AboutOrchids

The Nature Conservancy protects many vital orchid habitats. This nonprofit group began in 1951, and now works in all 50 US states and more than 35 countries. With over one million members, it’s one of the largest environmental groups in the world. By purchasing threatened lands, restoring native habitats, and fighting invasive species, the Nature Conservancy effectively protects biodiversity. Projects around the world, from China to the Yucatan, offer hope that some orchid habitats can resist growing human pressures. Important orchid ecosystems like Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest are being restored by the group’s Plant a Billion Trees campaign. These massive tree plantings are also designed to combat climate change. By protecting lands and waters, the Nature Conservancy saves plants and animals in their wild habitats.

You can support the Nature Conservancy’s work by donating, becoming a member, joining on social media, or adopting an acre.

North American orchid projects include:

• The Green Swamp in North Carolina, home to 18 orchid species
• Bluestem Farm in Wisconsin, with native Lady Slippers and other cold hardy species
• Native Pennsylvania species in several preserves throughout the state
• Rare orchids on Maryland’s Eastern Shore
• A sanctuary for endangered orchids on Canada’s Bruce Peninsula
• Preserves for the reintroduction of Hawaii’s highly endangered native orchid species
• A park spanning Minnesota and Manitoba, where the Western Prairie Fringed Orchid grows in a rare, intact Midwest grassland

In a world full of hybrid Moth Orchids, it’s always a pleasant surprise to find a species. Typically seen with dark red spots and stripes, this species, Phalaenopsis mannii, also occurs with yellow flowers. This variation is known as Phalaenopsis mannii var. aurea. Its golden color, strange flower lip, and orange fragrance make it as interesting as any human-made hybrid.

Like other Phals, this species is native to Southeast Asia. It grows in a wide range stretching from the eastern Indian Himalayas through Nepal, Bhutan, southern China, Myanmar (Burma,) and Vietnam. There are several natural color varieties like those shown on this page of Phals.net. Look closely to see the subtle white stripes on the lower sepals of these yellow blooms.

Orchid shows slow down in the northern half of the globe as summer approaches. However, in the southern half of the planet, events ramp up in Australia and Brazil. No matter where they happen, orchid shows are great places to enjoy beautiful blooms, meet local experts, and find plants for your collection.

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From the capital of our 49th state, Juneau Empire has a guide to Orchids in Southeast Alaska. With more than two dozen native species, Alaska offers a great reminder that orchids can appear in unexpected places. Many Alaskan varieties are known by their colorful common names, like Frog Orchid, Bog Orchid, Adder’s Tongue, and Rattlesnake Plantain. The Calypso, or Fairyslipper, and the Mountain Lady Slipper are as stunning as any of their exotic tropical cousins. Species with smaller flowers, like Coral Root Orchids, Ladies Tresses, and Twayblades, have plenty of their own charms. Be sure to click through the article’s photo gallery to see Southeast Alaska’s floral best.

No matter where you live, if you find orchids in the wild, enjoy them in their natural state. It’s important never to pick wild orchid flowers or dig up plants. Native orchid species are endangered, and protected by laws and treaties.

The Chelsea Flower Show has celebrated its 100th birthday. London’s biggest gardening event welcomed its next century with typical pomp and floral beauty, and an added element: gnomes. As always, orchids were a big part of the show. Word spread early that one of Britain’s rarest orchids had its own team of bodyguards. The extraordinary Lady Slipper on display, Cypripedium calceolus, almost became extinct in Britain, and sadly, some orchid lovers just can’t be trusted. The plant is small enough for a thief to pocket, unlike a large, bronze Moth Orchid statue.

Orchid award winners included this gold-winning exhibit from the Eric Young Orchid Foundation, featuring orchids varieties from 100 years ago. More impressive exhibits from McBean’s Orchids and Akerne Orchids come courtesy of these two short videos from Jose Santos:

While you’d be forgiven for thinking the show is more about celebrity and fashion than plants, controversy has long been part of the event. News coverage from the past century shows plenty of thorny commentary among the praise. No matter your stand, any orchid lover can enjoy the video below showing the Queen admiring an orchid display. She even smiles a few times at the end. That’s Chelsea Flower Show gold.

Who needs flowerpots? Orchids can grow attached to wooden mounts or trees, mimicking how they live in the wild as air plants. Despite this more natural look, mounted orchids aren’t as common as potted ones, since mounted orchids need extra care. Potted plants are usually better choices for orchid beginners.

For gardeners in tropical and subtropical areas, people with greenhouses, and experienced growers, mounted orchids can fill vertical gardens. Many types of orchids prefer to grow on mounts. For example, Vandas like to have their roots in the open air. Cattleyas need to dry thoroughly between waterings. Angraecums don’t like repotting.

To grow mounted orchids, consider how their care differs from potted orchids:

• Extra water – Mounted orchids need more frequent waterings, especially on warm or windy days. Exposed roots dry much faster than roots in a pot. That’s good, because it limits problems with bacterial or fungal infections.
• Constant high humidity – All orchids need high humidity. However, without moist potting material around their roots, mounted orchids are very susceptible to dry air. Maintain at least 50% humidity at all times. Heaters and air conditioners can dry the air, leading to problems when growing mounted orchids indoors.
• Consistent fertilizer – Mounted orchids need regular fertilizer. Without decomposing potting material as nutrients, their roots have no food reserves. Fertilize weakly, weekly.
• On trees or in trees? – Rather than attaching plants directly onto trees, many growers hang mounted orchids on branches. On its own mount, the plant is not permanently attached to the tree. Growers can bring orchids indoors for harsh weather, or to better enjoy the blooms.
• Remounting – If an orchid outgrows its mount, it may be best to attach the entire plant, with its old mount, to a new mount. Removing an orchid from its old mount can severely damage the roots. If an old mount breaks or falls apart, remove all rotten material, and attach the orchid to a new mount.

