissue and then into healthy tissue or yoursquoll spread the disease
Some people dress the edge of the cut with a simple fungicidal material like sulfuror cinnamon but this usually isnrsquot necessary
14_567594 ch09qxd 12405 856 PM Page 122
Part IIIThe Best Orchids
for Rookies
15_567594 pt03qxd 12405 918 PM Page 123
In this part
In this part I give you a look at some gorgeous orchidsthat will love to have you take them home With the
tens of thousands of different kinds of orchids out therethe choice about which ones you should consider giving ahome is daunting Choosing the right orchid can make abig difference in your success with orchids In this part Ishow you many of the exciting possibilities Irsquove purposelychosen to introduce you to orchids that are easy to findand are widely adaptable to a variety of growing condi-tions You can have confidence that the orchids in thispart are top performers
15_567594 pt03qxd 12405 918 PM Page 124
Chapter 10
Moth Orchids and Their Relatives The Best
Choice for BeginnersIn This Chapter Finding perfect starter orchids
Knowing the various types of moth orchids
Looking at Africarsquos gift to orchid lovers mdash the angraecoids
Considering vandas and some other moth-orchid cousins
This type of orchid is the most popular grown today In factaccording to the American Orchid Society moth orchids
account for 75 percent of all orchids sold
Moth orchids (phalaenopsis) offer everything that most orchidgrowers admire and are the fastest and easiest to grow Theybloom for a long period of time mdash from many weeks to monthsThe flowers are classy and borne on elegant arched sprays Andmoth orchids come in a broad range of colors Their foliage isbeautiful glossy green or marbled they have very modest lightrequirements and they grow well in temperatures commonlyfound in the home
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 125
Moth orchids are definitely the orchids to start with and afteryou experience the great satisfaction that they provide you maydecide to stay with them The standard pink white and stripedones commonly sold in the box stores and at flower shops are theessence of style but in addition to these beauties there are manynew and exciting colors color patterns and growth habits thateven increase their desirability Although most phalaenopsis arenot fragrant some are
In this chapter I tell you all about moth orchids and their relatives
Mirror Mirror on the Wall The Beauty of Moth Orchids
Moth orchids are beautiful plants and in this section I fill you inon exactly what to expect from yours
LeavesAll the moth orchids have handsome foliage Many of them havedark-green leathery glossy leaves while others exhibit exquisitelymarbled dark-green and gray-green leaves so even when theseplants arenrsquot in bloom they remain quite attractive (see Figure 10-1)
Figure 10-1 A close-up of the beautifully patterned leaf of Phalaenopsis stuartiana
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 126
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 126
Flower shapesThe various types of moth orchids have very similar shapesthough many of the newer varieties have a very rounded lookFigure 10-2 shows you the names of the parts of the moth orchidflowers Because moth orchids epitomize style theyrsquore frequentlyused in flower arrangements and in simple yet chic corsages
Figure 10-2 The parts of a moth orchid (phalaenopsis) flower
Flower colorsWhite pink and candy-striped are the ldquostandardrdquo moth orchidsthat are most commonly found at flower shops and box stores asboth potted plants and cut flowers for wedding bouquets (seeFigure 10-3 Figure 10-4 and the color insert) These colors of mothorchids seem to have reached the pinnacle of perfection in flowersize and shape and because of modern reproduction and growingmethods theyrsquore highly affordable In fact in Europe and certainlarge urban centers in the United States theyrsquore commonly pur-chased as an expendable blooming potted plant that is discardedafter its many weeks of bloom
Dorsal sepal
Petal
Column
Lip side lobeCallus
Lip midlobeLip tendrilLateral sepal
Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives 127
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 127
Figure 10-3 Just about all white phalaenopsis available today display pristine round graceful flowers
Figure 10-4 Candy-striped moth orchids present a striking picture This one is called Phalaenopsis Jackie Debonis
I donrsquot recommend any specific varieties within this group becausethere are so many These types of phalaenopsis have been perfectedto such a degree that just about all of them available these dayswould be ones you would be happy to give a home
Due to the fine efforts of orchid hybridizers in the United States Asiaand other parts of the world we now have moth orchids with a hugevariety of flower colors mdash from harlequins with random spotting
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 128
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 128
patterns backed with yellow or white petals (see Figure 10-5) to darkpurple and rich pink with white lips (see Figure 10-6) clear yellowsgreens and burgundy reds About the only color that isnrsquot yet foundin phalaenopsis is blue and breeders are working diligently to addthis color to the palate
To intensify the markings on these orchids try growing them in alittle drier cooler and brighter location than usual when theyrsquorestarting to flower
Figure 10-5 A harlequin-type of orchid Phalaenopsis Sue Chin
Figure 10-6 Phalaenopsis Hilo Lip is a dark cerise with a bright white lip
Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives 129
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 129
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 130
Encore Encore A second showOne of the great features about moth orchids is their ability to produce a second-ary flower spike that branches off the main one (as shown in the nearby figure) Thiswill make your flower show go on for months
To make this happen after the flowers have stopped blooming on the flower spikefeel along this bare spike and notice the bumps along this stem These knobby struc-tures are called nodes At the base of these nodes are resting flower buds Yourmission is to wake up one of these buds so it will produce another flower spikeNotice where the first flower opened on the stem and go to the next node downtoward the base of the plant This is where you cut off the spent flower spike Afteryou do this in most cases this will stimulate the production of a secondary flowerspike at this node
Remember Donrsquot bloom your moth orchids to death Sometimes moth orchids donrsquotknow whatrsquos good for them They just keep blooming to the point of exhausting alltheir energy If the orchid is a robust plant this continual bloom is okay But if theleaves are puckered and the plant looks worn out or if the plant is very young andnot very established yoursquore better off cutting off the flower spike and enjoying it ina flower arrangement This will give the plant rest and an opportunity to put itsenergy into producing new roots and leaves so it will be strong enough to produceeven more flowers on its next flowering
Where oldflowers hadbeen
Cut back tothe 1st nodebelow whereold flower hadbloomed
Secondaryflower spike
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 130
ScentsFew beginning orchid lovers realize that some phalaenopsisincluding the one shown in Figure 10-7 are blessed with a wonder-ful perfume Certain moth orchids from the wild naturally have thischaracteristic and when theyrsquore used as parents they sometimespass this quality on to their offspring In this section I give youlists of some specific varieties to look for
When yoursquore buying other moth orchids check to see if any ofthem have these plants listed as their parents this will increasetheir chances of being fragrant
Figure 10-7 One of the most popular of the fragrant moth orchids isPhalaenopsis Orchid World lsquoBonnie Vasquezrsquo AMAOS
Here are some of the sweet-smelling phalaenopsis hybrids that Ihave grown and enjoyed
Phalaenopsis Ambo Buddha lsquoSWrsquo This is another contribu-tion to the moth-orchid world from Taiwanese breeders Thecolors on the 21frasl2-inch (6-cm) flowers are dazzling (See the colorinsert for a full-color photo)
Phalaenopsis Caribbean Sunset lsquoSweet Fragrancersquo A delight-ful miniature with 2-inch (5-cm) rose-red flowers that has arose fragrance The leaves reach about 6 inches (15 cm) long
Phalaenopsis Dottie Woodson Varnished blood-red sweet-smelling 2-inch (5-cm) flowers are produced on multiplespikes borne above handsome medium-glossy green foliage
Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives 131
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 131
Phalaenopsis Ember lsquoBlumen Inselrsquo AMAOS 21frasl2-inch (6-cm)glossy waxy solid dark red flowers borne on thick florescenceThis flower frequently blooms more than once a year
Phalaenopsis Kilby Cassviola lsquoSweet Fragrancersquo Gets itsspicy fragrance from one of its parents Phalaenopsis violaceaItrsquos another compact grower with glistening white flowersabout 21frasl2 inches (6 cm) across with light-brown barring on thelower part of the flower
Phalaenopsis Orchid World lsquoBonnie Vasquezrsquo AMAOSThere are many different forms of this classic variety (referto Figure 10-7) Most have leathery thick long-lasting glossyyellow flowers brightly marked with red or maroon spots orstripes
Phalaenopsis Perfection Is lsquoChenrsquo FCCAOS One of my per-sonal favorites because its flat 21frasl2-inch (6-cm) waxy yellowflowers are brilliantly decorated with burgundy red spots andhave a clove or carnation scent
Here are some other hybrids noted for their fragrance
Phalaenopsis Sweet Memory
Phalaenopsis George Vasquez lsquoEurekarsquo FCCAOS
Phalaenopsis Luedde-violacea lsquoAnna Redrsquo HCCAOS
Phalaenopsis Peach State
Phalaenopsis Penang Girl
Phalaenopsis Princess Kaiulani
Phalaenopsis Rare Vintage
Phalaenopsis Tabasco Tex
Phalaenopsis Valentinii
Phalaenopsis Wes Addison
Phalaenopsis Zuma Aussie Delight lsquoZuma Canyonrsquo AMAOS
Some of the phalaenopsis species (those in the form naturally foundin the wild) are fragrant and also are used in breeding to pass thischaracteristic to new varieties These species are a little bit harderto find and grow but are worth the effort
Phalaenopsis amboinensis Musky fragrance
Phalaenopsis bastianii Very fragrant
Phalaenopsis bellina A very fragrant scent of lily-of-the-valley and freesia A compact grower whose flowers are bornesequentially (see Figure 10-8)
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 132
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 132
Phalaenopsis fasciata Light rosy-floral scent
Phalaenopsis gigantea Huge leaves mdash they can be morethan 2 feet (60 cm) long The flowers are about 2 inches(5 cm) and smell like orange peels
Phalaenopsis hieroglyphica White flowers with red patternsthat look like hieroglyphics with a fragrance similar to a rose
Phalaenopsis lueddemanniana Yellow to white flowerswith dark mahogany spots that emit a light sweet fragrance
Phalaenopsis mannii A Nepalese native that displays 1- to2-inch (25- to 5-cm) narrow yellow flowers with dark-brownbarring with a purple and white lip Its flowers can last upto three months and have the light scent of oranges (seeFigure 10-9)
Phalaenopsis odesta A summer bloomer from Borneo thathas a creamy white flower with purple freckles smelling likehoneysuckle or lilacs
Phalaenopsis schilleriana An orchid with 3- to 31frasl2-inch (8- to 9-cm) pink lightly rose-scented flowers that can numberinto the hundreds on a mature plant The dark-green foliage ishandsomely marked in silver
Phalaenopsis tetraspis Small glossy white flowers with astrong sweet scent that are lightly marked in purple
Phalaenopsis violacea A compact plant that is very fragrantsmelling like spice and cinnamon The glossy green leaves areanother attractive feature
Figure 10-8 Phalaenopsis bellinahas a lily-of-the-valley fragrance that permeates any room itrsquos in
Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives 133
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 133
Figure 10-9 Phalaenopsis mannii is quite variable in its flower color
When it comes to moth orchid flower fragrance
Usually these orchids are fragrant during the day
On occasion their scent will only last for a few hourseach day
Sometimes the flowers have to be open for a few days beforethey emit a scent
Their perfume will be strongest on still hot sunny days
SizeSome of the glorious moth orchids you see in the stores make animpressive show with their 24- to 36-inch (60- to 90-cm) arcing flowerspikes but these plants may not fit in the more limited growingspace you can provide Luckily there are diminutive moth orchidsthat thrive in smaller places In fact there is now an entire groupreferred to as multiflorals or sweetheart types that have many flow-ers up to 2 inches (3 cm) across on very compact growing plantsIrsquove grown several of these and find them to be pure pleasure
If space is at a premium look for these specific plants or see ifthese miniatures have been used as parents in the plants thatyoursquore considering
Phalaenopsis equestris A dwarf species that is often usedas one of the parents for breeding dwarf growth habits
Phalaenopsis Sogo Twinkle (see Figure 10-10) Sogo is thename of a well-known orchid nursery in Taiwan that produces
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 134
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 134
some excellent phalaenopsis including many that are smallgrowers
Doritaenopsis Purple Gem This dwarf variety most com-monly comes in shades of pink and purple but there are alsowhite forms It frequently blooms more than once a year
Phalaenopsis Carmelarsquos Pixie Produced by CarmellaOrchids a nursery in Hawaii that has long been a grower andbreeder of fine moth orchids including this diminutive one
Phalaenopsis Cassandra Displays a 21frasl2-inch (6-cm) clearwhite flower with a yellow flush and light-brown barring onthe lower outermost parts of the flower and throat Someforms are fragrant
Phalaenopsis Be Tris This mini has been around quite awhile Itrsquos still offered and is commonly used as a parent topass its small plant size on to its offspring
Phalaenopsis Mini Mark lsquoHolmrsquo (see Figure 10-11) This plantis so charming It has light floral-scented white flowers that arespeckled in orange with an orange-red lip and that are a littleover 1 inch (25 cm) across
Figure 10-10 Phalaenopsis Sogo Twinkle is a compact gem that produces many charming flowers on a very small plant with short flower spikes
Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives 135
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 135
Figure 10-11 Phalaenopsis Mini Mark lsquoHolmrsquo is a delightful miniature phalaenopsis that everyone has space for
Answering the call of the wildEarlier in this chapter I mentioned a number of phalaenopsisspecies that are fragrant Here are some others that are not ascommonly grown because many people prefer the newer varietieswith larger rounder flowers but interest in species is increasingas people are starting to better appreciate their simple less com-plicated look
Here are some species that are worth considering
Phalaenopsis amabilis This native of Indonesia is theparent of most of todayrsquos white hybrids The white flowerwith a yellow lip can last for months It is not as round as thenewer hybrids but it has its own grace
Phalaenopsis buissoniania Unlike most of the other pha-laenopsis species this one bears its medium pink flowers onan upright up to 3-foot (1-m) tall stem rather than an archedflower stem
Phalaenopsis cornu-cervi The flower stem on this speciesis flat and produces yellow glossy flowers that are barred inmaroon Its flowers are borne sequentially so donrsquot cut offthe flower spike because new flowers will continue to arisefrom it
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 136
Phot
ogra
ph c
ourte
sy o
f Mar
c He
rzog
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 136
Phalaenopsis mariae The flower of this orchid is markedwith bright spots of brown and red (see Figure 10-12) It willfrequently have multiple short flower spikes in the spring andsummer
Phalaenopsis schilleriana A parent of many of the pinkhybrids sold today Like Phalaenopsis stuartiana a matureplant produces a flurry of flowers and its leaves are beauti-fully marbled
Phalaenopsis stuartiana (see Figure 10-13) A matureplant of this variety can have up to 100 white flowers ona branched spike The foliage (refer to Figure 10-1) is beauti-fully patterned
Figure 10-12 Phalaenopsis mariae sports a colorful pattern of brown and red spots on its glossy white flower
Donrsquot buy wild-collected plants They deplete the natural popula-tion of these plants from their natives lands from which they havesometimes been illegally removed Wild-collected plants take quitea while to become established and their leaves are tattered fromtheir jungle experience Species phalaenopsis that have been nursery-grown from seed are generally more vigorous and willadjust better to a home environment So only buy from a groweror supplier who assures you that his orchids are seed-grown notwild-collected
Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives 137
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 137
Figure 10-13 Phalaenopsis stuartiana makes quite a show with its flurry of white flowers backed with stunning foliage
Oh Give Me a Home Cultural Requirements
Moth orchids do well in medium to low light similar to otherhouseplants like African violets They also thrive in moderatehumidity of 50 percent or so and average daytime temperaturesof 70degF to 80degF (21degC to 26degC) during the day and about 65degF (18degC)at night
Moth orchids are particularly susceptible to a disease commonlycalled crown rot which is usually the result of water pooling in thesmall pocket formed at the new young growth of the orchid Toprevent this disease make sure this growing point stays dryovernight If you need to use a cotton swab to remove this extramoisture
