Orchids-variety-is-the-spice-of-life

Variety is truly the spice of life and this is clearly evident in the iridescent kaleidoscope of color and patterns, brought fourth by beautiful flowers, all around us... 

This truth is even more evident among the sheer multitude of Orchid varieties and species.  Take for example the Phalaenopsis Orchid, which has literally hundreds of different variations and sporting an almost endless splendour of colour and patterns.  Click this link for a FREE download that will significantly improve your orchid growing skills.

Phalaenopsis blooms

Features of Phalaenopsis Orchids include:

1. Thick, waxy propeller-like leaves.
2. Thick, silvery roots with trademark green tips.
3. Wide variety of beautiful, assorted colours. 

Beautiful varieties are shared by vanda, cymbidium, dendrobium to name just a few..  Below are a few varieties of Vanda Orchids.

As you can see, Vanda Orchids are true air plants.  Their roots grow out of the pots and they survive well, watering by spray alone.  These hybrids sport beautiful flowers with stunning colours and petal patterns.  Click this link for a FREE download that will significantly improve your orchid growing skills.

    Features of Vanda Orchids include:

1. Thick, waxy knife shaped leaves.
2. Robust root systems, which grow out of their pots.
3. Wide variety of beautiful, assorted colours.

As for variety, besides bearing different colours, petal shapes and designs vary too, as with this wild vanda variety below.

The beautiful lowers of this Rhynchostylus retusa orchid, are nothing short of breath-taking, the colour and shape of the petals virtually defy description.

Features of Cymbibium Orchids include:

1. Long, strap-like waxy leaves.
2. Robust root systems, which will grow out of their pots.
3. Wide variety of beautiful, assorted colours.
4.  Click this link for a FREE download that will significantly improve your orchid growing skills.

 These tiny orchids could easily be overlooked but are beautiful all the same.

Flower from a variety of Vanilla plant

Mature Vanilla Orchids grow seed pods which are plucked when ready and allowed to dry.  The dried vanilla beans are ground down into a powder; the essence of which is used widely in the food and beverage industry.  Vanilla is used in flavoring ice cream, cakes, pan-cakes and many liqueurs.

Vanilla planifolia orchid growing on a tree and dried vanilla beans

 Care and Maintenance:

1. Water your Orchids by spraying the roots daily.
2. Feed the plants weekly with a foliafeed like phostrogen, miracle gro, basically any good "plant food".
3. In the tropics, Orchids grow best in the garden.  Keep them out of direct sunlight, preferably hanging under a leafy tree so that the plant receives alternating sun and shade, under a natural canopy.
4. Keep the leaves free of dust and for that, I recommend any type of "leaf shine" or "white oil", which will make the leaves shine, keep them dust free longer and repel pests. 
5.  Click here for a FREE download that will significantly improve your orchid growing skills.

Wild Orchids

Aerangis Brachycarpa

Aerangis Brachycarpa is an example of a wild orchid species.  Found in the tropics and thriving without water for months.  Quite different from the hybrid species, bearing small but pretty white flowers.

Here again is some information that will dramatically improve your orchid growing skills:  "Orchid Growing Secrets"

Lucky date..

This may seem pretty strange and admittedly, perhaps off-topic.. But, a true story all the same...  Someone who likes my blog, referring to a previous post, commented on how cute the tiny but stunning, Phalaenopsis Orchid looked sitting in a tea mug and went on to say that, they looked "good enough to eat" and so, I replied telling her that "well, the vanilla ice-cream that you love so much, gets it's flavor from the essence of dried Vanilla seed pods", to which she replied, "Oh.. ok, then it's an ice-cream date!!" - True story!!

Hint - Gentlemen, when you arrive at your date, be sure to be carrying a bunch or two of orchid flowers; you will definitely score a few points ;-)

 Click this link for a FREE download that will significantly improve your orchid growing skills.

Phalaenopsis-Orchids-growing-beautiful-colorful-flowers !!

Phalaenopsis orchids have captured the hearts and minds of growers, collectors and breeders for generations.  Also known as "Moth Orchids" or Phals.., they come in a wide spectrum of color and petal design variation..

Phalaenopsis Orchids are very popular due to their incredibly beautiful flowers with an almost limitless variety of colors, patterns and designs on their petals, Phalaenopsis flowers are the most sought after of all and they make wonderful gifts. It's no wonder that growing orchids has become such a passion.

