Orchid Care Tips Blog

I’ve launched a new Website in the last couple weeks, http://california-plants.com/. Many of you know about my experience with Orchids. What I don’t talk about is my experience with other plants. When I was young, I ran a plant nursery. Ever since, I’ve grown many kinds of plants, trees and shrubs, whether as a hobby or for sale. http://california-plants.com/ is a Website about indoor and outdoor plants, trees, shrubs, and more. Although the focus is California, most things covered on the Website can apply to many other states.

Orchid Care Expert - A Practical Guide to Orchid Care was a good read, and very informative. It is a good book for the beginner or advanced home Orchid grower. The author of this book studied many fellow orchid experts, read a huge amount, and tested techniques. This book is an eBook, featured for sale only here.

One of my favorite Orchid shows is coming up not too long from now. Pacific Orchid Exposition brings growers, hybridizers and Orchid hobbyists from around the world to San Francisco again this year. The theme this year will be “Green with Envy” and the show is March 6-8, 2009. The show takes up this whole building in this Google satellite image. Of the three buildings filling this screen, the show is in the one on the right: http://maps.google.com/maps?ie=UTF8&q=fort+mason+center+san+francisco&fb=1&cid=0,0,15252151596118203374&ll=37.808313,-122.429945&spn=0.003043,0.004828&t=h&z=18

The show is always a lot of fun to look through displays for a couple of hours and then go to the selling tables. The displays from top growers feature Orchids you would want to find and grow for your home and those plants you probably will never find to buy as well. The selling area has terrific deals.

I personally got involved in Pacific Orchid Exposition about ten years ago when I worked for Rod McLellan Company, “Acres of Orchids”. As their Orchid Expert, I got to design the company exhibit for a number of years. I would also choose plants to show in the exhibit. One year, because one of my passions is ballroom dancing, the theme I created was a 1920’s ballroom. We had dancers projected on a stage as if performing. Orchids surrounded the ballroom. Another year, the theme was Indiana Jones and the Temple of Bloom! We had a Mayan style pyramid with fog rolling down from the top. Out of cracks in the pyramid were Orchids. At the top of the pyramid was a gold Orchid, the final goal for the ultimate explorer to reach!

You can learn more here about the pacific Orchid Exposition 2009. Enjoy!

This article I just posted on Orchid Care Tips is all about interesting reasons to grow Orchids in general, Wild Orchids, Young Orchids, etc.

These are the top 15 orchids to grow outside in my opinion. Some of these are general kinds of orchids while others are specific named varieties.

1. Cymbidiums - Cymbidiums are the most popular outside orchids to grow. The flowers of Cymbidiums bloom in spring provided the right amount of light is supplied for the orchid. Moisture is another key factor to grow these orchids successfully.
2. Dendrobiums - These orchids can be grown in sheltered areas or greenhouses with preferred temperatures ranging from 60° to 80° F. Although they like some constant moisture at the roots, they do like to almost dry out between waterings. They prefer bright light. Dendrobiums can be grown outside only when there is a mix of sun and shade, and temperatures are similar to those in Santa Barbara, CA.
3. Epidendrums (Reed Stem Epidendrums) - Enough sunlight will be something your Reed Stem Epidendrum enjoys.These can be grown in pots or wooden boxes.
4. Lycastes - These orchids are becoming well liked by growers precisely because they have longer lasting flowers than most other kinds of orchids. Lycaste orchids are mainly epiphytes and also lithophytes. This means, becuase of adverse conditions these orchids are used to, they are easy to grow. In terms of temperature and humidity, Lycaste orchids can endure 90 degrees Fahrenheit only with appropriate air circulation. With the right amount of sunlight, these flowers bloom with full glory.
5. Paphiopedilums - Paphiopedilums, also known as Lady Slippers, can be easy to grow provided they are given with the right moisture. In potting Paphiopedilums, make sure that the fine bark is kept damp to provide just the right moisture this orchid needs. These orchids prefer shade rather than direct sunlight.
6. Zygopetalums - Like Cymbidiums, these orchids should always be moist. Most people mistake moist for being wet so make sure that when watering Zygopetalums, avoid overwatering. These orchids are mostly left outdoors in warm climates. These orchids are tolerant of temperature changes. Too much sunlight can cause decreased flowering. Vigilant watering during winter is required.
7. Masdevallias - These orchids grow better in cooler climates. The colder the setting, to a point, the more the healthier these orchids grow. Masdevallias love to grow in the shade, but not in the sun. Masdevallias can be seen in nature growing in Central and South America as well in Mexico.
8. Bletilla Striata or Chinese Ground Orchids - Nominal care is required for the Chinese Ground orchid. It can actually stand a low temperature as far as 10 degrees Fahrenheit. These orchids prefer shade more than direct sunlight. The chance of these orchids surviving outside is much higher than that for most other orchids due to their tolerance of both warm and cold climates.
9. Angraecum Longiscott ‘Hihimanu’ - This orchid can grow well on the patio with fairly moderate conditions. These orchids prefer shade.
10. Odontocidium Tiger Butter x Odondioda Rustic Red - So much like the Angraecum Longiscott ‘Hihimanu’, this orchid must be placed in the shadiest part of your garden if grown in moderate conditions.
11. Bardendrum Desert Rose - This orchid is a cross of a Barkeria and an Epidendrum. Being a cross of the said orchids, the plant provides the aesthetic combination of both the Barkeria and Epidendrum. The plant mimics the long stem of an Epidendrum while the flowers are similar to a Barkeria.
12. Stenoglottis Longifolia ‘Heidi’ - The Stenoglottis Longifolia ‘Heidi’ grows most during springtime. During the winter, this orchid becomes dormant and at quick glance this orchid may seem dead. However, when springtime approaches, the Stenoglottis longifolia ‘Heidi’ will once again start to bloom.
13. Ascofinetia Cherry Blossom ‘Orange’ - This orchid is a hybrid of Vancaceous orchids and Neofinetia Falcatas. This combination has given the orchid exceptional tolerance in dealing with the cold.
14. Miltonias - The Miltonia, or Pansy orchid, is very popular among growers because they are very prolific. These orchids bloom during spring and fall. Miltonias like to stay moist at the roots.
15. Brassavola Cucullata - A walk during the night near these orchids will prove to be a good walk. These orchids are exceptionally fragrant at night.