Relatives of Moth OrchidsMoth orchids have various relatives that are also easy growers andgood choices for beginners These orchids have similar culturalrequirements to moth orchids unless otherwise noted and comein different flower shapes and colors and many are fragrant
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 138
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 138
Africarsquos gift to orchid lovers The AngraecoidsAfrica and its neighboring islands have always harbored mysteryand intrigue with their fantastic fauna and flora The orchids of thispart of the world hold this same allure Many of these orchids havewaxy-white star-shaped heavenly scented flowers on plants withdark-green leathery leaves Some are humongous and would onlyfit in a greenhouse with plenty of room while others are of a man-ageable size or even miniature In general they require more lightthan phalaenopsis but have the same preference for warm humidgrowing areas
All angraecoids can be a bit touchy about repotting so grow themin a fresh long-lasting mix or mount them so you donrsquot have torepot them often
A few of the big fellowsIf you have plenty of space here are a few spectacular orchids thatare worth your consideration
Angraecum sequipedale Commonly called the Star ofBethlehem or the King of Angraecums this Madagascannative is a spectacular orchid with 41frasl2-inch (11-cm) waxywhite blossoms blessed with the heady fragrance of jasmine(see Figure 10-14) Because this plant prefers very strong lightand ultimately grows up to 3 feet (1 meter) tall and wide itrequires a large sunroom or a greenhouse
Angraecum Longiscott Quite a showy angraecum hybridthe plant grows 36 inches (90 cm) high and 12 inches (30 cm)wide It produces 3-inch (75-cm) waxy white lipped flowerswith greenish sepals with 8- to 10-inch (20- to 25-cm) spursthat are borne on up to 24-inch (60-cm) arching spikes It hasa jasmine scent and is a reliable bloomer
Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives 139
A moth with a 12-inch tongueAngraecum sequipedale was made famous by Charles Darwin who postulated thatthere must be a night-flying moth with a 12-inch tongue to be able to harvest thenectar from the flower of this orchid and in the process pollinate it Darwinrsquos scien-tific colleagues thought this belief to be preposterous Thirty-five years after hisdeath he was proven right when a hawk moth the pollinator for this orchid with a12-inch (30-cm) tongue was found
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 139
Figure 10-14 Angraecum sequipedalehas a waxy fragrant flower that can last for months
These might be more your sizeNot everyone has the growing room necessary to accommodate theburly plants described earlier so these smaller cousins may be abetter choice for most They have the same waxy white long-lastingflowers with delightful fragrances but on much smaller plants
Angraecum compactum As the second Latin name suggeststhis is a more manageable sized plant that is about 10 inches(25 cm) wide and 12 to 14 inches (30 to 35 cm) high It is aslow grower but easy to grow and it dependably produces 3-inch (75 cm) waxy-white citrus-scented flowers after itrsquosestablished
Angraecum leonis This species is very popular becauseof its handsome green compact habit about 6 to 10 inches(15 to 25 cm) high and wide with a relatively large 11frasl2-inch (4-cm) waxy white flower (see Figure 10-15)
Some smaller Angraecum relativesHere are some charmers that are nice additions to your collectionall very fragrant
Aerangis citrata This is an easy choice an adaptable plantthat thrives in lower light conditions and is a very compactgrower It blooms several times a year and has a light lemonfragrance (see Figure 10-16)
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 140
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 140
Aerangis fastuosa Another gem with compact glossy greenfoliage with up to six flowers with the fragrance of tuberosein bloom at once
Angranthes Grandalena This is one of my favorites becauseas this plant matures it produces multiple growths with recur-ring almost constant blooming It produces 3-inch (75-cm)green-white spurred jasmine-scented flowers borne singly thatshow off against its very compact glossy dark-green leaves
Figure 10-15 Angraecum leonisis a smaller grower that will fit anyonersquos growing space
Figure 10-16 Aerangis citrata displays up to 30 flowers in arching sprays
Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives 141
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 141
Vandas and some of their close cousinsAnyone who has been to Hawaii is familiar with the orchids thatare used in the welcoming leis most often theyrsquore vandas Sadlythe varieties used for these flowery necklaces are ones only suit-able for growing in Hawaii and other very bright areas Fortunatelythere are others in this group that are less demanding but still canbe quite a challenge for many home growers because of their higherlight requirements If you live in warmer higher light areas of thecountry like Hawaii Florida or parts of California these plants aremore doable
Large strap-leaved vandas are simply gorgeous and are found in awide range of colors including heavenly blues (see Figure 10-17)cotton-candy pinks sunny yellows and hot oranges The flowerscan be quite huge 5 to 6 inches (125 to 15 cm) across on somehybrids
Although they donrsquot require as bright light as some of the othervandas they still present quite a challenge to home growers in thenorthern part of the United States who experience heavy cloudcover and short dark days in the winter To grow them in theseareas you need to have an exceptionally sunny southern windowor a hobby greenhouse Irsquove grown and bloomed some of themunder high-intensity lights but you donrsquot want to know what myelectric bill was
Figure 10-17 This strap-leaved variety Vanda Kasemrsquos Delight shows the typical large round flowers of todayrsquos superb quality varieties
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 142
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 142
Ascocendas are the result of breeding the larger vandas with amuch smaller growing group of plants called ascocentrums Theirflowers may not be quite as giant as the 6-inch (15 cm) floweredstrap-leaved vandas but they can still be showstoppers and theirsmaller stature makes them much easier to manage Grow them ina sunny window or close to florescent lights Search out those thathave the smaller sized growth habit
Ascocendas come in a wide range of colors with many differentvarieties Here are a few of the classics
Ascocenda Yip Sum Wah The most famous of all ascocen-das It is most commonly found in bright oranges or redssometimes in purples but itrsquos also available in shades ofyellow Itrsquos noted for its prolific blooming and relatively compact habit
Ascocenda Peggy Foo Another fine performer with clearglossy red flowers on a compact plant (see the color insertfor a full-color photo)
Ascocenda Medasand Still used in breeding to produce superior plants Plants like Ascocenda Medasand are frequently grown in teak baskets like the one shown in Figure 10-18 because they afford the excellent drainagethat ascocendas and vandas love They can also be grownin pots as long as there are plenty of holes in the bottom ofthe containers
Figure 10-18 Ascocenda Medasand in a teak basket
Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives 143
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 922 PM Page 143
Here is an assortment of different vanda-type orchids that I recommend
Aerides odorata Bears clove-scented white flowers withpurple spots on a pendulous flower spike Leaves are about10 inches (25 cm) long but the stem grows quite tall so thisplant would be suitable in a bright window but not under lights
Neofinetia falcata This dwarf plant 3 to 6 inches (75 to10 cm) high with waxy white flowers about 1 inch (25cm)wide is easy to bloom on a bright windowsill or under lightsItrsquos frequently used as a parent to impart its compact growthhabit and vanilla fragrance to its offspring (see Figure 10-19)Commonly called the Japanese Wind Orchid this was once theexclusive property of the Royal Family of Japan Commonerswere forbidden to have it in their possession Its cultivationdates many centuries back to the Edo period in Japan It wasfirst described in 1784
Neostylis Lou Sneary This has been a very successful varietythat has a compact habit (inherited from one of its parentsNeofinetia falcata) It comes in various color forms mdash whitepink and blue All produce a flurry of 1-inch (25-cm) fragrantflowers and make super plants for growing on the windowsillor under lights
Ascofinetia Cherry Blossom Another compact beauty withlightly fragrant rose-lavender flowers that is the result ofbreeding an ascocentrum with our Japanese friend neofinetia
Renanthera monachica Many of the renantheras are hugeplants that can get several feet tall and so are a bit of a chal-lenge to handle in the house This is a dazzling dwarf formthat takes years to get up to 1 foot (30 cm) Its flowers are thecolors of a bright yellow-orange flame (see Figure 10-20)
Rhynchostylis gigantea When you smell the intoxicatingcitrus fragrance of this orchid commonly called foxtail orchidbecause of the shape of its pendulous cluster of flowers youwill be hooked This can eventually become a quite largeorchid but it will take many years to get there This one performs great in a sunny window There are several colorforms including the most common white with purple spotsall white and solid burgundy red at times referred to as theSagarik Strain (see Figure 10-21)
Rhynchostylis retusa This looks very similar to the precedingplant and its flower color range is similar The flowers tend tobe smaller but there are usually more of them on longer flowerspikes
Rhynchostylis coelestis Unlike the other two rhynchostylisthis one has upright flower spikes and the most common
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 144
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 923 PM Page 144
form has blue and white flowers Other color forms are pinkand white
Sedirea japonica Another gift from Asia that not manyWestern orchidists are familiar with After I witnessed thisorchid being judged for its lemon fragrance at the New YorkInternational Orchid Show I made a beeline for the vendorwho was selling this charmer I found myself behind a longline of mostly Asian folks ahead of me who fully appreciatedthis orchidrsquos merits Itrsquos like a dwarf phalaenopsis in itsgrowth habit with about 6-inch (15-cm) leaves and has thesame cultural requirements
Figure 10-19 Neofinetia falcata mdash commonly called the Japanese Wind Orchid
Figure 10-20 Renanthera monachica is a delightful small and brightly colored orchid
Chapter 10 Moth Orchids and Their Relatives 145
16_567594 ch10qxd 12405 923 PM Page 145
Figure 10-21 The foxtail orchid Rhynchostylis gigantea fills up an entire room with its citrus fragrance and its pendulous flower spike in full bloom is a splendid sight
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 146
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Chapter 11
The Quintessential OrchidsCattleyas and Their RelativesIn This Chapter Understanding how cattleyas and laelias made it from nature to your home
Growing cattleyasrsquo wild relatives
Looking at the man-made cattleya orchids
Discovering small-growing cattleyas the minicatts
When people picture what a typical orchid looks like the cat-tleya flower is usually what comes to mind Years ago the
ultimate gift to give your mother or grandmother on Motherrsquos Daywas a cattleya orchid corsage Back then these were usually fra-grant flowers in various shades of lavender
Until the skyrocketing popularity of the phalaenopsis took off sev-eral years ago the cattleyas were the undisputed kings of orchidsTheyrsquore still highly popular because they offer huge and frequentlyfragrant flowers in a complete spectrum of colors and flowershapes on plants varying in size from a few inches (5 cm) to a fewfeet (60 cm) tall To see how the glorious flowers of cattleyas areconstructed see Figure 11-1
In this chapter I introduce you to a few of the many orchids in thisillustrious group that are readily available and easy to grow Yoursquollsee why they epitomize the beauty and fragrance that only orchidscan offer
Cattleyas grow best in moderate humidity and medium to brightlight with good air circulation and in intermediate temperaturesFor general cultural information see Chapter 7
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 923 PM Page 147
Figure 11-1 The structure of a typical cattleya flower (1 = Sepals 2 = Petals 3 = Lip 4 = Column 5 = Bud 6 = Sheath)
From the Jungles to Your HomeIn the 1800s plant collectors and explorers risked their lives andlived in steamy tropical outposts to bring these South Americanorchids to the plant lovers of Europe Today all the best forms arereadily available and none have been collected from the wildInstead the best cattleyas are raised from seed in laboratoryflasks which is not only good news from a conservation stand-point (they arenrsquot resulting in destroyed natural habitats from fieldcollecting) but also because these plants are generally strongerand more vigorous than those collected from the wild and adaptbetter to home-growing situations
1
24
3
5
6
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 148
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 923 PM Page 148
Some selected cattleya speciesSome of the cattleya species are a little more of a challenge to growthan the hybrids so if you want to go right to the easier plantsskip this section and move on to ldquoThe Queens of the Ball CattleyaHybridsrdquo later in this chapter
However if you prefer the simple classic flower that the speciesoffers here are some to try that are usually readily available
Cattleya amethystoglossa Yoursquoll need a tall very brightwindow to accommodate this orchid because it can reach3 feet (1 meter) in height Its 21frasl2-inch (7-cm) light pink flowersspeckled with purple and highlighted with a purple lip are inclusters of up to a dozen and appear in the spring
Cattleya aurantiaca A longtime favorite with dark greenshiny leaves on a compact 12-inch (30-cm) plant this orchid isloaded with clusters of orange to red 11frasl2- to 2-inch (4- to 5-cm)flowers
Cattleya bicolor Clusters of 3-inch (75-cm) coppery to pinkish-brown waxy spicy-scented flowers with contrastingbright-pink lips that appear in the spring make this speciesa standout The plant grows to about 20 to 36 inches (50 to85 cm) tall Repot this orchid only when new roots are start-ing to develop
Cattleya guttata This orchid is very similar in most respectsto Cattleya amethystoglossa except that it blooms in thesummer and fall
Cattleya harrisoniana (see Figure 11-2) Pink to deep rosefloral-scented flowers are displayed on this summer or fallbloomer This plant is best repotted in the spring
Cattleya intermedia A medium-size grower that reachesabout 15 inches (40 cm) high with leaves about 6 inches(15 cm) long this orchid produces sizable 6-inch (15-cm)sweet floral-scented flowers that are a light pink with a con-trasting dark purple lip
Cattleya leuddemanniana Up to five 41frasl2- to 5-inch (10- to 13-cm) richly purple flowers veined in yellow adorn this floral-scented spring-blooming plant
Cattleya maxima (see Figure 11-3) Loaded with 5-inch (125-cm) lavender-pink baby-powder-scented flowers thatdisplay lips with dark purple veins and yellow throats thisfall- to early-winter-blooming orchid is Perursquos national flower
Chapter 11 Cattleyas and Their Relatives 149
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Figure 11-2 Cattleya harrisoniana has been a longtime favorite cattleya species
Some tall-growing cattleyas can be very top-heavy especially whentheyrsquore in full bloom Potting them in squat azalea-type clay potsthat have wider bases andor putting 1 inch (25 cm) or so of cleangravel in the bottom of the pots helps prevent the plants from top-pling over
Figure 11-3 Peru is proud to have the Cattleya maxima as its national flower
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 150
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Some selected laelia speciesLaelias look very much like cattleyas In fact few amateurs are ableto tell them apart One difference Laelias usually have somewhatof a smaller lip than cattleyas Laelias are native to the same areasas their close cousins cattleyas and have very similar culturalrequirements
Following is a sampling of some of the easier and more beautifullaelias that are worthy of space in your orchid collection
Laelia anceps (see Figure 11-4) This orchid is a toughiethatrsquos hardy to 20degF (ndash66degC) and is a favorite for growing out-doors in mild parts of California and the southeastern UnitedStates It comes in various color forms but most commonly hasclusters of two to six 21frasl2- to 3-inch (6- to 8-cm) light lavenderflowers with darker purple lips and throats The flower spikecan reach up to 3 feet (1 meter) so be sure to give it plenty ofheadroom when it sends up its flower spikes
Laelia perrinii A native of Brazil this species is not yet com-monly found but itrsquos sure to increase in popularity because itrsquosa robust grower reaching about 14 to 16 inches (30 to 40 cm)in height It sports lightly spice-scented fine-quality lavenderflowers measuring up to 6 inches (15 cm) across with lips thatare trumpet-shaped and edged with deep violet with white inthe throat Blue and white color forms are also available
Laelia pumila A compact grower that only reaches a heightof 8 inches (20 cm) this species is frequently grown mounted ona slab of tree fern or cork It has a short flower spike with oneto two lightly floral-scented flowers that average 3 to 4 inches(8 to 10 cm) across The entire flower is lavender-coloredsometimes with a darker lip It comes in other color formsincluding a blue one