No other family of plants in nature produce such a wide range of color as do orchids.  They are relatively easy to propagate and are able to flower under artificial conditions and they do well in greenhouses and solariums in colder climates.  In the tropics, they flourish outdoors but must be sheltered from rain and direct sunlight.

The other interesting feature of Phalaenopsis Orchids is that under ideal conditions, the they will produce new flower spikes continuously; at about the time the when the flowers of the older spike has begun to fade, the new spike emerges.  Since their flowers last almost three months, the some species of orchid, like the Phalaenopsis, appears to be almost 'ever flowering', making them so rewarding for collectors.  Click here to significantly improve your orchid growing skills.

Phalaenopsis Orchids come in a diverse range of beautiful colors.

Phalaenopsis Orchids were among the first tropical orchids in the Victorian collections. and since then, their commercial production has become a vibrant industry.

Orchid Brunch

Typically in nature, they are found growing in warm temperatures of between 20°C to 35°C (68°F to 95°F), but are adaptable to conditions more comfortable for human habitation in temperate zones (15°C to 30°C or 59 °F to 86°F).

Below, a mixed Phalaenopsis arrangement, fit for a royal wedding..

From seedlings to mature plants, they spend their early days in greenhouses until the first flower spikes appear and are then moved to display areas for sale.

Below, a few examples of tiny varieties and as you can see, the petal and leaf shapes are definitely Phalaenopsis.

Mini Phalaenopsis 2nd flowering

Phals add beauty and color wherever they are displayed.  Although "raised" in greenhouses, orchids are relatively easy to maintain.  In the "wild", orchids grow on trees and so bark is generally the potting medium of choice and watering thoroughly once per week is usually sufficient.  This does depend on where you keep your plant and the climate where you live. If your plant is potted in moss, water when the top feels dry. The amount of light and heat your plant receives will determine the watering frequency. E.g., in summer your plants will need more frequent watering and less during winter. 

Here are a few general guidelines to growing healthy, vibrant phalaenopsis orchids:

1. They grow best in bark, in small pots but some don't need pots, like Vandas.
2. Water once per week and avoid pouring water in the crown (where the leaves join in the center) to avoid crown rot. After watering, pour out any access water that settles in the saucer - Never let your orchids sit in water!!
3. Place your orchids in a brightly lit room or area but NOT in direct sunlight. In the garden, some orchids thrive under tree canopy but keep your Phals sheltered from rain and direct tropical sunlight.

Orchids in the mirror

Placing your orchids next to a mirror is a clever way to "double your yield".

Below are a fine spike of beautiful pink Phalaenopsis orchids blooming majestically on Mothers Day, 2014.  It is interesting that these awesome plants can thrive in a solarium in the "snow belt" region of Canada and in a garden in Malindi, on the east coast of Kenya.

Beautiful Pink Phalaenopsis Blooms

I would like to say a very sincere and heart-felt thank you to Gail, Cindy, Menora, Debs, Mary, Just Add Ice Orchids and Gigi, for all their support, pictures and feedback.


For more information on orchid growing, here is something that will dramatically help your orchid growing skills:  "Orchid Secrets Revealed"

Beautiful-blooms-in-2014 !!

Happy New Year, I would like to wish you all lots of blessings, great health, prosperity, success and tons of blooms in 2014

As usual, the delightful Christmas cacti burst into bloom with beautiful flowers during the holidays and what's more is that they're still in bloom  ;-) 

Brilliant white and shocking pink flowers.

Red and white flowers.

Pail pink variety.

Baby Christmas cactus.

This is how most plants start out, fresh from the nursery, in tiny little pots, baby plants are small and very cute.

After some time, plants out-grow their pots and so, below are a few tips and tricks to re-potting your plants and getting them flowering again and looking even more beautiful:

1. Choose an appropriate sized, bowl shaped pot.
2. This is the potting mix that I have been having great success year after year: 70% regular potting soil, 10% red soil, 10% charcoal and 10% crushed egg shells.
3. Ensure that there are enough holes at the bottom of the pot, to allow good drainage.
4. Line the bottom of the pot with gravel - this assists with drainage.
5. Position the plant above the gravel and add the new potting mix.
6. Holding the pot and plant, dunk it in a basin of (rain) water for a few moments, long enough to drench the soil and then remove the plant and place it on a saucer and presto, you're done.
7. After a while, discard any extra water in the saucer.

In time, your plant will resemble this beauty below.

Mature plant

If your Christmas cactus looks healthy and robust but yet, does not produce flowers, there is a simple remedy that will bring about blooms in 2 to 3 weeks (in the season).  If you seem to have this problem, please feel free to send me a message using the contact form on the page and I will be happy to let you in on the secret.

