AboutOrchids

I’m a week late to celebrate the Mexican holiday of Cinco de Mayo, but this Mexican native shows no signs of finishing its fiesta of color. Laelia anceps is a Cattleya relative that’s easy to grow, and one of the toughest orchids around. It holds its large, star-shaped flowers high up on flower spikes that can reach over 39 inches (1 m) tall. Although my plant has purple flowers, this orchid species has numerous color varieties, including shades of white, pink, and lavender. Since it’s such an easy and attractive orchid, it’s no surprise that Laelia anceps is often used as a parent plant in hybrid creation.

Within its native range in Mexico, this Laelia lives in varied environments. Unlike other orchid species that require exacting conditions, this orchid grows in both hot, dry climates and cool, wet environments. It can also survive in a range of light levels from shady to sunny. In the wild, it often grows as a lithophyte, with roots attached to rocks and cliff faces. Here in San Francisco, I keep mine outdoors all year, where it receives full afternoon sun. It does require a drier winter dormancy to bloom well.

Besides being able to tolerate a wide range of conditions, this tough orchid can handle dry air better than most, so high humidity is not essential. Mine usually blooms twice a year, so it almost always sports open flowers or emerging flower spikes, adding a perennial touch of Mexican beauty. I guess it’s always ready for a fiesta.

We recently enjoyed a visit to Mercer, Pennsylvania, where Dave’s parents live. Dave’s Mom (and my Mother-in-Law) Brenda has a beautiful garden, so we’re sending a virtual Mother’s Day card with some pictures we took during our trip. Happy Mother’s Day, Brenda!

Mercer is in an area of western Pennsylvania that has a typical climate for the Northeastern USA. Short, warm summers are followed by cold, snowy winters, with an average January temperature of 17 F (-8 C.) Of course, it’s a tougher climate for orchids than the mild weather of the California coast. Nonetheless, you can see a large variety of beautiful plants and flowers that make the most of the short growing season.

Besides being a talented gardener in her own right, Brenda is a member of Master Gardeners. Master Gardeners programs in the USA and Canada were created to offer reliable home gardening information. Through extensive training, Master Gardeners are certified to provide gardening help to their communities. They volunteer to give educational lectures, demonstrations, help with community gardening projects, and offer phone support services. Pennsylvania’s program is run by Penn State, which is also Dave’s alma mater.

The final picture shows Corky, an Australian Shepherd who is Brenda’s constant garden companion. She is 15 years old, and was rescued from the middle of the road in the middle of the winter when she was a puppy. If Brenda is working in the garden, whether planting, weeding, pruning, or watering, Corky is there to help (or get in the way.)

Did you know that Mother’s Day was not started by a greeting card company, but by Julia Ward Howe in 1870 as an anti-war holiday? And speaking of Mother’s Day, there’s no better gift for mom than an orchid. Whatever the occasion for an orchid purchase, here are some tips on getting the most for your money:

• Look for freshly opened flowers, with no shriveled buds. If the orchid has multiple blooms and they’re all already open, it can be tough to tell how long they’ll last. If there are a few unopened buds, chances are that the flowers are fresh, and you’ll have the bonus of watching the buds unfurl over time.
• Leaves should appear healthy-looking and firm, not floppy or too soft. A few small blemishes may not indicate any problem, so if the plant seems to be in good shape, don’t make that an automatic disqualifier. Some varieties of orchids can have darker or lighter green leaf coloration, but yellow or black leaves are bad.
• If you find insect pests on any flowers or leaves, find another vendor.
• It’s ok if a few roots are sticking out of the pot. These should be firm and white or silvery in color. Green tips mean the roots are actively growing.
• Phals and Paphs are great choices since their blooms can last for months, and they can survive in lower light levels often found in homes and offices.
• If you’re looking for an orchid with scented flowers, remember that some varieties may only have a scent at certain times of the day. Smell the flowers to determine if it’s a scent that you like.
• For care purposes, it will really help to identify your orchid. Look for a plant with a name tag, or ask the vendor. It’s not always necessary to know the exact name, just the family of orchids to which it belongs.

If you think that orchid shows are just excuses to buy more orchids, then you’re overlooking the fact that shows provide invaluable opportunities to see breathtaking flowers, to learn about orchids from the experts, and to meet other local orchid enthusiasts. And if you come home with some great new orchids in hand, just consider that a bonus. That’s my excuse and I’m sticking with it.

Dave and I took advantage of a nice spring day to enjoy nearby Mission Dolores Park, a green island between the Mission and Castro neighborhoods. We didn’t find any orchids, but there was so much in bloom that we barely noticed. These delightful cherry blossoms had us pulling out our cameras before we even got to the park. Along the way we also looked up at a majestic Canary Island Date Palm, which can grow taller than 60 ft. (18 m.) This one was a baby by comparison at about 40 ft. (12 m.)

Eventually we made it to the park, and the flower beds were bursting with new growth. Of course, spring in California means poppies, which are the official state flower. The blue Love-in-the-mist and yellow iris need no official recognition to proclaim their beauty.

The gorgeous orange flower below looks like a type of daisy. It was partially hidden by the dense growth around it, easily missed by those rushing by. Next, there’s a park view of  nearby Mission High School. The building in the distance on the right with a gilded dome is San Francisco City Hall. Finally, a view of downtown from the park shows overhead trolley wires in the foreground, and the famous Transamerica Pyramid in the distance.