Chapter 11 Cattleyas and Their Relatives 151
The real truth about flower colorOrchid flower color descriptions in catalogs sometimes reflect more what the breederor seller of orchids would prefer the flower color to be than what it actually is Whenthe flower color is described as ldquoyellowrdquo ldquopinkrdquo ldquowhiterdquo or ldquoorangerdquo itrsquos usuallyclose to this When the color descriptions drift toward solid blues and clear reds thisis where wishful thinking sometimes takes over Most ldquobluesrdquo are actually bluishshades of purple or lavender and most ldquoredsrdquo are actually dark-oranges
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 923 PM Page 151
Laelia purpurata This orchid is frequently referred to as theldquoQueen of Laeliasrdquo because it has the largest and showiestflowers of its genus This is a glorious plant with flowers thatvary quite a bit from plant to plant but generally are about6 inches (15 cm) across white frequently with violet-blue lips(there are various lip colors) and a spicy or anise scent Itneeds to be grown on the cooler and drier side during thewinter months to bloom best in the spring to summer
Figure 11-4 Laelia anceps bears its flowers on tall elegant spikes
Other cattleya relativesA slew of other orchid species are closely related to cattleyas andlaelias In the following sections I tip you off to some good perform-ers from this group
BrassavolasYoursquoll find several excellent brassavola species but the one thatleads the pack because of its popularity and ease of growing (withthe same cultural requirements as cattleyas) is Brassavola nodosa(shown in Figure 11-5) commonly called ldquoLady of the Nightrdquo becauseof its enchanting and permeating evening fragrance One to six of
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 152
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 923 PM Page 152
its spidery greenish white flowers from 3 to 6 inches (75 to 15 cm)across are borne on a 6-inch (15-cm) flower stem Itrsquos a clump-forming orchid that gives its best show when it isnrsquot divided
Figure 11-5 Brassavola nodosa is often recommended as a beginnerrsquos orchid because of its ease of culture
Other brassavolas worth considering are
Brassavola cordata Has up to 20 lime green 2-inch (5-cm)blooms with heart-shaped lips Usually blooms twice a year
Brassavola cucullata Has spidery exotic white to greenflowers that are sometimes tinged with yellow or burgundyBlooms in the summer to fall
Brassavola flagellaris Relatively unknown but easy to growIts flower is similar in shape and color to the others in thisgroup but itrsquos blessed with a wonderful hot-chocolate fragrance
Brassavola martiana Its flower is white with a fringed lipand green-yellow points
Brassavola perrinii This species has one of the largest flow-ers of the brassavolas It usually blooms in the summer but canbe variable
BroughtoniaBroughtonia sanguinea (shown in Figure 11-6) is a small grower 3 to 4 inches (8 to 10 cm) high with clusters of 1-inch (25-cm) reddish-purple pink magenta to crimson flowers usually veinedin dark purple on an 8- to 16-inch (20- to 40-cm) stem This orchidblooms in the summer and likes a very bright spot Water and fer-tilize it regularly during its peak growth in the summertime
Chapter 11 Cattleyas and Their Relatives 153
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Figure 11-6 Broughtonia sanguinea is a charmer native to Cuba and Jamaica
EncycliasThis group contains some of the easiest of all orchids to grow andbloom Many of them are also fragrant
Encyclia adenocaula Most encyclias are shades of greenand white with some purple markings This Mexican beauty isdifferent with rosy-pink to magenta star-shaped flowers thatare borne on long branched sprays
Encyclia cochleata (see Figure 11-7) Commonly called theldquocockleshellrdquo or ldquoclamshellrdquo orchid because its upside-downflower lip looks like one this unique-looking orchid is veryeasy to grow and often blooms several times a year The lipis streaked with purple while the rest of the spidery shapedflower is lime green
Encyclia cordigera Not only is this species considered to beone of the handsomest in the encyclia group it also fills theair with the fragrance of vanilla It displays clusters of deepmaroon flowers with bright pink lips The plant is modest insize and grows 12 to 15 inches (30 to 37 cm) tall See the colorphotographs in the center of this book for an example
Encyclia fragrans The flower of this very-easy-to-grow orchidis a 2-inch (5-cm) subtle green with purple stripes in the lipThis orchid is so well-liked because itrsquos so easy to grow andbloom and because it emits a heavy gardenia fragrance
Encyclia radiata (see Figure 11-8) The subtle creamy whitecockleshell-type flowers with purple stripes in the lip borne inclusters are not what make this orchid so popular mdash thoughthey could be Instead its ease of growing and blooming and
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 154
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 923 PM Page 154
wonderful fragrance mdash which has been variously described assmelling spicy-floral or like coconut cream pie lilac cinnamonand hyacinth mdash are what keep people coming back to thisorchid
Encyclia tampense A Florida native that is hardy as far northas the central part of the state this encyclia has green flowersoverlaid with brown with white lips marked with purpleblotches It emits a sweet scent when it flowers in the summer
Figure 11-7 Encyclia cochleata is recommended as an ideal beginnerrsquos orchid because itrsquos so easy to grow and blooms on an almost constant basis
Figure 11-8 The claim to fame of the Encyclia radiata is its sweet-scented flowers
Chapter 11 Cattleyas and Their Relatives 155
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EpidendrumThis group is filled with very brightly colored members and somehave a very strong resemblance to encyclias
Epidendrum ciliare (see Figure 11-9) The 3- to 6-inch (75-to 15-cm) lime-green petals of this orchid are set off by itsexquisite white fringed lip The plant reaches about 16 inches(40 cm) tall and is said to have the fragrance of grapefruit
Epidendrum difforme This orchid has glossy green flowersabout 11frasl4 inches (3 cm) on short spikes with a medicinal scent
Epidendrum cinnabarinum Bright-orange 11frasl2-inch (4-cm) flow-ers with fringed yellow lips are the main feature of this colorfulepidendrum The flowers are borne in succession so the plantcan be in bloom for months during the summer This orchid cangrow quite tall up to 4 feet (120 cm) and is often grown inlarge mass plantings in semitropical to tropical climates
Epidendrum stamfordianum A large well-grown plant ofthis type of orchid is something to see Itrsquos loaded with spikesof hundreds of fragrant 2-inch (5-cm) yellow flowers paintedin burgundy with white and yellow lips It usually blooms inlate winter to early spring
Figure 11-9 Epidendrum ciliare has a spidery green flower with a delicate white fringed lip
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 156
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SophronitisThe sophronitis genus primarily consists of dwarf-growing plantswith oversized red and orange cattleya-shaped flowers that shimmerin the sunlight If you see any of them at a greenhouse for sale mdash forexample Sophronitis grandiflora (orange-red shown in Figure 11-10)Sophronitis coccinea (scarlet) or Sophronitis cernua (orange) mdashyoursquoll surely want to buy one
Figure 11-10 Sophronitis grandiflora is a charming plant but it can be quite a challenge to grow and bloom A better choice may be a hybrid that uses one of the sophronitis species as a parent
But donrsquot At least not until you have several years of orchid grow-ing under your belt These diminutive darlings can be very trickyto grow and bloom Yoursquore much better off purchasing a hybridthat has used one of these species as a parent (see ldquoHot reds andorangesrdquo and ldquoMinicattsrdquo later in this chapter) These hybrids aremore vigorous easier to flower and much less demanding
The Queens of the Ball Cattleya Hybrids
A modern standard-size cattleya hybrid in full bloom is a sight tobehold Thanks to the skill of orchid hybridizers and the breeding
Chapter 11 Cattleyas and Their Relatives 157
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 923 PM Page 157
willingness of cattleyas and their relatives to participate in thisprocess the results have been flowers in a breathtaking array ofcolors and heady fragrances
Because cattleya breeding has progressed to such a high state ofperfection itrsquos actually difficult to pick out a bad one In the follow-ing sections I show you a few of the many outstanding hybridsarranged by approximate color group
Pristine whitesWhite cattleyas are almost as classic as the lavender ones Themodern hybrids have full round and fragrant flowers Here aretwo old classics that are still popular
Brassocattleya Mount Hood This orchid is a pristine whitewith a golden-yellow lip and the heady fragrance of vanilla
Cattleya Bow Bells This is another old-timer that yoursquoll findin the background of many of todayrsquos hybrids It has fine formand its frilly lip is marked on the inside with a touch of yellow
Purples pinks lavenders and bluesPurple hybrids have been around a long time You canrsquot go wrongin buying any in this color group mdash theyrsquore all very good to excel-lent The blue shades in cattleyas are newer Most of the purplesare fragrant Here are just a few possibilities
Brassocattleya Blue Grotto This orchid is referred to as ablue but itrsquos more like a violet purple
Brassocattleya Normanrsquos Bay lsquoLowrsquosrsquo FCCAOS Although firstintroduced in England in 1946 this is still a standard bearertoday of purple cattleya breeding and is still used as a parent
Brassocattleya Pamela Hetherington lsquoCoronationrsquo FCCAOSNamed for a family member of the illustrious cattleya breederErnest Hetherington this is a 6-inch (15-cm) lavender-pinkflower with a pink ruffled lip and orange-yellow throat Itsflower is a superb shape and is strongly fragrant
Cattleya Irene Holguin This is a lavender orchid with excel-lent shape and color
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Laeliocattleya Bonanza Queen A classic 6-inch (15-cm)lavender with gold veins in the throat
Iwanagaara Appleblossom This hybrid has a complicatedhistory Itrsquos the result of using various different genera for par-ents four to be exact mdash brassavola cattleya diacrium andlaelia The result is a hybrid with elegant sprays of sweet-smelling 31frasl2-inch (9-cm) light-pink flowers with darker pinkmarkings and gold in the throat A Hawaiian family Iwanagawas the first to create a hybrid using these genera so this ishow this new genus got its name
Hot reds and orangesMost of the red hybrids are compact growers because a frequentparent in these is one of the sophronitis which are both red andvery dwarf Here are some to look for mdash either as plants yoursquollgrow or in the parentage of the plants yoursquore considering
Sophrolaeliocattleya Jewel Box lsquoScheherazadersquo AMAOS(see Figure 11-11) An older hybrid that is still popular todaybecause of its manageable size clear red flowers and easyculture
Sophrolaeliocattleya Jewel Box lsquoDark Watersrsquo Anotherpopular one that is a very dark red clone
Brassolaeliocattleya Oconee A large-flowered orchid withfragrant red-purple flowers with a dark red lip
Brassolaeliocattleya Edisto Large purple-red with up to fiveflowers per stem This is a fall bloomer
Brassolaeliocattleya Owen Holmes lsquoMendenhallrsquo AMAOSConsidered one of the best of all reds itrsquos frequently used asa parent to pass its superior coloring to its offspring A goodchoice
Sophrolaeliocattleya Hazel Boyd Another winner with vari-ous bright-orange tones and excellent plant vigor
Cattleya Chocolate Drop lsquoKodamarsquo AMAOS This one hasclusters of glossy burgundy flowers with yellow on the columnand the fragrance of lily-of-the-valley
Chapter 11 Cattleyas and Their Relatives 159
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Figure 11-11 Sophrolaeliocattleya Jewel Box lsquoScheherazadersquo AMAOS still remains a favorite
Sunny yellowsFine yellows have been a more recent development Todayrsquoshybrids range from gold to butter yellow Some are sold yellowwhile others have darker colored red or purple splotched lipsA few names you can look for include the following
Brassocattleya Goldenzelle lsquoLemon Chiffonrsquo (see Figure11-12) A fine example of how far yellow flowers in cattleyahybrids have come this one sports 6-inch (15-cm) lemon-yellow flowers with a splash of deep red on the lip This is awinter bloomer
Brassocattleya Formosan Gold Its dark-red ruffled lip pro-vides a dramatic contrast with its golden-yellow petals andsepals that have a spread of about 41frasl2 inches (11 cm) acrossSee the color photographs in the center of the book for a lookat this orchid
Brassocattleya Malworth lsquoOrchidgladersquo FCCAOS Highlyawarded and one of the best known yellows
Laeliocattleya Lorraine Shirae A bright yellow with a con-trasting red lip
Potinara Twentyfour Carat A large handsome clear gold-yellow
Potinara Haw Yuan Gold The Taiwan orchid breeders havebeen making notable contributions to the cattleya group andthis award-winner with its 6-inch (15-cm) bicolor bloom mdashyellow petals and darker yellow lip mdash is one of them
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 160
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 924 PM Page 160
Figure 11-12 Brassocattleya Goldenzelle lsquoLemon Chiffonrsquo AMAOS is a gorgeous soft lemon-yellow that demonstrates well the advances in breeding This one is a frequent winner at orchid shows
Cool greensThere is something refreshing about lime-green flowers They havetheir own following of orchid lovers Some of their flowers havevery fringed lips usually inherited from the species Rhyncholaeliadigbyana (formerly know as Brassavola digbyana) This uniquespecies is also noted for its strong fragrance Some of the greenshave clear-colored flowers while others are blotched in purpleHere are some choices to consider
Brassocattleya Greenwich This cross was made in the late1960s but still shows up in todayrsquos offerings The flower isabout 4 inches across with purple markings on its fringed lip
Brassocattleya Ports of Paradise lsquoEmerald Islersquo HCCAOSOne of the most awarded of the greens this orchid offers largelime-green flowers a strong fragrance and a ruffled lip
Brassocattleya Riorsquos Green Magic (see Figure 11-13) Thishybrid shows with its deeply fringed lip the influence of thespecies Rhyncholaelia digbyana It has large 5-inch (13-cm)flowers
Chapter 11 Cattleyas and Their Relatives 161
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Figure 11-13 Brassocattleya Riorsquos Green Magic offers unique beauty and a sensuous fragrance
Bring out the clowns Splash petals and flaresThis group is commonly called ldquoclownsrdquo because of the sense ofgaiety their wild color combinations impart Theyrsquore marked withtwo or more splashes or flares of contrasting colors and theresults can be quite dramatic
Cattleya intermedia var aquinii This is the orchid thatreally started it all It was the first one that displayed flaresof color in the petals and lip so it was used extensively inhybridizing to pass this quality on to its offspring In this casethe coloring was purple flares on white petals and the lip Thisvariety is sometimes offered for sale these days but is morefrequently found in the parentage of many of the newer splashpetals and flares
Brassocattleya Momilani Rainbow A real showstopper with6-inch (15-cm) flowers and light lavender-pink sepals dark pinkpetals and lips with bright splashes of lemon yellow on them
Laeliocattleya Colorama lsquoThe Clownrsquo Another old classic thathas proven invaluable as a parent for future splash-petaledvarieties this orchid has white petals and purple flares with alarger flower than Cattleya intermedia var aquinii
Laeliocattleya Gaiety Flambeau A more modern hybrid thathas large clusters of white flowers with purple flares
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 162
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Laeliocattleya Marirsquos Song lsquoCTM 217rsquo This is one of the bestand most popular tricolored splash-petaled varieties It has ayellow and white flower with magenta flares and lip with pinksepals and a yellow throat What a grand color combo On topof that itrsquos very fragrant
Potinara Barana Beauty lsquoBuranarsquo HCCAOS (see Figure11-14) A compact grower that reaches about 12 inches(30 cm) tall its 31frasl2-inch (9-cm) citrus-scented flowers are ayellow-green with red flares Frequently blooms twice a year
Figure 11-14 Potinara Barana Beauty lsquoBuranarsquo HCCAOS offers clusters ofcitrus-scented green flowers with red flares
Fashionable art shadesThis is a catchall category that includes cattleya-type hybridsthat combine a range of pastel colors Here are a few of the manynice ones
Brassolaeliocattleya George King A salmon-peachy fra-grant 6-inch (15-cm) flower with crystalline texture and thefact that this one often blooms more than once a year makethis a popular selection
Brassolaeliocattleya Harlequin lsquoAct IIrsquo Another flower witha mixed palette of colors including peach yellow and purpleflares A sumptuous beauty See the color photographs in thecenter of this book for an example
Brassolaeliocattleya Hawaiian Avalanche (see Figure 11-15)This orchid shows off a delightful display of tropical color withthe 6-inch (15-cm) apricot-pink flowers with a golden-orangefringed lip and purple streak down the center of the lip
Chapter 11 Cattleyas and Their Relatives 163
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 924 PM Page 163
Figure 11-15 Brassolaeliocattleya Hawaiian Avalanche provides a riot of colorIn this close-up of the lip you can get an idea of the play of color and patterns
