AboutOrchids

Exciting news from Buckingham Palace! Yes, there’s a new baby prince, and there’s also a rare orchid growing on palace grounds. Orchid lovers are excited about the news of the orchid species, which hasn’t been seen anywhere in London for over a century. The unexpected find is a White Helleborine Orchid, or Cephalanthera damasonium, a terrestrial native to Europe and Asia. Botanist Dr. Mark Spencer remarked “It is quite unusual to find the white helleborine north of the Thames, let alone in the middle of the city in the Queen’s back garden. It shows just how important green spaces are in built-up areas for giving wildlife a refuge.” The orchid was found by the London Natural History Society and the Botanical Society of the British Isles, which are jointly cataloging London’s greenery. So far, they’ve found over 450 types of plants in the palace garden. It makes a great botanical welcome for the new royal heir.

South Africa has so many fascinating native orchids that they seem to overshadow this mini species. Maybe that’s why this charming Mystacidium isn’t common in cultivation. However, it is one of the most common orchids found in South Africa. Last summer, I blogged about my plant’s impressive display, and this year, it’s unfurled an even bigger show. Its masses of elegant, pure white flowers hang from the small plant, and emit a strong jasmine scent after sunset.

Don’t be fooled by this plant’s delicate appearance. Mystacidiums are tougher than they look. They can handle high heat and dry air better than most orchids. In their native habitats, they live in arid climates where few other orchids can survive. In dry woodlands and savannas, they grow attached to trees and succulents. These Vanda relatives have also adapted to South African citrus farms, where they grow as weeds on the trees. With this tenacity, Mystacidiums are great choices for growers in warm climates, and also for orchid lovers who want to grow mounted plants.

The New York Times uncovers an orchid weed. Epipactis helleborine, known simply as helleborine, is an old world orchid species which has taken over North America, too. The fact that it’s happy in a wide range of growing conditions and soils, and can even grow in asphalt, helps explain its spread from coast to coast. Even in New York City, helleborine reliably sprouts in sidewalk cracks, driveways, rock walls, and gardens every year. “As a weed, helleborine proudly holds its head up with dandelions, dayflowers, horseweed, mugwort, plantains and smartweeds, but helleborine is an orchid, whose modified lip and floral structures are as tropical looking as any orchid growing in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden or the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx.” Helleborine is closely related to the Stream Orchid, the native North American species that I grow.

Conservationists in Australia are relying on fungus to save endangered orchids. Like most orchids, the Rosella Spider Orchid and The Wine-Lipped Spider Orchid grow with the help of fungus. Both orchid species have declined due to habitat destruction, grazing, invasive species, and development. To help reinforce the remaining wild populations, researchers and volunteers plan to start seedlings at the Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne, and then transplant them into the wild.

However, growing orchids from seed is complicated. Orchids and fungi form symbiotic relationships to exchange nutrients, and orchid seeds need a fungus to germinate and grow. Since different types of orchids need different types of fungi, conservationists need to identify and cultivate the correct fungus for each variety. After seeds germinate, it will take two years before the young plants can be transplanted into the wild, and four or five years before they are mature enough to flower. It’s intricate work that requires lots of patience. Biologist Tom May commented ”What is happening in nature is so complex. The interactions between the fungi and the orchids being pollinated by wasps is just the start. You’ve got to put all the pieces back together again.”

It’s been awhile since I’ve shared pictures from our back garden, so I went out with my camera during this week’s warm spell to snap a few shots. From Violas to Lily of the Nile to Nasturtiums, there’s plenty in bloom.

There are always orchids in bloom on the back deck. One of my favorites, a Masdevallia species from Bolivia, flowers reliably every summer. My old pink Cymbidium blooms over winter, and usually drops its flowers in spring. However, this year it’s been happy enough to keep blooming into summer. The last picture shows a fuchsia. From similar humid jungles as orchids, they all love San Francisco’s fog.

Another fuchsia with smaller blooms shows why they’re local garden favorites. Finally, small succulents have interesting architectures, demonstrating that flowers aren’t always necessary to stand out in a summer garden.

From Brisbane to Baton Rouge, orchid shows span the globe in July. Many take place south of the equator in Australia, Brazil, and South Africa. Further north, Britain’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show bills itself as the largest flower show in the world. This year it covers 34 acres (13.8 hectares,) and includes plenty of orchids.