Beautiful-Blooms

 Cymbidium Blooms

Getting your orchids to flower is an art and an exciting experience.  Keeping your plant healthy and getting it to flower every season can be quite a challenge.  Mastering the art of orchid growing takes a little time and effort.  Following success tips and tricks help tremendously although, enthusiasm and passion are key ingredients..

Young Vanda plant and Vanda flowers from the parent plant

This young vanda is about a year and a half old and stands 17 inches tall, from base to top leaf.  It's growth is relatively straight and upright.  This was managed by rotating the plant periodically; otherwise, it would have had a slanted growth as plants always grow towards the light. 

Tuvok's Orchids  - Courtesy of Startrek Voyager

Orchids make a wonderful and spectacular addition to any living room, dining room; with their color, beauty and elegance and this is also true aboard starships  ;-)

Basic care and maintenance:

1. Growing media - Orchids grow best in a porous mix of bark, charcoal and coconut compost, to retain some moisture.
2. Do not drown your orchids or allow them to sit in water, they will get water logged and die.
3. Water your orchids once per week but the ones growing on trees should be sprayed daily.
4. Feed with a folier feed, like Miracle Gro, Garden Magic or phostrogen, every two weeks.
5. Apply a pesticide like Folimat once every 4 to 6 months to combat pests.

Beautiful Cymbidium Blooms

Thank you for dropping in to read my blog and "dew drop" in again.

Orchids-Live-Forever

A borrowed picture of a Clipper ..

When the early Dutch explorers navigated the great oceans of the world in Clippers, in search of great fortunes during the early 17th and 18th Centuries, no-one really expected Orchids to be part of their bounty.  That was to be the beginning of a new hobby that has grown to be a passion and craze..  Surviving the journey back "home", gives you an idea of just how durable orchids really are.  Interestingly, orchid plantations have been handed down from one family generation to another.

There are over 50,000 known species of orchids growing in almost every climatic region in the world.  These amazing and varied plants produce some of the most spectacular and wildly beautiful flowers known to man.  Orchids are known for their wide variety of colors, petal formations and arrangements and so, it is no surprise that orchid collecting and growing has reached epic proportions.

Table top variety of a "leopard orchid".

A variety of Cattleya Orchid

Some free info if you wish to start collecting orchids:

• Begin with varieties native to your geographical region. They will flourish better and flower more easily. If you live in the tropics, several species of cymbidium, oncidium and vanda, flourish very well and there are loads of fascinating forest varieties.
• Water them or spray them sparingly - don't flood them!!
• Avoid interrupting their flowering cycle; meaning that if you see a flower spike beginning, don't re-pot the plant at that moment, allow the flowers to finish their cycle, allow the plant to rest and when you see new roots emerging, then re-pot your plant.  If it doesn't need re-potting, leave it alone.

 Click here to significantly improve your orchid growing skills.

Two warnings - 1. Once you get into orchids that's it, you're hooked, you can find yourself dropping everything and everyone and running to an orchid show and 2. Don't try to collect them all, it's impossible and you'll go "potty"!! 

Aerangis-Brachycarpa

Aerangis Brachycarpa

In the wild the Aerangis Brachycarpa orchid can be found growing on trees and survive entirely on seasonal rain.  Being pretty hardy, they normally withstand many months without water.  

Measuring only about one and a half feet long by three quarters of a foot wide makes this "little jungle" pretty amazing, primarily because it can flower upto three times a year...

Click here to significantly improve your orchid growing skills.

Long story cut short..., I found the supporting piece of log in the Aberdare Forest, it was part of an old broken tree, knocked down by elephants many months earlier and all I did was place these wild orchids on the log and they took hold and have been bearing these beautiful white star shaped flowers, ever since.
In February 2014, 4 bulbs produced 80 flowers.  Very rewarding and so beautiful..

Aerangis Brachycarpa

A brief update, here are a few pictures of the same plant.  The photo above, was taken in Nov 2013 and the pictures below, taken on 7th May 2014, second flowering in 5 months.

 

little angels flying about

Care and maintenance:

1. Although these wild orchids thrive in a dry, hot climate, they can and will adapt very well if grown on/in bark and sprayed regularly.  

2. Feed with a foliafeed mix in water via spray, every two or three weeks.

3. Do not let these plants be exposed to direct tropical sunlight as the leaves will burn.

4. Do not water log these orchids.

One plant has sprouted 2 flower spikes which will be the 3rd flowering in 2014.