All About Orchids

Orchid Madness
Think you can’t grow these hothouse beauties? Think again.

Beautiful and popular, orchids have a reputation for being as finicky as cats and addictive as Lucky Strikes. The finicky label is only partially true “a number of not-so-fussy orchids can be grown in the home or the garden. But their addictive quality is hard to refute. Among the famous who’ve been swept up are tobacco heiress Doris Duke, actor Raymond Burr (aka Perry Mason), and fashion designer Geoffrey Beene. Expert or novice, here are some practical and fanciful things to know about the world’s most gorgeous flowers.

Background
The Orchidaceae is an ancient family of perennials, comprising some 60,000 known species and myriads of hybrids. In form, the flowers are entirely different from those of all other plants. Each flower consists of three sepals and three petals with only two petals matching. The odd petal out, the labellum, is (as its name implies) lip-shaped.

Orchids are not self-pollinating, which has given them a leg up in survival and proliferation. Their means of attracting insects for fertilization is both seductive and devious. Various orchids look like butterflies, bees, wasps, moths, or spiders, tricking such insects into thinking the orchids are kith or kin. So, in a way, orchids are smarter than bugs, and they’re definitely sexier.

Most Familiar Types
Clockwise at top and below.

Phalaenopsis “Though known as Moth orchids, these are the aristocrats of the orchid world. Their colors vary, but the most common are white or pink. These orchids are beginner-friendly.

Cattleya “This genus includes about 40 species and hundreds of hybrids. Our favorite is the gorgeous Chocolate Drop.

Dendrobium“An Old World genus consisting of 900 species from India, Burma, China, Japan, and the Philippines, they range in habit from Lilliputian to among the largest orchids known. You’ve seen white Dendrobiums at weddings, but if you’re looking for something a bit more exotic, try Spiral Gem ˜Universal Topaz.

Oncidium “Found in the West Indies, Ecuador, Peru, and to some extent in Florida, this genus includes about 500 species. You’ve enjoyed tiny Dancing doll orchids in floral arrangements for years.

Paphiopedilum“The initiated call them Paphs, though you may also hear them called Slipper orchids. In color and form, they are as exotic as aliens from Mars but far more alluring.

Vanda“These orchidists orchids are difficult to grow and prefer a warm greenhouse, but who could resist a Blue orchid?

Cypripedium“Commonly known as Lady’s slippers, these orchids hail from the temperate regions of the Northern hemisphere, Southern Asia, and Mexico and are best grown in a shady rock garden or woodland environment.

Cymbidium“These orchids are often used in fresh flower arrangements because of their long life. And, since the blooms grow on tall stalks and are so large, they can be set on the ground in a foyer or dining room to replace the traditional, nondescript green plant in the corner. The most common”and beautiful”are the white and lime-green varieties, such as Showgirl and Thurso.

What You Need to Grow Orchids At Home
Light  A bright eastern or south to southeastern-facing window will provide ample light to grow and re-bloom orchids in the home. A sheer curtain or partially closed mini-blind in front of a southern window provides enough light for most plants.

Temperature  Orchids are divided into three main temperature groups: warm-growing (nighttime between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit and daytime between 85 and 90 degrees); intermediate (nighttime between 55 and 60 degrees and daytime between 75 and 80); and cool-growing (minimum 45 degrees at night and up to 75 degrees in the daytime). Intermediate to warm-growing plants are the easiest to grow at home. Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum hybrids are ideal in-home plants.
 
Water  Orchids are designed to live attached to trees in a very buoyant and moist atmosphere. The roots, depending on the species, need to dry slightly between each watering. Plants with canes and pseudobulbs can afford to dry out more than plants that just have fleshy leaves for water storage. Water quality is also important: an overabundance of dissolved minerals and salts can burn the roots.

Atmosphere  Humidity and air movement combine to create the atmosphere. Again, the plant’s water-storage capability influences how much humidity is required for optimum growth. Plants with little capacity to store moisture need higher humidity levels. Dendrobiums can tolerate levels of 50 to 60 percent, while Phalaenopsis need 60 to 70 percent humidity. If the atmosphere becomes close and stagnant, then disease can start to take hold. In a greenhouse, abundant air movement keeps plants from becoming too wet and keeps pathogens at bay. Our homes are usually open enough that the atmosphere is healthy. Humidifiers, periodic misting, and placing pebble trays with water beneath pots can boost humidity.

Fertilizer  Most orchids are not very picky about their food. They dont require huge amounts, and some even resent it. Weakly, weekly is the rule of thumb for fertilizer. Use 1/4-strength of a balanced water-soluble fertilizer every week. Make sure that at every fourth watering you flush the pot with lots of fresh water to remove any build up of fertilizer or minerals and salts.

Thanks to Glenn Pate, member of the Greater North Texas Orchid Society and American Orchid Society judge, for his helpful tips. Visit the American Orchid Society online at www.orchidweb.org.

Where to Shop
Cebolla Fine Flowers carries a ton of seasonal orchids, from Phalaenopsis and Oncidiums to Ladys slippers and Pansy orchids. 4320 Lovers Ln. 214-369-7673.

Gunters Greenhouse & Florist is the biggest orchid grower in the Southwest. Gunter Schnetzinger started breeding orchids in Dallas 35 years ago as a hobby. Now he tends 25,000 square feet of commercial glasshouses filled with hundreds of varieties. He carries wooden hanging baskets for Vandas, which are designed so that roots can grow through the slats and dry out between waterings. Hydroponic gardeners will find baked clay balls to use as a growing medium. 513 W. Campbell Rd., Richardson. 972-234-6017. www.gunters.com.

North Haven Gardens has a full line of orchid-care products and supplies, including fertilizers and feeds. They carry plain terra cotta and glazed orchid pots with ovoid slits, as well as Schultz Orchid Food and Schultz Orchid Mix. 7700 Northaven Rd. 214-363-5316. www.nhg.com.

Village Garden & Gallery makes a point of carrying at least five different varieties of orchids at all times, the rarer the better. 3699 McKinney Ave., Ste. 105. 214-741-1470.

Nicholson-Hardie is a full-service nursery that is where the florists around town often go to buy their orchids. You can beat them to the punch by shopping here for all of the essentials for potting a beautiful orchid: pots, fertilizer, moss”and the lower price (most orchids start around $32). 5725 W. Lovers Ln. 214-357-4348. www.nicholson-hardie.com.

Smith & Hawken carries a variety of orchids ranging from Dendrobiums to tall, towering Cymbidiums. They also carry the full line of Guy Wolff concrete orchid pots and copper trays for display. Head to their web site for a great gift”home delivery of a different orchid three or six times a year ($129 and up). The windowsill need never be empty again. 3300 Knox St. 214-522-6522. www.smith-hawken.com.

Avant Garden always has a variety of specialty orchids on hand, and they’re usually custom-potted with green moss and bamboo stakes. From Ladys slippers to Oncidium Wildcats, the selection changes weekly and is available for delivery. They also have a seasonal selection of containers and pots perfect for whatever size orchid your heart desires. 4 Highland Park Village. 214-559-3432. www.avantgarden.com.