For standard cattleyas purchasing clones is usually your best bet(See Chapter 2 for more information on clones or meristems)Theyrsquore very reasonably priced yoursquoll know exactly what theyrsquolllook like and their flowers will usually be superior to the standardhybrids
MinicattsThere is a revolution going on now in cattleya breeding Small isin mdash at least in plant size Although there is no denying that full-size cattleyas in bloom are impressive unfortunately they also takeup a lot of growing space And for windowsill and under-light grow-ers where every square inch counts this creates a problem Thisis where minicatts (short for miniature cattleyas) come in
They have no special cultural requirements that differ from thestandard full-size plants Because theyrsquore commonly planted insmall clay pots they tend to dry up more quickly than the largerplants in bigger pots so you need to keep a sharper eye on yourwatering to make sure they donrsquot get too dry
The key playersThese are the species with miniature to small growth habits thathave been the principal contributors to this breeding effort Eachof these species is popular in its own right but each has also beeneven more important for contributing its desirable characteristicsto future orchid generations
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 164
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 924 PM Page 164
Brassavola nodosa For more information on this orchidrefer to the ldquoBrassavolasrdquo section earlier in this chapter Thispopular species added its small size spidery flower shapeand evening fragrance to the minicatt gene pool
Cattleya aclandiae A little dazzler with 3- to 4-inch (7- to 13-cm) yellowish-green to brown flowers covered with purplespots and accentuated with a magenta lip this is not an easyspecies to grow Stick to its hybrids to get the visual effects ofthe species without its demanding cultural requirements
Cattleya luteola (see Figure 11-16) This is a darling plantthat only reaches 5 to 7 inches (12 to 175 cm) tall making itperfect for small spaces Its fresh floral-scented 2-inch (5-cm)pale yellow flowers with a darker lip are borne in sprays oftwo to five in the spring
Cattleya walkeriana This diminutive orchid has a lot going forit It has a miniature stature making it ideal for growing underlights or on a windowsill Its rose-purple flowers of heavy sub-stance have a fine shape and an exquisite vanilla and sweetfloral fragrance that is strongest in the morning Itrsquos also foundin an alba (white) that tends to have the best flower form
Laelia briegeri This is a miniature bright-yellow species thatisnrsquot easy to grow by itself but has been valuable for its colorand dwarf growing habit that it imparts to its hybrids
Laelia pumila This is another important contributor for itcompact growth habit flower form and color
Sophronitis coccinea The shimmering red color and minia-ture plant habit made this plant an important link Refer toFigure 11-12 to see a species Sophronitis grandiflora thatlooks very much like this one
Figure 11-16 Cattleya luteola is a cutie with a fresh floral scent that is strongest in the morning
Chapter 11 Cattleyas and Their Relatives 165
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 924 PM Page 165
Some of their prized childrenHere are some of the many hybrids produced by the parents in thepreceding section
Brassocattleya Binosa (see Figure 11-17) Combines a strik-ing color combination 3-inch (5-cm) bright-green flower witha white flared lip dusted with purple speckles with a sweetspicy evening perfume inherited from one of its parentsBrassavola nodosa
Brassocattleya Cynthia An offspring of Cattleya walkerianathis variety is very compact has 4-inch (20-cm) full round-pink fragrant flowers with yellow in the throat It frequentlyblooms twice a year
Cattleya Brabantiae One of the first hybrids to be made in the1800s this one has Cattleya aclandiae as one of its parents Its21frasl2-inch (6-cm) thick waxy pink fragrant flowers are spottedwith maroon and serve as a backdrop for a stunning white lipand column edged in purple It only grows to 6 to 8 inches(15 to 20 cm) tall and is still popular today
Cattleya Peckhaviensis (see Figure 11-18) This orchid showsoff purple spotted flowers with a bright-pink lip much like oneof its parents Cattleya aclandiae
Laeliocattleya Angel Love (see Figure 11-19) An easy-to-growfragrant orchid that has perfectly formed 4-inch (10-cm)lavender-pink flowers with a frilled lip and yellow in the throat
Laeliocattleya Love Knot Another Cattleya walkeriana childthat is a very small grower with large 4-inch (10-cm) deep-red-purple flowers with a darker lip This one is also fragrantand blooms twice a year
Laeliocattleya Mini Purple An offspring of Laelia pumila andCattleya walkeriana this is one of the best known and avail-able of the minicatts It has lavender flowers with a darkerpurple lip and is fragrant
Sophrocattleya Beaufort A classic that has as a parentCattleya luteola this orchid is found in various shades oforange and red It continues to be used extensively as aparent to produce new miniature hybrids
Sophrocattleya Crystelle Smith Frequently winning ribbonsat shows because of its fine form and delicious color combina-tions that can vary from pastel pink to apricot shades with lipsof solid yellow or marked with red
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 166
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 924 PM Page 166
Sophrolaelia Psyche Another old-timer this is a miniaturewith petite flaming orange-red flowers passed on from itssophronitis parent Fortunately itrsquos easy to grow
Sophrolaeliocattleya Jewel Box See ldquoHot reds andorangesrdquo earlier in this chapter
Sophrolaeliocattleya Mahalo Jack Irsquove enjoyed growing thisorchid It has a solid red flower on a dwarf plant Most are fra-grant and bloom a few times a year
Figure 11-17 Brassocattleya Binosa lsquoKirkrsquo AMAOS combines a sweet scent with a striking color combination
Figure 11-18 Cattleya Peckhaviensis show its spots and bright magenta lip from Cattleya aclandiae
Chapter 11 Cattleyas and Their Relatives 167
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 924 PM Page 167
Figure 11-19 Laeliocattleya Angel Love is a perfectly shaped dwarf Cattleya with a citrus fragrance
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 168
17_567594 ch11qxd 12405 924 PM Page 168
Chapter 12
Slipper OrchidsIn This Chapter Seeing the advantages to growing ladyrsquos slippers
Helping your ladyrsquos slipper to feel at home
Choosing the right ladyrsquos slipper for you
Ladyrsquos slippers are some of the easiest orchids to grow andamong the most rewarding orchids yoursquoll find making them a
great orchid for beginners They present a wide range of strikinglycolored frequently glossy flowers in myriad shapes Some havepetals that are elegantly twisted while others are marked withhairs and warts All slipper orchids are noted for very-long-lastingblooms mdash the flowers usually last six to eight weeks Many slipperorchids have gorgeous marbled foliage which makes them stun-ningly beautiful even when they arenrsquot in bloom Collectors of slip-per orchids tend to be a fanatic lot mdash and itrsquos easy to see why
The official name of this group is Paphiopedilum lsquoAsian LadyrsquosSlipperrsquo but yoursquoll probably hear them referred to as ladyrsquos slip-pers or just plain slipper orchids mdash though theyrsquore anything butplain These orchids got their common name because of theirpouchlike lip or labellum which resembles a ladyrsquos slipper (seeFigure 12-1)
In this chapter I introduce you to the world of ladyrsquos slipperorchids mdash giving you some slipper-specific growing tips some sug-gestions of varieties to buy and some tips on which hybrids areyour best bet
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 169
Figure 12-1 The parts of a ladyrsquos slipper orchid
Slipping into a Ladyrsquos SlipperLadyrsquos slippers are wonderful flowers for beginning orchid grow-ers In this section I fill you in on why you should consider grow-ing one what kind of environment to give a ladyrsquos slipper after youbring it home and how best to encourage your ladyrsquos slipper tobloom
Seeing what ladyrsquos slippers have to offerLadyrsquos slippers are extremely popular among orchid growers mdashprofessional and amateur alike mdash because
They display a great diversity of flower forms
Many are easy to grow
Many have beautiful foliage
Most have very-long-lasting flowers usually lasting manyweeks
Column
Dorsal sepal(standard)
Ovary
Petal
Labellum(slipper shaped)
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 170
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 170
Giving your ladyrsquos slipper a good homeAlthough ladyrsquos slipper orchids are found in cold climates in NorthAmerica the ones that are most commonly grown indoors are theones from the old-world tropics like Southeast Asia Almost allladyrsquos slippers grow well in average home temperatures mdash 65degF to75degF (18degC to 24degC) during the day and 55degF to 60degF (13degC to 18degC)during the evening mdash and have modest humidity requirements
Some of the ladyrsquos slippers are among the least demanding orchidswhen it comes to light so theyrsquore very adaptable to growing onwindowsills or under lights (For more general orchid-growingdetails check out Chapter 5)
Getting ladyrsquos slippers to bloomSlipper orchids are some of the easiest of all orchids to grow andbloom That said you canrsquot force these plants to flower if theyrsquorenot mature or if it isnrsquot their normal time of year to bloom If yourslipper orchid hasnrsquot bloomed in over a year and it needs a littlenudging try this three-step method
1 Grow your ladyrsquos slipper in a little brighter spot (seeChapter 5 for more details about orchid light needs)
If you donrsquot see the flower buds forming in six to eightweeks keep it in this same location and move to Step 2
2 Drop the temperature at night about 20degF (12degC) coolerthan the daytime temperature
If you donrsquot see buds forming in six to eight weeks move itback to its regular growing temperature and then move toStep 3
3 Let your ladyrsquos slipper get a little drier than usual for sixto eight weeks
Straight from Nature BumpsWarts Hairs and All
Ladyrsquos slipper species which is what the plants are called as theycome from the wild display an exotic array of naturersquos work In thefollowing sections I give you a sampling of some of the easier-to-grow of the more than 60 commonly found ladyrsquos slipper species
Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 171
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 171
Paphiopedilum bellatulumPaphiopedilum bellatulum is not the easiest of all ladyrsquos slippersbut it isnrsquot difficult if you just keep in mind that these plants preferto be a little cooler and drier than the other ladyrsquos slippers
This orchid is commonly called the ldquoegg-in-a-nest orchidrdquo becausethatrsquos what its white pouch looks like as itrsquos surrounded by itsrounded-white with burgundy-spotted petals The thick leaves ofthis dwarf grower (only a few inches high) are beautifully pat-terned (see Figure 12-2)
Figure 12-2 Paphiopedilum bellatulum is a compact-growing horticultural gem
Paphiopedilum callosumPaphiopedilum callosum was the first ladyrsquos slipper orchid that I grew over 30 years ago I had imported it from Thailand andseeing it bloom for the first time was a thrill It continued to per-form on a regular basis
This orchid is one of the simplest to grow and one of the mostdependable to bloom It comes in various flower shapes and colorcombinations of burgundy and green (see Figure 12-3) Its strongconstitution and attractiveness make it very popular as a parent in hybridizing This species is quick to multiply so itrsquoll give you alarge plant in a relatively short time
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 172
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 172
Figure 12-3 Paphiopedilum callosum is as dependable a bloomer as you can find
Paphiopedilum delenatiiPaphiopedilum delenatii is a delicate-looking prized beauty I used to find this orchid a bit on the temperamental side when itcame to growing Fortunately the newer forms on the market todayhave more vigor and arenrsquot finicky as they once were Mine bloomsdependably each spring bearing one or two elegant light pink petalflowers with a darker pink pouch (see Figure 12-4) Unlike mostladyrsquos slippers that are scentless this one possesses a subtle anddelightful citrus fragrance
Paphiopedilum dianthumPaphiopedilum dianthum is a Chinese species that is relatively easyto grow needing just a modest amount of light mdash mine bloomsconsistently every year This orchid puts on a floral display formany weeks Its flowers have twisted green petals and a burgundy-brown pouch topped with a white dorsal The 12- to 16-inch (30- to40-cm) leaves of this slipper orchid are glossy green with a leath-ery texture (see Figure 12-5)
Paphiopedilum fairrieanumThe upswept petals and prominently marked dorsal of thePaphiopedilum fairrieanum present an exotic display (see
Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 173
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 173
Figure 12-6) This is another slipper orchid that is undemandingand can be quickly grown into a nice-sized plant The mostcommon form of this species has petals striped in greens and pur-ples but there are other color combinations that are yellow darkred and green mdashsome have longer and narrower petals than thestandard type The albino form mdash green and white mdash is especiallyenchanting
Figure 12-4 Paphiopedilum delenatii displays special elegance
Figure 12-5 Paphiopedilum dianthum requires a very modest amount of light to grow and flower well
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 174
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 174
Figure 12-6 Paphiopedilum fairrieanum hails from the cliffs of India and Bhutan
Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 175
A conservation success storyThe history of the discovery and collection of orchids is littered with dismayingaccounts of manrsquos destruction of habitats resulting from the careless and greedy col-lection of these plants from their native lands Encouragingly this isnrsquot always the case
Paphiopedilum delenatii was first discovered in Vietnam in 1913 by a French officerFrom the plants collected and exported at that time only a few survived One of themwas grown by the famous French orchid nursery of Marcel Lecoufle who success-fully produced seeds from it Shortly after no more of the plants of this species wereable to be found in the wild For generations all the plants of Paphiopedilum delenatiithat were known were those resulting from these seedlings form Marcel Lecoufle
Now this is a commonly grown and admired species
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 175
Keeping the plant on the cooler dryer side for six weeks during thewinter will encourage it to put on its spring flower show
Paphiopedilum glaucophyllumPaphiopedilum glaucophyllum rewards you with a very long bloom-ing period mdash its flowers open one at a time so the plant can be inbloom for months It has attractive blue-green foliage Its fuzzypetals mdash green dorsal edged in white mdash and rosy pink pouch makequite a nice presentation (see Figure 12-7)
Figure 12-7 Paphiopedilum glaucophyllum is easy to grow and will reward you with months of bloom
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 176
An orchid with a history of intrigueFor over 50 years during the late 1800s and early 1900s the source of this treasuredorchid Paphiopedilum fairrieanum remained a mystery The only plant that wasknown had shown up in a shipment of unknown origin In 1904 the famous orchidpurveyor in England Frederick Sander offered a reward of pound1000 for anyone lead-ing to the rediscovery of this orchid This bounty was enough to bring results as newplants were discovered and exported from Bhutan and sold in the English orchidauctions for princely sums Now this same horticultural gem is commonly availablefor indoor gardeners worldwide to enjoy at a very modest price
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 176
Paphiopedilum hirsutissimumPaphiopedilum hirsutissimum is another distinctive Asian beauty Ithas long lance-shaped light-green foliage with purple-and-green-marked flowers with wavy edges (see Figure 12-8) Itrsquos a vigorousgrower but can sometimes be a reluctant bloomer
Some growers have found if they drop the night temperature to40degF to 45degF (4degC to 7degC) for several weeks in early winter this maytrigger flowering
Figure 12-8 Paphiopedilum hirsutissimum grows in cooler spots than many of the other slipper orchids
Paphiopedilum spicerianumDefinitely one of my favorites Paphiopedilum spicerianum puts ona dramatic display Its shining white dorsal marked with a purplevertical strip up its center surrounded by the shades of green andbrown on its petals and pouch make it a showstopper Its whitedorsal is so special that this slipper has been used frequently as aparent in breeding to impart this beautiful feature to its progenyTurn to the color photographs in the center of this book for anexample of Paphiopedilum spicerianum
Paphiopedilum sukhakuliiSome commercial growers lament that Paphiopedilum sukhakuliigrows so quickly that they canrsquot keep up with it This is a ldquoproblemrdquo
Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 177
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 177
that most amateur orchid growers would love to have Paphiopedilumsukhakulii is a compact grower with prominently and attractivelymarked foliage Figure 12-9 illustrates my plant in a 4-inch (8-cm) pot
Its flowers offer a green-and-white-striped dorsal wide-horizontalpetals that are green with mahogany spots and sprinkled withwarts and hairs all set off with a dark maroon pouch This speciesquickly forms a good-sized plant with many leads and it frequentlyblooms more than once a year See the color photographs in thecenter of this book for another example
