AboutOrchids

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.)

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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.

If you’re like me and missed the recent Bangkok Royal Orchid Paradise Show, you can still enjoy page 1 and page 2 of great photos (both pages have lots of pictures, so they may be slow to load.) The show photos were generously shared by the photographer in an online orchid forum, and it looks like a world-class display. Of course, that’s no surprise coming from Thailand. Situated in tropical Southeast Asia, it’s known around the world for its thriving orchid industry. Thailand also has lots of beautiful native orchids, including many Phals, Dendrobiums, Paphs, and Vandas.

You might be more surprised to find orchids by the cold North Atlantic. The Canadian province of New Brunswick has 44 native orchid species that can survive its cold, wet, and windy climate. The article describes some of these fascinating natives, such as Grass Pinks, Rose Pogonias, and several varieties of lady slipper. It also includes a good picture of the rare Ram’s Head Lady Slipper. Canada can’t match the bounty of a Thai orchid show, but it’s more proof that the orchid family spans the globe.

While much of the Northern Hemisphere is baking in summer heat, San Francisco is cool and foggy. Our mild weather must bear some resemblance to cloud forests in the Bolivian Andes, because this gorgeous Masdevallia has made itself right at home. In the wild, this species grows on mossy branches. In our back garden, it grows mounted on the limb of a small tree, an Iochroma. This orchid was a gift from my friend and fellow orchid nut, Tony.

It’s remarkable to think that these beautiful blossoms weren’t identified by modern science until 1978. Dark purple markings could be mistaken for jaguar spots on a light purple background. Some of Dave’s photos capture the sunlight striking the yellow flower throat and illuminating the bloom.

The long, tapered flower tails stand out in the images of unfolding flower buds. Colors are visible on the buds even before they open, starting off the floral show with a hint of what’s to come. It’s an impressive display for a Bolivian beauty.

Orchid shows are great ways to enjoy lots of flowers, talk to orchid vendors and experts, and meet local growers. Shows span the globe this month, taking place from Hilo to Houston, from Australia to the UK, and from Brazil to the Philippines. Attend one if you can.

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Phals, or Moth Orchids, are the most popular orchid varieties in the world. One of their fascinating traits is that healthy Phal plants can rebloom. While some Epidendrum and Oncidium varieties can bloom again from broken flower spikes (the stems that holds the flowers,) this process is most reliable with Phals. Their flowers last for weeks or even months, and then start to fade. To force the plant to produce more blooms, find the nodes, which are the swollen “bumps” that mark each segment on the spike. Pick a node below where the original flower had attached. Cut off the flower spike just above this node.

Always use a clean, sharp scissors to prevent spreading plant diseases. Clean the blades with hot water and soap, rubbing alcohol, or bleach solution. Cut 1/4 inch (6 mm) above the node. Another spike may emerge beneath the cut. Its flowers will be smaller and shorter-lived than the first set.

Although this method may add a month to your blooming season, it really drains energy from the plant. In the wild, unpollinated orchids drop their flowers, and start to make energy for next year’s blossoms. When forced to rebloom, the plant uses up its energy reserves. If you’d rather keep your orchid long-term and enjoy years of flowers, I would advise you to skip this process. Instead, let your Phal return to its natural growth cycle. Cut the old flower spike as close to the plant’s base as you can without damaging nearby leaves or roots. Healthy plants will grow and produce even more flowers next year.