AboutOrchids

Orchids are providing a valuable perspective on climate change. Dried flowers are kept in museums and herbaria around the globe, and include records of collection dates. A British group of scientists checked specimens up to 150 years old, and found that the Early Spider Orchid, native to southern and western Europe, has been blooming 6 days earlier for every 1.8° F (1° C) spring temperature increase. This rate corresponds to modern scientific observations in the field. Some dried flower specimens date back 250 years, and they add a considerable repository of data for scientific study. Climate change and shifting temperatures endanger orchids because of increased chances of extreme weather, and also the chance that orchids will flower out of sync with their pollinators.

While scientists are finding orchids from the past useful, they’re also planning for the future. Climate change, habitat destruction, and over-collection all endanger wild orchid species. Scientists from around the world recently met in Costa Rica to plan to freeze the orchid seeds of threatened species. As a last-ditch effort , Orchid Seed Stores for Sustainable Use (OSSSU) hopes to build seed banks around the world to prevent the complete extinction of these marvelous plants. Since orchid seeds are minuscule, they don’t even need big freezers. Seeds frozen at -4° F (-20° C) can last for decades. Some seeds can be used to replenish struggling wild populations. It’s good to know that smart people are working to keep rare orchids from disappearing forever. Future generations should be able to enjoy more than a dried or frozen Phal or Lady Slipper.

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 potting media with mild insecticidal soap or rubbing alcohol before bringing plants indoors. Many growers use Neem Oil or other insecticidal oils, which have the advantage of protecting leaves for several weeks.

If your Phals aren’t in bloom, cooler nighttime temps can initiate flower spikes. Cymbidiums also respond to cooler nights with new flower spikes. Most varieties won’t bloom if they’re kept too warm at this time of year.

Users of high nitrogen fertilizer, like 30-10-10, should switch to a low nitrogen formula, like 10-30-30. No matter what fertilizer you use, start to taper off with weaker solution or less frequent doses. Many orchids are heading into dormancy. Start to reduce watering for orchids with pseudobulbs, like Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, Dendrobiums, Epidendrums, Miltonias, Odontoglossums, Oncidiums, and Vandas. Good humidity is always necessary, especially to counteract the dry air of home and office heating.

If lower leaves turn yellow or drop, don’t panic. Some Dendrobium varieties will completely shed their leaves in the next couple months, but they’re just dormant, not dead. Continue to give them bright light and good humidity, and they’ll come back to life in the spring.

For almost 90 years, the American Orchid Society (AOS) has promoted orchid enjoyment, education, research, and conservation. Now, like many of us, this great non-profit organization is struggling in the slow economy. If you’re not a member already, you can help by joining the AOS. Members receive benefits such as the award-winning magazine Orchids. Along with gorgeous photos, the monthly magazine is full of outstanding articles on a vast array of orchid topics.

Membership perks also include coupons for orchids and supplies, access to extensive online orchid info, discounts at more than 200 botanical gardens, and the satisfaction of supporting the AOS. Orchid lovers, from novices to experts, find AOS membership is well worth the cost.

Dave and I snapped some nice shots at last weekend’s “Orchids in the Park.” This annual exhibition and sale, courtesy of the San Francisco Orchid Society, is held at the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park. The impressive blooms included a large yellow Paph, a harlequin Phal, and an unusual Dendrobium.

Orchids in the Park is a pint-sized version of San Francisco’s much larger winter show. There may be fewer orchids, but the quality of the blooms remains very high. For example, look at this extraordinary Butterfly Orchid (an Oncidium relative,) elegant white Brassavola flowers, and eye-popping Epidendrum.

Even a small event showcases the incredible diversity of the orchid family. With plenty that’s colorful and curious, there are orchids for every taste. Many hybrids and species are as easy as a day in the park.

With the incredible size and diversity of the orchid family, surprises abound. So when basic orchid care info says that orchids are epiphytes, or air plants, keep in mind that there are exceptions to the rule. Some orchid varieties are terrestrials, or ground orchids, and grow in soil. Terrestrials grow in forests, meadows, grasslands, marshes, and alongside streams and rivers. While most commonly sold orchids are epiphytes, there are also many terrestrial varieties.

• Cymbidium
• some Dendrobium varieties
• some Epidendrum varieties
• some Lady Slipper varieties
• Arundina
• Spathoglottis
• Sobralia
• Jewel Orchids like Ludisia and Malaxis

Almost all orchid varieties outside the tropics, in climates ranging from temperate to frigid, are terrestrials. They have thick roots, tubers, or pseudobulbs, and go through a dormant period when they drop their leaves.

