Archive for the 'Problems' Category
Saturday, November 27th, 2010
Last week’s wacky weather wasn’t limited to a mini heatwave; we also had a hailstorm. San Francisco’s mild weather seldom falls below freezing, but winter storms occasionally bring hail. It rarely does damage in our garden. After a powerful storm was punctuated by noisy hailstones, I saw that the leaves of the Brugmansia had been […]
Categories: Cool Growers, Growing, Growing Orchids in San Francisco, Photos, Problems
Comments: 6 Comments
Monday, November 15th, 2010
Often I like to point out that many orchids are easy to grow, but some varieties deserve their difficult reputations. For example, this purple and white Comparettia ranks as one of the fussier members of the orchid family. It may resemble a simple Oncidium, but don’t be fooled. Cultivating these blooms takes some work. This Comparettia […]
Categories: Intermediate Growers, Mini Orchids, Photos, Problems
Comments: 5 Comments
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
Most people prefer to keep their orchids alive, but some people are dead-set on killing them. If that’s you, then you’ll enjoy this handy list of tried-and-true orchid destruction tips. If you prefer to keep your orchids alive, avoid these common mistakes: Overwatering — This is a quick, easy, and common assassination method. Excess water […]
Categories: Fertilizing, Growing, Problems, Watering
Comments: 7 Comments
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010
A keiki is a baby orchid that grows as an offshoot of its mother plant. Keiki is the Hawaiian word for baby or child, and it’s pronounced “kay-kee.” Besides their Hawaiian name, they’re sometimes called aerials or plantlets. By growing keikis, orchids can reproduce without flowering and seeding. Some orchid varieties are more likely to […]
Categories: Growing, Photos, Problems
Comments: 8 Comments
Tuesday, June 15th, 2010
When trying to fight insect pests, remember that some of your best allies are other insects. For every aphid, mite, or beetle munching on a flower bud, there are hungry ladybugs, dragonflies, and spiders looking for lunch. These and many other beneficial insects work for free, have no toxic side effects, and only wish to […]
Categories: Growing, Photos, Problems
Comments: 8 Comments
Saturday, June 12th, 2010
When local meteorologists use the phrase “offshore flow,” it’s going to heat up here in the San Francisco Bay Area. Orchid growers on the coast, like me, normally take advantage of the cool fog flowing off the Northern Pacific to maintain good humidity. Those moderate conditions allow many orchid varieties to grow outdoors all year. […]
Categories: Growing, Growing Orchids in San Francisco, Problems
Comments: 8 Comments
Wednesday, April 14th, 2010
As the days grow longer with spring, the season brings some orchid chores, including repotting. Orchid repotting can be intimidating for beginning growers, so in addition to the basics, I have a few more hints to help: Orchids that have just finished blooming often enter a cycle of new leaf and root growth. This is […]
Categories: Growing, Problems
Comments: 6 Comments
Saturday, March 13th, 2010
Northern gardeners who are enduring a long and snowy winter may take some solace that spring is arriving in San Francisco. The old Japanese Maple in the back garden is leafing out, and the leaves of my Sobralia have turned light green, telling me that the sun is strengthening. We had to endure some chilly […]
Categories: Dormancy, Fertilizing, Growing, Problems, Watering
Comments: 7 Comments
Friday, January 15th, 2010
People often ask me whether to water their orchids with ice cubes. While I know using ice can work for some orchids, I advise against it. Cold water can damage flowers, leaves, and roots. Most commonly sold orchids originate from the tropics, where they never experience anything close to freezing temps. Even orchids that come […]
Categories: Problems, Watering
Comments: 9 Comments
Sunday, December 27th, 2009
There’s no better reminder than the harsh winter weather that many orchids have entered a dormant season. Corresponding to a dry season in the wild, members of these common orchid families are resting like a bear in a cozy den. Resist the urge to water until you see their pseudobulbs start to shrivel. Do your […]
Categories: Dormancy, Growing, Problems, Watering
Comments: 5 Comments