"orchids..
fragrance plays an essential role in their survival strategy... orchids spice up their lives in order to attract pollinators.
Flowers... are advertising the fact that they offer nectar or other substances...
Some have wonderful fragrances yet produce no nectar and trick insects into thinking there is a free meal. Other orchids produce odors that mimic the
pheromones of bees and wasps (some even look like female insects) so that males try to mate with the orchids. Some bees even collect the orchid's
fragrance and store it on their hind legs to use, perhaps, to attract their own mates.
Orchids are pollinated by bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, gnats, and beetles.
Flies, gnats, and beetles are attracted to dull-green and reddish-brown orchids with foul odors.
Bulbophyllum beccarii attracts flies by smelling like decaying animals. Butterflies and hummingbirds tend to gravitate to bright yellow and red flowers that are full of sweet nectar. Bees love nectar and cheerful flowers that range from purples and blues to bright yellows.
Most orchids smell best in the morning hours when the light is bright. The fragrance fades in the afternoon when the temperature increases.
This corresponds with the pollination practices of insects that are more active in early hours.
Other orchids are fragrant in the evening...
Brassavola nodosa... starts exuding its heavenly fragrance at dusk when its pollinators, nocturnal moths, come out.
Fragrances are volatile. They often develop and become more complex the longer you smell them.
A fragrance may catch your attention with a strong citrus smell that sweetens and becomes floral after a few minutes. At first Dendrobium anosmum smells like raspberry, shifts to strawberry,
then rhubarb, and finally hyacinth.
Some fragrances are mild, while others are intoxicating. There are many factors that affect fragrance. Ochids tend to be more fragrant on sunny rather than shady days, when the volatile oils warm up and diffuse. Fragrances tend to linger longer in
areas of high humidity. Locations where the air is still tend to trap fragrances, while smells will
dissipate in breezy sites.
Over the past several decades, a greater emphasis has been placed on hybridizing fragrant orchids.
... Phalaenopsis... is now being bred for fragrance (although it tends to be delicate).
Cymbidiums... are now being bred in miniature, easier-to-grow forms that have fragrance.
Cymbidium Golden Elf 'Stardust' is one example with a subtle rose perfume.
If you prefer strong fragrances, Rhynchostylis or Zygopetalum are two good options...
not all orchids are fragrant...
Cattleyas have fragrances that either revive you or make you swoon... they are [have] complex fragrances (many layers) that range from citrus to
beautiful, rose-like floral. Oncidiums have fragrances that make you hungry [well ! ...] they range from chocolate and vanilla to tropical punch.
When orchids are judged for fragrances, experts... evaluate the orchid based on the intensity (strength) of the fragrance, the distance the smell
travels, its general appeal (pleasant smell), and the complexity (well-roundedness) of the fragrance.
...
Popular Fragrant Orchids
...
Brassavola nodosa (lily-of-the-valley)
Brassavola 'Little Stars' (sweet)
...
Orchids from the Cattleya alliance tend to have floral, sweet, citrus
fragrances.
Cochleanthes amazonica (spicy, candy)
Dendrobuim anosmum (raspberry, strawberry or rhubarb)
Dendrobuim parishii (berries)
Dendrobium nobile (floral)
Encyclia fragrans (vanilla, honey)
Encyclia radiata (coconut)
Lycaste aromatica (cinnamon)
Maxillaria tenuifolia (coconut)
Miltoniopsis (rose)
Neofinetia falcata (coconut and jasmine)
Oncidium Sharry Baby (chocolate and vanilla)
Oncidium Twinkle (vanilla)
Oncidium Hawaiian Sunset (floral)
Oncidium cheirophorum (sweet, citrus)
Oncidium ornithorhynchum (vanilla)
Phalaenopsis Caribbean Sunset (rose)
Phalaenopsis Coral Isles (citrus)
Phalaenopsis Orchid World 'Roman Holiday' (spicy)
Phalaenopsis schilleriana (rose)
Phalaenopsis violacea (floral)
Rhynchostylis (floral)
Vanda coerulescens (grape bubble gum)
Zygopetalum (hyacinth)"
URL : http://ww2.7online.com/Global
Sunday, April 06, 2008
Fragrant Orchids
The American Orchid Society...to recognize its founders and celebrate its 87th anniversary...
"The American Orchid Society...
to recognize its founders and celebrate its 87th anniversary...
a book signing by orchid grower Robert Fuchs of R.F. Orchids, who will
speak about the book, "Robert's Road, Chronicle of an Orchid Tradition,"
written by Flora Murphy.
The celebration comes during April, which is National Orchid Month,
designated as such by the AOS on its 80th birthday in 2001. The naming of
the month is designed to raise awareness nationally of orchids...
nearly 18,000 members around the world, the AOS is recognized as a
proponent of orchid education, research, and conservation. It is the
largest special-interest horticultural organization in the world."
URL :
http://www.bocaratonnews.com/news/local/366-orchid-society-mark-founders-day-monday.php
Enjoy,
Steve
to recognize its founders and celebrate its 87th anniversary...
a book signing by orchid grower Robert Fuchs of R.F. Orchids, who will
speak about the book, "Robert's Road, Chronicle of an Orchid Tradition,"
written by Flora Murphy.
The celebration comes during April, which is National Orchid Month,
designated as such by the AOS on its 80th birthday in 2001. The naming of
the month is designed to raise awareness nationally of orchids...
nearly 18,000 members around the world, the AOS is recognized as a
proponent of orchid education, research, and conservation. It is the
largest special-interest horticultural organization in the world."
URL :
http://www.bocaratonnews.com
Enjoy,
Steve
Jewel Orchid - Ludisia discolor
"Ludisia discolor
Growth habit: An upright to sprawling evergreen orchid growing to 12 inches
tall and twice as wide. The leaves are oval in shape with a velvety look;
they are red on the underside and deep green on the surface with pink
longitudinal stripes, and they grow to 6 inches long and 2 inches wide.
Light: Grow in filtered sun.
Water needs: Prefers moist soil; water when the surface begins to dry.
Feedings: Apply an orchid fertilizer monthly March through November or add
a slow-release product to the surface of the soil following label instructions.
Propagation: Start plants from cuttings inserted into containers of potting
soil or by dividing older plants.
Ease of culture: Easy.
Hardiness: Tender; protect from frosts and freezes.
Major problems: Avoid overwatering and dense potting soils to prevent root
rot. Leaf-chewing and scale insects are occasional pests. Control as needed
with natural sprays.
Pruning: Grooming is needed throughout the year to remove declining leaves
and shoots that grow out of bounds. Also, remove stems of faded flowers to
keep the plants attractive.
Uses: Gardeners like the colorful foliage of jewel orchids, but they also
get a yearly bonus of attractive winter flowers. The white and yellow
blooms form along long stems held well above the foliage February through
March. These are terrestrial orchids that need a loose soil mix added to
containers having good drainage. The plants can be hung under trees or
displayed on shady patios and balconies, but avoid areas with excessive and
drying winds. They also can be grown in the home.
... native to Southeast Asia and Indonesia."
URL :
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/lifestyle/orl-profile0508apr05,0,2264161.story?track=rss
Enjoy,
Steve
Growth habit: An upright to sprawling evergreen orchid growing to 12 inches
tall and twice as wide. The leaves are oval in shape with a velvety look;
they are red on the underside and deep green on the surface with pink
longitudinal stripes, and they grow to 6 inches long and 2 inches wide.
Light: Grow in filtered sun.
Water needs: Prefers moist soil; water when the surface begins to dry.
Feedings: Apply an orchid fertilizer monthly March through November or add
a slow-release product to the surface of the soil following label instructions.
Propagation: Start plants from cuttings inserted into containers of potting
soil or by dividing older plants.
Ease of culture: Easy.
Hardiness: Tender; protect from frosts and freezes.
Major problems: Avoid overwatering and dense potting soils to prevent root
rot. Leaf-chewing and scale insects are occasional pests. Control as needed
with natural sprays.
Pruning: Grooming is needed throughout the year to remove declining leaves
and shoots that grow out of bounds. Also, remove stems of faded flowers to
keep the plants attractive.
Uses: Gardeners like the colorful foliage of jewel orchids, but they also
get a yearly bonus of attractive winter flowers. The white and yellow
blooms form along long stems held well above the foliage February through
March. These are terrestrial orchids that need a loose soil mix added to
containers having good drainage. The plants can be hung under trees or
displayed on shady patios and balconies, but avoid areas with excessive and
drying winds. They also can be grown in the home.
... native to Southeast Asia and Indonesia."
URL :
http://www.orlandosentinel.com
Enjoy,
Steve
Barbara Pierrou's orchid greenhouse...
"Barbara Pierrou...
greenhouses.. both built from kits.
One greenhouse is primarily used to house the majority of Barbara's orchid collection... about 250 plants. 8-by-12-foot free-standing structure...
a number of home greenhouse kits come with detailed instructions so buyers can put them together themselves.
...
The couple and their adult daughter assembled the second greenhouse themselves.
Barbara Pierrou's orchid greenhouse...
free-standing, straight-eave model with a green metal frame and polycarbonate walls. It's outfitted with a fogger, exhaust fan, regular fans, a swamp cooler that cools it during the summer and heater for winter months.
The fogger, heating and cooling systems are on automatic systems to keep the greenhouse conditions stable. Each is connected to sensors. For
example, when humidity drops below a certain level, the fogger comes on automatically.
Several small fans are situated throughout the greenhouse... You need air movement because without it, you'll get mold on the plants...
The structure did not come with shelves...
The second greenhouse is similar in size but cost less because of its wood frame...
includes a portable sink, as well as shelves...
if you're in the market for a greenhouse. The American Orchid Society... a list of tips:
Determine your needs and space requirements.
Greenhouses range from large, elegant conservatories to compact window greenhouses that fit snugly into a kitchen window frame. If your plant collection will expand, get one large enough to accommodate the additional
plants. It's easier to buy something slightly larger than to expand the greenhouse...
There are three major types to consider: lean-to, attached and free-standing greenhouses.
A lean-to is typically small, about 6 to 10 feet long, with one of its long sides formed by the side of the house to which it is attached.
An attached greenhouse is an extension of one's home that is connected at the narrow end instead of the long side. It's larger than a lean-to, so
it's better equipped to provide more control of humidity, ventilation and expansion problems.
Free-standing greenhouses... are unattached on all four sides. While they are more expensive than the first two options, they offer maximum light to
plants and better humidity control. Price can range from $50 [!!!] to several thousand dollars.
Pick a location in the yard that will capture maximum light. Avoid a spot near shade trees or other structures that can block light. While certain
plants, especially orchids, thrive in well-lighted conditions, they should not be exposed to direct sun. That can be easily fixed by putting a tarp
over the top.
Shelves should be built with convenience in mind. A good size is 30 inches tall and 33 inches wide. Aluminum mesh or steel mesh benches allows air to
better circulate. If you choose wood, select treated lumber that is moisture-resistant.
Consider heating and cooling needs.
A heating system is necessary in areas where temperatures dip below 45 degrees. Orchids do best in 60 to 80 degrees.
A cooling system is likely needed for a greenhouse in this region because of the hot summer months.
Automatic humidifiers should be paired with an adequate ventilation mechanism. Many greenhouses are equipped with side and roof vents that operate
automatically or manually. Add a few fans to keep air moving.
For more information about... buying and/or building a greenhouse check out...
"How to Build Your Own Greenhouse," by Roger Marshall (Storey Publishing...)"
URL : http://www.modbee.com/life
photo : [caption : "Barbara Pierrou... her home greenhouse"
http://media.modbee.com/smedia
Enjoy,
Steve
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
The American Orchid Society Has a New Look and a New Logo
The American Orchid Society has a new look including a new logo and a re-design of their popular website. The new website uses more white and is more airy than the old website... Not all the features from the old site (ie., Vendor Listings) are visible on new site but from the looks of things, it's going to be a great look!Post a comment below and tell us what you think of the new web design and the AOS's new logo.
The old American Orchid Society website used black very effectively which gave the site a lot of class. Black blended very well with the white text on top of the beautiful orchid images. Many of us got used to using the old site so the new site will take some time getting used to navigating. Tell us what you think of the new AOS designs by posting a comment below.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Orchids are all the rage today...
