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.
I bought this little charmer last month at the Pacific Orchid Expo. It’s a Kefersteinia, and it’s been covered with blooms for over a month. This species flowers frequently, producing a single bloom on each spike. The flowers last about a week, but there’s a constant resupply of 1 inch (2.5 cm) yellow flowers with white lip and dark red spots.
This species is native to the rainforests of Colombia, Panama, and Costa Rica. It has thin leaves with little water storage capacity, so the plant needs regular water and high humidity. The last picture shows a flower bud before opening, an indication that the flowers are still coming.
The botanical term for orchids that stay in bloom for extended periods is “floriferous” (pronounced FLOOR-if-fur-us), and I hope it continues to describe this little gem.
April has enough orchid shows to keep any orchid lover jet-lagged. From Las Vegas to Seattle to Houston to Ottawa, with more shows in Costa Rica and Belgium, Dave and I could just take a whole month and go to shows and buy orchids and take pictures and … well, even just one would be fun. Don’t miss these great opportunities.
Sometimes your orchid just sits there and does nothing. It had those gorgeous blooms that lasted so long, and you’ve followed the instructions for light, water, temperature, fertilizer, humidity, and dormancy, but nada. Same old leaves, same old roots. You’ve waited, and the plant doesn’t get any worse, but it doesn’t get any better either.
The answer may to be to wait some more. Orchids may not be visibly growing while they’re storing up energy to prepare for their next cycle of growth. They are waiting for the right time of year to produce new leaves, roots, and flowers. Even the growing seasons of spring and summer do not guarantee new growth — your orchid is on its own schedule. So how long do you wait and watch? If your orchid hasn’t grown for a few months, don’t panic yet. If it’s been more than a year, then it’s time to re-examine those fundamentals of basic orchid care and make a change. One common problem is insufficient light, but be careful to make any increases in light gradually over 2 weeks or so. A sudden flood of light can cause leaves to burn. And if that doesn’t help, then just be patient. It’s a great excuse to curl up with a good orchid book.