Figure 12-9 Paphiopedilum sukhakulii is a compact-growing undemanding high-performing slipper orchid
Paphiopedilum venustumDescribed in the early 1800s Paphiopedilum venustum was the firstof the ladyrsquos slippers to be cultivated Its handsome foliage makesit a standout even before its flowers with distinctly veined lips andbrightly colored petals put on their show (see Figure 12-10)Paphiopedilum venustum is found in many different color forms
Letting the plants get a little drier in the winter than you would inthe summer increases their likelihood of flowering
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 178
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 178
Figure 12-10 Paphiopedilum venustum is easily identified by its prominently veined lip or pouch
One Step Removed from NaturePrimary Hybrids
Primary hybrids are the results of crossing (mating) two differentspecies like the ones mentioned in the preceding sections to createa new plant In doing this exciting new forms of orchids are createdThe crossing process started in the 1800s and is continuing at fullspeed today As new species are being discovered or better forms ofthe same species are showing up the orchid breeder gets more newgenetic material to play with The results of some of these efforts arequite impressive
The goals of breeding vary within the group but the main purposeis to
Expand the color range
Vary the flower shapes
Make the flowers larger
Create a new ldquolookrdquo
Make the plants more compact
Make the plants more vigorous and easier to bloom
Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 179
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 179
In the following sections I introduce you to just a handful of some ofthe many great successes Itrsquos fun to look at the parents and guesswhat the offspring will look like There are plenty of surprises
Some superior primary hybridsThese primary hybrids do their parents proud Each of the follow-ing hybrids carries the good looks from its parents but also addsits own new beauty and in most cases is more vigorous and easierto grow than either of the parents
Paphiopedilum Angela From the photo of this variety(see Figure 12-11) can you take a guess what one of its par-ents is Do you see the exotic touch from one of its parentsPaphiopedilum fairrieanum (refer to Figure 12-6) Its otherparent is a darling white species that can be a bit difficultto grow well Paphiopedilum niveum When these two aremated the offspring mdash Paphiopedilum Angela mdash is a delight-ful compact-growing plant easier to grow like Paphiopedilumfairrieanum but with the delicate white coloring fromPaphiopedilum niveum
Paphiopedilum Armeni White Another good choice thishybrid has very-dark-green patterned foliage and a large soft-white flower
Paphiopedilum Delophylum This is an enchanting orchidwith soft pink flowers borne sequentially on compact plantswith attractively marked foliage
Figure 12-11 PaphiopedilumAngela has a charming flower on a compact plant
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 180
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 180
Paphiopedilum Fumirsquos Delight This is another case wheretwo fetching but sometimes-tricky-to-grow species when matedor crossed yield a more vigorous offspring than either of theparents One parent has a bright yellow flower (Paphiopedilumarmeniacum) the other (Paphiopedilum micranthum) has a pinkbloom The offspring of these parents have flowers varying incolor from creamy yellow to light pink (see Figure 12-12)
Paphiopedilum Ho Chi Minh This is a new hybrid that ishighly sought after One of its parents is Paphiopedilum vietna-mense a gorgeous dark pink slipper recently discovered andthe other is Paphiopedilum delenatii an elegant soft pink flow-ered slipper (refer to Figure 12-4) This should be a winningmatch
Paphiopedilum Gloria Naugle This orchid is the result of crossing the largest-flowered and king of the slippersPaphiopedilum rothschildianum with Paphiopedilum micran-thum This hybrid inherits the bold stripes from Paphiopedilumrothschildianum and the hot pink from its other parent Theresults are quite striking (see Figure 12-13)
Paphiopedilum Magic Lantern One of the most popularnewer primaries Magic Lantern is a dependable grower andbloomer and its dark pink to red-pink flowers always elicitoohs and ahs
Figure 12-12 PaphiopedilumFumirsquos Delight is a popular primary hybrid
Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 181
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 181
Figure 12-13 Paphiopedilum Gloria Naugle presents an arresting picture
Paphiopedilum Makulii Although not literately a primarythis orchid is very close to it This hybrid takes the dramaticpetal markings from Paphiopedilum sukhakulii (refer to Figure12-9) and combines them with the darker flower colorations of its Maudiae hybrid cousins (see the section ldquoMarvelousMaudiaesrdquo later in this chapter) This ladyrsquos slipper is a snapto grow
Paphiopedilum Saint Swithin Another hybrid mdash with one ofits parents being the huge Paphiopedilum rothschildianum mdashthis orchid is combined with another impressive bloomerPaphiopedilum philippinense which has a smaller growthhabit and a history of being easier to flower The result isstriped flowers with dangling twisted petals mdash nothing lessthan extraordinary (see Figure 12-14) This is a larger ladyrsquosslipper than some of the others but itrsquos well worth the grow-ing space This one does require more light that the other slippers mentioned earlier Grow in the same medium tobright light you provide cattleyas and it will be happy
Paphiopedilum Transvaal This is a classic beauty first bredin 1901 and still popular today It takes its stateliness fromPaphiopedilum rothschildianum but reduces its size and addsease of blooming from its other parent Paphiopedilum cham-berlainianum This is another orchid that likes it bright likeSaint Swithin
Paphiopedilum Vanda M Pearman One of the most popularof all primary hybrids Vanda M Pearman has large light pinkflowers dusted with dark burgundy spots all shown off againstthick leathery gorgeously marbled foliage (see Figure 12-15)This is a must-have ladyrsquos slipper
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 182
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 182
Figure 12-14 Paphiopedilum Saint Swithin puts on a spectacular show
Figure 12-15 Paphiopedilum Vanda M Pearman is admired for its elegant flower and attractive foliage
Marvelous MaudiaesWhat a fabulous group of ladyrsquos slippers these are The wordMaudiae is the name given to one of the first hybrids made in1901 between Paphiopedilum callosum (see the color photographsin the center of this book for an example) and Paphiopedilumlawrenceanum Paphiopedilum Maudiae and its offspring are notedfor their exceptional vigor ease of blooming (sometimes more
Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 183
Phot
ogra
ph c
ourte
sy o
f Mar
c He
rzog
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 183
than once a year) undemanding growing requirements gorgeousfoliage and striking gloriously colored flowers They are found inthree major color groups or combinations covered in the followingsections
Green-and-whitesGreen-and-white Maudiaes are occasionally referred to as albinosbecause they lack the more commonly found red pigment There isa simple timeless elegance to these flowers Theyrsquore highly reveredin Europe as cut flowers
Some super clones exist within this group like PaphiopedilumClaire de Lune lsquoEdgard van Bellersquo AMAOS (see Figure 12-16) Itsregal name fits its aristocratic look Itrsquos huge impressive flowerstands proudly above dark green handsome foliage I received adivision of this plant from a now deceased dear friend FrancesNelson Itrsquos a treasured memory of him and Irsquove shared divisions of it with special friends Itrsquos a vigorous grower that still wins rib-bons for me at orchid shows
Another famous clone is Paphiopedilum Maudiae lsquoThe QueenrsquoAMAOS If yoursquore fortunate to find these clones at a price you canlive with snatch them up If theyrsquore too pricey for you at this pointtry any of the standard green-and-white Maudiaes None of themwill disappoint you
Figure 12-16 PaphiopedilumClaire de Lune lsquoEdgard van Bellersquo AMAOS is a prize for anyonersquos orchid collection
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 184
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 184
ColoratumsThis group is typified by a large dorsal and petals displayingstreaks of purple in the flowers The flower shape of this type looksvery similar to the green-and-white Maudiae but has much morered and burgundy markings (see Figure 12-17) Many times thedorsal is larger and rounder
Figure 12-17 A coloratum type Notice the wide dorsal and the streaks of darker color throughout the flower
VinicolorsThe flowers of this type look like theyrsquove been varnished Theyrsquore arich dark red or purple and have many admirers This is probablythe most sought after form of the Maudiae types Their solid bur-gundy to mahogany blossoms shine (see Figure 12-18)
There are many good vinicolor varieties out there mdash too many tolist If yoursquore lucky enough to actually see them in bloom you canchoose the ones that you like best Unfortunately because theyrsquorepopular and are quickly snatched up you may be forced to pickout blooming-size plants or ones in bud so you arenrsquot sure whattheyrsquoll look like when they bloom
Here are two ways to increase your odds for buying the best
Check out their parents Several orchid parents have a goodreputation for producing high-quality offspring Here are someto look for
bull Black Cherry
bull Blood Clot (Ugh What a name)
Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 185
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 185
bull Eric Meng
bull Laser
bull Macabre
bull Raisin Pie
bull Red Fusion
bull Red Glory
bull Ruby Peacock
Look at the color of the leaves flower stem and bud Thedarker the purple in the newest leaves the undersides of theleaves the flower stem and the buds the greater the likeli-hood that the flower will also carry this dark pigment
Figure 12-18 A vinicolor showing solid dark coloration over the entire flower
Huge and round Modern hybrid ladyrsquos slippersThese ladyrsquos slippers are sometimes called ldquobulldogsrdquo or ldquotoadsrdquoTo tell you the truth I donrsquot know how they got branded with suchodd nicknames They look nothing like these two creatures to me
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 186
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 186
Another moniker for them is complex hybrids and this makessense because their parentage is very convoluted many timesconsisting of 20 or more parents
All the orchids in this group have plain green foliage and most oftheir flowers are huge and round (see Figure 12-19) Theyrsquore basi-cally categorized by their flower colors spotted green whiteyellow red pink and shades of these colors A spotted one of minethat has been a delight is Paphiopedilum Langley Pride lsquoBurlingamersquoHCCAOS (see the color photographs in the center of this book foran illustration)
Figure 12-19 A modern complex hybrid showing its full round flower
The whites have been particularly elusive in this quest for perfec-tion An older hybrid Paphiopedilum FC Puddle (see Figure 12-20)doesnrsquot match many of todayrsquos hybrids in terms of size and shapebut is still in many collections today because itrsquos a charmingdependable grower and bloomer
A different kind of slipper orchidAll the slipper orchids that I cover up to this point in this chapterare tropical ones found in the old-world tropics mostly variousparts of Asia Another type of ladyrsquos slipper has been known aboutsince the 1800s but is now witnessing a strong new interest byorchid lovers This group is called phragmipediums or simplyldquophragsrdquo
Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 187
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 187
Phragmipediums call their home Central and South America Manygrow in the mountains and number more than 30 species Theyhave a similar growth habit to some of the paphiopedilums andhave the same requirements for humidity and temperatures
Figure 12-20 Paphiopedilum FC Puddle is an older white hybrid still appreciated today
Culturally they have some differences In general they like itwetter than paphiopedilums In fact theyrsquore commonly grown inplatters of fresh water This practice is unheard of with most otherorchids Also they prefer more light mdash similar to cattleyas Theseused to be expensive plants but their prices have come downthanks in part to Hawaiian growers who have perfected their cul-ture so they can now be grown to selling-size plants in record-breaking time
Most of the flowers are twisted and dangling are borne sequen-tially and are found in shades and stripes of green and maroonHowever there are some key exceptions Phragmipedium besseae isbright red-orange to yellow Phragmipedium xerophyticum is whitewith a touch of pink and Phragmipedium schlimii (see Figure 12-21for a hybrid of this species) is a shade of pink as is Phragmipediumfischeri But the absolute star of the show is a recently discoveredmarvel Phragmipedium kovachii with immense 7- to 8-inch (175-to 20-cm) magenta flowers (See the nearby sidebar for more onthis special plant)
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 188
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 188
Although there has always been interest in the phragmipediumspecies it is the hybrids that everyone its talking about Thesenewer hybrids are more vigorous and easy growing then most ofthe species and are becoming available in a broad range of colorsMany new ones are on the horizon but here are a few to look outfor
Phragmipedium Andean Fire has attractive dark red 31frasl2-inchflowers on tall flowering stems
Phragmipedium Cardinale is a classic hybrid that reliablyproduces many pink flowers
Phragmipedium Hanne Popow has delightful small pink flow-ers and is an old favorite that is still offered and is frequentlyused as a parent to produce newer hybrids
Phragmipedium Jason Fischer has eye-popping brilliantbroad flat red flowers
Phragmipedium Les Dirouilles displays huge spectaculargreen chestnut and burgundy flowers with long twistedpetals
Phragmipedium Sorcererrsquos Apprentice has broad foliagewith very large and dramatic flowers with twisted petals inshades of green brown and burgundy
Figure 12-21 Phragmipedium lsquoWilcoxrsquo AMAOS is a lovely hybrid with a delicate beauty
Chapter 12 Slipper Orchids 189
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 189
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 190
New Phrag creates a scandalPhragmipedium kovachii was ldquodiscoveredrdquo in 2002 at a roadside vendor in northeastPeru by an American orchid enthusiast J Michael Kovach He immediately recog-nized it as being exceptional and probably new to the orchid world Kovach pur-chased this rare orchid and pirated it back to the United States illegally with grandvisions of his name entering the annals of orchid history by having this ldquoholy grailof orchidsrdquo named after him
He rushed it to the orchid experts at Selby Botanical Garden one of the worldrsquosleaders in orchid research to get it identified documented and officially describedin Latin so it could be published in a botanical journal thereby assuring that theorchid would be his namesake
Now the fly in the ointment mdash the feds They got word of Kovachrsquos ldquodiscoveryrdquo andorchids hit the fan Kovach was indicted and they threatened to fine Selby BotanicalGardens $100000 (it was plea-bargained to $5000 and three yearsrsquo probation) Selbybotanists administrators and board membersrsquo heads rolled
Even though it was part of the plea bargain that the name of this orchid be revertedto an earlier proposed name Phragmipedium peruviana most orchid people thinkit will most likely never happen
And the scandal goes on In the spring of 2004 at a Miami orchid show a vendorand orchid grower from Peru along with another orchid vendor and grower fromTexas were arrested for selling and smuggling endangered orchids including plantsof Phragmipedium kovachii
So as you can see orchid mania is alive and well today
18_567594 ch12qxd 12405 919 PM Page 190
Chapter 13
Dancing Ladies Oncidiumsand Their Relatives
In This Chapter Enjoying sprays of colorful flowers Oncidiums
Understanding the pansy orchids Miltonias and their hybrids
Knowing the spider orchids Brassias
Discovering other Oncidium relatives
This group of orchids is referred to as ldquodancing ladiesrdquo becausethe lips of many of them are flared like a flounced dancing
gown and the tops of the flowers with a little imagination looklike the arms and head of a person
Oncidiums are a joyful bunch of orchids that frequently display aflurry of flowers in the sunny yellow to orange and brown colorrange although there are some in shades of pink red and greenTheyrsquove been popular since they were first introduced intoEngland from South America in the late 1700s
Taking a Closer Look at the LadiesHundreds of oncidiums are in existence but just a handful aregrown with regularity today In general they can be grown in thesame conditions as cattleyas (see Chapter 5 for more details)
Oncidiums from the wildMany oncidiums from the wild are used in producing hybrids (seethe following section ldquoHybrid oncidiumsrdquo) Here are a few speciesamong the many that are worth looking for
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 191
Oncidium amplicatum (see Figure 13-1) When this orchid isin full bloom in the summer it displays a shower of 1-inch(25-cm) brilliant yellow flowers on sprays up to 4 feet (120cm) long The pseudobulbs are short and circular and aresometimes referred to as being turtle-shaped
