ORCHID
Orchids have fascinated mankind for centuries. The sheer diversity in size, shape and color of the flowers makes them the perfect subject for collectors. As early as the late 1700s explorers collected these unusual flowers and returned with them to Europe. Thus began a craze among the wealthy and powerful who sought to enhance their status through the rarity of the plants in their collections. The proper culture of these rare plants was a mystery and many expensive collections failed because of poor cultural conditions. In the last half of the 1900s, increased attention from horticulturist and advances in breeding and hybridizing made these plants more widely available to the general public at a reasonable cost.
Orchids are divided into two groups; the epiphytic and the terrestrial. Epiphytic orchids generally grow among tree branches or stony outcrops in rain forests. These orchids have thick fleshy roots that absorb and retain water and mineral nutrients. The roots may grow among detritus and leaf litter caught in the crooks of tree branches, but in general, the roots never touch true soil. Terrestrial orchids on the other hand, grow on the ground with roots that grow into leaf litter or soil. Most orchids grown by horticulturists are epiphytic in nature. As such they are very adaptable to changing environments and thus are well suited to most homes.
Epiphytic orchids will not tolerate water-logged soil. The best containers for them are terra cotta (clay) pots that allow air into the growing medium. Ahner’s carries a complete line of orchid pots from Pennington Seed Co. Terrestrial species may be grown in standard clay or plastic pots as they will tolerate greater soil moisture compared with epiphytic species.
The potting medium is very important to success with orchids. Most orchid media consist of different proportions of coarse, medium or fine textured tree bark (usually fir), moss, charcaol, and perlite or a similar agent. Media containing a fine bark component is most appropriate for Cymbidiums, Miltonias and Paphiopedilums which are all semi-terrestrial. Coarser media are used for Vandas and Ascocendas. Most other orchids grow best in a mix of medium texture. Some premium mixes contain volcanic rock. Those media most closely resemble the growing conditions in such tropical paradises as Hawaii and the islands of the South Pacific. In addition, the volcanic rock adds weight to the pot and reduces the chances of a heavy flower spike tipping the plant. Ahner’s maintains a full assortment of all-purpose and specialty orchid media, including Schultz’s premium Orchid Mix.
Although orchids grow best when they are pot-bound, they do benefit from repotting every two years. After two years the components of the potting medium decay and hold too much water. Unless your orchid has grown substantially, there is no need to increase the pot size for most plants.
In general, orchids grow best in bright indirect light or filtered sun. Full sun during midday or the afternoon will burn the leaves. Orchids receiving the correct amount of light will have light green leaves. Too much light will cause leaves to yellow and too little will produce leaves that are dark green.
In a typical house, orchids should be watered once every week to ten days. More water may be required when the air inside is extremely dry, particularly in the winter when the furnace dries the air. Orchids appreciate moderate humidity levels (40 to 60%). Humidity trays are a convenient way of maintaining appropriate humidity levels and they are available in our store in a variety of sizes. Orchids thrive in a well ventilated space but should never be placed directly over a vent.
Like all house plants, orchids require regular feeding but suffer if too much fertilizer is given. To ensure appropriate nutrient levels, it is best to apply a high quality plant food following the instructions on the label. Orchids should undergo a rest period after blooming. An appropriate time for this rest period is during deep winter when light levels are low. During this time, reduce the frequency of watering and fertilization. In early spring begin a six-month regime of increased feeding and watering. As flower stalks appear, withhold food and reduce water until after blooming. Reduced watering and less frequent fertilizer applications will prolong flowering and encourage more prolific blooms.
Orchids are bothered by few pests. Aphids will occasionally invade flower stalks and scale or mealy bug may appear when plants are placed outdoors. These pests can be combated effectively with house plant insecticides such as Schultz Whitefly and Mealybug Spay.
At Ahner’s Garden and Gifts we have Missouri’s largest year round selection of orchids including species and hybrids of Cattleya, Cymbidium, Dedrobium, Miltonia, Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Phaelenopsis and Zygopetalum. Fresh plants arrive weekly. In addition, we carry a complete assortment of orchid care accessories to help ensure your success with these beautiful plants.
Orchids often are perceived to be difficult to grow, however, that is not the case. Many people find orchids to be both elegant and enchanting. Our selection is the best in Missouri and to ensure your success, we routinely provide comprehensive fact sheets on the care of each type of orchid we carry.
Taken from an address given by Maury Frein at the Missouri Botanical Garden. Mr. Frein is the Retail Manager at Ahner’s Garden and Gifts.
