Phalaenopsis - Moth Orchid
Warm Growing Types
Phalaenopsis is commonly known as the moth orchid and is a warm growing orchid and needs temperatures of at least 15C (60F) during the winter and can be allowed to rise up in 28C (82F) during the summer. 2OC - 22C being the optimum. They originate from (he tropical forests of S E Asia (Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines etc) where they cling to the branches of Large tropical trees up in the forest canopy and are therefore adapted to good light but not to direct sunlight.
Phalaenopsis make great house plants and will thrive in a centrally heated house providing they are given some basic care such as frequent misting to maintain good humidity, regular watering though never being left standing in water, and light feeding. Also keep them away from draughts.
Flowering
Given the correct conditions the flowers of Phalaenopsis may last for up to three months. When the flowers die, cut the flower spike back to just above a node leaving 30cm of stem and a secondary flower spike may he produced within two or three months.
Cymbidiums
Cool growing orchids
8C - 1OC (48 - 50F during the winter
Maximum of 24C (75F) during the summer
Cymbidiums, although the most commonly grown orchids, can be difficult to flower as they are often over cared for! They are native to South East Asia where they would have cool nights during the summer and a rise in temperature during the day of at least 5C (10F). These conditions must be copied to initiate flower spike production. They do not like draughts or extremes of temperature and are best kept out doors in a bright position but not in direct sun during the summer and early autumn - they must be kept frost free though otherwise they WILL die.
They should be kept out doors over the summer and watered every week by flushing through with water, feeding every 2nd or 3rd watering. Bring them inside in September for the winter and water every 10-14 days with tepid water reducing the feed to monthly. They like good light levels but not direct sunlight.
Cymbidiums should be repotted every second year in the spring as the new growth has started, when large plants can be split in to 2 or more divisions using a good open mix of bark compost or course plain bark which will allow swift drainage of the excess water.
Paphiopedilum - slipper orchids
Cool to Intermediate Growing Type
15-28C (53-82F)
Paphiopedilums are known as slipper orchids due to their modified lip which is pouch shaped and resembles a slipper. Some of these species and hybrids have beautifully marbled foliage while others have plain green foliage. They come from tropical South East Asia where they grow in loose, humus rich soil.
Their flowers, which are borne in winter or spring, vary in size from tiny 2 inch blooms on very short stems to monster blooms over 10 inches high. These, like Phalaenopsis make excellent house plants and will reward you with an ever increasing number of beautiful blooms. They can tolerate high temperatures and high humidity and so should be misted at least once a day during the summer but NOT allowing water to rest in the centre of the plant overnight or rot may occur with lightning speed.
Light requirements
Paphiopedilums like good light but will also tolerate light shade during the growing season, they should not be kept in full sun or they will scorch. Keep them in a well lit position during the winter months.
Watering requirements
Slipper orchids like to be kept evenly moist at all times but will not tolerate being waterlogged at any time. Water every 7 to 10 days during the summer, more if it's warm and the plants look like they may be drying out. It is always a good idea to water the plants in the morning as this will allow any that is spilt on to the leaves or crown to evaporate during the heat of the day.
Feeding requirements
Paphiopedilums do not have a high requirement for food and should be fed once every 4-6 weeks during the winter months and once every two weeks during the summer.
Re-potting schedule
Repotting and dividing should be undertaken in the spring annually using an open bark mix to which has been added some extra humus material such as sphagnum moss trimmings or rough peat. This will ensure a swift drainage whilst the moss or peat will retain the correct amount of water for the plant.
Vandas
Intermediate to warm growing
12-28C(53-82F)
Vandas are very slow growing orchids which are naturally found in the tropical and subtropical areas of South East Asia where they grow on the trunks or branches of trees. They can grow into tall plants up to 3 to 4' high and are generally grown in either baskets or on cork bark with the roots hanging
down. Keep the humidity high, avoid any draughts and a Vanda may flower two or three times a year and produce up to 3 or 4 spikes of 10 3 to 5 inch flowers which can last up to 6 weeks.
They need plenty of dispersed light all year and like a lot of water during the growing season: spray them regularly to maintain high humidity but make sure they are dry by evening, and submerge the plant in tepid water once a week, making sure that no water remains in the leaf axils otherwise the plant will rot.