Learn why today's gardeners are obsessed with orchids. With step-by-step advice, even novice gardeners can cultivate these exquisite flowers. Orchids are all the rage today. In fact, orchids now rank as the second most popular potted plant, behind only poinsettias in sales.It's not difficult to understand why orchids are so appealing-they're available in a dazzling array of colors and shapes, their flowers can last for weeks, and their fragrances are unrivaled. Fortunately, today's orchids cost less than they did 10 years ago, and the quality is better. A blooming orchid is now less expensive than a modest flower arrangement and provides many weeks of colorful flowers.The Perfect PlaceOrchids are easy to grow as long as you choose the ones that fit your home environment. Comfortable indoor temperatures (65° to 75° during the day, and 10° to 15° lower in the evening) and normal ventilation usually work fine for many orchids. The biggest challenge is providing sufficient light and humidity. Some homes have heavy, light-blocking drapes and tend to have dry air. Orchids prefer humidity levels of about 50 to 60 percent. You can reach this level with an evap-orative-type room humidifier, and you can also add moisture to the area around the plants by growing them on trays filled with pebbles and water. A plastic unit called a Humidi-Grow Tray (about 1 foot square) is a ready-made unit serving the same function. In the Right DirectionWindowsills are home to most indoor plants, so let's look at the light-providing capabilities of these growing spaces. The direction a window faces has a lot to do with the amount of light and the time of day that light will be on your orchids.South-facing windows are the brightest and an ideal location for orchids needing the strongest light. Other orchids that need less light can be placed a few feet back from the window, or the light from the window can be diffused with a sheer curtain.In an east-facing window, morning sunlight is bright but not too hot. During the spring, summer and fall, this is usually an ideal exposure for the orchids mentioned in this article. During the short, dark days of winter, many of these same orchids would then usually prefer the south-facing window.The west-facing window receives as much light as the east window but, because it is afternoon light, is much hotter. So this is not as desirable a location as the east window. If you need to use it, make sure your orchids don't dry out.A north-facing window is the least desirable because it simply does not provide enough light to sustain healthy growth of orchids. Orchid OptionsChoosing the right type of orchids is critical to success. The ones I recommend, in order of ease of culturing, are:Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis). Exceptionally easy to grow, these bloom for weeks or months, come in a range of colors and have attractive strap-shaped, dark green foliage. Their arching spikes of moth-shaped flowers are the essence of grace and style, making them favorites for fashion magazine photo shoots. This type of orchid asks only for diffused, bright light, normal room temperatures and moderate humidity.Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum). These beauties have exotic flower colors and shapes and display handsome foliage even when the plants aren't in flower. The types called Maudiaes are especially vigorous, frequently blooming more than once a year. They have gorgeous foliage and brightly colored, glossy flowers that last for weeks. Slipper orchids need growing conditions similar to those for moth orchids.Dancing Lady Orchids (Oncidium). This group of orchids comes in a myriad of sizes. Some are miniatures, like Oncidium Twinkles, highly recommended because it blooms profusely in a small space. The plant itself grows only about 6 inches wide and tall, but when it flowers it has a flurry of pink or red 1-inch blooms with a light vanilla scent. Other varieties are larger, including one of the most popular orchids of all, the Chocolate Orchid (Oncidium 'Sharry Baby'), known for its scrumptious scent! It has leaves up to 18 inches long and flower sprays of 2 to 3 feet. It is a glorious sight in full bloom, which frequently occurs around the winter holidays.Corsage Orchids (Cattleya type). No group of orchids can match this one for bright, colorful and fragrant flowers. Years ago, these were grown primarily for cut flowers. The plants were large and unruly, grown only by those with plenty of greenhouse space. Thanks to efforts of modern orchid breeders, many of today's Cattleya hybrids are compact growers, yet still maintain their array of colors and delightful fragrances.Whatever the type, take the plunge and give orchids a try! You'll find that today's newer varieties have spectacular flowers, are not difficult to grow and are reasonably priced. They'll provide a spectrum of colors and sweet perfumes.One word of warning: Once you are bitten by the orchid bug, there may be no turning back!Proven Orchid-Watering Technique By Steve Frowine of New Hartford, ConnecticutGuest Garden WriterI find the pot-weighing method for determining when to water orchids is one of the easiest. In this method, you're relying on feel instead of precise weights. Here's how it works: 1. Thoroughly water the orchid in its pot. 2. "Weigh" the pot by picking it up. Now you know how heavy it is when it's saturated with water. 3. Wait a day or so and "weigh" it again by picking it up. You'll feel the difference in the weight as the potting material becomes drier. 4. Repeat Step 3 each day until you judge, by looking at the surface and sticking your finger into the top 1 inch or so of the potting material, that it's time to water. Keep in mind whether your type of orchid prefers to be on the damp or dry side. 5. Note what this dry "weight" is. Now the orchid is ready to be watered thoroughly. This entire process may sound tedious, but you'll be amazed at how quickly you catch on. And when you do, you'll always know the right time to water. Just lift the pot, note its weight, and you'll have your answer.
URL: http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/03/28/news0765.htm
Enjoy,
Steve
1888Orchids.com
URL: http://nation.ittefaq.com/issues/2008/03/28/news0765.htm
Enjoy,
Steve
1888Orchids.com
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Orchid Species Now Extinct in Burma
"The number of species of wild flowers has been falling steadily in Burma, most notably species of rare orchids...the Rainbow Orchid and the Hirsute Paphiopedilum, are completely extinct inBurma.The Rainbow Orchid (Paphiopedilum wardii) andthe Hirsute Paphiopedilum (Paphiopedilum villosum) were first discovered in the valleys of Putao and Nagmung in northernKachin State some 20 years ago.According to an orchid horticulturist from the Myanmar Florist Association, it was not possible to locate either of the species when updating theassociation's list of wild orchids in November 2007....why Burma's wild flowers are under threat... one possible reason is the demand from Chinese pharmacists for... orchids that are used to produceherbal medicines in China....According to a Burmese orchid buyer, Chinese merchants pay 30,000 kyat (US $27) to 100,000 kyat ($91) for a viss (1.6 kilograms) of wild orchids from Burma....Wild orchids which can be used as medication can be sold for up to $4,000 a ton on the Chinese market, he said."There are more than 20 wild orchids, such as Pierard's Dendrobium (Dendrobium pierardii), the Musky Smelling Dendrobium (Dendrobiummoschatum), the Hairy Column Foot Dendrobium (Dendrobium capillipes), that are used for herbal medicines. Some are good for the human liver and eyes, and they also substitute as multi-vitamins," he added.There are several large orchid plantations and orchid projects in Burma, but only run for commercial reasons. Collectors and horticulturalistsmostly get orchid seeds from Western countries and grow them in Burma for profit.The rare orchids that are being sold to Chinese herbalists usually originate with rural people in Burma, who peel wild orchids from trees andgrow them privately in their gardens.According to a gardener at Pyi Oo Lwin Advanced Orchid Garden in Central Burma: "Many orchids... which are known for their medicinal qualities, arealways being stolen from the gardens."Pyi Oo Lwin Advanced Orchid Garden is the largest orchid garden in the country with more than 300 orchid species.According to the Myanmar Forestry Department statistics, there are... 841 species in Burma."URL : http://www.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=11034photo : [caption : "Customers at the Thai-Burmese border can buy rare wild orchids from Burma."]http://www.irrawaddy.org/articlefiles/11034-orchid.gifTiny orchid back from extinction
"A... species that was presumed extinct has been found on the slopes of
Mount Wellington.
The dense midge orchid was last recorded in 1852 and had been listed as
extinct in Tasmania.
The orchids are about five centimetres high, with a cluster of tiny flowers.
A Threatened Orchid Project Officer, Matt Larcombe, says 60 patches of the
tiny orchid have been found on Council and private land in South Hobart.
"A local field naturalist, Kevin Bonham, actually discovered it," said Mr
Larcombe.
"He saw some leaves [orchid ?] late last year that he though were a bit odd
and went back up this year to have a look and see what they turned into...
it turned out to be the dense midge orchid.
"They're tiny... 4 to 7 centimetres tall and very fine so unless you're
really down on your hands and knees looking you'd just miss them and you've
got to be there at that right window when they're actually in flower to
actually see them or else there's nothing above ground, just a tuber below
ground." "
URL : http://www.abc.net.au/news
photos :
1) http://www.abc.net.au/reslib
2) http://www.abc.net.au/reslib
A terrestrial orchid species thpught to be extinct in Tasmania has recently been rediscovered. Corunastylis nudiscapa has been located on the slopes of Mt Wellington near Hobart during a search for Land Snails by officers of the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries,Water and Environment (DPIWE). This species has not been recorded since the type species was collected in 1840. Growing in sandy soil occuring on the eastern foothills of the mountain, the officers were initially unable to immediately identify the plant but formal identification came quickly as C. nudiscapa has no Tasmanian species with which it could be confused. It is a Dwarf Midge Orchid with tightly congested inflorescence of crowded reddish-brown to purplish glabrous nodding flowers and was only known from this single location. Great news and a psychological boost to those who never say never. Now all we need to do is get the same department to protect those other species rapidly heading in the same direction.
Alan W Stephenson
National Conservation Officer
Australasian Native Orchid Society
The Greater Omaha Orchids Society will hold its 21st annual orchid show and sale March 29 and 30 at the Lauritzen Gardens
The Greater Omaha Orchids Society will hold its 21st annual orchid show andsale March 29 and 30 at the Lauritzen Gardens, 100 Bancroft St. Omaha,Nebraska. Hours are 10 a.m. To 4 p.m. both days. There is an admissioncharge to enter the Gardens ($6.00) but there is no additional charge forthe orchid show. For additional information contact Jim Pyrzynski, showchair, jpyrzynski@cox.net.
"The 2008 Taiwan International Orchid Show ended...after attracting some 200,000 visitors...
during its 10-day run at theTaiwan Orchid Plantation in the southern county of Tainan.... the visitors included nearly 3,000 foreign floral experts and buyers.... official figures on the value of orders placed at the show were... notavailable...sales were expected to reach NT$2 billion (US$64.69 million).The foreign buyers came from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea,Russia, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates....The exhibition was organized by the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association andjointly sponsored by the Tainan County government and semi-official TaiwanExternal Trade Development Council.Orchid growers from 24 countries took part in the 2008 exhibition,including the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, the UnitedKingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Japan,South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and thePhilippines.Orchids... accounting for over 50 per cent of the total value of Taiwan'shorticultural exports...Taiwan... "Kingdom of the Butterfly Orchid"... it is the world's largestexporting country...About half the world's butterfly orchid varieties are bred in Taiwan.Taiwan exported NT$1.84 billion worth of orchids in 2006, a year-on-yearincrease of 24.1 per cent, with... phalaenopsis, accounting for NT$1.15billion of the total...Taiwan's orchid export orders secured at the Taiwan International OrchidShow totaledNT$800 million in 2005,NT$1 billion in 2006 andNT$1.5 billion in 2007"URL : http://au.biz.yahoo.com/080318/17/1nppb.html
"The 2008 Taiwan International Orchid Show ended...after attracting some 200,000 visitors...
