Orchids:
When the weather starts turning wet and windy, it is time for me to start paying attention to my poor orchids that have been left pretty much alone all summer long. That means it is time for me to pay attention to my poor orchids that have been left pretty much alone since our permanent move out here.
Although there are more than 35,000 species of orchids, growing in nearly every habitat possible, most of the indoor varieties collectors focus on, are native to the tropics. For them to thrive, we need to think about their natural environment and try to replicate that. Think about the tropics. Sun-up at 6am. Sun-down at 6pm. All year long. That is 12 hours of light filtered through a humid jungle forest. It is not as hot as you might think. In many places where spectacular orchids grow, year-long temps range from about 70 to 85oF.
Orchids are categorized as either epiphytic (growing in air) or terrestrial (growing in the ground.) Epiphytic varieties are found in the forest canopy, up in the trees, where there is more light and air circulation. When potted, they need a medium sized bark for support but room for roots seeking air and moving water. Terrestrial orchids prefer the forest floor, where it is darker and wetter. They need a finer, loosely packed bark with peat added to replicate the decaying matter of the forest floor. Both varieties have roots that need air to absorb water and nutrients. Both need the warmth and daylight like the tropics to grow at their best.
In previous generations, collectors would scour the tropical jungles of South America and occasionally Asia or Africa, to bring home specimens and recreate their habitats in heated, ventilated, and artificially lit greenhouses. Today countries are less inclined to allow native plants out of county. We can be thankful for those first collectors, who have left us with raw materials from which growers can create hybrids in labs. They select from or create a variety of colors, patterns, shapes, and sizes, and then produce identical copies in quantities that can be offered for sale. Recent growers have been selecting for ease of growth and care too. Consequently, most indoor gardeners, with a windowsill and annual shifts in day length can manage to provide a home for an orchid or two. The reward will be long-lasting floral display to brighten our upcoming dreary days.
You will notice that many stores that carry plants and even grocery stores (including Aberdeen’s Safeway and once in a while Ocean Shores IGA) often carry a selection of orchids. These tend to be those varieties that are relatively easy to care for while still producing a spectacular long-lived display. For $20-$30 you can get a healthy plant, already in bloom. With a little care, you should be able to keep it in bloom from 10 weeks to three or more months. You may even get it to re-bloom.
Once you purchase a plant check to see what kind of pot it is in. A clay pot with drainage holes is best, since it will allow water to evaporate. Plastic or glazed pots will cause water to collect and “drown” the plant’s roots. Pots made especially for orchids have holes in the sides as well as in the bottom. You might want to look for some if you plan on keeping your plants long enough to replant, but the old terra cotta is simply fine.
Orchids need lots of air circulation, but not drafts. Keep them away from doors that open too often and do not crowd them. Water them with tepid water in the morning. Allow the growing medium, to become completely moistened while leaving no standing water. I water those I have in orchid pots every other day and those in more solid clay pots once a week. Check the moisture of the bark they are planted in. Water often enough to keep it from drying out.
Orchids are heavy nitrogen feeders. Most growers recommend using a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium formula of 30-10-10 once a month. I have better luck using a half or quarter strength solution once a week. As buds begin to form you might up the phosphorus level to help with bloom formation. 10-30-20 is a good choice, but not necessary.
Here are three species that are easy to grow. Follow the above directions for all three but note differences in growing medium, light, temperature, and humidity needs. Phalaenopsis and Miltonia are epiphytic orchids that need similar temperatures. Their growing conditions are similar enough that they could be grown together. Cymbidium is a terrestrial orchid that needs slightly cooler temperatures and would do better if grouped with cooler living plants.
Phalaenopsis (fayl-eh-NOP-sis) sometimes called Moth Orchids, are the least particular about growing conditions. They were the first to become widely available and today they come in a growing variety of sizes, color, and petal color patterns. They prefer temperatures about the same as we do: 75-85o during the day. Dropping to 60-65o at night. They need more humidity than we are used to, at 50-60% (like a bathroom during a shower.) Placing them on a tray of pebbles in water is better than misting, which can leave droplets at the base of leaves. Water two-three times a week. Place in a north- or east-facing window, with dappled or indirect light. Keep out of the sun to prevent scorched leaves.
Miltonia (mill-TONE-ee-ah) are smaller orchids whose flowers have a shape like pansies. Easier care versions were more recently developed so they are somewhat less available. They like temperatures and humidity remarkably close to Phalaenopsis and will bloom in the same sort of light. However, if you give them brighter but diffuse light, you’ll get brighter blossoms. Keep them watered all year without a drying out period before blooming, and they can bloom any time and several times a year.
Cymbidium (sim-BID-ee-um) is the most common orchid used in corsages. These require less warmth and not as much moisture as the epiphytic orchids. They prefer daytime temperatures of 70-80o but for best flowering, night temperatures need to drop 20 degrees. Water only once a week and keep humidity at 30-40% (between your living room and the bathroom during a shower.) Provide as much light as possible in a south or west facing window but shade from a hot midday sun.
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Dauna Koval has been growing orchids for 20 years and is currently helping her current plants to re-establish their new lives here at Ocean Shores.
For questions, comments or more information about this article, the Garden By The Sea or gardening in general you can contact Dauna Koval at: dauna@gardenbytheseaoceanshores.org
This article was originally printed in The Ocean Observer, January 2020.
