The Queen of Orchids

I may need to find another support group, one for orchid addiction. A few weeks ago I had 6 orchids, and then I purchased 3 small orchids. Two days ago I succumbed to a regal Cymbidium orchid at the grocery store. Now there are 10 plants in my collection.

I’ve been longing for a Cymbidium for some time. The store had one about a month ago, which I sadly passed by because I was afraid it would be too expensive. This time there were 7 – 10 plants available. I just couldn’t walk away again. The first one to catch my eye was the one that came home with me. She had the largest flowers on two generous spikes. Best of all, she was only $20. It was a pleasant surprise when I checked the price at the register. There was a bar code label on the pot but no price. I’ve since wondered if I dreamed it, and now my store receipt is missing. No matter, she’s a lovely lady and it’s been a pleasure to have her sitting on my desk.

In the long run we will see if our relationship is destined to last. Cymbidiums like cooler night temperatures to encourage re-blooming. (50 -70 degrees). I am more of a hot house flower. The cold and I are not close friends.  My new prize can apparently spend time outside while blooming, & right now our temps are reasonable enough that she may relocate for awhile. During the summer, she will have to be inside since it’s too hot here. Queen Cymbidium is definitely a demanding monarch requiring more specialized care. I hope I have what it takes to be her lady in waiting. If this association works out I may be well on my way to becoming the “Crazy Orchid Lady.”

The Project Queen

She's a big girl, about 34" from the bottom of the pot to top of her tallest flower spike.



Orchids!

Pink Phalaenopsis currently blooming. I purchased it with one blooming stem.

This time it has 2 stems.

While I enjoy my African Violets and find Bromeliads interesting, Orchids are my true houseplant weakness. I currently have 9 orchids; 3 Cattleyas, 1 Dendrobium, 2 Vandas and 3 Phalaenopsis.

 I will occasionally buy plants in full bloom from a store, especially if they are priced under $15.00, though I would make an exception for something which doesn’t come along very often, such as a Cymbidium or Oncidium. My favorite way to purchase orchids is to find the juveniles that are packaged in mesh bags. My cattleyas, vandas and dendrobium were all bought that way. They may take a couple of years to bloom, but for someone who has a bit of patience it’s the most economical way to buy orchids. Plus, you can choose your own pots instead of being limited to what the growers select.

Here are a few tips if you decide to try orchid culture. General Care: Most orchids prefer bright, indirect light. Mine are positioned before an East-facing window. They shouldn’t stand in water. Usually water once a week is fine. However, it’s always a good idea to wiggle a finger into the pot. If the soil still feels damp, wait on the water and check again in a few days. Orchids usually appreciate a bit of humidity. There are different ways to provide it. My plants are in close proximity to each other on a table. The volume of moisture evaporating seems to keep them happy. These plants are likely to send roots out over the top of their pots. It’s natural so leave some out when repotting (For those who find the roots unsightly, there are perforated orchid pots available, but I prefer not to spend the extra money on them). Commercial soils often come with time release fertilizer. When the fertilizer is gone the plants could be repotted again. However, it’s more economical to add fertilizer a couple of times a month when watering. Most orchids are happy in their pots for 2-3 years. For commercially potted, blooming orchids: As soon as the flowers are spent, plan to re-pot the plant with fresh orchid soil mix. Sphagnum moss is often used for potted orchids, and it’s usually packed very tightly around the roots. Many orchids are Epiphytes, and are sometimes referred to as air plants. If a potting medium is too tight around the roots they will rot, and the plant will eventually die.

How often an orchid blooms depends on species. When healthy and happy many of them can bloom 1-3 times a year. It may not seem like very much. Just bear in mind that the flowers can last at least a couple of months. Some species, like Phalaenopsis or Cymbidium, have long, blooming stems covered with several flowers. Cattleyas might have 1 or more depending on plant size. All are worth the wait.

Before making an orchid purchase, it’s definitely a good idea to research their care so you don’t find yourself disappointed. Some species can require very specialized care and are best left to experts or very dedicated hobbyists. The plants most commonly found in stores are usually good entry level plants. Phalaenopsis in particular are very easy to find, which is why I prefer not to spend a lot of money on them.

Go, embark on an Orchid adventure. May your plants give you many years of pleasure.

The Project Queen