during its 10-day run at theTaiwan Orchid Plantation in the southern county of Tainan.... the visitors included nearly 3,000 foreign floral experts and buyers.... official figures on the value of orders placed at the show were... notavailable...sales were expected to reach NT$2 billion (US$64.69 million).The foreign buyers came from the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea,Russia, Brazil and the United Arab Emirates....The exhibition was organized by the Taiwan Orchid Growers Association andjointly sponsored by the Tainan County government and semi-official TaiwanExternal Trade Development Council.Orchid growers from 24 countries took part in the 2008 exhibition,including the United States, Canada, Mexico, France, Germany, the UnitedKingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Japan,South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, and thePhilippines.Orchids... accounting for over 50 per cent of the total value of Taiwan'shorticultural exports...Taiwan... "Kingdom of the Butterfly Orchid"... it is the world's largestexporting country...About half the world's butterfly orchid varieties are bred in Taiwan.Taiwan exported NT$1.84 billion worth of orchids in 2006, a year-on-yearincrease of 24.1 per cent, with... phalaenopsis, accounting for NT$1.15billion of the total...Taiwan's orchid export orders secured at the Taiwan International OrchidShow totaledNT$800 million in 2005,NT$1 billion in 2006 andNT$1.5 billion in 2007"URL : http://au.biz.yahoo.com/080318/17/1nppb.html
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
India's share in the global flower market is... no more than 1-2%
"India's share in the global flower market is... no more than 1-2%...a sustained annual growth of around 10 per cent in the past several years, floriculture is emerging as a major growth segment in Indian agriculture.The export of flowers... has surged six-fold, from less than Rs 100 crore a year in the 1990s to over Rs 600 crore now. The area under flower cultivation has expanded rapidly, buoyed by an investment of over Rs 500 crore in this sector in past few years.According to the Economic Survey (2007-08), the acreage under flower cultivation has increased from 1,18,000 hectares in 2004-05 to 1,46,000hectares in 2005-06 and further to 1,54,000 hectares in 2006-07.Consequently, the production of flowers is estimated to have spurted from 659,000 tonnes in 2004-05 to over 886,000 tonnes by 2006-07. Many farmers, especially around the major cities, and in areas ideally suited for special categories of flowers, such as the north-east for orchid production, areshifting from food and other low-value, high-volume crops to growing flowers for better returns....the existence of large unexploited export potential, coupled with the anticipated fast growth of 6 to 7 per cent a year in the domestic demand for flowers, is likely to serve as a growth engine for the floriculture sector.The paucity of supportive infrastructure has been a major constraint in the development of floriculture in the past. Flowers... require specialisedpost-harvest handling, storage and transportation. Cold chains and dedicated transportation and cargo handling facilities are... needed for both domestic trade and export. Cold store facilities are desirable even at the export destinations to keep losses to a minimum."We have covered a lot of ground in the past 10 years in building up supportive infrastructure for the production, marketing and export offloriculture products..." says H P Singh, deputy director-general (horticulture) of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)...Thanks to rising incomes and urbanisation, the demand and consumption of flowers within the country is expected to grow at a faster pace from nowon. "The number of people who have the purchasing power to buy costly flowers is larger in India than in the UK," Singh points out. These are positive indications for the growth of floriculture as a niche segment of horticulture.Delhi has emerged as Asia's largest flower consumption centre, says Singh. But, the capital's main floriculture market still functions virtually from the pavements in the Connaught Place area, in the heart of the city.However, modern flower auction centres are proposed to be built in variouskey flower trading centres, notably Bangalore, Mumbai, Noida and Kolkata.... the one at Bangalore has already come up and... has becomeoperational...cold storage and cargo handling facilities, even if not entirely of international standards, have been created at several important airports, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram and Cochin. Such facilities are also proposed to be set up at the Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Kolkata and Bagdogra airports.... the demand for... for cut flowers is a relatively recent phenomenon. Traditionally, marigold and roses have dominated the flower trade in thecountry. Of late, the trade has diversified with demand coming up for other bouquet-compatible flowers as well.Equally significant is the emerging demand for value-added floriculture products, including dry flowers, essences and other extracts. This isexpected to enhance the emergence of the flower-based processing industry and also add to the employment- and income-generation potential offloriculture. Orchids , in particular, are deemed to have a great future as India is a natural habitat of cymbidiums and dendrobiums, the most sought-after orchidspecies. The north-eastern region is fast coming up as the orchid-hub of the country. A little push, like transportation subsidy and similar othersops, can trigger an orchid revolution [wow ! green, local or global ?]."URL :http://www.business-standard.com/common/news_article.php?leftnm=lmnu2&subLeft=3&autono=317854&tab=r
Monday, March 17, 2008
Fever pitch Windham man answered the orchid's seductive call
Chuck Crisler...has... about 450 orchid plants....at the Amherst, Mass., Show, one of his Cymbidiums won in two categories, the best large species and the best Cymbidium....he'll sometimes take two hours to water his orchids, holding them up and giving each one individual attention. "You've got to understand what they are feeling," he said [smile...].... Marty Epstein of Haverhill, Mass., theorizes orchids have a virus that get people to like them [smile...]....Crisler advised... on Cymbidium care, recommending that he dry them out. "... 'Keep them cool and dry, and they will bloom,' " Mulder said......But New Hampshire is also home to many orchids, 50 or 60 species [exactnumber ?]...The pink lady slipper one of the most well known that grows in the state. Easy to miss is the Coralroot orchid. It grows underground and comes up inthe fall for only three days or so to bloom."URL :http://www.eagletribune.com/punewsnh/local_story_077001826.html?keyword=topstoryphoto : [caption : "Cymbidium Hunter's Point... grown by Chuck Crisler]http://www.eagletribune.com/punewsnh/images_sizedimage_077001754/xl
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Green Orchids
You don't have to go to Singapore to enjoy a breathtaking bouquet of green orchids called Dendrobium Burana Jade "Burana." Just in time for Christmas! This variety of green orchids is spectacular! Stems can measure up to 24 inches long! WOW! These long lasting beauties are sure to delight even the hardest to please on your holiday gift list. A closer look at the flower reveals a mauve center which contrasts beautifully with the bright green petals. Twenty exquisite stems are sent in green vase shown.NOTE:Green orchids like these Dendrobium Burana Jade "Burana" will be sent with half the stem in bud and the other half with fully bloomed flowers. We recommend that you keep these green orchids somewhere bright so the buds will fully open. You may not get all the flowers to open but placing the orchids in a bright location will help the flowers to open more fully. These are spectacular flowers and we guarantee you will be amazed at the length of the stems.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Orchids in full bloom at Botanic Park
"annual Orchid Show at the Queen Elizabeth II Botanic Park... 8 March...
Produced jointly with the Cayman Orchid Society, the show is a fundraiserfor programmes conserving the 26 species of orchids, which are native tothe Cayman Islands."
URL : http://www.caymannetnews.com/news-5968--1-1--.html
Produced jointly with the Cayman Orchid Society, the show is a fundraiserfor programmes conserving the 26 species of orchids, which are native tothe Cayman Islands."
URL : http://www.caymannetnews.com/news-5968--1-1--.html
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Orchid smugglers wanted...
"People affiliated with smuggling of orchids to Krasnoyarsk are wanted bypolice in the Krasnoyarsk Territory.5,700 decorative flowers, which appeared to be orchids, were seized inKrasnoyarsk Airport when they were delivered by charter flight fromThailand to Krasnoyarsk...The orchids are estimated to cost about USD 70,000...The flowers were unloaded from the plane and moved with the concealment ofthese objects from customs control officers. A criminal case on smuggling(Article 188 of the Russian Federation Criminal Code) was opened on March 4."
URL : http://english.newslab.ru/news/258584
URL : http://english.newslab.ru/news/258584
Steve
1888Orchids.com
1888Orchids.com
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Seeds of Brazil shine in the Festival of the OrquÃdea of Japan
Translated from Portuguese to English:A dumb one with 233 white orquÃdeas, created from seeds of Brazil, was awardee in the International Festival of the OrquÃdea of the Japan, that yesterday finished (2) in Tokyo after to have received almost half million from visitors.
The orquÃdeas born with Brazilian seeds had received as the prize in the festival that counted on the participation of representatives of 20 countries, also of Brazil, through the Tropicalismo workmanship, from ambassador Paula Barboza.
About 100 a thousand orquÃdeas of all the colors, types and sizes, composed for the most diverse forms, had invaded the stadium Tokyo Dome, where the Great Prize of the OrquÃdea of Japan (www.jgpweb.com/index) is carried through since 1991.
One of the organizers of the festival, Nanako Terabuko, explained that the orquÃdea is the “evolved flower more, as well as the man between the animals”.
“The orquÃdea is a peculiar plant, the most developed and the one that more varieties presents. They are not as the roses, that always are symmetrical and of the same type”, said Nanako.
The proper orquÃdea word has an aphrodisiac connotation, therefore Greek comes from the orchis word (testicule), because for first the botanical Greeks, the form of the species of the region if seemed to the masculine reproductive agency.
In Japan this flower represents the beauty and if it uses in the ikebana, disciplines high Japanese to the category of art of the floral decoration.
As much are the types of orquÃdeas - in Japan they are counted about 2.500 varieties and more than 35 a thousand in the world - that for this competition six categories had been established: individual plants, for aromas, style of composition, drawing, artistic (it includes photograph, paintings and others) and orquÃdeas in miniature.
The orquÃdeas born with Brazilian seeds had received as the prize in the festival that counted on the participation of representatives of 20 countries, also of Brazil, through the Tropicalismo workmanship, from ambassador Paula Barboza.
About 100 a thousand orquÃdeas of all the colors, types and sizes, composed for the most diverse forms, had invaded the stadium Tokyo Dome, where the Great Prize of the OrquÃdea of Japan (www.jgpweb.com/index) is carried through since 1991.
One of the organizers of the festival, Nanako Terabuko, explained that the orquÃdea is the “evolved flower more, as well as the man between the animals”.
“The orquÃdea is a peculiar plant, the most developed and the one that more varieties presents. They are not as the roses, that always are symmetrical and of the same type”, said Nanako.
The proper orquÃdea word has an aphrodisiac connotation, therefore Greek comes from the orchis word (testicule), because for first the botanical Greeks, the form of the species of the region if seemed to the masculine reproductive agency.
In Japan this flower represents the beauty and if it uses in the ikebana, disciplines high Japanese to the category of art of the floral decoration.
As much are the types of orquÃdeas - in Japan they are counted about 2.500 varieties and more than 35 a thousand in the world - that for this competition six categories had been established: individual plants, for aromas, style of composition, drawing, artistic (it includes photograph, paintings and others) and orquÃdeas in miniature.
Vietnam attends orchid exhibition in Japan
VietNamNet Bridge - Vietnam has attended the 2008 International Orchid Exhibition in Japan. Orchid are considered the queen of flowers and very favoured in this country. On show were 100,000 styles of orchid arrangement from more than 160 countries in the world, including Japan, the US, Switzerland, Brazil, China and Vietnam. The Vietnamese booth was located at the centre of the exhibition with white and purple orchids brought from Da Lat and Sa Pa. The exhibition closed on March 2, coinciding with the Hinamatsuri festival during which Japanese people display peach blossom and dolls
Link: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/lifestyle/2008/03/771420/
Enjoy,
Steve
RFID tunes in to help orchid exports bloom
Tagging will aid information flow within the supply chain and prevent waste
Published on March 21, 2008
"Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is... being used by the Thaiorchid-export industry to improve its supply-chain management system.The technology allows each chain to control its process... and trace orchid flowers to their origin.... Thailand is the second-largest exporter of orchids...National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec).Developed... the prototype of the system...RFID would be used to gather information from tissue cultures in thelaboratory, such as the plant's age; the name of the farm; information fromthe greenhouse during planting; the lot number and orchid size duringpackaging; and information gathered during the logistics process.If there is a problem with the stems, the system will help follow the chainto the origin and find the defective lot...In the past, customers would reject entire lots if there was a problem,because it was nearly impossible to identify the problem products.... the use of RFID technology would avoid such waste. The centre hasalready completed the adoption of RFID technology for use in supply chains.It is now in the process of developing the database and software, whichwill allow exporters to track information.Apart from RFID, the centre has also developed technology... which willallow orchid farms to control the growing environment.The farm will use sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, light and pH value.This information will be used to control the environment....Information from sensors can also help breeders predict plants' growthpatterns and prevent the stems from becoming infected."URL : http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/21/technology/technology_30068755.php
Link: http://english.vietnamnet.vn/lifestyle/2008/03/771420/
Enjoy,
Steve
RFID tunes in to help orchid exports bloom
Tagging will aid information flow within the supply chain and prevent waste
Published on March 21, 2008
"Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is... being used by the Thaiorchid-export industry to improve its supply-chain management system.The technology allows each chain to control its process... and trace orchid flowers to their origin.... Thailand is the second-largest exporter of orchids...National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (Nectec).Developed... the prototype of the system...RFID would be used to gather information from tissue cultures in thelaboratory, such as the plant's age; the name of the farm; information fromthe greenhouse during planting; the lot number and orchid size duringpackaging; and information gathered during the logistics process.If there is a problem with the stems, the system will help follow the chainto the origin and find the defective lot...In the past, customers would reject entire lots if there was a problem,because it was nearly impossible to identify the problem products.... the use of RFID technology would avoid such waste. The centre hasalready completed the adoption of RFID technology for use in supply chains.It is now in the process of developing the database and software, whichwill allow exporters to track information.Apart from RFID, the centre has also developed technology... which willallow orchid farms to control the growing environment.The farm will use sensors to monitor temperature, humidity, light and pH value.This information will be used to control the environment....Information from sensors can also help breeders predict plants' growthpatterns and prevent the stems from becoming infected."URL : http://nationmultimedia.com/2008/03/21/technology/technology_30068755.php
Monday, March 03, 2008
Pat Bonamo... a paleo-botanist...teaching botany... at Binghamton University...At the World Orchid Conference... in Miami
"Pat Bonamo... a paleo-botanist...teaching botany... at Binghamton University...At the World Orchid Conference... in Miami... one of her pictures won first place in the "In Situ Category" -- ... orchids in their natural habitat -and best of show overall....Last year she won Best of Show at the International Orchid Congress in the same city.Bonamo grows orchids...Her winning photo this year features... one of her very own orchids... c[C]ypripedium parviflorum."It's an orchid I have growing in my woody perennial garden..." she says."URL :http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080227/COLUMNISTS01/802270330/1005/OPINIONphoto : [caption : "Pat Bonamo's award-winning photo of... c[C]ypripediumparviflorum... It took First Place in the "in Situ" category and Best ofShow overall]
63rd annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show
"63rd annual Santa Barbara International Orchid Show...
