I maintain, at this point anyway, that I am not an orchid collector. I purchase one here and there, usually on clearance or some extraordinarily low price. After all, I only have twelve orchids in total. Ask anyone who obsesses over orchids...they would burst into laughter at anyone who might consider me a collector. However, I'm learning more and more about this fantastic group of plants (the largest family of flowering plants with up to 20,000 species and about 800 genera - and the number continues to grow as new discoveries are made) and am enjoying an elevated interest on a consistant basis. That's a bunch of words for, "I like them a lot!"
Christiera Shariffa Alsagoff orchid 3/11/2011
My current collection began with an innocent birthday gift from a co-worker - a lovely Dendrobium (den-DROH-bee-um) with a fantastic spray of purple blooms.
Dendrobium spray October 2010
In between blooming, it's actually quite unattractive with lanky, primarily leafless stalks. However, the blooms are unmistakenly spectacular and occur every year without fail for my birthday! Additionally, the blooms are long lasting and present their violet show for 1-1/2 to 2 months. Awesome!! In general, Dendrobium is a diverse genus with many different cultural needs. Some types go through growth periods as well as rest periods, and their environment must reflect these needs. Flowers can last a single day (boo!) to many weeks, like mine.
New pseudobulb 4/15/2011
They prefer warm nights and medium light with a rest period in the cooler winter months where they do not require as much water, nutrients and light.
Since obtaining my first orchid, I've added to my collection, turning away from many phenominal specimens due to their equally phenominal price tags. However, my current collection has been acquired on a very low budget. They are, for the most part, common orchids and primarily easy to grow. I have several variations of Phalaenopsis (fayl-eh-NOP-siss), or the Moth Orchid. They are easy to identify by their large ear-shaped, low growing leaves and tall bloom stalks.
Candy Stripe Phalaenopsis are a fairly recent development.
This is probably the easiest orchid to grow indoors as average home temperatures and conditions are usually sufficient. Phals like bright light with little or no sun. In general, higher temperatures require higher humidity for the plant to flourish.
Phalaenopsis Maraldee 'Krull Smith'
Phals also like their water, as they have no major water-storage organs other than their leaves...do not let them dry out, but don't keep them soggy. I have a few different varieties of Phalaenopsis.
The leaves all look alike, but the blooms are different. In South Florida, you can find them in roadside stands advertised for "5 for $20" or similar.
Last year, I found a mini Oncidium (on-SID-ee-um) on the clearance rack at a big-box store. It needed some TLC but has come along quite nicely. I've never seen a bloom and the tag doesn't give any inclination of the specific variety, so I will wait to find out.
Until then, I give it the proper care required of Oncidiums in general. I say "in general" as this genus is an extraordinarily large and diverse New World genus with an equally diverse number of habitats. Oncidiums originate anywhere from sea level in the tropics to the high elevations of the Andes. I have come to know that if you want to be a successful orchid grower, you must replicate the plant's origin. A plant that is accustomed to growing at 9,000 feet will not do well in my tropical sea level environment. So, given the diversity, I take the middle road as most Oncidiums will thrive with one to several hours of sun a day. Thicker leaved plants can stand more light than others. As far as watering, typically, plants with large fleshy roots or leaves need less-frequent watering than thin-leaved or thin-rooted plants. Many take a rest when they are not actively growing; during this period, they require less water and nutrients. You can see blooms and read more
here.
I have three
Vandas (VAN-dah). Actually, one is a cross with other orchid varieties and a Vanda...but it looks like one, regardless.
Christiera Shariffa Alsagoff orchid
Another was purchased for $5 from a local landscaper who has little-to-no time for the orchids he has acquired from clients. Many look dead and hopeless but will pop back to life given some care.
Mine has visible new root growth since obtaining it about 1-1/2 months ago, which is amazing to me! (I guess I'm doing something right!)
