AboutOrchids

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 breath away.

Native to high elevations in the Andes and the mountaintops of Central America, Odonts topple the myth that orchids only grow in warm greenhouses. These are cool growers, and mine are happy outdoors all year on the California coast, unless it stays above 80°F (27°C) for too long. Both the pink hybrid pictured above and the yellow one below survived our recent hailstorm completely intact, with barely a scratch on their leaves or flowers.

Odonts require frequent waterings and bright light, and enjoy direct morning sun. They always need high humidity and good air movement, even during winter dormancy. Many hybrid crosses have also been made with members of the large Oncidium family. These hybrids, including Colmanara, Odontocidium, and Maclellanara, are better choices if you don’t have consistent cool temps. They’re all great proof that you don’t need to live in the tropics to grow orchids.

Orchid life continues in December, even though there are only a few shows. I’ve listed some orchid society holiday celebrations for those who really need a fix. Many include orchid sales or auctions to help with your holiday gift needs.

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 torn. I knew from past experience that orchid leaves can take a couple days to show hail damage. Sure enough, dead spots have been appearing on some of the outdoor orchids, showing where the hard impacts of the hailstones killed plant tissue.

Of course, outdoor orchids are always vulnerable to the elements. By November, only the hardy cool growers remain outside. Some originate from the cold highlands of the Andes or Himalayas, and endure hail in the wild. Cymbidiums, Masdevallias, an Arpophyllum, and a Sobralia were among those showing little or no bruising. Unfortunately, the Epidendrums, Sarcochilus, and some others got nailed. (It bears mentioning that although the Epidendrums’ leaves are pockmarked, the plants continue to bloom as they have for years.) The dead spots will eventually turn black, and some leaves may die completely. However, the plants should survive, and most of the leaves will remain as battered reminders of the storm. Hopefully, in a few months fresh spring growth will provide un-dented replacements.

Looking back over photos from the Oakland Orchid Show, I realized that one post didn’t do it justice. With so many beautiful blooms, Dave and I had more pictures to share. Just to start, here are rich colors from a Vanda, a Cattleya, and an Ascocenda.

Remarkable colors are only part of the show. Large Cirrhopetalum buds arranged in a circle haven’t opened yet, but their unusual shapes and patterns create an impressive display. Tiny blue and orange flowers light up a mini Dendrobium species. Sunny yellow splashes brighten a mini Doritis, a Phal relative.

Finally, some orchids don’t even look real, as if they were Dr. Seuss creations. However, it’s Mother Nature who deserves credit for these pastel colors and unusual textures. The next 2 photos show members of the Epidendrum family, and the last one shows a furry Masdevallia.

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 the outdoor orchids would be fine, and I’d already reduced watering for dormant varieties. However, some of my cool growing orchids could have baked in the heat. Fortunately, George’s excellent care averted any problems. Even though a few dry days went over 8o°F (27°C,) the Masdevallias, Odonts, and Samurai Orchids were fine.

Last week’s mini heatwave has given way to a more seasonal chill and rain, with a forecast low of 45°F (7°C) tonight. We had a heavy rain, and earlier a noisy thunderstorm put on a big show. Unless we have more wacky weather, it should be a while before a heatwave threatens to fry anything.

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 species is native to Colombia, where it usually grows as an air plant on the branches of guava trees. They’re tough to keep in cultivation, demanding constant high humidity and good air movement. When I first bought this plant, it started to shrink rather than grow. I experimented by varying light and temperature conditions, but its new leaves and roots kept dying.

Finally, I placed the plant in very high humidity, up to 90%. Many orchid varieties would rot from the excessive moisture, but this Comparettia began to grow and thrive. With some patience, I was rewarded with these colorful blooms. As an interesting contrast to the purple polka dots on front, the flowers are white on back. They’re a reward that’s worth the effort.

Dave and I enjoyed some wonderful blooms and delicious scents in Oakland last weekend. The Orchid Society of California has been around since 1937, and they know how to put on a show. Just to start, here’s a brilliant orange Epidendrum, a fuzzy yellow Paph, and a sweet smelling Cattleya.

Even though it’s nearby, just across the bay, Oakland has a warmer climate than San Francisco. Warm growing Miltoniopsis, Trichoglottis, and Epidendrum would have a tougher time in our cool coastal breezes. They certainly seem happy here.

We also found a fascinating Dracula, and a few unusual specimens which resemble strange sea creatures more than orchids.

Besides the gorgeous orchids, we also took pictures of some historic Oakland architecture. The Paramount Theater and I. Magnin Building have wonderful Art Deco designs. From the final photo, it’s easy to see why the Cathedral Building was once called the Wedding Cake Building.

Australian scientists have successfully cultivated the bizarre Eastern Underground Orchid for the first time. Australia is known for its fascinating flora and fauna, but this endangered orchid may be the one of the most bizarre plant species in the world. Rhizanthella lives almost entirely underground, and only emerges above ground when it flowers. Without leaves, it grows as an underground rhizome, drawing nutrients from decaying leaves on the Eucalyptus forest floor. They’re usually found by accident during digging or construction.  Scientists are excited by these first Rhizanthella blooms in cultivation, as you can see in this Newcastle, Australia news story (update: video has been removed) –

Your orchid show travel agent here, and we’ve got a busy month ahead. Shows on 6 continents offer great opportunities to enjoy incredible flowers, meet local growers and experts, and add an orchid or two to your collection. Don’t forget your camera!

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Some orchid growers rely entirely on artificial light, while others, like me, use it to supplement lower sunlight levels in autumn and winter. No matter which category you’re in, you’ll find essential lighting info in Growing Orchids Under Lights. This American Orchid Society book focuses on practical light solutions for your home, office, or greenhouse. From fluorescents to high intensity mobile lamps, there are plenty of options to turn a basement or dark corner into an orchid oasis. This quick read also includes care basics and a chapter about orchid varieties that do well in artificial light.