My Orchids Which Stay in Bloom the Longest
Given the right growing conditions, some orchids can flower for a really long time. I have bragging rights for a few reliable and consistent plants in my collection. Pictured in the first row of photos above, my grand champion is the red Epidendrum which has bloomed continuously for 23 years. Living outdoors, it endures strong winds, chilly weather, heat waves, hail, and pests, but never stops flowering. The plant constantly produces new blossoms as old ones drop.
My second-place super-bloomer is Scaphoseaplum verrucosum, which also grows outdoors. Its tiny yellow flowers belie its toughness. This mini pleurothallid lives in a sheltered spot under a Camellia tree, but still must endure the elements. It flowers for years at a time, only rarely taking a break. Its last pause was a dozen years ago.
The remaining long-term bloomers in this post are indoor plants. Moth Orchids are well known for their extended bloom periods, and mine routinely flower for two years or more. Whenever they stop, I take advantage of their brief breaks to repot them.
Little Lepanthes regularis may look too delicate to be a super-bloomer, but mine has been going for almost two years. It’s another pleurothallid with staying power.
My incredible Spider Orchid, a fragrant Brassia hybrid, blooms twice a year, usually for two months each time. With enormous blossoms that can stretch over 14 inches (35.6 cm) tall, they’re certainly the biggest orchid flowers I have.
Paphs, or Lady Slipper orchids, are also known for long-lasting flowers. Many varieties can bloom for two months. My plant, shown in the final picture above, is an unnamed hybrid which came from a grocery store. Last year, it remained in bloom for four months, an extra long display.
Understanding care needs is essential to parent a super-bloomer. I give my orchids as much light as they can tolerate. Good watering, fertilizing, and humidity are required. I think it helps that our climate on the Northern California coast is mild. Temperatures are almost always between 40°F – 80°F (4.4°C – 26.7°C,) and extreme temps are rare, although hot weather is definitely becoming more common. I don’t know how much longer we’ll be able to enjoy a moderate environment. But until then, I’m going to try to keep these orchids blooming.
Explore posts in the same categories: Fragrant Orchids, Growing, Mini Orchids, Misc, Photos
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