Speaking...Eric Hansen, who has spent more than 20 years documenting... elements of the orchid world for National Geographic and Outside magazines and forbooks such as... "Orchid Fever: A Horticultural Tale of Love, Lust and Lunacy." Hansen's cast of nonfiction characters includes a collector whodid jail time for orchid smuggling and a Santa Barbara grower who carries a gun while tending his plants...grower-collector Lance Birk, whose "The Last Orchid Hunter" details his successful search for the exceedingly rare Laelia orchid [which one(s) ?]in Brazil. (Successful... until it was stolen from him by another plant hunter.)... former UC Irvine ecology professor Harold Koopowitz... an expert on the effects of deforestation on wild orchids...Koopowitz's newly published "Tropical Slipper Orchids: Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium Species and Hybrids."...orchid-themed art... oil paintings by... Ralph Waterhouse... photographs by the late Robert Mapplethorpe."URL : http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/feb/28/the-subject-is-orchids/photo : [caption : "Paphiopedilum Krull's Emerald Meadows"]http://media.venturacountystar.com/vcs/content/img/photos/2008/02/27/20080227-151933-pic-63260697_t600.jpg
Speaking...Eric Hansen, who has spent more than 20 years documenting... elements of the orchid world for National Geographic and Outside magazines and forbooks such as... "Orchid Fever: A Horticultural Tale of Love, Lust and Lunacy." Hansen's cast of nonfiction characters includes a collector whodid jail time for orchid smuggling and a Santa Barbara grower who carries a gun while tending his plants...grower-collector Lance Birk, whose "The Last Orchid Hunter" details his successful search for the exceedingly rare Laelia orchid [which one(s) ?]in Brazil. (Successful... until it was stolen from him by another plant hunter.)... former UC Irvine ecology professor Harold Koopowitz... an expert on the effects of deforestation on wild orchids...Koopowitz's newly published "Tropical Slipper Orchids: Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium Species and Hybrids."...orchid-themed art... oil paintings by... Ralph Waterhouse... photographs by the late Robert Mapplethorpe."URL : http://venturacountystar.com/news/2008/feb/28/the-subject-is-orchids/photo : [caption : "Paphiopedilum Krull's Emerald Meadows"]http://media.venturacountystar.com/vcs/content/img/photos/2008/02/27/20080227-151933-pic-63260697_t600.jpg
"Q. ... buds formed... then they turned yellow... What went wrong?
A. Depending on how you count, there are... at least a quarter-million orchid hybrids and varieties [how do you count ?]....phalaenopsis orchids and related hybrids... account for roughly 75 percent of orchid plant sales [roughly / smile...].Causes of bud drop include sudden temperature changes, low humidity, insufficient fertilizer [?], indoor air pollution from things like pilotlights [could you explain ?] and tobacco smoke, and perhaps most commonly, too much or too little water...enjoy the plant while it is in flower, and then give it to an orchid enthusiast [I would not do it !] and get something different. Repeat indefinitely"URL :http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/garden/28qna.html?_r=1&ref=garden&oref=slogin
Of the 20,000 species worldwide, 300 are found in Europe and up to 26 in Cumbria
"species... 300 are found in Europe [so little !] and up to 26 in Cumbria [county in the extreme North West of England] plus some sub-species andcrosses.Most are rare or very rare and are easily disturbed... of the 25 British orchids listed in the Red Book, two are now thought to be extinct, seven are endangered and 12 are judged as vulnerable.Cumbria is relatively rich in species compared with most other parts of the country, probably because of its variety of habitats, its climate and lackof disturbance.Orchids are likely to be killed by the application of phosphate and nitrate fertilisers, as they need low soil fertility to survive.Cumbria has been less intensively farmed than other places and so there has been relatively low use of these fertilisers....More common is the dactylorhiza species including marsh, spotted and fragrant types with their purple pyramid of flowers.They are impressive when together in large numbers, such as the 4,000 plants counted on a quarter-mile stretch of main road north of Kendal.By contrast, the extremely rare and beautiful lady?s slipper orchid was thought to have been reduced to one site in Yorkshire by enthusiasts collecting from the wild (now illegal) and changes in agricultural practice.Many Cumbria Wildlife Trust nature reserves are blessed with orchids but Bowness-on-Solway reserve, west of the village, is a good place in summer to find the common spotted orchid.Improved horticultural techniques now mean British species and crosses are more readily available from nurseries and make good garden species,provided you replicate natural conditions ? low fertility, limited disturbance and appropriate growing conditions.Moist conditions for spotted and marsh dactylorhiza species and crosses areprobably a good place to start."URL : http://www.cumberland-news.co.uk/features/viewarticle.aspx?id=800293
Enjoy,
Steve
1888Orchids.com
Enjoy,
Steve
1888Orchids.com
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Growing Orchids in Vietnam
"An old saying..."Vua choi lan, quan choi tra" (A king collects orchids, a mandarin collects camellias)....anyone with VND40,000-50,000 (US$2.50-3) can buy a pot of orchids – and many Hanoi residents are doing so...To successfully make an orchid bloom, enthusiasts say, the gardener must have a pure heart and the patience of a saint.Orchids won't bring their owners material wealth or social status, they explain. So those with enough dedication to tend to these delicate flowersand wait for their... blooms must do so simply to enjoy the personal challenge and test of their patience.Duong Xuan Trinh, chairman of the Ha Noi Orchid Association, says this challenge gives orchids their appeal... orchids demand daily care...As orchid owners slowly coax their babies to bloom, they can have temporary respite from the stresses of daily life. For a few minutes a day, orchid owners can forget blaring motorbike horns and grumpy clients and concentrate their attention on a single quiet, deliberate task."Nurturing orchids relieves my anxiety after the working day," says Vu Quoc Viet, a 37-year-old orchid lover.For the retired, tending orchids provides a perfect form of personal entertainment. "Growing orchid plants is suitable for the elderly as it doesn't requiretoo much time or physical exertion," Trinh says.Orchids have become so popular that they are joining the list of plants used as Tet (Lunar New Year) decorations, which has long been limited topeach-blossom branches and kumquat trees.... From a handful of original members, the Ha Noi Orchid Association has expanded to over 200 enthusiasts. The group, mostly retired people andamateur orchid growers, meets every two months to exchange ideas and techniques for growing..."Growing orchids requires a great deal of [some...] scientific knowledge," Trinh says...."... based on the diversity of orchid species in Vietnam, it could be said that Vietnam is the world's cradle of orchid growing," says Tran Tuan Anh, an orchid hunter with 20 years' experience....According to the 2003 statistics of Russian researcher Leonid V Averyanov and his daughter Anna L Averyanova, there are 897 orchid species inVietnam. Tuan Anh puts the number over 900, saying that a number of species in the forest and his garden haven't yet been identified....Tuan Anh's orchid-searching adventures in Vietnam's most remote areas have produced a garden with over 300 types of orchids - more varieties than any other garden in Hanoi, he boasts.He even helped to identify four orchid species in Vietnam (and then named three of them after himself): Hoang thao Tran Tuan (Dendrobium trantuanii), Vanda Tuan Anh (Vanda tuananhii), Lan hai Tuan Anh (Paphiopedilum trantuanhii) and Hoang thao Viet Nam (Dendrobium V[v]ietnamica).Tuan Anh still remembers his first glimpse of lan hai (Paphiopedilum) on a trip to Son La, a mountainous province in northern Vietnam, in October 2003. At an elevation of 1,000m above sea level, he happened to spot a bundle of flowers that were distinct from any he had ever seen. The largeblossoms were brownish red in colour, with white calyxes in the front and green in the back. Struck by the beauty of the flowers, he shot photographsuntil he ran out of film and then hurried back to Hanoi.Considered a local expert, Tuan Anh has set up a website on Vietnam's orchids and assists both researchers and amateurs with information.With only a handful of experts like Tuan Anh, however, Vietnam's orchid-growing industry remains in its developing stages. Breedingtechnology and training in Vietnam remain limited, so some orchid growers have headed to Thailand for education.Le Xuan Truong spent two years learning from the expertise of a Thai grower, and the 38-year-old now owns a 1,000sq.m garden and 2ha farmproducing dendrobium. Every day, between 5,000 and 7,000 branches of flowers are sold wholesale, and sales hit 100,000 on special occasions likeWomen's Day. With branches selling for VND30,000 ($2) a piece, Truong's business has proven lucrative.As word gets out that business is booming, others will like[ly] follow suit to supply the many people who have fallen for the flower that plays hard toget."URL : http://english.vietnamnet.vn/lifestyle/2008/02/768024/
http://images.vietnamnet.vn/dataimages/200802/original/images1497903_Ochid.jpg
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids
http://images.vietnamnet.vn/dataimages/200802/original/images1497903_Ochid.jpg
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids
Monday, February 25, 2008
Sobralia orchids
"Bruce Rogers has a passion for...Sobralias-- the... tallest [not all...] orchids in the world...
Rogers has been raising, hybridizing and decorating with orchids for morethan 25 years, but it's the Sobralias(sew- BRAIL-eyah [Well, EnglishLatin...]) that have captured his heart...
at next weekend's Pacific Orchid Exposition... He will bring manyexamples... which he says will thrive in California gardens....[Bruce said :] it was love at first sight. I had little glimpses of themfrom afar, illustrations from books and magazines. My first encounter witha blooming plant left me speechless... Years ago, I was asked to decorate alarge urn as a backdrop for a statue unveiling. I used a large eight-footSobralia rogersiana in full bloom, and stood aside ready to receive praiseand compliments. No one there had ever seen a Sobralia before. Peoplethought I had tied Cattleya orchid flowers onto a bamboo plant so well thatthe wires could not be seen. No one believed it was a real plant!...Sobralias... grow very well here and can be found in older gardens andestates...the flowering season lasts all summer and into the fall. They can be grownboth in pots and in the ground, in sun or shade, rain or shine. There areSobralias for every microclimate that occurs in our area, from the warmerareas to the cooler spots. Sobralia macrantha seems the most adaptable withblooming plants reported from the top of the Santa Cruz mountains to theflats of Fresno, the hills of Marin to Santa Rosa and everywhere south....The scarcity of Sobralias has kept them from the public eye. While theyhave been in private and civic gardens for many years, availability hasalways been a problem, as they are difficult to raise from seed and takefrom four to eight years to raise to flowering size. Sobralias only have asmall window for dividing, which also hinders propagation.
After working with several local laboratories with little success, my...friend Terry Root and I decided to form a nursery business specializingonly in Sobralias... after much work we now have production numbers thatcan begin to satisfy demand....Once established, Sobralias are as tough as a jade plant or any othergarden plant. They can take dirty water and dirty air. The only thing fussyabout them is they can only be divided or repotted when showing both newgrowth and new roots...