Orchids can be amazing to grow. I know because I was the main hybridizer and Orchid expert at Rod McLellan Company just over 10 years ago. I managed greenhouses, a staff, gave over 250 talks to large groups, did R&D, traveled and liased with other Orchid growers and experts, trained with Orchid hybridizers from around the world, wrote for trade journal articles, trained staff members in Orchid care, did photography, worked on marketing, created layouts and more. This was the world’s largest Orchid company at the time, with over 400 employees and hundreds of thousands of Orchids at any given time.

5 Reasons to Grow Orchids

1. Orchids have class. They are sophisticated and interesting.
2. Orchids are beautiful. They come in most colors, and flower sizes range from the head of a pin to the size of a person’s head.
3. There is a huge variety. There are over 100,000 hybrids and well over 30,000 species.
4. Grow Orchids if you like growing plants. Most Orchids are indoor plants in most areas of the US, but in some areas, certain Orchids can be grown outside.
5. Grow Orchids if you like working with a plant that is more popular than most other plants. There are many Orchid enthusiasts, shows, judges, etc.

5 Reasons Not to Grow Orchids

1. You don’t have $10-100 US to buy a plant.
2. You don’t like plants.
3. You don’t like watering plants.
4. You like outdoor plants but not indoor plants. In most areas of the US, most Orchids are indoor plants.
5. You like another plant more than Orchids.

So lets say you want to buy the perfect Orchid for yourself or a loved one. Here are six ways I would recommend you can find that perfect Orchid.

