Orchids have been the source of fascination and foiling to plant lover for centuries . There ’s no dispute the fact that they are some of the most amazingly beautiful flowers in world . Their awesome precious stone - corresponding colors and compelling scents ( think vanilla , which come from theVanilla planifoliaorchid ) tantalise us . Their alien anatomy and strange anatomical social structure intrigue us . The foiling lies in not understand their cultural necessary , which differ to some extent from those of most plants . But once you grasp a few basics about orchid , you ’ll see that they really are n’t difficult to develop .
Orchids are believed to have evolved around 80 million year ago . They were already ancient life bod when the dinosaur roamed the world 65 million days ago . With approximately 25,000 metal money and more than 100,000 registered hybrids , orchids comprise one of the large and most diverse anthesis plant class in existence . Within such a large category , it ’s no surprise that considerable diversity exists in the colors , shapes , growth use , and cultural necessary of its members . They can be find growing wild on every continent except Antarctica and in a broad range of habitats , including the deserts of Western Australia , remote Mediterranean mountaintops , and swarm forest of Central America . roughly 200 orchid metal money are native to the United States , where they grow in every state let in Alaska . But the large variety and concentration of orchid species hail from the tropic and semitropic areas of South America and Asia .
The captivation with orchids has spawned a vast number of orchid fellowship around the orb . In this country , the American Orchid Society ( AOS ) has about 30,000 penis across the nation with over 500 affiliated society worldwide , let in the local Charlottesville Orchid Society . The AOS is an fantabulous rootage for information on orchid basics and other related to orchid topics .
ORCHID BASICS
While there is much diversity within the orchid genus , all orchid flowers partake in a few common trait that are unique among floral plant . Each flower is bilaterally symmetrical ( the right and left half of the flush are mirror images ) and typically has three petal and three sepals . The bottom petal tends to be extremely modified forming a greatly enlarged lip , which the flower use to pull in possible pollinators . Unlike the separate structures found in other flower , the female pistils and male stamens of orchid are coalesce together in a undivided pillar .
Orchids have extremely specialized base systems , which are categorize as epiphytic , lithophytic , or terrene .
For purposes of propagation , orchids may be described as :
orchid may be categorize as warm- , intermediate- , and cool - growing . Each category grows best in the temperature range assign to it . However , there is considerable overlap among the categories . When selecting an orchidaceous plant , it ’s wise to travel along the direction that occur with it regarding the care and temperature range recommended for that particular specie or hybrid . Unless you are a serious orchid gatherer with the ability to compartmentalize your plate or glasshouse into specific climate zones , it may be wiser to select orchids have the same or similar growing requirements .
RECOMMENDED ORCHID SPECIES FOR THE HOME GROWER
The follow orchid coinage are mostly commend for the base agriculturist because they adapt well to the living precondition found in most place .
The queen of the orchids , the spectacularCattleyaorchid is one of the most beautiful flowers in the humanity . It is the orchid species customarily associate with corsages . One of the most usually grow orchid in the home , Cattleyasare often fragrant and the flowers can last from two to six weeks . The industrial plant need a portion of light source and prefer an east or west windowpane or a slightly shaded south - facing window . Rather than airy roots , the epiphytic , sympodialCattleyahas a pseudobulb , which hive away water . Allow this plant to dry out out reasonably between tearing .
If theCattleyais the queen of the orchidaceous plant , the tall - originate ( up to three feet)Cymbidiummight be deliberate the world-beater of the orchidaceous plant . Cymbidiumorchids are sublunar , sympodial orchids from Asia that raise best in a fine - cereal barque mix . The blossom stiletto heel check a dozen or more blooms , some of which are scented . The flower spikes have to be staked . Otherwise , they become top heavy with the weighting of the heyday . Provide as much light as possible but shadiness from unmediated sunshine in summertime .
This is a very expectant genus of epiphytic , sympodial orchid . Most members of this grouping are calledDendrobium Phalaenopsisbecause the shape of their heyday resemble those of thePhalaenopsisorchid . They can tolerate some Lord’s Day but no unmediated high noon sun . They do well in a Benjamin West or south - face window with diffused Christ Within ( from a vapourous pall ) . This metal money farm from slender pseudobulbs , grows best when potbound , and produces outgrowth ( keikis ) .
usually referred to as “ pansy orchidaceous plant ” or Miltonia , this coinage has become very democratic because of its charming , big , flat blossoms , which are available in a wide range of colors . Each flower has a butterfly stroke - shaped invention in a contrasting color in its center . It grows from pseudobulbs , which should be produce in a o.k. - grain bark premix . This plant needs brilliant spark but no direct sun . It does not like temperatures above 80 ° F . Pansy orchidaceous plant take to be continue evenly water . Otherwise , the new leave will set about to take on an accordian - fold show and will not drop out again .