There is no other orchid genus that is so diversified in terms of size [?],from Sobralia elegans, which grows less than a foot tall to Sobraliaaltissima, which is over 40 feet tall. The most popular group, the fieldtype with species such as xantholuca, macrantha veitchii and their hybridsgrow from 2 to 6 feet tall. There are new hybrids, which grow from 2 to 4feet, making them ideal for patios and gardens....I often tell people that Sobralia flowers are so big, you can use them towrap gifts, as tablecloths, or as clothing for small children. The modernSobralia field types have huge Cattleya-looking flowers from one to 10inches across, with some species such as Sob. rosea and Sob. rogersianahaving flowers as large as dinner plates. When you read orchid reports fromVictorian times, you read about even larger Sobralia flowers and onewonders what is now extinct in the wild [in the literature / smile...]....Sobralia flowers and plants are divided into two groups: the ephemeralgroup, where the flower lasts only one day, and in some cases just amorning, and the field group, where the flower lasts from three to 10 days.With both types, the individual canes carry many flowers that are displayedsingularly, so the overall display lasts for many months with a matureplant carrying multiple canes. Some ephemeral species such as Sob.klotzscheana carry 20-plus flowers and bloom for over a year, although thejasmine scented flowers last only a day. The longest lasting flowers in thefield group are probably Sob. undatocarinata and Sob. pulcherrima, with10-day flowers, with five to seven flowers per stem, which give you twomonths of heaven. We are breeding for flower longevity also, and speciessuch as these are very intriguing building blocks....Although I have seen them grown beautifully in full sun, I prefer morningsun or filtered shady afternoon sun. Water drainage must be perfect.Sobralias love water and when in active growth, it is hard to over-water.They also love fresh air....When... grown outside, pests leave these alone except when they are inflower. Snails and slugs will travel miles and lie, cheat and steal to getto the flowers... Either use a safe product like Sluggo, or take a littlecopper garden tape and wrap the stem below the buds or new growth. Whengrown inside as a house plant in dry conditions, one must watch for mites,but this is seldom a problem in California....with Sobralias it's all about the roots. A strong root system is key forsuccess. You might hear from old garden talk that they need to be pot-boundto bloom well, but that is because usually a pot-bound plant will have agood root system. They do not have to be pot-bound, they just need goodroots. If growing outside, plant Sobralias in raised beds and pre-checkyour drainage....Sobralias are like women [and men...], there are many kinds... To pick asingle one as a favorite is impossible, so here are my three favorites.Sobralia fimbriata is an ephemeral type with beautiful dark green pleatedleaves. The 2- to 3-foot plant blooms twice a year with pastel flowers witha beautiful fimbriated (fringed) lip. The fragrance is incredible andunique. It is the only orchid flower that I will pick and carry with methrough the day just for the fragrance. Sobralia rogersiana var. Bolin ismy obsession. Sobralia callosa is my favorite miniature. Perfect littleflower, perfect little plant. It is truly a jewel of nature....I was not bitten by the orchid bug. I was assaulted by the orchid bug many,many moons ago. I've been growing, hybridizing and decorating with orchidsfor over 25 years. I began my professional career in the late 1970s whenthe city of Atlanta Parks Department hired me to work with its orchids inthe greenhouses in Piedmont Park. Returning home to the Bay Area, I washired by the Rod McLellan Co. as the head grower for the boardingdepartment and to hybridize Vanda orchids. In the early 1980s, I left tostart Bruce Rogers Orchids, an orchid consulting and management companybased in San Francisco. In 2002, I joined Terry Root of the Orchid Zone andco-founded OzGardens, a business devoted exclusively to hybridizing andgrowing Sobralias...
They will be available at the Pacific Orchid Exposition from severalvendors and at the San Francisco Orchid Society sale table. This isprobably the best venue in the world for Sobralias right now with speciesand hybrids, ephemeral and field types and both mature plants andseedlings. Sobralias can be found at nurseries such as BerkeleyHorticulture Nursery, Flora Grubb Nursery and Sloat Nurseries in Marin andSan Francisco. Large specimens can also be found at Living Green in SanFrancisco. In San Jose, Serene Orchids has Sobralia seedlings... expect topay around $15 for a seedling in a three- to four-inch pot...
in the entrance exhibit. We will have a few of the giants like Sob.calloglossa and Sob. cattleya and a few of the miniature and mid-sizedhybrids. Elleanthus is a close relative to Sobralia, with identicalfoliage, but pine cone-shaped flowers, and they should have flowers (butthe really big flowers don't come along until summer)...
Growing orchids is one of the few socially acceptable art forms that mencan get involved in and their masculinity is never questioned [except by...]."
URL : http://www.mercurynews.com/lifeandstyleheadlines/ci_8342105
photo : ["Sobralia mirabilis"]
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2008/0223/20080223__orchids23~1_Gallery.JPG
Rogers has been raising, hybridizing and decorating with orchids for morethan 25 years, but it's the Sobralias(sew- BRAIL-eyah [Well, EnglishLatin...]) that have captured his heart...
at next weekend's Pacific Orchid Exposition... He will bring manyexamples... which he says will thrive in California gardens....[Bruce said :] it was love at first sight. I had little glimpses of themfrom afar, illustrations from books and magazines. My first encounter witha blooming plant left me speechless... Years ago, I was asked to decorate alarge urn as a backdrop for a statue unveiling. I used a large eight-footSobralia rogersiana in full bloom, and stood aside ready to receive praiseand compliments. No one there had ever seen a Sobralia before. Peoplethought I had tied Cattleya orchid flowers onto a bamboo plant so well thatthe wires could not be seen. No one believed it was a real plant!...Sobralias... grow very well here and can be found in older gardens andestates...the flowering season lasts all summer and into the fall. They can be grownboth in pots and in the ground, in sun or shade, rain or shine. There areSobralias for every microclimate that occurs in our area, from the warmerareas to the cooler spots. Sobralia macrantha seems the most adaptable withblooming plants reported from the top of the Santa Cruz mountains to theflats of Fresno, the hills of Marin to Santa Rosa and everywhere south....The scarcity of Sobralias has kept them from the public eye. While theyhave been in private and civic gardens for many years, availability hasalways been a problem, as they are difficult to raise from seed and takefrom four to eight years to raise to flowering size. Sobralias only have asmall window for dividing, which also hinders propagation.
After working with several local laboratories with little success, my...friend Terry Root and I decided to form a nursery business specializingonly in Sobralias... after much work we now have production numbers thatcan begin to satisfy demand....Once established, Sobralias are as tough as a jade plant or any othergarden plant. They can take dirty water and dirty air. The only thing fussyabout them is they can only be divided or repotted when showing both newgrowth and new roots...
There is no other orchid genus that is so diversified in terms of size [?],from Sobralia elegans, which grows less than a foot tall to Sobraliaaltissima, which is over 40 feet tall. The most popular group, the fieldtype with species such as xantholuca, macrantha veitchii and their hybridsgrow from 2 to 6 feet tall. There are new hybrids, which grow from 2 to 4feet, making them ideal for patios and gardens....I often tell people that Sobralia flowers are so big, you can use them towrap gifts, as tablecloths, or as clothing for small children. The modernSobralia field types have huge Cattleya-looking flowers from one to 10inches across, with some species such as Sob. rosea and Sob. rogersianahaving flowers as large as dinner plates. When you read orchid reports fromVictorian times, you read about even larger Sobralia flowers and onewonders what is now extinct in the wild [in the literature / smile...]....Sobralia flowers and plants are divided into two groups: the ephemeralgroup, where the flower lasts only one day, and in some cases just amorning, and the field group, where the flower lasts from three to 10 days.With both types, the individual canes carry many flowers that are displayedsingularly, so the overall display lasts for many months with a matureplant carrying multiple canes. Some ephemeral species such as Sob.klotzscheana carry 20-plus flowers and bloom for over a year, although thejasmine scented flowers last only a day. The longest lasting flowers in thefield group are probably Sob. undatocarinata and Sob. pulcherrima, with10-day flowers, with five to seven flowers per stem, which give you twomonths of heaven. We are breeding for flower longevity also, and speciessuch as these are very intriguing building blocks....Although I have seen them grown beautifully in full sun, I prefer morningsun or filtered shady afternoon sun. Water drainage must be perfect.Sobralias love water and when in active growth, it is hard to over-water.They also love fresh air....When... grown outside, pests leave these alone except when they are inflower. Snails and slugs will travel miles and lie, cheat and steal to getto the flowers... Either use a safe product like Sluggo, or take a littlecopper garden tape and wrap the stem below the buds or new growth. Whengrown inside as a house plant in dry conditions, one must watch for mites,but this is seldom a problem in California....with Sobralias it's all about the roots. A strong root system is key forsuccess. You might hear from old garden talk that they need to be pot-boundto bloom well, but that is because usually a pot-bound plant will have agood root system. They do not have to be pot-bound, they just need goodroots. If growing outside, plant Sobralias in raised beds and pre-checkyour drainage....Sobralias are like women [and men...], there are many kinds... To pick asingle one as a favorite is impossible, so here are my three favorites.Sobralia fimbriata is an ephemeral type with beautiful dark green pleatedleaves. The 2- to 3-foot plant blooms twice a year with pastel flowers witha beautiful fimbriated (fringed) lip. The fragrance is incredible andunique. It is the only orchid flower that I will pick and carry with methrough the day just for the fragrance. Sobralia rogersiana var. Bolin ismy obsession. Sobralia callosa is my favorite miniature. Perfect littleflower, perfect little plant. It is truly a jewel of nature....I was not bitten by the orchid bug. I was assaulted by the orchid bug many,many moons ago. I've been growing, hybridizing and decorating with orchidsfor over 25 years. I began my professional career in the late 1970s whenthe city of Atlanta Parks Department hired me to work with its orchids inthe greenhouses in Piedmont Park. Returning home to the Bay Area, I washired by the Rod McLellan Co. as the head grower for the boardingdepartment and to hybridize Vanda orchids. In the early 1980s, I left tostart Bruce Rogers Orchids, an orchid consulting and management companybased in San Francisco. In 2002, I joined Terry Root of the Orchid Zone andco-founded OzGardens, a business devoted exclusively to hybridizing andgrowing Sobralias...
They will be available at the Pacific Orchid Exposition from severalvendors and at the San Francisco Orchid Society sale table. This isprobably the best venue in the world for Sobralias right now with speciesand hybrids, ephemeral and field types and both mature plants andseedlings. Sobralias can be found at nurseries such as BerkeleyHorticulture Nursery, Flora Grubb Nursery and Sloat Nurseries in Marin andSan Francisco. Large specimens can also be found at Living Green in SanFrancisco. In San Jose, Serene Orchids has Sobralia seedlings... expect topay around $15 for a seedling in a three- to four-inch pot...
in the entrance exhibit. We will have a few of the giants like Sob.calloglossa and Sob. cattleya and a few of the miniature and mid-sizedhybrids. Elleanthus is a close relative to Sobralia, with identicalfoliage, but pine cone-shaped flowers, and they should have flowers (butthe really big flowers don't come along until summer)...
Growing orchids is one of the few socially acceptable art forms that mencan get involved in and their masculinity is never questioned [except by...]."
URL : http://www.mercurynews.com/lifeandstyleheadlines/ci_8342105
photo : ["Sobralia mirabilis"]
http://extras.mnginteractive.com/live/media/site568/2008/0223/20080223__orchids23~1_Gallery.JPG
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Lady's Slipper Orchid
One of the easiest orchids to grow at home is the Lady's Slipper Orchid, Paphiopedilum sp.
The unmistaken physical characteristic of this tropical orchid is the slipper or moccasin shape of the lip (largest of the three flower petals). These exotic flowers do not resemble any others of the vast orchid clan.
It is not to be confused with the native wildflower Yellow Lady's Slipper Orchid, Cypripedium calceolus, which grows in wetlands, woodlands and swampy areas throughout
Lady's Slipper is a terrestrial orchid with handsome, compact foliage. This orchid thrives in bright, indirect light with day temperatures in the 70s and night readings in the 60s.
An east window would be ideal, but a south or west window is a good location if a sheer curtain is used to soften the light. If the leaves begin to turn a pale green color, the plant is getting too much light.
Keep the soil mix moist, but not wet. Water once or twice a week, depending on the season. Less water is better than too much. Humidity levels of 50 percent or more are ideal. Misting is not suggested as a method of raising the humidity. This may cause the terminal growth to rot.
Repot the plants annually in the spring following bloom. Fertilize every month, using a balanced fertilizer at half strength.
During the summer, this orchid can vacation on the patio or deck in the shade. Just remember, the vacation is over when night temperatures go below 50 degrees.