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Like people, orchids need to breathe fresh air. A stale or stagnant environment leads to pests and diseases. Moving air evaporates excess water, and cools leaves and roots.

In their wild homes, orchids live in gentle breezes and strong winds. As air plants, their leaves and roots blow in the rainforest canopy. In homes and offices, orchids need good ventilation.

To improve circulation, keep plants near an open window, or turn a fan on slow speed. When it’s warm enough, move plants outdoors.

Growers in homes and offices often rely on heaters and air conditioners for air movement. Be sure to keep humidity high; orchids want moist breezes. Providing fresh air is an easy way to help your orchid breathe.

With today’s solstice, summer arrives in the northern half of the globe. Celebrate the arrival of the season with these orchid beauties:

Summer’s warmth and long hours of daylight kick orchid growth into high gear. Check out these care tips so your plants can thrive:

• Increase watering during warm or windy weather. Plants with actively growing leaves and roots will also enjoy extra water. Many orchid varieties, like Cymbidiums, Lady Slippers, Masdevallias, Miltonias, Odonts, and Vandas, want daily soakings. Check these helpful orchid watering tips for more info.
• On hot days, move orchids into shade. For most types, high temps are fine as long as humidity is high, too.
• Fertilize regularly. Fertilizing weakly, weekly works best.
• Finish repotting chores. Check here to see if your orchid needs repotting. Don’t repot on hot days, which can stress plants.
• Give orchids an outdoor vacation if your growing conditions permit.
• To fight pests, try beneficial insects and carnivorous plants. Only use natural, biodegradable pesticides when necessary, like Neem Oil, BT, pyrethrins, or rubbing alcohol/surgical spirits.

Minnesota’s Bemidji Pioneer reports on efforts to save native Lady’s Slippers from destruction. It’s a lot of work on behalf of a beautiful pink, white, and yellow orchid. Cypripedium reginae, or the Showy Lady’s Slipper, has been Minnesota’s state flower for over a century. Construction on Beltrami County Highway 39 could destroy the rare orchids growing near the road. The plants flourish along a stretch known as the Lady Slipper Scenic Byway. To save them, experts are digging up the plants, and keeping them in a temporary nursery. When construction is done, they replant them alongside the roadway. One section of highway has already been completed, and the orchids restored. Construction is expected to continue through 2016. This rescue effort is being coordinated by several state agencies, conservationists, and the Chippewa National Forest. To help, local residents can volunteer, and anyone can Adopt a Lady’s Slipper.

For more detailed info on the Showy Lady’s Slipper, check out BotanyBoy.org.

With their incredible diversity, orchids take many forms. These Thunia flowers may resemble Cattleyas, but this large Thunia plant looks more like a cornstalk than an orchid. Possibly the fastest growing orchid, new Thunia stalks grow 3 feet (0.9 m) or more during spring. This fascinating species has lived in a west-facing room of our apartment for 8 years. It puts on its big annual display in June, and Dave took some great shots.

These 5 inch (13 cm) blooms hang in clusters, pulling down the tops of their tall stalks, also called canes. Flowers emerge over the course of a month. New buds develop inside rounded bracts which come to a point, like crystals dangling on a chandelier. The fascinating flower lips have yellow whiskers and frilly edges.

This terrestrial is native to the Himalayas and Southeast Asia, where it grows along streams or in rocky areas as high as 7550 ft. (2300 m.) Each winter, Thunias drop their leaves and go dormant. In spring, new canes emerge from the bases of old ones. New growth needs full sun. Keep humidity high, but only water lightly. Too much water can rot young growth. Plants should be moved into shade when they’ve reached 6 inches (15 cm) tall. By late spring, Thunias need regular water and fertilizer. When leaves yellow and drop in autumn, reduce water and fertilizer to a minimum. I keep this specimen cool and dry in winter, watering as seldom as once a month to keep the stalks from shriveling.

Incredibly, this tall plant grows in a small 6 inch (15 cm) pot. I repot it every other winter into new, rich potting soil. To keep it stable, I tie the canes to the shelving unit where it lives. Despite its large size and care demands, it’s worth it to enjoy these gorgeous flowers hanging from a cornstalk.