AboutOrchids

From Seattle to Sao Paulo to Auckland, orchid shows abound in November. Visit any of these events to enjoy some orchid inspiration.

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Autumn is a good time to check orchid light levels. As days grow shorter and the sun weakens, natural light levels fall sharply. Low light can prevent orchids from blooming. To compensate, growers in temperate latitudes should increase illumination during fall and winter. Your orchids will reward the extra care with strong growth and blooms.

• Orchids need enough light to keep their leaves a light green color. Too little light can cause dark green or floppy leaves. Too much light can turn leaves yellow or cause burns. If leaf edges turn red, then the orchid is receiving the maximum exposure it can tolerate.
• In autumn, increase light levels by slowly moving orchids into direct sun. Cattleyas, Cymbidiums, Dendrobiums, Epidendrums, and Oncidiums can adjust to full sun. Even shade lovers, like Phals, Paphs, and Masdevallias, can tolerate winter sunshine. Move plants into sun gradually to prevent burns, taking two weeks to allow them to adjust. If leaves burn or turn yellow, move the plant back into shadier conditions.
• If the sun isn’t cooperating, supplement with artificial lights. Fluorescent bulbs work well since they last a long time, use little electricity, and don’t get too hot. Keep leaves 6 – 12 inches (15 – 30 cm) from bulbs, but not so close that leaves or flowers burn. Just like natural light, increase artificial light gradually over two weeks.
• Take advantage of white walls and other reflective surfaces to add brightness.
• Always maintain high humidity. Air may dry quicker in brighter conditions.
• In the tropics, the sun remains strong all year, so orchid growers in tropical areas don’t need to add light.
• When spring returns, remember to move orchids back into the shade.

San Francisco’s very own tropical rainforest lives in the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Encased within a 4-story glass bubble, plants and animals bask in light, warmth, and humidity. Birds and butterflies dart between trees, flowers, and human visitors.

Walking up from the forest floor into the tops of the trees, there’s living beauty at every level. A yellow and brown Dancing Lady Orchid dangles from a tree, illustrating how orchids grow in the wild. Nearby, a tiny, tropical frog boasts similar colors, and adds a croaking chorus to the jungle. Occasionally, one of the butterflies briefly pauses for the camera before flitting away.

The rainforest exhibit highlights a small sample of evolution’s miracles from Madagascar, Costa Rica, Borneo, and the Amazon. Fascinating creatures abound, like a praying mantis which mimics a leaf so well that even a close up photo doesn’t look real. It’s just one of the remarkable sights in San Francisco’s tropical jungle.

The Wall Street Journal examines the business of orchids. Scientific advances and industrial efficiency have helped make these flowers the best selling potted plants in the USA. Most orchids begin their lives in Taiwan or the Netherlands. Both countries use an “intricate orchid-production chain” to compete in the business. However, profit margins have fallen since many varieties, especially Phals, became a cloned, mass-market commodity. Growers in Taiwan bemoan the days when a rare specimen could sell for $100,000. “An orchid is no longer worth what it used to be,” said Wu Po-Hung, one of Taiwan’s biggest producers. “We learned how to grow them too well.” As a result, growers are experimenting with industry reforms and new orchid products. They’re even selling “gold-coated orchids.” With the help of their precious orchids, they can thrive in an expanding market.

Dave took so many great photos at this year’s Orchids in the Park that it was easy to find enough for another post. The first set includes a shapely Paph, a haunting Dracula, and an intriguing Vanda close-up.

Once again, these photos highlight the incredible diversity of the orchid family. Each appeals to a specific bug or bird as a pollinator. Of course, these fantastic shapes, colors, and scents appeal to lots of humans, too.

From the artistic yellow, white, and brown bloom of a Rossioglossum, to tiny, intricate Dendrochilum flowers dangling in a chain, there’s endless variety. You’re not alone if it’s tough for you to imagine how all these plants could possibly be related. It’s a guarantee that orchids are never boring.

Autumn’s chill brings changes to orchid care. Check these tips to keep plants healthy.

•  Many orchids begin to enter dormancy in the fall. Start to reduce watering frequency for Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Epidendrums, Oncidiums, and Odonts. Begin to cut back fertilizer, too. Moth Orchids, Lady Slippers, and Pleurothallids do not go dormant, but with autumn’s shorter, cooler days, it’s possible to water them less, also.
• Always maintain high humidity and good air flow around orchids. As heaters turn on, they dry the air, which encourages pests. To raise humidity, spray orchids with a mister, and group plants together. Keep pots atop trays of water and pebbles, always keeping the pots completely above the water level. Place plants near water features.
• Bring outdoor orchids indoors before it gets too cold. Take the opportunity to remove dead leaves and flower debris, and check for pests. Many growers spray with insecticidal soap, pesticidal oil, or rubbing alcohol (surgical spirits) before moving plants indoors.
• Increase light levels to compensate for autumn’s weaker sun and shorter days. Move plants into brighter light gradually over two weeks. Even shade-lovers like Phals, Paphs, and Masdevallias can tolerate some direct sun in fall and winter.
• Don’t worry if older, lower leaves turn yellow or die. Continue to give plants bright light and good humidity.
• If Phals aren’t blooming, give them slightly cooler temps for 3 – 4 weeks. Keep them below 80°F (27°C) during the day, and let them drop to 60°F (16°C) at night. After a few weeks, return them to their normal 65°F (18°C) minimum. Healthy plants will start a new flower spike within a month. Cymbidiums also want cooler nights, and won’t bloom if they’re kept too warm in autumn.

The New York Times reports on Nodding Ladies’ Tresses, a native orchid bringing beauty to New York City. With twisting spirals of sparkling white flowers, Nodding Ladies’ Tresses share the graceful beauty of the related Spiranthes which I grow. “Sit among them for a few quiet moments and a bumblebee or a honeybee will land at the bottom of a flower stem and wend its way upward, climbing the flowers like stairs, guided by the gracefully twisting flower spike.” Hidden in wet meadows or behind poison ivy vines, Nodding Ladies’ Tresses are tougher than they look. Their white spires can even survive the tough streets of the big city.

With orchids in every supermarket, visiting an orchid show might seem unnecessary. However, last weekend’s Orchids in the Park proved why orchid shows are definitely worthwhile. The displays were full of unusual and exotic blooms. You won’t find these orchid varieties in a supermarket.

These flowers both defy and excite the imagination. They’re great reminders of how diverse orchids are. After growing orchids for over 20 years, I’m still surprised by varieties I’ve never seen before.

Comparing these flowers to what’s available by the grocery aisle, it’s apparent that those supermarket orchids only represent a thin sliver of the orchid world. To enjoy treasures like these, visit an event like Orchids in the Park.

Orchid shows are happening everywhere from San Diego to Rio, from Montreal to Helsinki, and from Canberra to Prague. These events provide great opportunities to enjoy stunning flowers, meet local orchid experts, take photos, and find special plants for your own collection.

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Don’t miss this weekend’s Orchids in the Park!  On September 28th – 29th, Golden Gate Park hosts a smaller version of San Francisco’s huge winter orchid show. The event includes plenty of orchids to enjoy, as well as vendors, demos, and seminars. The photos below are only a small sample of last year’s exciting offerings. See you there!