• Bletilla
• Epipactis
• Orchis
• Pleione
• Pterostylis
• Thunia

Some varieties need special soil conditions, but others, like Bletillas and Cymbidiums, can grow in regular garden beds. Most enjoy frequent waterings during their growing seasons. Repot terrestrials in fresh soil every 2-3 years. And don’t be surprised when orchids don’t always follow the rules.

Repotting an orchid while it’s blooming often causes the flowers to drop, so it’s best to wait until the flowers have finished. But what happens if an orchid just won’t stop blooming? That’s the “problem” I have with this Kefersteinia. It’s been in bloom for over a year now, and it’s messing up my repotting schedule. Each small blossom only lasts about a week, but the plant provides a constant supply. Kefersteinias are related to Zygos.

This species has thin leaves and no pseudobulbs, so it needs daily watering, high humidity, and good air movement. The 1 inch (2.5 cm) yellow flowers have dark red spots and a white lip. Each intricate bloom has a pointed yellow “fang” that gives the impression of a snake’s mouth.

These fascinating flowers grace cloud forests in Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica. I don’t know if it blooms as profusely in its native home as it does for me, but with a regular supply of fascinating flowers, I guess repotting will have to wait.

Dozens of orchid shows take place around the globe this month. They all provide great opportunities to see and smell amazing flowers, talk to orchid experts, check out vendors, and meet local growers. Warning: you may get hooked on orchids (if you’re not already.)

Read the rest of this post »

No, they’re not orchids, but the nasturtiums growing in our back garden look so great that they deserve a post. Nasturtiums are also known as Indian Cress, Monks Cress, or Tropaeolum, which is their scientific name. California gardeners sometimes take them for granted because they’ve naturalized on the coast, and are often found growing wild. They seed and return each year, even growing from cracks in the pavement. It’s no surprise that they enjoy our climate, considering that they’re native to South America’s Andes, the home of cool-growing orchids like Masdevallias and Odontoglossums which also do well here.

These photos show the great variety of nasturtium colors that appeared in our garden this year. Hybrids come in many shades and patterns of orange, yellow, and red, although solid orange is the standard. Most varieties grow as scrambling vines, but there are compact types as well. The blooms have a light scent.

Nasturtium leaves and flowers are edible, and have a peppery taste. They make colorful additions to salads, and are high in vitamin C. They can be also be made into soup and even pesto. Pickled nasturtium seeds can substitute for capers. Whether it’s for their great flavors, intense colors, or pleasant scents, there are plenty of reasons to enjoy these easy growers.

Native British orchids have found allies among UK dairy farmers. Many farmers are setting aside more than a quarter of their farmland for wildlife habitats. Native plants and animals are returning, like the beautiful Orchis pictured in the article (that British Orchis is a relative of the Japanese Orchis that I grow.) The farmers are following sustainable practices to encourage biodiversity, and they’re demonstrating that “nature conservation and serious commercial dairy farming can go hand in hand.” Sustainable practices can provide many benefits, such as encouraging beneficial insects, which allows farmers to reduce their pesticide use.

Wild orchids are also flourishing in Wales because of changing mowing habits. Conwy County has curtailed grass-cutting in local parks and other public lands until late summer to encourage wildflowers. It’s been a great success, and now even the local police department is finding native orchids on its grounds. “Some people see grassland as tidy, regularly mown lawns,” said Anne Butler, a local Biodiversity Project officer. “But when they see what grows in meadows, their perceptions might change.” It’s heartening to see rare orchids return when people make a little room.

It’s time to clown around! Harlequins are a class of Phal hybrids developed by orchid breeders in recent years. Spots and splashes of color inspire their nickname.

There are two categories of these flowers: Taiwan harlequins and painted harlequins. Taiwan types have spots. They can have little spots or big blotches. These may cover just a portion of the flower, or most of the bloom. Spots may appear in a random pattern, or seem to follow a structured design.

Painted harlequins have a marbled pattern, like an artist has splashed paint from the center of the flower towards the edges. In both painted and Taiwan types, variations in light, temps, water, or fertilizer can affect the patterns. Therefore, the blooms may vary from year to year as growing conditions change. It’s just part of their clownish nature.