Dendrobium Orchids
Cool growing types
Nobile types: 8-25°C (46-80°F)
Dendrobiums make a good choice for first time orchid grower, as they arc easy to
grow and reward you with many beautiful flowers every year as long as a couple of rules are followed, These Nobile type orchids mostly come from South East Asia and the Himalayas and live at fairly high altitudes where they would get monsoon type downpours in early to late summer with corresponding higher temperatures and humidity, and cool dry winter conditions.
As with most orchids, Dendrobiums like good light at all times but should not be in full sun, Keep them in the brightest position over the winter to help ripen the current year's stems, called canes.
Watering and feeding
From mid November until February - DO NOT WATER and therefore don't feed.
However if you are keeping the Dendrobium in a very dry atmosphere such as in a
centrally heated home, then you can mist your plants once a month, or give them a good SINGLE soak every 8 weeks. The Nobile type Dendrobiums MUST have this
rest from watering if you want to see flowers. As growth re-starts in February, start watering sparingly, then from June to November water twice weekly. From late March to September feed with a half strength high nitrogen feed to boost growth and from September to November change to half strength high potash feed.
Dendrobiums produce an enormous amount of aerial roots and so are ideal candidates for growing in many ways other than pots. They can be mounted on cork bark or even grown over a tree stump.
Cambrias and Wilsonaras
Intermediate growing
13-30°C (55-88°F)
Cambria's and Wilsonara's are both collective names for a large number of hybrid "inter-generics" - they have a number of different orchid varieties in their heritage but mainly Odontoglossums and Oncidiums, making them easy to grow and flower in the conditions of a modern house.
They like moderate light, never direct sunlight, and shadier in summer Keep the humidity at around 50%; standing them on a gravel tray with the base of the pot above water level should be ideal.
Watering and feeding
As with other orchids, never over-water. How often water is required depends on
conditions but a useful guide is to feel the weight of the pot. and if it is top heavy water is probably needed. Another guide is the large fleshy pseudobulbs at the base of the stems which act as water stores; if these are wrinkled then a watering is due. In summer this may be once a week, less in winter.
Feed every other watering in summer and every third watering in winter.
Flowering
Cambria's and Wilsonara's can flower more than once a year and some varieties can have 50 or more flowers. To prolong the flowers, place it in a slightly cooler spot and after flowering cut the stem down to 3cm.
Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance
Cool to intermediate growing
The Oncidium/Odontoglossum Alliance refers to a group of South American orchids
grown for their brilliant flowers. The Alliance includes a large range of genera. The
modern hybrids available today have been intergenericly crossed often with 3 or more
different genera in the hybrids, allowing an incredible range of exciting hybrids to be
produced.
Varieties included in this Alliance
The following are natural Genera:
Miltonia (Milt), Odontoglossum (Odm), Brassia (Brsa), Oncidium (Onc), Cochlioda
The following are some of the intergeneric hybrid groups in the alliance,
Miltonidium (Mtdm), Mittoniopsis (Milt), Miltonioda (Mtda), Willsonaria (Will), Burregaria (Burr), Odontonia (Odtna), Odontocidium (Odtcm), Maclenaria (Mclna), Vuylstekeara (Vuyl), Odontioda, Beallara (Bllra), An intergeneric hybrid refers to a plant bred from 2 different genera in the alliance.
Cultural requirements
The alliance is highly varied and hence the cultural ranges vary greatly from tropical
to very cool climate growers. However the varieties that we stock are likely to have
been bred from parents giving them greater suitability for the conditions in modern
houses, so are tolerant of cooler temperatures and lower light levels than the parental
species in the wild.
As with most orchids, the Alliance do not like having their roots wet, or being in
draughts or in direct sunlight. A reasonably stable temperature and humidity at
around 40-50% would be ideal. Standing the pot on a gravel-filled tray with water in
it will help provide these conditions.
Due to the hybridising it is hard to say exactly when these orchids will flower and also
when the dormant period should be. After they have flowered reduce the watering to
just enough to stop the pseudobulb from shrivelling, reducing the temperature at the
same time then when new shoots start to appear increase it again. If they need to be
repotted do so when the new grow appears and only increase the pot size enough for
one or two years growth.
For a more accurate guide to the conditions a particular member of the Alliance requires, looking at the parents will help..