AboutOrchids

Here’s proof that the orchids are doing well after our recent move to Pacifica. This great orange Masdevallia stays in flower for months at a time. Currently, it’s putting on a fantastic show with dozens of brilliant blooms.

This hybrid is living next to the house with the rest of the outdoor orchids. They’re sheltered on a path along an outside wall, so they don’t suffer the full brunt of the wind and salt spray. Obviously, this plant is enjoying its new home, as are we. Check back soon for more orchid adventures from the coast.

With California struggling through another drought, water conservation is essential. For orchid growers, droughts can be a problem. Orchids need moisture, both for watering and for humidity. Even growers who enjoy abundant water should treat it as a precious resource.

Some orchids need a lot of water. Lady Slippers and Masdevallias have heavy demands. Cattleyas and Laelias like to be kept dryer, so they need less. Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Laelias, Oncidiums, and others go dormant for part of the year, reducing their water demands for months. All types need extra water in warm temps. Check these conservation tips to keep your orchids well watered:

• Be aware of your water use. Check the clock before you start watering orchids to time how long it normally takes. Set a kitchen timer for yourself as a gauge. If you have excessive run off, cut back. Allow for extra watering on warm days.
• Check for leaks and drips on all plumbing and garden hoses. If you can’t fix it right away, keep a bucket under the drip to catch water before it’s wasted down the drain.
• Don’t keep a plant under a running tap. Instead, place the pot in a bowl or plastic container, fill with water, and soak for 10 or 20 minutes. This uses much less water than letting a faucet run.
• Connect rain barrels to gutters to harvest rain for the garden.
• Sprinklers, drip irrigation, and automatic misters are great ways to water plants directly and efficiently. Be sure they are not running on rainy days. Sprinkler systems can be relatively simple or the latest in modern automation, but all require regular checks and maintenance.
• Use greywater for orchids. Instead of letting it go down the drain, reuse water from the sink, shower, or tub for plants. As a bonus, soapy water may kill some pests. Some orchids, like Pleurothallids, won’t tolerate the artificial chemicals in greywater, but many Phal hybrids will.
• Use a bucket to catch the cold water that is wasted when waiting for the tap to warm up. Use it to water plants (let the water temp rise to room temperature so you don’t shock warm growers.)
• Check online for more ideas about water conservation.

Martha Stewart extolls the wonders of the New York Botanical Garden’s (NYBG) Orchid Show. Her discussion with an NYBG curator reflects her fascination with getting all the orchids blooming at the right time. This beautiful exhibit has a Key West theme, and runs until April 21st. Enjoy the video preview below:

Every now and then, I’m reminded of the adage that you’re not an orchid expert until you’ve killed your weight in orchids. I passed that milestone long ago, and while I kill fewer now, occasionally a weight is added to the scales. For example, I lost this Myoxanthus over the past winter. It died after some cold nights in January, when nighttime temps were barely above freezing. With the past few months spent finding a new home and moving, I didn’t have time to blog about it until now.

This Masdevallia relative lived outdoors for years. As a shy bloomer whose peculiar flowers hung upside down, it wasn’t the most photogenic orchid. Its blooms had a mild aroma of rotten food, but since I kept it outdoors, it never bothered me. If I ever again encounter this unusual cool grower from the Andes, I’ll know to protect it from temps under 40°F (4°C.)

April offers orchid shows in every hemisphere. From the UK to the USA, from Brazil to Malaysia, and from Australia to Ireland, orchid lovers invite all to share their floral obsessions.

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The Oregon Orchid Society has a helpful webpage about the problems of watering orchids with ice cubes. They offer the same advice as me: don’t use ice with orchids! Their article debunks arguments made by the pro-ice set. Proper orchid culture doesn’t involve freezing. It includes thorough drenchings with room-temperature water and great drainage. Orchids watered with ice may survive, but they often don’t thrive. Many are in pots without drainage holes, and the frigid water from a few ice cubes doesn’t drown them. If your orchid is in a flowerpot with no drainage holes, then repot it into one with holes. Water it thoroughly, let it drain completely, and hold the ice cubes.

Welcome spring with orchids! These beauties from the recent Pacific Orchid Expo are loud celebrations of the season.

While some of the country has endured a brutal winter, California has emerged from one of its warmest, driest winters in recorded history. We are certainly hoping for rainier months ahead. For now, though, it’s best to let the orchids have their day.

AboutOrchids has moved to a new home! We had rented a sunny garden apartment in the middle of San Francisco since the mid-1990’s, but our building was sold last year. With San Francisco’s eviction epidemic making national news, we weren’t surprised when the new owners kicked us out. It’s been very stressful, but fortunately, Dave and I found a wonderful new home. It’s in Pacifica, a beach town about 20 minutes drive south of San Francisco. We’ve just moved in, and our lives are still stuffed in boxes around the house.  I’m happy to report that all our orchids have survived the journey (so far!)

Pacifica is a great town, known for a laid-back surfer scene and lots of foggy weather. There’s even an annual Fog Fest to celebrate the sand and surf. I’m no surfer, but I’ve visited Pacifica many times over the years, and have friends who live here. Still, it’s a big change from city life.

Moving 10 miles (16 km) away may not seem like much of a change for the plants, but the San Francisco Bay Area is a land of microclimates. Here in Pacifica, we’re right on the coast. There’s much more wind and fog this close to the ocean. Salty air may take a toll on some plants, and strong winds will be a constant challenge. In our San Francisco garden, raccoons and squirrels occasionally caused plant damage. Here in Pacifica, I can add gophers and skunks to the list of troublesome critters.

The new house, back patio, and back garden are all south-facing, so there’s lots of light. Foggy days will give relief from the sun’s strength for many orchids. On sunny days, I’ll need to watch that it’s not too hot, or the plants may burn. I’m keeping both indoor and outdoor orchids in shade for the first few weeks. Then I’ll try to figure out the best spots for different plant needs. In the meantime, it’s back to unpacking…

I’m still sorting through photos from the recent Pacific Orchid Expo, and I wanted to share some more great pictures. It’s easy to see that these aren’t your everyday orchids. With the magic of Dave’s photography, the incredible diversity of the orchid family shines through.

Among the vast world of orchids, Dave and I find many of our favorites in the Masdevallia family.  Most of these stunning beauties, like those in the three photos below, are cool growers. They’re native to rainforests high in the Andes, and they love foggy breezes on the Northern California coast. With enchanting shapes and colors, it’s a guarantee that they’ll always be popular outdoor choices here in San Francisco.

Orchid shows welcome spring this month. Santa Barbara, San Diego, Philadelphia, Montreal, Miami, Vancouver, and Taiwan offer large events. Big or small, orchid shows are great ways to greet the season.

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