This unusual orchid is a Pterostylis. If you don’t enjoy trying to pronounce Greek scientific names, you’ll be happy to know that Pterostylis are nicknamed “greenhoods” in their native Australia and New Zealand. The bug-eaten pair of flowers in the first set of photos shows the unusual flower shape, including a slightly twisted flower lip in the center. The flower’s twisted lip is on a hinge, and snaps shut when touched by an insect. This traps the insect inside the flower, and the only escape route is past the orchid’s pollen.

Unlike the photos above, which show 2 separate flowers, the next photos show a rare double-headed flower. They also show the plants’ small leaves and flower spikes. Dormant in summer, new leaves emerge with winter rains, and the orchid blooms in spring. As the hot, dry summer begins, leaves die back to underground tubers, which are similar to bulbs and capable of surviving until the next rainy season.

Many greenhoods like to grow in sandy soil with light shade and regular water. Although they can handle a light freeze, they prefer mild winter temperatures typical of a Mediterranean climate. This particular species, Pterostylis curta, is common along Australia’s southeastern coast and Tasmania, where its tubers can multiply into large colonies of plants.

Spring is in full swing with a heat wave here in San Francisco, setting record highs yesterday and today. While yesterday we reached 93F (34C,) today there are some high clouds than are keeping it down to a more manageable 87F (31C.) Since most people here, including me, don’t have air conditioning, stinking hot is an unfortunately accurate description  That’s my cue to remind you to increase your watering schedule and pay extra attention to humidity during heat waves. Even if the thermostat says it’s comfortable inside, a plant close to a window receives more heat and light, and needs more water.  Many varieties of orchids are coming out of dormancy anyway, so watering more and fertilizing lightly are in order.

Warm growers, like Phals, Vandas, and Cattleyas, can easily handle increased heat as long as it is matched by increased humidity. You may wish to move them into shade to protect them from the strengthening spring sun. For cool growing orchids, like Masdevallias, Miltonias, and Odontoglossums, constant high humidity is essential. I give them repeated mistings throughout the day, and they can survive short term exposure to excessive heat. While these cool growers should not be allowed to dry out during high heat, maintaining high humidity works better than repeated waterings. For myself, in lieu of a personal misting system, I think it’s time for a nice cool shower.

When you think Zygopetalum, think purple. There are dozens of Zygo species and hybrids, and every one I’ve seen has great purple color. The hybrid Zygo in these pictures has a spectacular purple lip, but that’s not its only distinction. The 3 inch (8 cm) flowers can last for months, and  have a strong fragrance. As an added bonus, this variety can bloom repeatedly during the year.

Zygos originate in the rainforests of Brazil, Argentina, and neighboring countries. In cultivation, they grow in similar conditions to Cymbidiums, enjoying cool temperatures, regular water during spring and summer, and regular fertilizer. The two make great companion plants since the larger Cymbidiums shade the Zygos, which need less light anyway. They like to be potted in deep pots to permit their large root systems to expand.

Zygo leaves are often susceptible to botrytis, which is a type of fungal infection. In other orchids, this fungus can destroy the plant, but Zygos seem to tolerate it and thrive despite it. It can cause black spots on the leaves, but high humidity and good air flow help minimize its damage.

While my hybrid is a cool grower, some other Zygos like warmer temperatures. The Zygonisia hybrid in the last photo is a warm growing variety with beautiful purple flowers that advertise its membership in the Zygo family tree.

A few faithful readers have reminded me that I’m overdue for a garden update. Since the backyard has burst into bloom with spring, I have to agree that it’s definitely past time. I’ll start with some orchids that are right on their spring schedules: a great purple Epidendrum and a pink & purple Bletilla.

As for non-orchid blooms, this Sage offers a multi-sensory experience — soft, furry, pineapple-scented leaves and fuzzy, hot-pink flowers. It grows more than 5 ft tall (1.5 m) and puts on a big spring show with dozens of blooms. Little blue Forget-me-not’s return every year to the garden. The tiny flowers are great, but the seeds that follow are encased in small burrs that stubbornly attach to clothing. The small, dark red flowers belong to Pittosporum trees that line our back fence.

In the final set of photos, the eye-catching yellow flowers are strongly scented Freesias, and the pink tubular flowers are Veltheimias. They don’t have a scent, but are definitely charming in their own right. Both Freesias and Veltheimias are corms (similar to bulbs) that are native to South Africa. They grow with winter rains, bloom in the spring, and then go dormant during the dry summer. This schedule makes them perfect for San Francisco’s Mediterranean-type climate, since the showers we had this past week will probably be the last until next winter’s rainy season. Meanwhile, it’s time for me to water the other parts of the garden that can’t wait 8 months for rain.

If you’re looking for a great beginner’s orchid beyond the typical Phal, this Australian Dendrobium species is popular in cultivation and easy to grow. It doesn’t have big showy flowers, but Dendrobium kingianum more than compensates with prolific blooms and a honey-sweet scent. Flowers can last for 2 months.

This Dendrobium can handle a wide range of temperatures, and can even survive a light freeze. Like many orchids, it does require a cool, dry winter rest or it won’t bloom. Its native home is on the eastern Australian coast around Brisbane, where its roots attach to rocks and cliff faces in exposed areas. Here in San Francisco, I keep mine outdoors all year long, where it enjoys bright light and foggy breezes. For winter, I move the plant into full sun, keep it dry, and only worry about protecting it from heavy winter rains.

There are numerous natural color varieties, and orchid growers have developed many color strains. Below are examples of pink, white, and purple forms. It’s often crossed with other Dendrobium species to create hardy and attractive hybrids, so there’s a wide range of choices to augment a growing orchid collection.