Oncidium cheirophorum This dwarf-growing oncidium (it matures to about 3 inches [75 cm]) has 1frasl2-inch (125-cm)bright yellow citrus-scented flowers on an arching spray
Oncidium crispum A quite attractive oncidium with 3-inch(8-cm) rust red flowers and lips with yellow and orange mark-ings on the lips The flowers are borne on a long spray and itsleaves get to be about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) long Itsflowers have a musty scent
Oncidium lanceanum Referred to as a ldquomule-leafrdquo orchidbecause its stiff leathery foliage takes on this shape it hasflat long-lasting 2- to 21frasl2-inch (6-cm) flowers of contrastingbrown and yellow with a purple and white lip The plant growsabout a foot (30 cm) tall and has a strong honey scent whenthe plant is in the sunlight
Oncidium longipes (see Figure 13-2) A dwarf-growingspecies from Brazil that blooms in the fall Its cinnamonscented flowers are 3frasl4 to 1 inch (2 to 3 cm) across with darkyellow to reddish brown sepals and petals and bright yellowlips It frequently blooms twice a year
Figure 13-1 Oncidium amplicatumcan fill up a windowsill with its shower of flowers
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 192
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 192
Figure 13-2 Oncidium longipesis a small-growing plant that is perfect for the windowsill
Oncidium maculatum This is a handsome species with 3-inch(8-cm) honey-scented yellow flowers prominently marked withmahogany spots on an arched 20-inch (50-cm) flower spike Itblooms best if itrsquos grown on the dry side during the winter
Oncidium onustum (see Figure 13-3) Clear yellow flowersabout 11frasl4 inches (3 cm) wide cover this miniature plant whenitrsquos in bloom in the fall It likes very bright light and should begrown on the dry side especially right after flowering
Figure 13-3 Oncidium onustum is a miniature grower with lemon yellow flowers
Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 193
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 193
Oncidium ornithorhynchum This is one of my favorites Itrsquos a miniature easy-to-grow and easy-to-flower orchid andrewards you with scads of 3frasl4-inch (15-cm) flowers with pink tolavender blooms that have a fresh vanilla fragrance The plantonly grows 8 to 10 inches (20 to 225 cm) so itrsquos perfect for awindowsill or under lights It frequently blooms a few times ayear
Oncidium splendidum This oncidium is splendid indeedFrom Guatemala and Honduras this stately upright flowerspike is 3 feet (1 meter) or more and is covered with 2- to 3-inch (5- to 75-cm) flowers that feature a broad bright yellowlip Give this species a bright spot with plenty of growingroom and let it dry off during the winter
Hybrid oncidiumsAs is the case with the other orchids mentioned in this book thereare many hybrids of oncidiums The orchid breeders haveextended the color range and ease of blooming with these hybrids
Oncidium Sharry Baby (see Figure 13-4) This is one of themost popular orchids in the world This particular variety out-sells all the other orchids Why The number-one reason is thatit has a very strong fragrance of chocolate or vanilla It alsoblooms more than once a year often around Christmastime Amature plant has hundreds of 1frasl2-inch (15-cm) yellow-overlaid-with-burgundy flowers with a flared white lip with purple mark-ings Itrsquos a bone-tough plant that will grow when others wimpout My neighbor has one that I gave her and with very littleTLC it performs dependably every year This variety is avail-able in many different color forms As long as you have spacefor this one (it can grow over 30 inches [75 cm] tall) you canrsquotgo wrong buying one
Oncidium Twinkles This is another star performer but with aquite different stature from Sharry Baby Itrsquos parents Oncidiumcheirophorum and Oncidium ornithrhynchum both mentionedearlier in this chapter are fragrant and dwarf The resultantcrossing is a hybrid that is even better than its parents mdashmore vigorous and free flowering This one is highly recom-mended for beginners Itrsquos available in various color forms
Oncidium Tsiku Marguerite A very vigorous but small-growing(about 6 inches [15 cm] tall) hybrid that is sweet-scented It pro-duces densely branched sprays of 3frasl4-inch (2-cm) cream to pinkflowers Another great beginnerrsquos orchid
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 194
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Oncidium Nathakhum This is a larger-growing oncidium withfoliage up to about 12 inches (30 cm) long It shows much influ-ence from one of it parents Oncidium lanceanum with itsmule-ear foliage and its flat honey-scented long-lasting flow-ers of contrasting brown and yellow with a yellow lip
Figure 13-4 Oncidium Sharry Baby is a fast and easy growing and blooming Oncidium hybrid with the fragrance of chocolate
Miniature oncidiums or tolumniaUntil fairly recently the miniature plants that look very much likeoncidiums were called equitant (or variegata) Plant taxonomists(people who name plants) are now in a huddle to decide whetheror not these plants should be assigned to the genus tolumniarather than oncidium
Whatever name you want to call them theyrsquore darling little plantsthat are easy to grow They have triangular thick leaves and aregrown best in a sunny spot with good air movement Theyrsquore oftenmounted on wood or cork (see Chapter 7) but can also be grown in pots Because theyrsquore small plants in small containers (seeFigure 13-5) you must keep an eye on them so they donrsquot dry out too severely
Many of these orchids bloom a few times a year and will flowermore than once on the same flower spike so donrsquot cut off theflower spike until it withers
Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 195
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 195
So many hybrids are available within this group that choosing oneover another is difficult Just look in the orchid suppliersrsquo catalogson their Web sites or in their greenhouses in the miniature orchidor miniature oncidium or tolumnia section Theyrsquore all easy grow-ers and prolific bloomers (see Figure 13-6)
Figure 13-5 Equitant oncidiums require little space to grow and bloom This one is in a 3-inch pot
Figure 13-6 Even though the equitants are small plants they have quite a bit of flower power as this pink and red hybrid proves
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 196
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 196
Pansy Orchids Miltonias and Miltoniopsis
To see these orchids in bloom is to want them True to their namemany of these orchids do have pansylike faces but they actuallyoutdo the other garden plants with their colors and flower pat-terns For some reason these orchids havenrsquot gotten their dueattention for many years They had a reputation for being difficultto grow Most of the newer selections and hybrids are more vigor-ous easy and worth your effort to try
It used to be that all the orchids in this group were called milto-nias but now most go by miltoniopsis For more details on thisname game see the nearby sidebar
These orchids have a flower structure similar to oncidiums Figure 13-7 shows the miltonia flower structure
Here are some guidelines that will help you have more successwith these beauties
Miltonias like it a little warmer than miltoniopsis Miltoniaslike it up to about 84degF (29degC) during the day and around 55degF(128degC) during the evening Miltoniopsis like it about 5degF to10degF cooler for day and night temperatures
Keep their roots damp but not wet Their fine root systemscan easily be damaged by drying out The catch-22 is thatthey can also be very susceptible to rotting if kept too wetUse a fine-textured well-drained potting material that alsoretains moisture
Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 197
One personrsquos weed is anotherrsquos treasureGoodale Moir is a well-known name in the annals of orchid breeding He dared tolove a group of oncidiums called equitants or variegata oncidiums At the time in the1950s many of his less-enlightened orchid-breeding friends derided these minia-tures from the Caribbean as ldquoweedsrdquo This didnrsquot stop Goodale from pursuing hisdream of breeding and developing these lovelies into small orchids of all colors andshades While I was working at a botanical garden in Hawaii in the 1970s I wasfortunate enough to meet him and his lovely wife May as his work was starting tobe appreciated Sadly today Goodale is no longer with us but he left behind hisproud legacy of these miniature horticultural gems
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 197
Figure 13-7 Miltonia flower structure1 = Sepals 2 = Petals 3 = Lip 4 = Column
If the leaves pucker in an accordion pattern this is a signthe plant is not getting enough moisture
Keep these plants in small pots This is an easy way to pre-vent overwatering
If the leaves are light green and standing upright theyrsquoregetting just the right amount of light If theyrsquore floppy anddark green theyrsquore getting too little light If they have a red-dish cast theyrsquore getting too much light
Provide ample air circulation Otherwise their thin leaveswill get leaf spots from fungal disease
MiltoniasHere are a few miltonias that are particularly striking and easy togrow
Miltonia flavescens The light yellow color of the flower setsthis species off from the other miltonias Its flowers are about3 inches (75 cm) across and have a white lip with red spots
Miltonia regnellii This is one of the most adaptable so itrsquosone of the easiest of the miltonias to grow and bloom Foreach erect stem it has up to six white flowers that are about21frasl2 to 3 inches (6 to 75 cm) across with a purple-blue lip Itblooms in the summer to fall and has an orangelike fragrance
1
2
4
3
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 198
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 198
Miltonia spectabilis One of the most popular and commonlyoffered miltonia species it displays 4-inch-wide (10-cm-wide)flowers that are white tinged with pink The lip is rose-pinkwith a purple column This orchid grows to about 10 inches(25 cm) high and its flowers have a rosy fragrance Anotherbotanical variety Miltonia spectabilis var moreliana has flow-ers of the same size but its sepals and petals are dark plumred with a contrasting large bright rose-pink lip with darkerveins It is quite a looker
Miltonia Goodale Moir A classic variety that is a namesakeof a famous orchid breeder who lived in Hawaii this miltoniahybrid likes warmer growing conditions and bears strikingflowers with yellow petals spotted in burgundy and white lipsbrushed with a purple pink Miltonia Goodale Moir is still fre-quently used as a parent to produce other warmth-loving mil-tonia hybrids
Miltonia Anne Warne This is another time-proven warmth-loving hybrid with gorgeous dark purple flowers with stunningpurple-pink lips
MiltoniopsisSome have said that that miltoniopsis can be more difficult to growthan miltonias but it really matters which ones you get Somespecies like it cooler and others tolerate warmer conditions Thehybrids seem to be very forgiving and easy Many hybrids havespectacular markings like the newer one shown in Figure 13-8
Figure 13-8 A white miltoniopsis hybrid with striking purple markings
Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 199
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 199
Here are some others that should be on your list
Miltoniopsis phalaenopsis This species is the one primarilyresponsible for the ldquowaterfallrdquo patterns in the lips of todayrsquoshybrids It likes warm summers and cool winters and doesbest if itrsquos kept on the dry side during the winter Its flowerwhich has the perfume of lily of the valley is 13frasl4 inches (4 cm)and white pansy-shaped with a purple waterfall pattern on thelip The plant reaches about 6 to 12 inches (15 to 30 cm) high
Miltoniopsis roezlii A cool to warm grower this is anotherone of the easier-to-grow miltoniopsis It has 21frasl2-inch-wide (65-cm-wide) white rose-scented flowers with dark-purple spots oneach of the petals and a white lip with bright yellow and orangemarkings The plant reaches about 9 inches (22 cm) tall
Miltoniopsis santanaei (see Figure 13-9) This is a veryrewarding plant that is easy to grow and flower which it oftendoes more than once a year Its flower is 2 inches (5 cm) widepristine white flat pansy-shaped with a bright yellow flare onthe top of the lip Itrsquos a compact-growing orchid mdash only 6 to 8inches (15 to 20 cm) tall It has a very sweet rose scent and isused frequently in breeding for this fragrant quality and itsease of culture
Miltoniopsis Bert Field Pure velvety red this hybridrsquos flow-ers are about 3 inches (75 cm) across Theyrsquore perfectlyformed and some have waterfall patterns Itrsquos a classic varietythat is still found and is used often as a parent
Miltoniopsis Celle lsquoWasserfallrsquo (see Figure 13-10) There aremany new hybrid miltonias but this was one of the first toshow such a spectacular ldquowaterfallrdquo pattern in the lip Its redvelvet sepals and petals and yellow column complete a gor-geous picture The flowers have a rosy floral scent
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 200
You say miltonia I say miltoniopsisThe technical difference between these two is that all those orchids called milto-nias have two light green leaves per pseudobulb and ldquoearsrdquo on the column in thecenter part of the flower Miltoniopsis have one blue-green leaf per pseudobulbUnless yoursquore a taxonomist the flowers look the same
From a cultural point of view miltonias are considered by some to be somewhateasier to grow because theyrsquore from Brazil where itrsquos warmer while most of themiltoniopsis are from the cooler climes of Peru Columbia and Costa Rica so theycan be more temperamental
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 200
Figure 13-9 Miltoniopsis santanaei is a compact easy-to-grow species well suited to growing on a windowsill or under lights
Figure 13-10 Miltoniopsis Celle lsquoWasserfallrsquo is definitely a showstopper
Miltoniopsis Hajime Ono Named after the noted Hawaiianmiltoniopsis breeder Hajime Ono it has a magnificent 31frasl2-inch-wide (9-cm-wide) dark-red velvety flower with a lip fantasti-cally marked with a waterfall pattern See the color section ofphotographs for an example
Miltoniopsis Hamburg This is another famous cross that setthe standard for quite a while for being one of the best of thesolid reds It has a light rosy fragrance
Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 201
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 201
Other Members of the Club The Oncidium Alliance
Many other orchids are related to oncidiums and theyrsquore com-monly referred to as being part of the Oncidium Alliance In the following sections I list some of the more prominent ones
Orchid spiders BrassiasLarge flowers with long leggy petals and sepals typify this group of orchids Although some of the species and hybrids of brassiasare popular they are more commonly used as parents with otheroncidium relatives to pass on their elegant flower shapes (seeldquoMixing It Uprdquo later in this chapter) Here are a few standouts ofthe 15 or so species of brassias
Brassia longissima (see Figure 13-11) This orchid featureslarge spidery flowers about 7 to 8 inches (18 to 20 cm) fromtop to bottom that open greenish and turn orange over sev-eral days The flowers are spotted maroon and have a sweetcandy scent This is a tall grower that maxes out at about 30inches (75 cm) tall
Brassia maculata A commonly grown species this orchidalso follows the similar flower shape and color pattern of theother two species described in this list It blooms in thesummer and puts on a show of fragrant flowers for severalweeks
Brassia verrucosa Another spider-type flower that reachesabout 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) across this orchid is palegreen and is spotted in darker green or brown with a white lipspotted with darker warts This species is an easy one togrow It has a musky scent
Butterfly orchids PsychopsisThis orchid used to be called an oncidium and then was reclassi-fied to this genus It doesnrsquot take much imagination to see how thisorchid got its common name butterfly orchid because the flowerlooks very much like this regal insect
Psychopsis papilio (shown in Figure 13-12) is the most popularspecies in the genus and is an easy one to grow requiring the samecultural conditions as oncidiums Psychopsis papilio has reddish
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 202
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 202
leathery leaves with darker spots its flowers have thin dark bur-gundy upright sepals that look like antennae the petals are barreddark red on yellow and the lip is yellow with solid or spotted bur-gundy red edging Another species Psychopsis krameriana is verysimilar
Figure 13-11 Brassia longissima is a fine selection of this species
The flowers are borne in succession so donrsquot cut off the flowerspike until it shrivels
Figure 13-12 Psychopsis papilio has a butterfly look
Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 203
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 203
SigmatostalixSigmatostalix radicans (shown in Figure 13-13) is a dainty andcharming miniature orchid reaching about 6 inches (15 cm) It hasgrasslike foliage and small 3frasl4-inch (1 cm) white flowers with green-ish sepals and petals with a brown column and white lip Its flow-ers have a sweet honey fragrance
Figure 13-13 Sigmatostalix radicans is a miniature orchid with a honey scent
TrichopiliaTwo orchids within the trichopilia genus are commonly grown
Trichopilia suavis A native of Central and South Americathis orchid has oblong pseudobulbs with leaves that can growup to 16 inches (40 cm) long Itrsquos frequently grown in a basket
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 204
Phot
ogra
ph c
ourte
sy o
f Mar
c He
rzog