I've potted a third, young Vanda in a slatted wood container, although I don't know what the bloom will look like for several more years. As for light requirements, Vandas, unlike other orchid types, enjoy full sun. Yes, even nasty summer hot South Florida sun...all day long! This is not the delicate flower I've heard about all my life, although the blooms are absolutely spectacular. This is a hardy, tough plant that actually requires the full sun to produce the spectacular blooms that make this plant special. Of course, many plants are grown in green houses and may need to be acclimatized to avoid burn. All of my Vandas have recieved dappled light amidst the Areca Palms, but I am moving them in order to provide more sun for better blooms, as directed by my local orchid society. As for water, because these plants usually have free hanging, long roots, they should be watered every day. The roots should become green and plump during each watering.
I am fortuanate to have a native Florida orchid named an Encyclia tampensis (en-SIKE-lee-ah), or better known as the "butterfly orchid" of South Florida and the Bahamas.
Young Encyclia radicans naturally occurring in a palm trunk
The pseudobulbs cluster to form mats supporting leathery leaves up to 15' long while the 1" flowers are fragrant and pretty. I do not have a photo of mine in bloom yet as it's still quite young. However, the sepals and petals are brownish-green to apple-green and the lip is white with a magenta spot. You can see it
here.
I also recently purchased the Potinara Hoku Gem 'Freckles'. I've posted about this orchid recently, as I enjoyed it's bloom for the very first time.
The Potinara is actually a Cattleya hybrid; it's a cross between Brassavola, Laelia, Sophronitis and Cattleya. WOW! Since I recently posted about this beauty, I won't go on and on about it here. However, you can check out my post by clicking
here if you'd like.
Some orchids are terrestrial including the beautiful Epidendrum (eh-pi-DEN-drum). This genus is large but not as confusing as some of the others. There are two main types: those with reedlike stems and those with pseudobulbs. I have the reedlike stem kind, Epidendrum radicans to be specific.
My friend, Adina, at
Manure Depot gave me my first cuttings from her personal garden! Passalongs are so special because your friends always have a place in your garden and are thus remembered with such kind, warm thoughts. Isn't that great? OK...I digress. Anyway, this orchid is very easy to grow. In fact, they are known to be able to take plenty of abuse or neglect while continuing to thrive and bloom. Again, this is NOT the delicate little bloom I've heard about all my life! The blossoms cluster at the end of 15" stems and open into fiery red blooms, blooming heavily over a long period of time.
Another terrestrial orchid is the ground orchid, or Spathoglottis plicata. The arching broad leaves emerge from pseudobulbs. The bloom clusters emerge at the end of long stalks. The blooms range in color from purple to white to pink and yellow, but mine are the more common purple.
A co-worker provided me with several pots of these lovely orchids several years ago. Admittedly, the plants have struggled from time to time, but I simply relocated them until they were finally happy. They enjoy bright light and some full sun in my garden, although they are not fond of the hot afternoon sun.
And yet another terrestrial orchid, the Monk orchid or Oeceoclades maculata, is locally considered invasive, although I keep it on my screened patio where it cannot spread.
Mine were found on a construction job site, as well as beneath overgrowth on my own property. You can read more about it
here as well as see photos of the bloom (mine haven't bloomed yet).
Cattleyas (KAT-lee-ah) are among the most popular orchids and is best known for corsages. Alas, I do not have any of this variety...YET! Give me a chance!! However, remember that my Potinara Hoku Gem is cross with a Cattleya, if that counts.
I'm in love a purple mottled leaf orchid that has been hybridized to grow at sea level, even though it originates in high altitudes. However, a small young version runs around $35-$40. Another I have my eye on is a Zygopetalum as the blooms are intensely scented and very long lasting. Their flowers are also quite dramatic with variations in color and pattern including deep reds and purples.
But, again, I would like to reiterate that I only have twelve orchids...at this time. I do hope to provide detailed information relatively soon regarding the two types I eye from time to time at my local orchid nursery. But for now, and then, too, I will continue to enjoy the lovely blooms my orchids bestow upon me throughout the year.
Do you have a favorite orchid or orchid collection?