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080223/COLUMNISTS18/802230312/1007/LIVING
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Moth Orchid - Phalaenopsis
The moth orchid (Phalaenopsis) is one of the most common orchids. Its popularity can be traced to the plant's elegant long-lasting flowers and ease of maintenance. The almost 60 species are responsible for the thousands of hybrids available today. In Latin, the word phalaen refers to a moth, opsis to an appearance. It has been said that a cluster of these flowers at dusk resembles a group of fluttering moths. The plant's large rounded petals lie flat, allowing the intricate lip -- with two wispy tails -- to gain attention. Moth orchids have been bred in a multitude of colors and combinations, including lavender, peach, pink, white and yellow as well as with stripes and spots. The plant grows as an epiphyte in the lower canopy, protected from direct sunlight. In the home, the ideal location is a window with eastern or southern exposure and protection from direct sun. Watering intervals depend on the plant's growing medium. The mix should be allowed to dry slightly before the next watering. After the last flower fades, the stem should be cut just above the first node, under where the first flower opened. Often, a second spike will form from this node and develop into a second flush of flowers. Moth orchids "flutter" throughout the Orchid Forest at the Franklin Park Conservatory.
-- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/home_garden/stories/2008/02/03/plant03x_ART_02-03-08_I7_B99795S.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com
-- Dave Brigner Franklin Park Conservatory
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/home_garden/stories/2008/02/03/plant03x_ART_02-03-08_I7_B99795S.html?type=rss&cat=&sid=101
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com
Friday, February 22, 2008
Singapore Will Be The Theme of the New York Botanical Garden's annual orchid show
"the
The theme of this year's show is
...
The major design elements of the exhibition... inspired by the classical parks and gardens of
pond, as well as a lane of trees arching overhead, covered with flowers.
Of the 4,000 or 5,000 plants that will be on display over the course of the show, a majority come from the Garden's own collection... Others by necessity are purchased from nurseries around the country...
The Garden has around 8,000 plants in its collection, many of them rare species and some over 100 years old. The Garden is also a federally
designated rescue center for plants confiscated by the Department of Agriculture. In 2005, for instance, 1,100 wild orchids were confiscated at
The plants were sent to the Garden... dehydrated, shriveled, and torn ? and the gardeners... immediately went to work to save as many as possible. In the end, around 80% of the plants survived... Some will be on display in
this year's exhibition.
...
The first known hybrid was created in 1856 by John Dominy, a grower for the English nursery of James Veitch & Sons.
...
orchid collectors... The most famous... was Benedict Roezl, a Czech botanist who worked for an English importer and commercial grower of orchids, Frederick Sander. Roezl, who traveled throughout North, Central, and
adept at prying orchids out of trees."
URL: http://www.nysun.com/article
photo : [caption : "Gardener Gary Bendykowski installs orchids for the upcoming orchid show at the
http://www.nysun.com/pics
"
The sixth annual orchid exhibition... fills the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory and much of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library building, will run from Feb. 23
to April 6...
The exhibition... will feature miniature orchids... and a gallery devoted to the orchids of
worldwide supply. The library will feature more orchid plants and displays about the garden's efforts to save rare plants, scientific studies involving
orchids, and 18th- and 19th-century botanical illustrations."
URL: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02
"the
This... show will be the biggest scheduled in
producing its annual International Orchid Show for the first time in 27 years. For the past six years, that show was held at
...
No date for resumption of the show has been proposed. "
URL:
http://www.nj.com/living
"The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show, Feb. 23-April 6, Bronx, N.Y.,
www.nybg.org
Atlanta Botanical Garden "Orchid Daze, Gargoyles & Grace," through March 30,
www.atlantabotanicalgarden.org
URL: http://www.usatoday.com/travel
Wild Orchids of Alberta Canada on Display at the MacEwan College's South Campus
"26 or more - grow wild... in Alberta, a good number of them just outside Edmonton.The Wagner natural area is a haven for orchids, says Ben Rostron, an associate professor of earth and atmospheric sciences at the University ofAlberta. He'll be talking about those orchids and how to find them at the Orchid Society of Alberta's annual show and sale this weekend at theMacEwan College's South Campus.About 16 different varieties of orchids can be seen at the Wagner natural area, located along Highway 16, just east of Spruce Grove. A 1.5-kilometretrail with a boardwalk over the wet areas provides great viewing.The best time to see the orchids is around the end of May and beginning of June, says Rostron. Yellow Lady's Slippers are easy to spot from the trail,with their small, yellow, slipper-shaped flowers...the striped coralroot orchid, with its pinkish-orange stripes, or pink lady's slippers, which grows around Fort McMurray. The bog candle orchid can grow one metre tall, with white flowers that smell like cloves...Many of the orchids found in Alberta are boreal plants that have found their way down from the Arctic Circle and originally came across [walking ?/ smile...] the land bridge from Asia, he says. In Alberta, one can find orchids in Elk Island, Banff and Jasper national parks."URL :http://www.canada.com/edmontonjournal/news/story.html?id=b8005eab-3ecc-4e77-a36c-8019fa6795d0&k=32331
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com
Thursday, February 21, 2008
OrchidSpecies.com now has 7902 species
OrchidSpecies.com has passed another milestone. I now have 7902 species in 702 genera. 8000 is just around the corner. I will be adding reference material over the next 2 months so expect lots more species information. I purchased close to 2000.00 in books at the WOC and was able to get Foldats 5 vol Venezuela set, Summerhayes East africa 2 volumes, Popes Flora zambesiaca, A Corybas monograph, The Ethiopian field guide, Orcids of Samoa, Orchids of Vanuatu, Orchidaceae Brasilensis vol 2, Orchids of Mt Kinabalu, Orchids of Ceylon, Orchids of the Dominican Republic, Angraecoid orchids, Orchids of Madagascar Dupuy, and all of Cribbs new books on Cyps, Paphs and Cymbidium.
Because of the expenditure I am in need of new funds so if your subscription has run out please renew or if you use the site and you have not subscribed please consider doing so. I have a set of Dunstervilles Orchids of Venezuela 5 vol set aside at 600.00, Hoehne's Brazilian flora and many other's awaiting purchase.
Thanks for your time
Jay Pfahl
OrchidSpecies.com
Because of the expenditure I am in need of new funds so if your subscription has run out please renew or if you use the site and you have not subscribed please consider doing so. I have a set of Dunstervilles Orchids of Venezuela 5 vol set aside at 600.00, Hoehne's Brazilian flora and many other's awaiting purchase.
Thanks for your time
Jay Pfahl
OrchidSpecies.com
Friday, February 15, 2008
South Africa will host the World Orchid Conference (WOC) in 2014
"South Africa will host the World Orchid Conference (WOC) in 2014...
This...will be confirmed at the next conference, to be held in Singapore in
2011.
... the Thebe Exhibitions and Events Group... with Thebe Conferences will
manage the event on behalf of the South African Orchid Society...
Approximately 3 000 delegates, many of them with spouses, are expected to
attend the September 2014 event at the Sandton Convention Centre in
Johannesburg, with some 80 exhibitors. The event will extend over five or
six days and include meetings of several international bodies, including
the International Orchid Commission.
The first WOC was held in St Louis, Missouri in 1954. Ever since it's been
held every three years, each time in a different city [two times in Miami /
1984 and 2008]... It was held in Durban in 1981.
...
Displays at the WOC include plants by amateur orchid societies and
professional and commercial growers, educational and scientific displays
and illustrations and fine, applied and decorative arts featuring orchids,
including photography, jewellery, ceramics and postage stamps."
URL : http://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/94/21950.html
Steve
1888Orchids.com
This...will be confirmed at the next conference, to be held in Singapore in
2011.
... the Thebe Exhibitions and Events Group... with Thebe Conferences will
manage the event on behalf of the South African Orchid Society...
Approximately 3 000 delegates, many of them with spouses, are expected to
attend the September 2014 event at the Sandton Convention Centre in
Johannesburg, with some 80 exhibitors. The event will extend over five or
six days and include meetings of several international bodies, including
the International Orchid Commission.
The first WOC was held in St Louis, Missouri in 1954. Ever since it's been
held every three years, each time in a different city [two times in Miami /
1984 and 2008]... It was held in Durban in 1981.
...
Displays at the WOC include plants by amateur orchid societies and
professional and commercial growers, educational and scientific displays
and illustrations and fine, applied and decorative arts featuring orchids,
including photography, jewellery, ceramics and postage stamps."
URL : http://www.bizcommunity.com
Steve
1888Orchids.com
Thursday, January 31, 2008
Orchids - America's Most Popular Flowering Plant? At Least I Think So...
Every morning I have the privilege of entering a large greenhouse filled with one of the world's most amazing plants - Orchids! Just being around these plants makes me feel good. I can't help but smile when I admire there elegance and beauty.My name is Delia Villegas and I am the "orchid picker" or the person that hand selects Orchid plants and flowers for a large Orchid mail order company. The plants I select are sent all over the country to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other special events. One day when I was selecting Orchid plants, I thought... what is America's most popular flowering plant? It has to be the Orchid! I set out to do some research to find out what is America's most popular flowering plant.
First of all, I must confess that I am biased (so much for journalistic guidelines). More than any other plant, I love Orchid plants and as I learn more about them, my attraction becomes even stronger. There is always something new to be learned about Orchids. For example, did you know that Orchids existed when dinosaurs roamed the earth? This discovery was made when a prehistoric bee was found in amber and when analyzed they found Orchid seeds on the bee. Pretty cool, huh? Does this mean orchids have always existed? Ok, back to my story - What is America's most popular flowering plant?
The top three potted flowering plants in terms of 2005 sales in the United States are Poinsettias, Orchids and Chrysanthemums. California accounts for 25 percent of this category's total value. Poinsettia value, which adds $242 million to this category, is down 2 percent from 2004. The value of Potted Orchids is $144 million, up 11 percent from the previous year. Go Orchids! Florist Chrysanthemum value is up 1 percent, to $68.9 million. Through my research I have discovered that sales of potted Orchids have improved over the previous years sales, year after year. That means orchids are becoming more and more popular! Woo-hoo!!In an article in FloraCulture International titled "The world’s fascination with potted Orchids" the author writes, "The United States Department of Agriculture reports that 15.6 million pots of Orchids valued at $121 million were sold in 2003, up 18% in units from 2002. By value, California potted Orchid growers sold 40%, Florida growers sold 33% and Hawaii growers sold 14%. Orchids have become the second most popular flowering plant (after the Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) sold in the United States. In other words, sales of potted Orchids around the world are booming."
In terms of sales, the potted Poinsettia is the most popular flowering plant with almost double the sales of potted orchids. There, I said it! But, the Poinsettia's 2005 sales are down 2% from 2004 sales yet the wholesale value of potted orchids grew by 5 percent and the number of pots sold increased by 14 percent to 17.2 million pots. If sales continue at the same rate, orchids will exceed the value of poinsettias by 2020 to become the most valued flowering plant - that's only 12 years from now! Hey, maybe if we declare orchids the official plant for Mother's Day we'll be there sooner. Heck, let's include Valentine's Day too.
Sales statistics for potted Poinsettias is down. Sales statistics for potted Orchids is up. That means Orchids are becoming more and more popular. Nevertheless, Poinsettias are popular plants otherwise we wouldn't buy them. I love Poinsettia plants too - they're beautiful! But, I have a feeling if we conducted a survey that asked, "What do you think is America's most popular flowering plant: the Poinsettia, the Orchid or the Chrysanthemum" I think the Orchid may come up on top. Why? Because we are seeing more orchids in markets and flower shops. They're everywhere. Don't worry, Orchids will never be a commodity. There are too many varieties some highly prized and rare. This adds to their mystic and umm... popularity.
Sales statistics for potted Poinsettias is down. Sales statistics for potted Orchids is up. That means Orchids are becoming more and more popular. Nevertheless, Poinsettias are popular plants otherwise we wouldn't buy them. I love Poinsettia plants too - they're beautiful! But, I have a feeling if we conducted a survey that asked, "What do you think is America's most popular flowering plant: the Poinsettia, the Orchid or the Chrysanthemum" I think the Orchid may come up on top. Why? Because we are seeing more orchids in markets and flower shops. They're everywhere. Don't worry, Orchids will never be a commodity. There are too many varieties some highly prized and rare. This adds to their mystic and umm... popularity.
