AboutOrchids

I’ve already blogged about my objections to watering orchids with ice cubes. It doesn’t take a degree in botany to see that tropical plants, especially warm growers like the Phal in the first photo below, don’t like cold temps. But there’s another, less obvious reason why ice isn’t right for orchids — ice cubes don’t provide enough water. When watering an orchid, you should pour in enough so that it flows out the holes at the bottom of the pot. This flushes out the pot, washing away any stale water or excess fertilizer. Even when orchids rest during winter dormancy, and only need occasional drenching, they still need enough water to run through the pot. Each ice cube only contains a couple spoons of liquid (remember that part of an ice cube is air.) That’s insufficient, even for the Zygo in the middle photo or the Masdevallia in the final picture. They’re cool growers, but they need a good soaking, and even they don’t like being frozen. Keep your orchids out of the deep freeze, and save the ice cubes for your drink.

Ring in the new year with orchids! Orchid shows around the globe offer bright bursts of colors and scents to celebrate all month. Your souvenirs may include tropical plants or a camera full of photos.

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The Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation works to save plant and animal biodiversity. Ceiba was founded in 1997 to preserve and restore ecosystems in Central and South America. With offices in Madison, Wisconsin, and Quito, Ecuador, the non-profit group supports community-based projects, sponsors scientific research, and provides public education.  Ceiba works with local communities to sustainably manage land and protect tropical forests. Current projects include the El Pahuma Orchid Reserve and the Lalo Loor Dry Forest Reserve. Both areas welcome visitors and volunteers. Ceiba also offers semester-length and summer courses which allow students to explore Ecuador’s dramatic natural beauty. Photos from their reserves include great shots of orchids, birds, and waterfalls. Lend your support to Ceiba’s essential work by learning more, donating, or volunteering.

I prefer to look at the proverbial glass as half full: it may be the first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, but starting tomorrow, the days grow longer. Even in the mild climate of the California coast, the season’s chill has arrived. Orchids excel at inspiring warm thoughts, and these tropical beauties are burning up the warm end of the color spectrum. Bask in their warmth as a remedy for the long nights, and take solace — spring is only 3 months away.

As the world’s largest and most diverse plant family, orchids provide a great way to personalize your gift choice. There’s an orchid that’s right for just about everyone.

If you’re buying a gift for an over-waterer, try a Cymbidium, Masdevallia, Miltonia, Paph, or Vanda. These types need daily watering.

For an under-waterer, try a Cattleya, Dendrobium, Epidendrum, or Oncidium. These like to dry out well between waterings.

If your gift recipient lives in a warm climate, try a Phal, Paph, Cattleya, Dendrobium, Oncidium, Vanda, or other warm grower.

For those who live in a cool climate, try a Cymbidium, Masdevallia, Miltonia, Odontoglossum or other cool grower.

Along with the orchid, it will help to give the link for basic care here at AboutOrchids. That will wrap up your holiday gift nicely.

Orchid names may include initials which represent awards. Many organizations around the globe honor outstanding plants and growers. Initials following an orchid name are marks of excellence conferred by expert judges. Abbreviations show the award and the organization separated by a slash (/). These 3 cultivars have received prizes:

• Dendrobium victoria-reginae ‘Blues Brothers’ HCC/AOS (HCC/AOS = Highly Commended Certificate/American Orchid Society)
• Cirrhopetalum rothschildianum ‘Red Chimney’ FCC/AOS (FCC/AOS = First Class Certificate/American Orchid Society)
• Paphiopedilum rothschildianum ‘Golden Gate’ BM/CSA
  (BM/CSA = Bronze Medal/Cymbidium Society of America)

A sample of award abbreviations on orchid name tags includes:

• FCC = First Class Certificate
• AM = Award of Merit
• HCC = Highly Commended Certificate
• AQ = Award of Quality
• AD = Award of Distinction
• CCE = Certificate of Cultural Excellence
• CCM = Certificate of Cultural Merit
• CHM = Certificate of Horticultural Merit
• GM = Gold Medal
• SM = Silver Medal
• BM = Bronze Medal