1. Excellent. Go to an Orchid Show display booths and selling booths and compare.
   Wait for the next big Orchid show. For example, every year in San Francisco Pacific Orchid Exposition (POE) happens. I would go to the show, look around the displays and note prolific or beautiful Orchids in the displays. Here you will see Orchids growing and flowering at their best. Go to the sellers booths or tables who set up the displays and see what their plants for sale look like. If they look well grown and taken care of, go ahead and purchase.
2. Excellent. Go to an Orchid Show selling booths.
   Same as number one, but just go through selling booths. If an Orchid looks great in terms of growing and flowering at a small size, you know it will look at least that good as it increases in size over the years. pay close attention to the general look and feel of plants by each grower. Some growers have plants with weak roots or leaves. Some have waxed the leaves. Some have exposed their plants to cold on the way into the show. Look for this by finding yellowing buds.
3. Very good. Niche stores.
   Go to a high quality store or flower nursery. Don’t just buy the one Orchid that looks the best. First, take careful note how all their Orchids look. Do you see bud blast? Do you see many withering flowers from care problems? Are the roots drying out? What you want to ensure is that you can tell they have been taking care of all of their Orchids well in house. The reason here is that Orchids can be slow to react. You may have an Orchid that looks great the day you buy it and one week later reacts to bad care conditions that happened to it before you bought it, such as sunburn on leaves, bud blast or withering flowers.
4. Ok to great depending on what you find. Grocery stores, department stores, etc.
   If you go to any grocery store, Home Depot, Trader Joes, Target, Walmart or other larger store, pay careful attention to how their Orchids look. Do they look good overall? Are they at the beginning or end of their blooming? How do the roots look? Although you can get a good deal here, make sure you get a good quality plant so you do not need to spend months or years bringing a plant back to health.
5. The best. Orchid growers.
   Orchid growers. If you go to the store at an Orchid Nursery, this can be great. Look up local orchid nurseries. They will probably have some great plants to choose from for sale. This is because their staff are used to caring for Orchids. They probably took Orchids directly out of greenhouses and put them in the sales room. That means no care or condition issues. In addition, there is a good chance people working in the sales area have a lot of Orchids and love them. That way they can give you tips and you know you are getting a good plant.
6. Pretty good. Orchid Enthusiasts.
   Some Orchid enthusiasts or members or Orchid Societies will sell their plants. You’ll find many care tips and such here. But, be careful. Since Orchids can have Orchid virus. The longer someone has cared at home for the Orchid, the more chance they could have cut the leaves of an orchid with virus without sterilizing and transmitted the virus to another plant.

These are the categories and items to look out for with Orchid problems.

• Over watering - Too much watering can kill Orchid roots over time. More often people over water than under water. Too much watering is clearly seen with mushy liquid roots. Too little watering at the roots usually shows in crispy, brown, black, dried out roots.
• Too much light -Orchid leaves with too much light are often light green through yellow. Sometimes sunburn can be seen blistering the middle of leaves.
• Too little light - Orchid leaves will be dark green, plant probably has issues getting to blooming stage.
• Too much fertilizer - Orchids that have been fertilized too much often have fertilizer crystals in the media built up. Too much fertilizer used for Orchids can result in dropped blooms or wilting flowers.
• Flowers dropping - Bud blast can happen from temperatures too cold, too hot or pollution.

In coming months I will often be publishing this series of Top 100 Orchid Tips. Topics will range from broad to specific, on many topics all about Orchids.

They say flowers mean something. You just do not give whatever flower you see at a flower shop, but you take time to choose and make the perfect selection not just for the occasion but for the recipient of the flowers. Knowing the meanings will amplify the significance of the rite of giving flowers.

There are many kinds of flowers, so many that it can be mind boggling which to choose.

Orchids are very popular. Orchids never fail to amuse a person, as many stare in awe at how exotic and beautiful they are. Orchids have become a popular choice to give for all occasions. Orchids undoubtedly have become the perfect gift.

Earlier said, flowers have meanings. Yes, it’s tempting to choose orchids over other plants. But, before deciding if this is the perfect flower, let’s check what orchids can mean.

Historically, orchids are related to the concepts of love, wealth, and beauty. Such meanings to the flower are easy to believe given the impression an orchid has to people.

Why love? Coming from Greek word “orchis”, which denotes “testicle”, orchid flower signifies ecstasy. It is given this name due to its tuberoids which seemingly play an image of the testicles. Orchids to the eyes of the ancient Greeks meant virility. Ancient Greeks even believed that orchids can determine the sex of their unborn child. How so? If the father eats Orchids with large tubers, the child will be probably a boy. Otherwise the child will be a girl. Illogical it may sound, but the Ancient Greeks believed it so.

The exoticness and rarity of orchids, on the other hand, led to Victorian England viewing orchids as a symbol of luxury. Although nowadays orchids can be grown almost in any part of the world, these flowers were known as tropical plants. Facilities to maintain or to grow orchids for Victorian England must have been costly. The fact that the flower is rare assumed its lavish place.

Some orchids, such as the Vanilla Orchid, are viewed as medicinal, symbolizing health. This belief led Aztecs to drink Vanilla Orchid blended with chocolate. They believed that taking in the Vanilla Orchid would provide them strength and power. Even the Chinese have this notion for the orchid to cure lung illnesses.

There are varying meanings attributed to Orchids. All the meanings are based from their physical appearance, translating into an intangible concept universal to everyone who ever gets a sight of this magnificent flower. Giving an orchid as a gift can provide a lasting impression to the recipient as, an impression perhaps greater than they would have expected.