Not for beginnersThe Oncidium Alliance has other genera mdash including baptisonia cochlioda com-parettia odontoglossum rodriguezia and trichocentrum mdash but many are not notedfor being easy to grow Some are from cooler climates and require very high humid-ity They have however played important roles as genetic building blocks to pro-duce hybrids with all the other oncidium group See the ldquoMixing It Uprdquo section formore details
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 204
because the two to five fragrant flowers white spotted withred are borne on a pendulous flower spike The lips of theflowers are tubular and have pink and orange spots
Trichopilia fragrans This orchid is very similar to the pre-ceding one and blooms in the spring to summer
Mixing It UpNow things really get interesting Imagine taking all the orchidsthat I introduce in this chapter from the Oncidium Alliance andmany more that I havenrsquot even mentioned and mating or breedingthem with each other This is just what has been done by skillfulorchid breeders in the United States mdash and the results have beenastounding
Knowing where to begin is difficult because there are so many dif-ferent ones By the late 1990s almost 10000 of these hybrids hadbeen registered and breeding efforts have continued at full tilt sotoday there are many more
In general these are orchids with wild color combinations and largeflower counts that are durable vigorous plants These new hybridsare starting to compete with phalaenopsis for the publicrsquos favor
These hybrids have a scrambled parentage To help you sortthrough it all Table 13-1 is a list of some of the most common andpopular intergeneric genera (ones that have parents from morethan one genus) along with the genera that were used to actuallyproduce these new intergeneric genera The abbreviations for thegenera are also given because this will usually be what yoursquoll findwritten on the orchid label
Table 13-1 Oncidium Alliance IntergenericsIntergeneric Genera Used to Abbreviation Genus Create This Genus Used
Aliceara Brassia Miltonia Oncidium Alcra
Beallara Brassia Cochlioda Miltonia BllraOdontoglossum
Brassada Ada Brassia Brsa
Brassidium Brassia Oncidium Brsdm
(continued)
Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 205
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 205
Table 13-1 (continued)Intergeneric Genera Used to Abbreviation Genus Create This Genus Used
Burrageara Cochlioda Miltonia BurrOdontoglossum Oncidium
Colmanara Miltonia Odontoglossum Oncidium Colm
Degarnoara Brassia Miltonia Odontoglossum Dgmra
Milpasia Miltonia Aspasia Mpsa
Miltassia Brassia Miltonia Mtssa
Miltonidium Miltonia Oncidium Mtdm
Odontocidium Odontoglossum Oncidium Odcm
Odontonia Odontoglossum Miltonia Odtna
Rodricidium Oncidium Rodriguezia Rdcm
Vuylstekeara Cochlioda Miltonia Odontoglossum Vuyl
Wilsonara Cochlioda Odontoglossum Oncidium Wils
Orchid breeders hybridizing these related orchids are working toimpart the following qualities to their plants
More-compact growth and flowering habit
Ease of flowering
More tolerance for a wide range of growing temperatures
Lower light requirements
Blooming multiple times per year
Bright colorful patterns in the flowers
When you visit your orchid grower check out orchid supplier Websites or go to orchid shows yoursquoll see that todayrsquos hybrids in thisgroup are moving closer and closer to meeting these breedingobjectives
Because this group is so huge Irsquove tried to hit on some of the mostpopular in this group This is only the tip of the iceberg
Beallara Marfitch lsquoHowardrsquos Dreamrsquo (see Figure 13-14) Thisorchid has dazzling large deep burgundy flowers on uprightflower spikes with white markings and a dash of yellow on the
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 206
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 206
lip These are always the plants people stop to admire at theorchid shows
Beallara Tacoma Glacier This is found in various forms butmost have very large frilly flowers with red markings
Brassidium Fly Away lsquoMiamirsquo HCCAOS (see Figure 13-15)These bright yellow flowers are borne in huge numbers andlook like they are taking off in flight
Figure 13-14 Beallara Marfitch lsquoHowardrsquos Dreamrsquo is always the center of attention when itrsquos in bloom
Figure 13-15 The flowers of Brassidium Fly Away lsquoMiamirsquo HCCAOS have masses of flowers on long flower spikes
Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 207
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 207
Burrageara Stefan Isler This orchid has upright stems withmany brilliant red flowers with a lighter color lip It is freeflowering and will bloom more than once a year when theplant is mature
Colmanara Wildcat (see Figure 13-16) There are many dif-ferent selections of this orchid but they are all very brightyellow waxy flowers about 3 inches (75 cm) across with verydistinct yellow or maroon markings and a lip that is usuallyvery dark red and marked with yellow Itrsquos quite a standout
Figure 13-16 Colmanara Wildcat has dramatic feline markings on a waxy long-lasting flower
Degarnoara Winter Wonderland lsquoWhite Fantasyrsquo (see Figure13-17) Many selections of this orchid are available but theylook very similar They have large white flowers and lip withsepals that extend slightly backward The lip and petal arelightly spotted in red The flower is said to have the fragranceof bananas An established plant will bloom a few times a year
Milpasia Miltrsquos Choice lsquoHelen of Troyrsquo Long-lasting yellowwith rose to maroon stripes on the petals with a large whitelip are the features of this orchid It grows about 10 to 12inches (25 to 30 cm) tall and has a rosy fragrance
Miltassia hybrids Most of this group are usually stronglymarked and brightly colored See the color section for anexample
Miltonidium Bartley Schwartz (see Figure 13-18) Several dif-ferent forms of this are available but most have upright spikesof many red to purple flowers with white lips marked in red
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 208
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 208
Figure 13-17 Degarnoara Winter Wonderland lsquoWhite Fantasyrsquo has a unique blend of lip shape similar to miltonia longer petals like brassia and wider flowers like odontoglossum
Miltonidium Issaku Nagata lsquoVolcano Queenrsquo HCCAOS Aneasy orchid with many 11frasl2-inch (4-cm) flowers on tall multi-branched spikes The petals and sepals are yellow overlaidwith mahogany The flared lip is white at the bottom and redand purple at the top The foliage can grow 18 to 24 inches (45 to 60 cm) tall and the flowers have a light floral fragrance
Odontioda Margarete Holm lsquoAlpinersquo A gorgeous full-bodiedwhite flower with clear burgundy markings See the color sec-tion of photographs for an example
Odontioda Vespa lsquoCharmrsquo (see Figure 13-19) This is a capti-vating very compact orchid that only grows 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) tall It displays 21frasl2-inch (65-cm) white citrus-scented flowers that are decorated with distinct purple andred markings on the petals and sepals with yellow on thethroat I love this one
Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 209
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 209
Figure 13-18 MiltonidiumBartley Schwartz comes in many forms but all have many red to purple flowers on an upright flower spike
Figure 13-19 Odontioda Vespa lsquoCharmrsquo is a favorite because of its compact habit and colorful flower markings
Odontobrassia Fangtastic Bob Henley Seventy-five percentof this hybridrsquos lineage is from brassias so it has characteris-tically spidery yellow flowers that are 4 to 5 inches (10 to 13cm) across with maroon markings and yellow lips on archingflower spikes
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 210
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 210
Odontocidium Crowborough This hybrid is another one of theearlier crosses that is still available today and is used plenty asa parent for newer hybrids It has 3-inch (75-cm) bright yellowthick-textured flowers with distinct mahogany markings
Odontocidium Tiger Crow lsquoGolden Girlsrsquo HCCAOS An off-spring of famous parents Odontocidium Tiger Hambuhren andOdontocidium Crowborough it shows off 21frasl2-inch (65-cm)golden-yellow flowers with maroon spots and a bright yellowlip The plant grows about 18 inches (45 cm) tall and the flow-ers have a light floral scent See the color section of photo-graphs for an example
Vuylstekeara Cambria lsquoPlushrsquo FCCAOS (see Figure 13-20)This is a classic variety and was one of the first of these inter-generics to hit the market in a big way Its many flowers are aclear dark red tipped in white with a red-and-white edge lipThis variety has stood the test of time
Figure 13-20 VuylstekearaCambria lsquoPlushrsquo FCCAOS has proven itself to be a winner
Vuylstekeara Yokara lsquoPerfectionrsquo This is a dazzler Its lightburgundy flowers sparkle with bright white patterns through-out A yellow highlight appears on the lip See the color sec-tion for an example
Wilsonara Tiger Brew A free flowering and branching plantthat has flowers with sepals and petals that are light yellowand spotted with burgundy and a lip that is lemon yellow withreddish spots The edges of the petals and sepals are touchedin red and fringed
Chapter 13 Dancing Ladies Oncidiums and Their Relatives 211
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 211
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 212
19_567594 ch13qxd 12405 917 PM Page 212
Chapter 14
Significant OthersIn This Chapter Discovering one of the biggest of all groups of orchids Dendrobiums
Finding orchids that are as weird as they get Bulbophyllums
Considering some other orchids
In the previous chapters I present you with some of the largestorchid groups that are most suitable for home orchid growing
But as you can imagine with tens of thousands of different orchidsout there some additional ones in other groups are also prime can-didates In this chapter I give you a glimpse at some of them
A Huge and Interesting Lot Dendrobiums
Dendrobiums and their close relatives number more than a thou-sand They call their homes the old-world tropics which includeNew Guinea and the exotic land down under Australia Some ofthese orchids have exacting cultural requirements that are a chal-lenge to provide The ones I show you here are the easier ones that have basically the same cultural requirements as cattleyas mdashmedium to high light modest humidity and intermediate tempera-tures Many of the dendrobiums naturally undergo a drier winterthan summer so they appreciate the same treatment from youSome are evergreen (keeping their foliage year-round) while othersare deciduous (dropping their leaves in the fall) as they enter a restfor the winter then put out their new growth in the spring
The most popular dendrobiumsHere is a small selection of some of the easiest and most readilyfound dendrobiums that are not very demanding As you becomefamiliar with this huge group of plants yoursquoll surely find othersyoursquod like to try out
20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 213
Dendrobium phalaenopsisAlthough the more proper name for this orchid is Dendrobium bigib-bum it rarely goes by this in the trade I list this one first because it is by far the most popular and commonly found dendrobiumLuckily it is also one of the least expensive and easiest to growHybrids of this type are found in an impressive array of color com-binations and are usually about 11frasl2 to 3 inches (3 to 7 cm) acrossand look much like phalaenopsis flowers (thus the species name ofphalaenopsis) Figure 14-1 shows an example of a Dendrobium pha-laenopsis The most common flower colors are white shades ofpink and purple but some of the newer offerings have contrastingsepals petals and lips in a whole range of pastels
Figure 14-1 The Dendrobium phalaenopsis flower looks much like a phalaenopsis orchid (see Chapter 10)
Dendrobium phalaenopsis which are evergreens differ dramati-cally in their growth habits mdash some are very compact about 6inches (15 cm) tall while others can reach 3 feet (1 meter) or morein height (see Figure 14-2)
Like most dendrobiums the Dendrobium phalaenopsis prefers to bepot-bound so itrsquos content to stay in a small container It requires amodest drying-off period during the winter and early spring to pro-mote flowering You can resume regular watering when new growthappears in the spring until after flowering
Dendrobium phalaenopsis hybrids sometimes referred to as ldquocanerdquoDendrobiums because of their upright stems can vary tremen-dously in their growth habits from dwarfs to giants Figure 14-2shows one of the larger forms
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 214
20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 214
Figure 14-2 A larger Dendrobium phalaenopsis hybrid
Dendrobium nobileAnother one of the most popular dendrobiums the Dendrobiumnobile (shown in Figure 14-3) has been hybridized extensively sothat todayrsquos varieties come in a carnival of bright colors
The Dendrobium nobile is deciduous so when winter approacheskeep it on the dry side Only water it enough to keep its pseudo-bulbs from shriveling Let the evening temperatures get downaround 50degF to 55degF (10degC to 13degC)
Figure 14-3 Dendrobium nobile var virginale is a white form of this popular dendrobium
Chapter 14 Significant Others 215
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Some people have described the fragrance of these orchids asbeing like honey or musk during the day and mown hay at night
Dendrobium kingianumThis dendrobium is wonderfully tough mdash it can withstand tempera-tures down to 35degF (16degC) mdash and easy to grow and itrsquos just start-ing to get its due This Australian native was once considered aldquoweedrdquo among some orchid growers because it is such a rapidgrower Now itrsquos getting new respect as more people are becomingaware of how easy and forgiving it is to grow and bloom and asmany new flower color forms are appearing
The usual flower is small up to about 1 to 11frasl2 inches (25 to 4 cm)in shades of pink borne in 8-inch (20-cm) sprays of about a dozenflowers (see Figure 14-4) The newer selections include darkpurple purple-blue white striped and a whole range of combina-tions of these This orchid varies considerable in its growth habitfrom a few inches (5 cm) to almost 16 inches (50 cm) tall
This orchid has a range of fragrances from hyacinth to lilac tohoney
Dendrobium kingianum requires a dry cool winter to bloomdependably Itrsquos an evergreen orchid that has attractive compactthick dark green foliage It readily forms keikis (baby plants) referto Chapter 8 to see how to handle them
Figure 14-4 Dendrobium kingianum has small crystalline flowers that are found in various shades of purple and pink
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 216
20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 216
Some other Dendrobiums worth consideringAfter yoursquove cut your teeth on the easier dendrobiums mentionedin the previous section try some of these
Dendrobium aggregatum This orchid and its cousinDendrobium jenkensii (shown in Figure 14-5) are dwarf plantsthat produce showers of 1-inch (25-cm) golden yellow honey-scented flowers with broad almost heart-shaped lips Theflowers appear in groups of two or three for Dendrobiumjenkensii more for Dendrobium aggregatum in the spring Thepseudobulbs are small 1 to 2 inches (25 to 5 cm) Theseplants are frequently grown on slabs and are best not trans-planted or divided often They make their most spectaculardisplay when they become large-sized plants
Dendrobium bellatulum This is another miniature plantonly reaching about 4 inches (10 cm) tall with one to three 11frasl2-inch (4-cm) white flowers with orange and red markings inthe lip The flowers have a fresh lemon fragrance
Dendrobium chrysotoxum This orchid has butter-yellowpineapple- or mango-scented 1-inch (25-cm) flowers withfringed lips and a darker orange throat that are displayed on a 12-inch (30-cm) flower spike (see Figure 14-6) The plant isevergreen and a compact grower
Figure 14-5 Dendrobium jenkensii is a miniature grower that blooms best if itrsquos transplanted very infrequently
Chapter 14 Significant Others 217
20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 217
Figure 14-6 Dendrobium chrysotoxum produces sprays of golden flowers with the scent of tropical fruit
Dendrobium loddigesii This is a compact grower thatreaches about 6 inches (15 cm) tall Itrsquos covered in the springwith 2-inch (5-cm) light-pink flowers with light-yellow lips that last about three weeks It has a rambling habit so itrsquosmost suited for mounting on a slab (see Chapter 7 for moreinformation)
Dendrobium scabrilingue This miniature growing only 3 to 5 inches (8 to 15 cm) high has been in bloom for me formonths Its starry white 1-inch (25-cm) flowers have a touchof light yellow in the center with a pleasant sweet fragrancethat reminds me of the white paste we used to use in elemen-tary school for our art projects
Dendrobium lawesii This is a screamer from the jungles ofNew Guinea with 1-inch (25-cm) bright red-orange waxy flow-ers tipped in yellow that are borne on leafless stems Itrsquos foundin several color forms and its floral brilliance and sweet scentmake it in high demand It needs a drier rest period during thewinter See the color photographs in the center of this book foran example
Thousands of dendrobium hybrids exist but many of them arebest suited for a very cool greenhouse In the following list I focuson a few that are particularly easy and are a reasonable size tohandle
Dendrobium Andreacute Millar (frequently misspelled ldquoMillerrdquo)Exotic green 11frasl2-inch (4-cm) flowers with lips prominentlyveined in dark maroon make this orchid a standout (see
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 218
20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 218
