AboutOrchids

After a rainy winter, our spring garden has burst into bloom, with orchids and more. The first two photos are not orchids: a very tough red rose and a brilliant yellow and white Tidy Tips. We didn’t know the rose was in our backyard for a few years, since it was completely encased by a large rosemary bush. One day the rosemary bizarrely produced a big red flower, and I discovered the rose. Considering it receives no summer water at all, it’s one tenacious plant. The delightful Tidy Tips is a native California species, and grows easily from seed here on the Northern California coast.

Many of these orchids may be familiar to regular readers. They’re all growing outdoors, exposed to the elements. I’ve had these plants for years, except for the white and yellow Laelia anceps ‘Helen’ shown in the previous row. I bought that one at an orchid show last year, and it’s proving to be just as hardy as its purple cousin in the third picture in that row.

Sarcochilus, Dendrobiums, Masdevallias, and Cymbidiums have been reliable bloomers in our garden. Our mild coastal climate simulates a mountainous cloud forest environment so well that they thrive here. It ensures that we can enjoy lots of orchids in our spring garden.

Many of this month’s shows are well-timed for Mother’s Day gifts and activities. May’s schedule becomes busier in the southern hemisphere, especially South Africa. All of these events are full of incredible flowers.

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This little orchid is certainly not the showiest, or the most colorful, but it’s a survivor. I blogged about this mini Cynorkis a few years ago, when I thought I might have killed it. Actually, it was fine, and grew again without problem. In the years since, whenever I’ve worried that I might have done it in, it’s always come back with fresh leaves and blooms.

This species seems to go dormant on its own schedule, dropping its old leaves and then growing new ones from tiny tubers. The small flowers open successively, extending the bloom for a couple months. It’s the perfect mini for a warm, shady spot, as long as the space can accommodate the tall flower spikes, which can reach 2 feet (0.6 m) tall or more.

Although I’ve gotten used to its seemingly random dormancy schedule, there was another time when I really thought I had killed it. It had a fresh set of leaves, and I must have accidentally overwatered it. The leaves quickly rotted, and I assumed the plant was finally lost. Instead, it started growing again after a few weeks, no worse for wear. This Cynorkis is truly the little orchid that could.

The 7th International Orchid Conservation Congress is a five day conference starting on May 28th. Scientists and conservationists will meet for this year’s event at Jodrell Laboratory in London’s Kew Gardens. Topics will include the illegal orchid trade, climate change, habitat restoration, propagation science, and much more.

Healthy roots are essential for healthy orchids. Many people are tempted to cut off their orchid’s roots because they seem unattractive, but that’s bad for the plant. Whether they’re air plants or terrestrials, orchids need happy roots to survive and thrive. Some types have thick roots, while others have thin. All have central, wiry cores, surrounded by outer layers of absorbent cells called velamen.

This outer layer is white or greenish-white, with light green growing tips. Roots may also be brown from growing media or red from sun exposure. Healthy roots are firm, and essential to absorb water and nutrients. Mushy or hollow roots are dead and should be removed, a task which is often done during repotting.

Moth Orchids and Vandas are popular varieties which like to have their roots in the open air. In the wild, they anchor to tree trunks and branches to live as air plants. Others don’t mind growing in small, crowded pots. To grow well, they all need good humidity and breezes to keep the air moving. Some types have chlorophyll in their roots, which photosynthesize along with the leaves. Happy, healthy roots can give an orchid the energy for great blooms.

Want to stay current on orchid science news? Check out the latest at Kew’s Orchid Research Newsletter. Published twice a year, it includes updates on recent orchid papers, name changes, conferences, book reviews, and more. RBG Kew in London is a global center for plant science and conservation.

The annual Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) is always dazzling. This year’s big event highlights the garden city of Singapore with thousands of orchids and exotic flowers, and runs a few more weeks until April 28th.

Singapore is one of the world’s tiniest countries. Located near the equator in Southeast Asia, it has a warm climate. It’s a global financial center, and also home to a thriving orchid industry. The country’s national flower is a Vanda. Visit NYBG in the Bronx to celebrate Singapore’s tropical beauty. Photos courtesy of Rachel Luxemburg.

No fooling, there are April orchid shows from Maui to Moscow, and from Brussels to Buenos Aires. Take advantage of these great events around the world.

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Dave’s work takes him to lots of interesting places, and he occasionally gets a free day when he can explore. Last month he visited Hortus Botanicus, which is Amsterdam’s Botanical Garden. It’s one of the oldest in the world, dating to 1638. There weren’t many orchids on display, but in the midst of a Northern European winter, he still managed to find an Oncidium in bloom. And of course, there were plenty of other wonders to enjoy.

Like many old European botanical gardens, such as Chelsea Physic Garden in London, Amsterdam’s was originally founded to grow medicinal plants. Only later did they become homes for exotic species from Europe’s colonial exploits. Now they are refuges for rare and endangered plants, as well as green oases among concrete and steel cities.

This garden may be best known as the source of all coffee plants in the Americas. The Dutch brought a coffee plant from Java to the garden in the early 1700’s, where it thrived, and became the parent of the entire coffee crop in Central and South America. Coffee lovers can read more of the history at Sprudge.com. It’s one more delicious reason to enjoy Hortus Botanicus.

Perfectly timed for spring repotting, Better Homes & Gardens explains Everything You Need to Know About Orchid Pots. The helpful advice includes the importance of great drainage, and that most orchids prefer small pots. Terra cotta, plastic, ceramic, and mesh pots all have advantages and disadvantages to consider. The article also contains this clever tip: “Think of it more as disassembling the plant and reassembling it in a new pot rather than a traditional potting process.” Finding the right pot will help your orchid survive and thrive.