Check back soon to explore further. I’ll cover how to mount an orchid.

Take a virtual tour of a large East Coast orchid greenhouse in “An Orchid Grows in Ithaca,” courtesy of Mountain Home magazine. In Ithaca, New York, The Orchid Place is a family operation which supplies blooming orchids to supermarkets from Maine to Maryland. Begun in 2005, it has a 10,000 square foot (929 square meter) greenhouse with 150,000 orchids. The plants begin life in Taiwan, one of the world’s largest orchid exporters. Young plants are shipped to greenhouses like this one in Ithaca belonging to the Liu family. Here they acclimate and mature before landing on supermarket shelves.

Surprisingly for an operation of this size, The Orchid Place is not automated, and does all its plant care by hand. Thousands of Phal, Paph, Cattleya, Oncidium, and Dendrobium hybrids thrive in an area best known for long, cold winters. I know about the climate there because, before I moved to San Francisco in the late 1980’s, I lived in Ithaca while I attended Cornell University. I even owned my first orchid there, bought during a visit to Washington DC’s National Botanic Garden. It was a baby Cattleya which never stood a chance in the low light and dry air of my living room, but I didn’t know any better then. Years after I did my orchid wrong, it’s great to see that orchids are thriving in Ithaca now.

Be sure to click on the pictures in the article to enjoy the excellent large photos.

With endless choices of brilliant colors and magic shapes, orchids have become Mother’s Day favorites. No need to worry if you don’t have a green thumb — most orchids don’t deserve their finicky reputations. With a few care basics, you can enjoy their tropical flowers for weeks or even months.

• Identify your orchid to learn its light, temperature, and water needs. You don’t need its exact name, just its orchid family. Phals, or Moth Orchids, are the most common types sold. Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Epidendrums, Oncidiums, and Paphs are also popular.
• If you cannot identify your orchid, use these basic care tips.
• When watering, soak roots and potting material thoroughly until water runs out of the holes in the pot. Let all excess water drain completely. Never allow the pot to sit in water for more than a few hours, or the roots may rot.
• Eventually you need to remove ribbons, wrapping paper, or decorative containers if they block water draining from the flower pot.
• All orchids need high humidity and good air movement. Dry, stagnant air can lead to wilting flowers and pests.
• As cut flowers, orchids don’t need any special care. Change the water every couple days to keep blooms fresh.
• Browse AboutOrchids for more growing tips, FAQ, and beautiful photos. Enjoying orchids has never been easier.

Two recent news articles help demystify orchids. Wisconsin’s Journal Times and New York’s Chronogram magazine bring good news about basic orchid care. Both articles make the same point often made on this site: orchids are easy with a few key care points.

The Journal Times covers Phals, or Moth Orchids, the most common orchid sold today. “The blooms can last two to four months, and there are some that seem to be in bloom nearly all year.” Helpful Phal potting advice includes replacing moss with bark after blooms drop. Moss works great for the experts, but bark is much easier for beginners. “With a good quality orchid mix, bright light, fertilization and the right moisture, your orchid will bloom again in a few months. Enjoy.”

From the Hudson Valley of New York, Chronogram has a helpful article about orchid basics, looking closely at Phals, Catts, and Dendrobiums. “First-Orchid Confidence” begins with a common scenario: “You are gifted or impulsively buy your first orchid. A bit of panic sets in. They’re ethereal, celestial, and otherworldly, aren’t they? And therefore must be fussy as heck? Not so. … They just need consistent care that mimics the conditions of their native environment.” The article’s helpful info includes tips for water, light levels, humidity, and fertilizer. There are also sidebars for “Sourcing Orchids Responsibly” and “Orchid Fun Facts.”

As the largest and most diverse flower family, orchids can be overwhelming. To make them more manageable, many growers specialize. With 30,000 species, and over 150,000 hybrids, there are countless ways to find a niche in the orchid world. Here are a few:

Collect mini’s – Miniature orchids are short on stature, but full of exotic beauty. Out of necessity from lack of space, or simply because they’ve succumbed to mini charms, many growers focus on small varieties. Mini Phals and mini Cattleyas join small members of the Dendrobium, Masdevallia, and Oncidium families to guarantee that you’ll never get bored with their endless diversity.

Create a fragrant orchid collection – Many members of the Cattleya, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, and Oncidium families exude rich scents. Always sniff it to see if it’s a smell you like. Some members of the large Masdevallia and Bulbophyllum families have unpleasant smells. White flowers may only be fragrant at dusk or nighttime.

Grow orchids from a certain region –  How about orchids native to Mexico, like Laelias, Epidendrums, and Vanillas? Cattleyas, Oncidiums, and Miltonias from the Amazon? Or Madagascar’s Angraecums, Jumelleas, and Oeoniellas? People in China and Japan have collected native Cymbidiums and Samurai Orchids for centuries. Southern Africa is home to fascinating terrestrials like Disa and Stenoglottis, and epiphytes like Mystacidium and Aerangis.

Collect one genus – Paphs, or Lady Slippers, inspire collectors who grow nothing else. Phals are a source of endless fascination, and new hybrids appear all the time. Epidendrums have long lasting blooms in a rainbow of colors.

Pick award winners – Why not have the best? Expert judges award exceptional orchids. Awards become part of the orchid name, so look for initials at the end of nametags, like CCE/AOS or FCC/AOC.

Cultivate orchid species – Species are Mother Nature’s original handiwork, as opposed to hybrids created by humans. Many growers like me enjoy the extra challenges of cultivating orchid species. They can be more finicky than hybrids, needing high quality water or precise temperatures. If you buy orchid species, always buy from reputable dealers, and never take orchids from the wild.