Figure 14-7) It apparently comes in two forms one very com-pact about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm) tall and the otherabout twice or more this height So if plant size is importantto you be sure to ask which form yoursquore buying
Figure 14-7 Dendrobium Andreacute Millar has flowers that have an almost alien look
Dendrobium Iki A great miniature that rarely grows higherthan 7 inches (20 cm) this orchid has attractive dark greenglossy evergreen foliage and charming 1-inch (25-cm) creamywhite flowers with red and orange in the lip It has the sweetfragrance of licorice
Dendrobium Jesmond Gem This dendrobium is merely repre-sentative of the many new hybrids that are coming into theUnited States from Australia Theyrsquore usually tough plants thatcan survive temperatures approaching freezing and in fact willusually bloom best if given a very cold period in the neighbor-hood of 40degF to 49degF (4degC to 8degC) If you have a very cool brightspot be on the lookout for these fine hybrids Jesmond Gemhas pristine white 2-inch (5-cm) sweet-smelling flowers withpurple specks on the lips and yellow stripes down the center ofthe lips It grows about 18 inches (45 cm) tall
Weird and Wonderful RelativesBulbophyllum
One of the many great aspects of the orchid world is that withtheir seemingly countless species and hybrids there is an orchid
Chapter 14 Significant Others 219
20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 219
out there that meets absolutely anyonersquos fancy For those whopursue the bizarre otherworldly and sometimes malodorous bul-bophyllums fill the bill perfectly You have to see (or smell) theseoddities to believe that they could exist Many are carrion flowersones that smell like rotting meat this is to attract their primarypollinators various types of flies Here are a few of the outstandingones that are not particularly difficult to grow
Bulbophyllum beccarii Contrary to the other orchids in thisbook this one is very difficult to grow but I simply had to letyou know about it because it is the ldquogrande stinkordquo of theorchid world This orchid is described as smelling like ldquo100dead elephants rotting in the sunrdquo This is not one you want to have in your living room Itrsquos considered to be one of themost spectacular bulbophyllums if you can stand the stenchIts leaves grow up to 2 feet (60 cm) so itrsquos usually grownmounted and it has small brown flowers with a purple blush
Bulbophyllum echinolabium Displaying a dramatic flowerthat can be 1 foot (30 cm) or more long this bulbophyllum has a dark-cream flower with mahogany stripes Itrsquos a compactgrower of about 6 to 8 inches (10 to 15 cm) tall (see Figure 14-8)
Bulbophyllum odoratissimum A miniature bulbophyllumthat grows to about 3 inches (8 cm) this orchid has petiteflowers of a dozen or more The flowers are yellow with a red-dish brown lip and actually smell pleasant
Bulbophyllum lobbii A jasmine-scented species this orchidis referred to as the ldquoQueen of Bulbophyllumsrdquo The 3- to 4-inch (75- to 10-cm) yellow flowers with purple mottling areborne singly The leaves are spatula-shaped and about 12inches (30 cm) long
Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis This is another stinker It hashuge leaves up to 4 to 6 feet (120 to 180 cm) long shaped likethose of phalaenopsis (thus the species name) Its flowers aredark red with yellow protuberances This huge plant is reallyonly happy in a greenhouse See the ldquoBeing stinky has itsrewardsrdquo sidebar for more information
Bulbophyllum rothschildianum One of the most spectacu-lar of the bulbophyllums this orchid has five or six flowers in acluster Each flower is about 1 inch (25 cm) wide and 7 inches(175 cm) long The flowers have yellow bases covered withdark red and darker maroon lips The plants grow about 12inches (30 cm) high (see Figure 14-9)
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 220
20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 220
Figure 14-8 Bulbophyllum echinolabium has a 1-foot-long (30-cm-long) flower which makes it one of the largest in the genus
Figure 14-9 Bulbophyllum rothschildianum has one of the most magnificent flowers of all bulbophyllums
Chapter 14 Significant Others 221
20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 221
Orchid Miscellanea All the RestHaving to give the rest of these fascinating orchids such little cov-erage is a shame but with so many orchids and so little space In the following sections I give very brief introductions to someexample plants in other genera that deserve your attention
CatasetumLooking closely at the shape of its showy flowers you can see howthe catasetum got tagged with its common name Monkey GobletMany hybrids of this orchid are available and theyrsquore relativelyeasy to grow
Catasetums are deciduous orchids which means they like to bewatered and fertilized copiously when theyrsquore in active growthand then kept on the dry side during the winter mdash stop wateringfor four to six weeks mdash until they start new growth in the spring
Catasetum Orchidglade was the first commercial catasetum hybridThis selection has up to 15 2-inch (5-cm) creamy white thick waxyflowers that are covered with red freckles It has a spicy fragranceand like other catasetums is usually grown in a basket It prefersrapid drainage the flowers are borne on pendulous sprays at thebottom of the plant (see Figure 14-10)
CochleanthesThis is a beguiling genus of orchids that is starting to get moreexposure Cochleanthes have very attractive glossy green foliageusually bloom more than once a year are easy to grow (preferringthe same growing conditions as phalaenopsis) and have exoticflowers
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 222
Being stinky has its rewardsAt the highly prestigious 2004 New York International Orchid Show a giganticmounted specimen of Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis shared the top honor with oneother orchid to be Co-Grand Champion and also received a Certificate of CulturalExcellence from The American Orchid Society This plant was said to be valued atthousands of dollars
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Figure 14-10 Catasetum Orchidglade has pendulous flowers and pleated foliage typical of catasetums
Cochleanthes amazonica has white 2-inch (5-cm) rose- or candy-scented flowers with vivid dark purple veins on the impressiveflared lip A hybrid of this species called Amazing has very simi-lar but somewhat larger flowers (see the color photographs in thecenter of this book for an example) The plant grows about 8inches tall
Be sure to keep the potting material damp or the leaves willbecome pleated
Cochleanthes discolor is another fine species that has 2-inch (5-cm)cream-colored flowers with a mauve cupped lip It grows about 8inches (20 cm) tall and has a cedar or candy fragrance
Cochleanthes Moliere is a hybrid of Cochleanthes amazonica andCochleanthes discolor It is a marriage with a spectacular result 2-inch (5-cm) flowers with white petals tipped with pink and a hugecontrasting dramatic purple lip
Chapter 14 Significant Others 223
20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 223
CoelogyneA genus of about 100 species found in Asia coelogyne orchids areusually fragrant Most of them do best in medium to high light inintermediate temperatures some from mountainous areas like itcooler Most of them grow and look best when theyrsquore permitted to grow to a large size not divided
Coelogyne cristata is one of the popular species of this group It dis-plays white banana-scented flowers that are about 3 inches (8 cm)wide with a white lip with yellow markings
Because of its rambling habit Coelogyne cristata is best grown intoa large plant in a basket or mounted (see Figure 14-11) Coelogyneintermedia has white fruity-scented flowers with a yellow throat andgrows to about 8 inches (20 cm) tall Coelogyne intermedia shouldbe kept on the damp side or the foliage will become pleated
Figure 14-11 Coelogyne cristata makes a beautiful sight as a large well-grown plant
CymbidiumsCymbidiums are popular as corsage orchids because they last for such a long time even after theyrsquove been cut from the plantThanks to modern orchid breeding these orchids are now avail-able in a vast array of colors mdash some with markings on the lipsothers with totally clear flowers and lips The ones that mostpeople are familiar with are the ldquostandardrdquo cymbidiums
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20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 224
A full-size plant in complete flower is a jaw dropper However theseplants can get 2 to 4 feet (60 to 120 cm) or more tall and wide mdashtheyrsquore serious space hogs Also some of the standard varietiesrequire very cool and bright conditions for them to perform at theirbest
The most common complaint of amateur cymbidium growers isthat the plants grow fine but they donrsquot flower If this sounds famil-iar yoursquore probably giving your cymbidium too little light or notgiving it the cool evening temperature of 45degF to 50degF (7degC to 10degC)that it needs in order to trigger the formation of flower buds
Newer more-compact plants with a warmer temperature toleranceare appearing all the time so life for the hobbyist cymbidium loveris getting easier These smaller plants are referred to as ldquominiaturerdquobut be aware that this is a relative term ldquoMiniaturerdquo cymbidiumsstill reach about 2 feet (60 cm) tall but can be managed in a 6- to 8-inch (15- to 20-cm) pot
Standard cymbidium hybrids are very popular as outside orchidsin mild areas like Southern California Theyrsquore grown successfullyin many places as long as they have enough light cool eveningsand space The newer ones such as Cymbidium Solana Rose(shown in Figure 14-12) have very full round flowers
Figure 14-12 Cymbidium Solana Rose is a soft pink standard variety that exemplifies the new hybrid cymbidiums with large round flowers in pastel shades
Cymbidium Golden Elf is a 21frasl2-inch (6-cm) clear bright-yellow-floweredminiature variety with four to six flowers per spike Its size is moremanageable for most home growers This one can bloom several
Chapter 14 Significant Others 225
20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 225
times a year and is more tolerant of warmth The lightly rose-scentedflowers last for about two weeks
LycasteA deciduous plant lycaste orchids have pleated foliage and trian-gular flowers Many of them have a tantalizing fragrance They likegood air circulation cool evenings of 45degF to 55degF (7degC to 13degC)and frequent and heavy waterings during the summer growingseason They should be kept on the dry side during the winter
Lycaste Aquilea lsquoDeacutetentersquo FCCAOS is a prize-winner with a 4-inch(10-cm) peachy colored flower that has a sweet floral fragrance
Lycaste aromatia has sunny lemon yellow cinnamon-scented 21frasl2-inch (6-cm) flowers borne in groups of up to 30 or 40 on a compactplant mdash all of which makes this easy-to-grow species very popular
If Lycaste aromatia is grown in bright light the flowers have a moreintense color
ZygopetalumOh what a heavenly fragrance these have When only one floweringzygopetalum plant is in a room it smells like a bed of hyacinths Mostof the zygopetalums have similar color markings mdash usually greenpetals barred in dark maroon or brown with a very broad and promi-nent white lip with dark purple or pink (see Figure 14-13) Theyrsquoreeasy to grow and perform well on an eastern or southern windowsill
Figure 14-13 A zygopetalum hybrid with typical markings
Part III The Best Orchids for Rookies 226
20_567594 ch14qxd 12405 903 PM Page 226
Part IVThe Part of Tens
21_567594 pt04qxd 12405 933 PM Page 227
In this part
Here I target four of the most burning issues amateurorchidists frequently ask me What are the easiest
orchids to grow What is the most common ways orchidsare killed What are the most frequently asked questionsabout orchids and their culture Why donrsquot my orchidsbloom In this part I give you some straightforwardanswers to these sometimes perplexing questions andissues so your orchid growing will be smooth sailing
I remember my father buying me my first orchid plantwhen we were on a family vacation in Florida How excit-ing that moment was for me It was rare in those days 40years ago to find a place that sold orchid plants and sup-plies unless you traveled to Florida or California Most ofthe northern growers produced orchids for cut flowersnot as pot plants With the relatively recent strong surgeof interest in orchids as houseplants the situation is nowmuch different
If you live in even a medium-size city in the United Statesyoursquoll have access to at least a modest selection of orchidsand their supplies at your local garden center or home-improvement center Still for a more complete offering ofmore unusual or desirable varieties you may want to take atrip to an orchid grower or buy from mail order suppliersIn the appendix I give you a list of dependable and rep-utable companies that offer plants and growing supplies
I also give you contacts that you can make in order to joina national orchid society or to find your local chapterRubbing shoulders with other folks who share your pas-sion for orchids is great fun
21_567594 pt04qxd 12405 933 PM Page 228
Chapter 15
The Ten (or So) EasiestOrchids to Grow
In This Chapter Finding the orchid thatrsquos right for you
Choosing an orchid that grows well where you live
Throughout this book I let you know about orchids that are nottemperamental or especially demanding but the orchids in
this chapter are some of the most satisfying to grow because oftheir high performance and low maintenance
For more specific cultural information on these orchids and otherssee the chapters in Part III
Twinkle Moth Orchid(Phalaenopsis Twinkle)
There are so many excellent moth orchids around that finding aldquobadrdquo one would be a challenge In recent years the breeders ofmoth orchids have reached a high level of perfection with theseflowers which means that the ones you buy at the discount centerfor $20 to $30 would have been prize winners several years ago
The Twinkle moth orchid is not the typical large white pink orstriped variety It represents a somewhat newer direction for mothorchids mdash the multifloral type that has many smaller flowers up toabout 2 inches (5 cm) in size on a very compact plant The largermoth orchids are gorgeous and elegant but take up quite a bit ofroom so if yoursquore looking for something more compact check outthis multifloral type
22_567594 ch15qxd 12405 935 PM Page 229
You donrsquot need to get this specific variety of moth orchid Just findone thatrsquos listed as a multifloral type (also sometimes referred toas ldquosweetheartrdquo phalaenopsis)
Lady of the Night (Brassavolanodosa)
This native of Mexico got its common name from its gloriousfreesia evening scent It grows best in strong light with warm tem-peratures and will reward you with single or clusters of white spi-dery flowers up to 6 inches (15 cm) across which can appear a fewtimes a year
Lady of the Night is a very compact-growing orchid with tubularleaves Itrsquos usually not more than a foot tall and grows in clumps It will perform best if it isnrsquot divided and is allowed to grow into a nice large plant
Maudiae Ladyrsquos Slipper Orchid(Paphiopedilum Maudiae)
Most Asian ladyrsquos slipper orchids as a group are among the easiestof orchids to grow but this type stands out as especially undemand-ing The flowers are exotic and either have dramatic burgundy mark-ings or are elegantly colored in green and white (see the colorsection of photographs for an example)
Even when this plant is not in flower its foliage is stunning with itsmarbled pattern against a dark green base These orchids do wellin modest light and normal room temperatures They only growabout 8 to 10 inches (203 to 254 cm) tall so they fit easily on anywindowsill or under lights To see these plants really shine letthem get larger and develop multiple growths which wonrsquot takelong because theyrsquore so robust
Cockleshell Orchid (Epidendrumcochleatum)
This is one of the most resilient of orchids mdash it seems to keepblooming despite less-than-ideal conditions One of the orchids
Part IV The Part of Tens 230
22_567594 ch15qxd 12405 935 PM Page 230
naturally found in Florida this Cockleshell orchid has fascinatingflowers that appear to look upside-down The ldquocockleshellrdquo part ofthe flower is striped with purple veins against a light green back-ground and the rest of the flower consists of segments that arenarrow green and somewhat spidery looking After this orchid is established it will bloom multiple times in a row so it can haveflowers for six months or longer It grows well under lights or on a bright windowsill
Sharry Baby Oncidium (OncidiumlsquoSharry Babyrsquo)
This is thought to be the single most popular orchid in the worldAnd itrsquos not difficult to see why It has a great deal to offer anyorchid lover
Sharry Baby blooms dependably mdash usually around Christmastime mdashand when it does yoursquore treated to a flurry of many 1frasl2-inch (15-cm)flowers that are yellow overlaid with burgundy covering a spike ofup to 30 inches (75 cm) What a show
And the piece de resistance is that the flowers have the deliciousfragrance of chocolate and vanilla
Because this orchid can get tall place it near a sunny window thathas some headroom Many different color forms of this wildly pop-ular orchid are available
Bird-Beak Orchid (Oncidiumornithorhynchum)
Everyone has room for this Mexican beauty Its dainty 1-inch (25-cm) lavender-pink flowers with bright yellow centers and whitelips are borne in profusion (up to 100 on a mature plant) on thinpendulous sprays
Because this plant only grows 6 to 8 inches tall (15 to 20 cm) it canfit on any windowsill or under lights It will sometimes bloom morethan once a year mdash usually in the spring occasionally in the fall mdashand has a scent that reminds me of a fresh morningrsquos air
Chapter 15 The Ten (or So) Easiest Orchids to Grow 231
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