Groups which bestow orchid awards include:

• AOS = American Orchid Society
• RHS = Royal Horticultural Society (UK)
• AOC = Australian Orchid Council
• CAOB = Coordenadoria das Associacoes Orquidofilas do Brasil
• CSA = Cymbidium Society of America
• DOG = Deutsche Orchideen Gesellschaft (Germany)
• JOS = Japan Orchid Society
• OCNZ = Orchid Council of New Zealand
• SAOC = South African Orchid Council
• TOGA = Taiwan Orchid Growers Association
• TOS = Thailand Orchid Society
• WOC = World Orchid Conference (preceded by the conference number, i.e. 20WOC)

The AOS keeps photos of all winning plants, and publishes a complete list in Awards Quarterly. The RHS has kept paintings of every winner since 1897. Expert botanical artists detail the prize flowers in watercolor. The Orchid: From the Archives of the Royal Horticultural Society reproduces hundreds of these remarkable illustrations.

Giving an orchid gift can be tough at a time of year when that gift might freeze its blooms off. Instead, consider this gorgeous orchid book that’s getting lots of buzz — Deceptive Beauties: The World of Wild Orchids. Veteran National Geographic photographer and biologist Christian Ziegler explores orchid adaptions, diversity, and how orchids deceive their pollinators. Amazing photography reveals orchids in their native habitats, as well as butterflies, hummingbirds, and orchid bees. This stunning book also highlights how these captivating flowers survive in a variety of harsh environments. It makes a great holiday gift, and it’s much easier to wrap than a Dendrobium.

A vanilla farmer in Malaysia recounts the challenges of cultivating the world’s second most expensive spice. The Vanilla orchid grows as a vine whose flowers open for just a single day. After pollination by hand, the vanilla beans take months to mature, and then months more to dry and cure. That hasn’t deterred farmer K.K. Yong, who invested a small fortune, and began farming vanilla in 2009. He has yet to see a single bloom, let alone a precious pod. In the tropics of Southeast Asia, the climate is right, but the vines take at least 3 years to mature. For now, he has a farm of tropical vines to tend, and plenty of mosquitoes for company. According to Yong, “a big mosquito population means you’re doing something right – the environment is damp enough.” Despite the challenges, Yong is optimistic. “The market and price for vanilla is excellent. With so many people quitting the business, there’s a chance that I can be a major player if my plants start bearing pods!”

Dendrobiums are one of the largest and most diverse orchid families. They include more than 1200 species and thousands more hybrids, with a vast range of colors, shapes, sizes, and growing conditions. The first 2 pictures below show the most common variety, the somewhat confusingly named Phalaenopsis-type Dendrobiums. No, they’re not Phals — they’re Dendrobiums whose blooms resemble Phals in shades of pink, purple, and white. These are popular as cut flowers and great in leis, but usually not fragrant.

Australian Dendrobiums, like the next 3 photos, are also popular. Many have rich fragrances. With their incredible diversity, Dendrobiums exemplify the deficiency of one-size-fits-all orchid care instructions. Some grow in hot, steamy jungles, while others grow on cold, windy mountains. As natives to a huge area, from India east to Japan, Australia, and the South Pacific, no single recipe can cover their care. However, they do share commonalities. Most want bright light with morning sun, good humidity, and winter dormancy.

Dendrobium plants come in many forms, but they most commonly have tall, thick plant stems called pseudobulbs or canes. In the next photo, lovely white and purple flowers bloom atop the canes of a Nobile type Dendrobium. Nobile types may drop all their leaves over winter, causing inexperienced growers to think a plant is dead and discard it. Ironically, some kinds flower after they drop their leaves, and their brilliant colors stand out on the bare canes. Other varieties have twisted petals or masses of brilliantly hued blooms.

There’s certainly no shortage of astonishing shapes and colors in the Dendrobium family. They’re true tropical beauties.

Given that December is the slowest month for orchid shows, this cosmopolitan list still has plenty to offer. You can also check with your local orchid society for seasonal sales and auctions to find that perfect holiday gift.