Delia Villegas
OrchidGram! Newsletter Contributing Writer & Orchid Lover
www.1888orchids.com
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Miltonia Orchid
"Miltonia orchids are native of [Colombia] South America... Miltoniopsis roezlii...
fragrant...
bloom once or twice a year, and the flowers of the miltonia orchid often remain attractive for a
month or more [or less...].
... roots must be kept evenly moist.
Too much water will cause root rot.
Too little causes the plants to dehydrate and die.
... lack of moisture. The new leaves will become crinkled.
Smooth leaves indicate the proper amount of water.
... difficult to grow in the typical home...
can best be enjoyed in Hilbert Conservatory at White River Gardens
[Indianapolis]
URL :
http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080126/COLUMNISTS18/801260386/-1/LOCAL17
Enjoy,
Steve
1888Orchids.com
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Our itty bitty orchid shop on Blogger
Buy an orchid so I can retire to a sunny beach. Ehem... you can also share this application and add it to your profile. :)
Applications like this (known as ShopBots) can be found all over the internet. Now that you have come across mine, click "Share" and follow the instructions.
Applications like this (known as ShopBots) can be found all over the internet. Now that you have come across mine, click "Share" and follow the instructions.
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
"You don't have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step."
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
South Florida's Winter Orchid Extravaganza - Tamiami International Orchid Festival
Miami International Orchid Festival, a major orchid event now in its
fifth year, is coming to the Sunshine Pavilion of Tamiami Fair Expo
Center(10900 Coral Way) on January 25th, 26th, and 27th 2008. The Festival has become in some aspects the largest annual orchid event of the season and
hence is billed as "South Florida's Winter Orchid Extravaganza".
Truly national and international in scope, the Miami International Festival brings
together fifty growers from the US and around the world. Orchidists from
Malaya, Taiwan, the Philippines will join growers from Brazil, Venezuela,
Equador, Singapore and Peru as well as local and national growers. Some of
these leading orchid nurseries have never before exhibited in South Florida
and will be offering the public new varieties of orchid species and hybrids
not previously available here.
The Tamiami Festival is a community based event with the sponsorship of the
not for profit Greater Miami Orchid Festivals, and with participation by
Orchid Society of Coral Gables, the South Dade Amateur Orchid Society, the
American Orchid Society's Florida Carribean Judging Center, the Coalition on
Orchid Species and Orchid Mania(the children's AIDS charity), all of whom
will be contributing to the staffing of the event and sharing in its
success. An overwhelming majority of local commercial orchid growers will
also be exhibiting and vending. The event is intended to bring the entire
orchid community of South Florida together.
Staged exhibits will be mounted by both commercial and amateur groups. The
latter will, in a unique feature, be competing for cash prizes for the best
exhibits. Both individual plants and exhibits will be eligible for ribbons,
trophies and the much coveted American Orchid Society awards. The public is
also invited to bring plants for exhibit and judging on Thursday January
24th between 12 and 5 PM.
Orchid theme arts and crafts will be offered for sale as well as a full
range of supplies, materials and tools for all the orchid grower's needs.
Lectures by internationally renowned experts as well as growing classes for
amateurs and more advanced hobbyists will be presented. Local orchid
societies will be there during the entire show to recruit new members and to
help the public with their orchid related problems.
Miami's first orchid event of the year promises in many aspects to be not
only the first but the best!
The festival is open to the public from 10:00AM- 8:00 PM Friday and Saturday
and 10-6 on Sunday. Plan to be there! Take either the 8th Street or Bird
Road exits of the Fla. Turnpike and follow the signs about a mile and a half
to the Fair Expo Center. The Festival is also easily accessed from the
Palmetto Expressway(826) at Coral Way. Proceed West to 109St.
Admission is only $7.00 and there is ample free parking convenient to the
fully air conditioned hall.
For further information or to arrange photo shoots or other extended
coverage of this colorful tropical event, contact Dr. Martin Motes at 305
2474398 or email at vandas@mindpring.com or visit
Blue orchid at 1888Orchids.com
www.miamiorchidfestival.com.
fifth year, is coming to the Sunshine Pavilion of Tamiami Fair Expo
Center(10900 Coral Way) on January 25th, 26th, and 27th 2008. The Festival has become in some aspects the largest annual orchid event of the season and
hence is billed as "South Florida's Winter Orchid Extravaganza".
Truly national and international in scope, the Miami International Festival brings
together fifty growers from the US and around the world. Orchidists from
Malaya, Taiwan, the Philippines will join growers from Brazil, Venezuela,
Equador, Singapore and Peru as well as local and national growers. Some of
these leading orchid nurseries have never before exhibited in South Florida
and will be offering the public new varieties of orchid species and hybrids
not previously available here.
The Tamiami Festival is a community based event with the sponsorship of the
not for profit Greater Miami Orchid Festivals, and with participation by
Orchid Society of Coral Gables, the South Dade Amateur Orchid Society, the
American Orchid Society's Florida Carribean Judging Center, the Coalition on
Orchid Species and Orchid Mania(the children's AIDS charity), all of whom
will be contributing to the staffing of the event and sharing in its
success. An overwhelming majority of local commercial orchid growers will
also be exhibiting and vending. The event is intended to bring the entire
orchid community of South Florida together.
Staged exhibits will be mounted by both commercial and amateur groups. The
latter will, in a unique feature, be competing for cash prizes for the best
exhibits. Both individual plants and exhibits will be eligible for ribbons,
trophies and the much coveted American Orchid Society awards. The public is
also invited to bring plants for exhibit and judging on Thursday January
24th between 12 and 5 PM.
Orchid theme arts and crafts will be offered for sale as well as a full
range of supplies, materials and tools for all the orchid grower's needs.
Lectures by internationally renowned experts as well as growing classes for
amateurs and more advanced hobbyists will be presented. Local orchid
societies will be there during the entire show to recruit new members and to
help the public with their orchid related problems.
Miami's first orchid event of the year promises in many aspects to be not
only the first but the best!
The festival is open to the public from 10:00AM- 8:00 PM Friday and Saturday
and 10-6 on Sunday. Plan to be there! Take either the 8th Street or Bird
Road exits of the Fla. Turnpike and follow the signs about a mile and a half
to the Fair Expo Center. The Festival is also easily accessed from the
Palmetto Expressway(826) at Coral Way. Proceed West to 109St.
Admission is only $7.00 and there is ample free parking convenient to the
fully air conditioned hall.
For further information or to arrange photo shoots or other extended
coverage of this colorful tropical event, contact Dr. Martin Motes at 305
2474398 or email at vandas@mindpring.com or visit
Blue orchid at 1888Orchids.com
www.miamiorchidfestival.com.
Orchids - America's Most Popular Flowering Plant? At Least We Think So
Every morning I have the privilege of entering a large greenhouse filled with one of the world's most amazing plants - orchids! Just being around these plants makes me feel good. I can't help but smile when I admire there elegance and beauty. My name is Delia Villegas and I am the "orchid picker" or the person that hand selects orchid plants and flowers for a large orchid mail order company. The plants I select are sent all over the country to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries and other special events. One day when I was selecting orchid plants, I wondered, what is America's most popular flowering plant? I thought, it has to be the orchid! I set out to do some research to find out what is America's most popular flowering plant.
First of all, I must confess that I am a biased. More than any other plant, I love orchid plants and as I learn more about them, my attraction becomes even stronger. There is always something new to be learned about orchids. For example, did you know that orchids existed when dinosaurs roamed the earth? This discovery was made when a prehistoric bee was found in amber and when analyzed they found orchid seeds on the bee. Pretty cool, huh? Ok, back to my story - What is America's most popular flowering plant?
The top three potted flowering plants in terms of sales in the US are Poinsettias, Orchids and Chrysanthemums. California accounts for 25 percent of the category's total value. Poinsettia value, which adds $242 million to this category, is down 2
percent from 2004. The value of Potted Orchids is $144 million, up 11 percent from the previous year. Florist Chrysanthemum value is up 1 percent, to $68.9 million.
In an article in FloraCulture International titled "The world’s fascination with potted orchids" the author writes, "The United States Department of Agriculture reports that 15.6 million pots of orchids valued at $121 million were sold in
2003, up 18% in units from 2002. By value, California potted orchid growers sold 40%, Florida growers sold 33% and Hawaii growers sold 14%. Orchids have become the second most popular flowering plant (after the poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) sold in the United States. In other words, sales of potted orchids around the world are booming."
In terms of sales, the potted Poinsettia is the most popular flowering plant with almost double the sales of potted orchids. There, I said it! But, the Poinsettias 2005 sales are down 2% from 2004 sales yet the wholesale value of potted orchids grew by 5 percent and the number of pots sold increased by 14 percent to 17.2 million pots. If sales continue at the same rate, orchids will exceed the value of poinsettias by 2020 to become the most valued flowering plant - that's only 12 years from now! Hey, maybe if we declare orchids the official plant for Mother's Day we'll be there sooner.
Delia Villegas
OrchidGram! Newsletter Contributing Writer & Orchid Lover
The top three potted flowering plants in the US are poinsettias, orchids and chrysanthemums.
poinsettia U.S. Total: $242,305,000
orchid U.S. Total: $143,968,000
crysanthenum U.S. Total: $68,944,000
2005
2004
With the poinsettia being the most popular. I'll discuss the attributes of each plant and then you decide which you consider most popular.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Rare orchid found in South Island
"rare endangered North Island native orchid has been rediscovered in the South Island.
... Georgina Upson, of Nelson, found the 10cm orchid while searchingscrubland at the base of Farewell Spit.
... Upson presented photographic evidence of her find of Pterostylispuberula... She... recognised the plant as one only found in the far north of the North
Island and near Thames... She was looking for another orchid when she stumbled across a colony of 120 plants, which were last seen south of Motueka 20 years ago.
Before her discovery only 200 of the plants were known to exist in the North Island...
the tiny plant lived in poor soil amid manuka and gorse scrub... up there -- it's windy and cold and exposed, an unpleasant place, and will
take quite a lot of work to relocate it...
unusual to find a plant so far outside its known range"
FULL STORY URL : http://www.stuff.co.nz/thepress/4357481a19754.html
... Georgina Upson, of Nelson, found the 10cm orchid while searchingscrubland at the base of Farewell Spit.
... Upson presented photographic evidence of her find of Pterostylispuberula... She... recognised the plant as one only found in the far north of the North
Island and near Thames... She was looking for another orchid when she stumbled across a colony of 120 plants, which were last seen south of Motueka 20 years ago.
Before her discovery only 200 of the plants were known to exist in the North Island...
the tiny plant lived in poor soil amid manuka and gorse scrub... up there -- it's windy and cold and exposed, an unpleasant place, and will
take quite a lot of work to relocate it...
unusual to find a plant so far outside its known range"
FULL STORY URL : http://www.stuff.co.nz/thepress/4357481a19754.html
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Orchid Conservatory at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
"Art at the Garden 2008, presented by Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden... in honor of the opening of the garden's Orchid Conservatory.
The art celebration will continue through March 18 and include paintings on silk, photographs and watercolors.
Featured artists include Silk Synergy artists Janet Haefner, Julianne Jennings, Karen Sistek and Merridee Joan Smith. Silk Synergy is a group of
four artists who work individually and as a group specializing in paintings
on silk.
... Greg Allikas will display a variety of his... photographs. His work appears regularly in "Orchids" magazine and in several books,
including three he co-authored with Ned Nash.
Rose Ganucheau has been painting orchids in watercolor for 20 years...
The Orchid Conservatory at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is scheduled to open at noon Jan. 19.
...
The conservatory will... serve as a learning environment introducing visitors to... biology of orchids."
URL: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking_news/story/440631.html
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
The art celebration will continue through March 18 and include paintings on silk, photographs and watercolors.
Featured artists include Silk Synergy artists Janet Haefner, Julianne Jennings, Karen Sistek and Merridee Joan Smith. Silk Synergy is a group of
four artists who work individually and as a group specializing in paintings
on silk.
... Greg Allikas will display a variety of his... photographs. His work appears regularly in "Orchids" magazine and in several books,
including three he co-authored with Ned Nash.
Rose Ganucheau has been painting orchids in watercolor for 20 years...
The Orchid Conservatory at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden is scheduled to open at noon Jan. 19.
...
The conservatory will... serve as a learning environment introducing visitors to... biology of orchids."
URL: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/breaking_news/story/440631.html
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
Sunday, January 13, 2008
11th World Orchid Conference - Miami, Florida January 23-27
"Robert Fuchs...