Commonly call “ terpsichore ladies , ” this declamatory , diverse genus consist of more than 1,200 species . These epiphytic , sympodial orchidaceous plant may be more hard to grow than other specie , but the billowing masses of preponderantly yellow flowers make growing them worth the effort . Hybrids with thick leaves can tolerate more lightness than thinner - go away selections . In general , Oncidiumsrequire less humidity and less frequent watering than many other orchid metal money .
This planetary , sympodial orchid genus is commonly known as “ slipper orchid . ” The flower consists of a pouch - similar sac with a large showy sepal at the top . The flowers run to be blotch with spots , hairs , and stripe . While some species have unpatterned dark-green leaves , other species have attractively mottled leaf . The species with mottled leaf prefer daytime temperatures in the 80s and nighttime temperatures in the 60s . The plain - leaved species favor cooler growing conditions with daytime temperatures ranging from high 70 to low 80s during the day and nighttime temperatures ranging from 55 to 60 ° F .
ThePhalaenopsisor “ moth orchidaceous plant ” is a large sept of epiphytic , monopodial orchidaceous plant that are easy to grow and a near alternative for a beginner . It ’s the most popular potted orchid species because of its foresighted , arching sprays of prime that stay fresh for several calendar month . It derives the name moth orchid because the long spray of blooms resemble a flight of moths . An east - face windowpane is idealistic for this metal money .
This epiphytic , monopodial coinage produces a atomiser of a dozen or more flowers ranging in sizing from two to four column inch . The flower are sometimes cloud in appearance and add up in strange people of colour , admit dark-brown and blue . Vandas have large ethereal roots that do not like to be disturbed by dispatch them from their containers . If they must be disturbed , soak the root in piddle for a brief menses to make them more pliable .
CULTURAL REQUIREMENTS
To grow orchids successfully , it ’s important to understand their alone cultural requirements :
HOW TO PROLONG ORCHID BLOOM TIMEWhen buying an orchid , select one with lots of bud rather than undefended blossoms . Then , to prolong bloom of youth clip :
WHAT TO DO IF YOUR ORCHID FAILS TO BLOOMInsufficient light is the primary intellect orchids go bad to bloom . Place the plant in an east- or south - facing window with soft light but no lineal sunshine . In summer , post the plant outside in a spot where it may receive a little early dayspring or late afternoon sun but will otherwise be in the nicety .
Keep the nighttime temperature cooler than day temperatures for bud set .
tally the growing instructions to see if your orchid require a menstruation of dispassionateness in other to trip bloom . Some species naturally know a dormant ( dry ) season before they will set bud .
HOW TO GET AN orchidaceous plant TO RE - BLOOMOf the commonly grown orchid specie , only thePhalaenopsisorchid will re - blossom from the old flush spike . After the works finishes blooming , cut the flower stiletto heel back to the second or third node on the spike . A new flower spike will eventually develop from one of the nodes , usually within two to three months .
HOW TO DETERMINE WHEN AN orchidaceous plant NEEDS TO BE REPOTTEDMost orchidaceous plant should be repotted every two or three years to ensure right aeration and drainage . The frequency of repotting may motley calculate on the type of pot , the frequency with which the plants are watered , and the growing mass medium used . If you ’re not certain whether to repot , inspect the barque mix to see if the individual particles have decreased in size , smell musty , or look moldy . As bark mixes degrade , the particles bump down , becoming smaller and hinder drainage . At this full point , poor drain can cause the orchid ancestor to rot . Repot before this happens or if the orchid is mentally ill from grow out of the potty .
ORCHID PESTS AND PROBLEMSCommon insect pests of orchids admit mealybug , spider soupcon , scale and aphid . Most pests can be gently dislodged using cotton wool swabs and rubbing alcohol , particularly mealybugs and scale .
Fungal diseases are the reason of many orchid death . To foreclose a fungal disease , do not over piss the plant or allow water to stand around the roots or collect in the outer space between the leaves . Keep air circulating around the root . Change the farm medium before it decays . If you detect a fungus , repot the plant as before long as potential .
SUMMARYOrchids are a joy to own . Despite the perception that they are difficult to grow , they really are n’t . They simply require different charge from what you usually give houseplant . Pay attention to their extra ethnical requirements and they will pay back you with weeks or month of exotic blooms . A happy orchidaceous plant is one that has :
source
CHAOS - Charlottesville Orchid Society ( cvilleorchidsociety ) .
Clemson.edu website Publication GHIC 1560 , “ orchid ” ( clemson.edu/extension/hgic1560/orchids )
American Orchid Society ( www.aos.org )
The hardheaded Encyclopedia of Orchids(Rittershausen , Brian & Wilma , 2014 )
“ Growing Orchids in the Home , ” The University of Tennessee Agricultural Extension Service Publication PB1634 ( extension.tennessee.edu/PB1634 )
“ Flower Power , ” by Chuck Woods , University of Florida Office of Research Publications ( research.ufl.edu/publications/flowerpower.pdf )
