If you’re admiring a beautiful orchid gift, and you’re worried about killing it, take a deep breath and relax. Common orchid varieties don’t deserve their finicky reputations, and don’t require a green thumb. With a few care basics, they can keep their exotic tropical flowers for weeks or months. Most orchids sold today are sturdy […]
Good watering practices are essential for healthy orchids. Unfortunately, there’s no single formula for how often to water. Instead, growers must account for many interrelated factors. Knowing what kind of orchid you have provides a basic schedule. Then, consider growing conditions which demand additional water: When orchids are actively growing, emerging leaves, roots, and flowers […]
Spring is on the calendar. Even if your part of the world hasn’t completely shed winter, the sun is stronger, the days are longer, and it’s time for some seasonal orchid chores: Move orchids from their brighter winter locations to shadier areas for spring and summer. Orchids should receive enough light so that leaves are […]
No long orchid name to battle here! Adas announce themselves with brilliant color. This mass of orange petals contains multiple flowers, and looks somewhat like a mound of shredded carrots. Fortunately, a solitary blossom also stands out for the camera. Related to Odontoglossums and Oncidiums, this Ada species is native to the Andes. It lives […]
If long Latin orchid names aren’t your thing, you’ll be happy to know that Odontoglossums are nicknamed Odonts (which rhymes with “no fonts.”) The Odont family includes over 100 species and countless human-made hybrids. Many varieties have long-lasting flowers. I’ve had this first one for years, and its brilliants pinks and yellows always take my […]
Last week, before Dave and I went to Philly to visit family, I’m glad I gave my neighbor George last minute instructions to “water everything!” We’ve had November warm spells before, but when I heard Bay Area forecasters using the words “offshore flow,” I knew it was going to be a mini heatwave. Most of […]
How can an orchid be sinister? Orchid descriptions usually include words like beautiful and elegant, hardly the stuff of Halloween. Ghost Orchids, dead orchids, and weird orchids can spook you, but it’s the creepy Draculas that can scare you. Some Dracula varieties have a strange flower lip which looks, well, fleshy. You almost expect it […]
Centuries before the western world became fascinated with orchids, some eastern cultures were cultivating and revering them. For over 400 years, Japanese have grown fuu ran, the “wind orchid.” It’s known in English as Neofinetia, or the Samurai Orchid. This mini species is native to mountainside forests in southern Japan, southern Korea, and eastern China. […]
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 […]
To celebrate the arrival of fall, here are some garden beauties: Autumn arrives in the Northern Hemisphere with a chill, shorter days, and some orchid chores. As temperatures drop, bring warm growers inside. Remove any dead leaves or weeds. Check for pests, especially those hiding on the undersides of leaves. I spray orchid plants and […]
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