In 1984, the third generation orchidist won the Grand Champion award at the 11th World Orchid Conference in Miami with his Vanda Deva 'Robert.'
... Fuchs, president of R.F. Orchids in Homestead and one of the... vandal breeders in the United States.
Fuchs is now president of the 19th World Orchid Conference set for Jan. 23-27 at the Exhibition Center of the Sheraton Miami Mart Hotel &
Convention Center in Miami... Sponsors are the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society and the South Florida Orchid Society.
... there will be more than 100 displays from the world's leading orchid houses. More than 50 countries will be represented...
the Quilt Guild of America and the Cake Decorators of South Florida (smile...) will sponsor competitions and demonstrations.
The United States Postal Service is offering five orchid design cancellations for collectors.
Conference organizers estimate the show will attract 200,000 attendees.
Gordon Dillon, former executive secretary of the American Orchid Society, is credited with the idea of creating an international, weeklong event that
would attract the best amateurs, professionals and botanists in the orchid world. His idea grew into the first World Orchid Conference that was held
in October 1954 in St. Louis. Since then, the conferences have been held in locations as varied as Honolulu, London, Singapore, Sydney, Medellin,
Frankfurt, Bangkok, Durban, Miami, Tokyo, Auckland, Glasgow, Rio de Janeiro, Vancouver, Shah Alam, Dijon and Long Beach, Calif."
URL:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/home/sfl-flhg12orchidsbjan12,0,610868.story
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
www.1888orchids.com
In 1984, the third generation orchidist won the Grand Champion award at the 11th World Orchid Conference in Miami with his Vanda Deva 'Robert.'
... Fuchs, president of R.F. Orchids in Homestead and one of the... vandal breeders in the United States.
Fuchs is now president of the 19th World Orchid Conference set for Jan. 23-27 at the Exhibition Center of the Sheraton Miami Mart Hotel &
Convention Center in Miami... Sponsors are the Fort Lauderdale Orchid Society and the South Florida Orchid Society.
... there will be more than 100 displays from the world's leading orchid houses. More than 50 countries will be represented...
the Quilt Guild of America and the Cake Decorators of South Florida (smile...) will sponsor competitions and demonstrations.
The United States Postal Service is offering five orchid design cancellations for collectors.
Conference organizers estimate the show will attract 200,000 attendees.
Gordon Dillon, former executive secretary of the American Orchid Society, is credited with the idea of creating an international, weeklong event that
would attract the best amateurs, professionals and botanists in the orchid world. His idea grew into the first World Orchid Conference that was held
in October 1954 in St. Louis. Since then, the conferences have been held in locations as varied as Honolulu, London, Singapore, Sydney, Medellin,
Frankfurt, Bangkok, Durban, Miami, Tokyo, Auckland, Glasgow, Rio de Janeiro, Vancouver, Shah Alam, Dijon and Long Beach, Calif."
URL:
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/features/home/sfl-flhg12orchidsbjan12,0,610868.story
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
www.1888orchids.com
Friday, January 11, 2008
Orchid Discovery of the Century
Almost every orchid grower dreams of seeing the rarest of orchids, the Holy Grail, just once in their lifetime. Alexandria resident Ken Meier is one such lucky grower.
A fiber optic technician by profession, he has been growing orchids for more than two decades. His backyard greenhouse is crammed with orchids that spill out into his yard during the warm summer months. Ken, who has more than two thousand orchids in his collection, is constantly in pursuit of new and unusual orchids.
While others kick back and head for the beach during their summer vacation, Ken can be found deep in the jungles of Asia and South America looking for orchids growing wild in their native habitat.
Meier has the distinction of being one of the few westerners to have seen what has been called the “orchid discovery of the century,” growing wild in its native habitat; an orchid so spectacular, that many wonder how it could have gone undiscovered for so long.
The tale of its discovery is one filled with the drama and passion that only orchids can inspire. This orchid was brought into the United States and described as a new species by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in 2002. It was named Phragmipedium kovachii in honor of its American discoverer, Michael Kovach, of Goldvein, Va. Eventually, its “discoverer” would be indicted for smuggling the plant into the United States, the prestigious Selby Gardens disgraced, and the original habitats of this orchid plundered by illegal collectors.
Recently, Meier led an orchid expedition to the Andes in the remote northern region of Peru. His guide knew of two habitats were the fabled phragmipedium could still be found. “We hiked for about five hours through the jungle to reach the first habitat,” recalls Ken. “It was tough going and only a few members of our group made it—the rest turned back.”
Disappointingly, while they found several of the rare orchid plants, none were in flower. While the rest of his team gave up, Meier pressed on with his guide. “It was a strenuous hike up almost vertical cliffs, shrouded in mist. We finally reached the second habitat, and there on a mossy outcrop, I saw a single flower that simply took my breath away, though I was already out of breath from the low oxygen levels at that altitude.”
Meier is as excited today, as he describes the orchid that he saw a year ago: a voluptuous fuchsia flower almost half a foot across. “The color was so rich and deep, the flower could have been made out of velvet,” he enthuses. After about half an hour of admiring the flower and taking photos it was time to leave and carefully climb back down the slippery treacherous cliffs before darkness fell.
When asked, Meiei said he had no seeds or plants of Phragmipedim kovachii from his trip. It’s illegal to remove any slipper orchid plants or seeds from their native habitat, especially so endangered a species. Soon, legally propagated plants from Peru will be exported and available in United States,” Meier said.
Even so, it will be several more years before they bloom. Meier smiles with the patience that only orchid growers know. “It’s worth the wait…and until then I have my photographs and memories from Peru to remind me why.”
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com
A fiber optic technician by profession, he has been growing orchids for more than two decades. His backyard greenhouse is crammed with orchids that spill out into his yard during the warm summer months. Ken, who has more than two thousand orchids in his collection, is constantly in pursuit of new and unusual orchids.
While others kick back and head for the beach during their summer vacation, Ken can be found deep in the jungles of Asia and South America looking for orchids growing wild in their native habitat.
Meier has the distinction of being one of the few westerners to have seen what has been called the “orchid discovery of the century,” growing wild in its native habitat; an orchid so spectacular, that many wonder how it could have gone undiscovered for so long.
The tale of its discovery is one filled with the drama and passion that only orchids can inspire. This orchid was brought into the United States and described as a new species by Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in 2002. It was named Phragmipedium kovachii in honor of its American discoverer, Michael Kovach, of Goldvein, Va. Eventually, its “discoverer” would be indicted for smuggling the plant into the United States, the prestigious Selby Gardens disgraced, and the original habitats of this orchid plundered by illegal collectors.
Recently, Meier led an orchid expedition to the Andes in the remote northern region of Peru. His guide knew of two habitats were the fabled phragmipedium could still be found. “We hiked for about five hours through the jungle to reach the first habitat,” recalls Ken. “It was tough going and only a few members of our group made it—the rest turned back.”
Disappointingly, while they found several of the rare orchid plants, none were in flower. While the rest of his team gave up, Meier pressed on with his guide. “It was a strenuous hike up almost vertical cliffs, shrouded in mist. We finally reached the second habitat, and there on a mossy outcrop, I saw a single flower that simply took my breath away, though I was already out of breath from the low oxygen levels at that altitude.”
Meier is as excited today, as he describes the orchid that he saw a year ago: a voluptuous fuchsia flower almost half a foot across. “The color was so rich and deep, the flower could have been made out of velvet,” he enthuses. After about half an hour of admiring the flower and taking photos it was time to leave and carefully climb back down the slippery treacherous cliffs before darkness fell.
When asked, Meiei said he had no seeds or plants of Phragmipedim kovachii from his trip. It’s illegal to remove any slipper orchid plants or seeds from their native habitat, especially so endangered a species. Soon, legally propagated plants from Peru will be exported and available in United States,” Meier said.
Even so, it will be several more years before they bloom. Meier smiles with the patience that only orchid growers know. “It’s worth the wait…and until then I have my photographs and memories from Peru to remind me why.”
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Red Orchids
Red orchids will bring a big smile to even the orchid collector! Since Valentine's Day is right around the corner, I would like you to preview our collection of red orchids for Valentine's Day 2008.
Preview them here: http://www.1888orchids.com/red_orchids_s/146.htm
Sincerely,
Steve Peralta
www.1888Orchids.com
Preview them here: http://www.1888orchids.com/red_orchids_s/146.htm
Sincerely,
Steve Peralta
www.1888Orchids.com
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Orchid Craze
THE ORCHID CRAZE AT ITS HEIGHT IN FASHIONABLE NEW YORK; Unknown a Generation Ago, the Beau Brummel of Blossoms Reigns Supreme The Danger and Romance of Orchid-Hunting Millionaires Among those who Raise it for the Market
Here's the link again: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A05E2DF123EE033A25754C1A9649C946697D6CF
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com
Here's the link again: http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9A05E2DF123EE033A25754C1A9649C946697D6CF
Enjoy,
Steve Peralta
1888Orchids.com
Tuesday, January 01, 2008
Nun's Orchid
"The nun?s orchid, Phaius tankervilliae...
easily grown...
... its common name... had to do with the fact that is[t]... was frequently found growing in convents.
... the origin of the plant?s name seems to be that its striking, tubular flowers and wing-like sepals resemble the head coverings worn by nuns long ago.
... low-maintenance plant that is a vigorous grower... multiple 4-foot tall flower spikes each bearing 10 to 20 fragrant flowers up to 5 inches across.
... sepals are white on the outside with red to dark burgundy interiors edged in pale yellow. The flower?s lip is a purple tube with a ruffled tip
and short spur. Each individual blossom can last up to one month.
... large, thin, pleated leaves that reach up to 3 feet...
brought into cultivation from China in the 1800s...
a terrestrial orchid...
prefers temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees during the day and 55 to 60 degrees at night...
a bright window located away from hot or cold drafts and soil that is kept quite moist but not soggy.
... can be taken outdoors to spend the summer in a moist, shady spot. It is very adaptable and will adjust to... summer temperatures when given plenty
of water and good drainage.
... heavy feeders... should be fertilized wee[a]kly with every watering during the growing season...
quite cold tolerant... can withstand temperatures to 40 degrees...
Repot every two or three years right after plants finish blooming. Frequent repotting keeps plants producing strong new growth. Use a large, deep sturdy pot that will allow plenty of room for the roots while giving
counterbalance to the large upper part of the plant. Use a good quality potting soil that holds moisture while providing good drainage.
... easy to propagate...
dividing the plants at the end of the growing season. Place at least three stems in each pot and keep the new divisions shady and moist while rooting.
... growing outdoors in northwest Florida and in Dothan."
URL :
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20071231/NEWS/326931503/1005/SPORTS0106
easily grown...
... its common name... had to do with the fact that is[t]... was frequently found growing in convents.
... the origin of the plant?s name seems to be that its striking, tubular flowers and wing-like sepals resemble the head coverings worn by nuns long ago.
... low-maintenance plant that is a vigorous grower... multiple 4-foot tall flower spikes each bearing 10 to 20 fragrant flowers up to 5 inches across.
... sepals are white on the outside with red to dark burgundy interiors edged in pale yellow. The flower?s lip is a purple tube with a ruffled tip
and short spur. Each individual blossom can last up to one month.
... large, thin, pleated leaves that reach up to 3 feet...
brought into cultivation from China in the 1800s...
a terrestrial orchid...
prefers temperatures of 65 to 75 degrees during the day and 55 to 60 degrees at night...
a bright window located away from hot or cold drafts and soil that is kept quite moist but not soggy.
... can be taken outdoors to spend the summer in a moist, shady spot. It is very adaptable and will adjust to... summer temperatures when given plenty
of water and good drainage.
... heavy feeders... should be fertilized wee[a]kly with every watering during the growing season...
quite cold tolerant... can withstand temperatures to 40 degrees...
Repot every two or three years right after plants finish blooming. Frequent repotting keeps plants producing strong new growth. Use a large, deep sturdy pot that will allow plenty of room for the roots while giving
counterbalance to the large upper part of the plant. Use a good quality potting soil that holds moisture while providing good drainage.
... easy to propagate...
dividing the plants at the end of the growing season. Place at least three stems in each pot and keep the new divisions shady and moist while rooting.
... growing outdoors in northwest Florida and in Dothan."
URL :
http://www.tuscaloosanews.com/article/20071231/NEWS/326931503/1005/SPORTS0106
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