The County of xxx highway department in Wales has added two new sites in a suite of carefully chosen roadside banks.  These roadside areas are full of wildflowers and protected from cutting until the species have had an opportunity to flower and seed.

This year, the new areas containe the orchid species, the Broad-leaved Helleborine (Caldrist Llydanddail).  The helleborine flowers late in the summer, so cutting will be delayed until September. 

Read the original article here.

In a previous post, I discussed the different growth habitats of orchids, including Epiphytes and Terrestrials.  One type i did not discuss are Lithophytes.   A lithophytic orchid is an ephiphyte that grows on rocks, or extremely rocky terrain.  Lthophytes, like epiphytes, obtain their nutrients from the air, rain, decaying matter that has accumulated around the rocks & roots. 

Vandas are sometimes grown in wooden baskets filled with lavarocks, thus being grown as lithophytes.  These plants need constant humidity, daily watering with warm water, and a breeze to take away any excess moisture from the rocks.  They are grown successfully by home growers in South Florida and along the Gulf Coast where these conditions naturally exist. They only need to be brought inside during the coldest weeks or months of the winter.

Interested in buying orchids in bloom?  Visit the Aloha Orchid Nursery for beautiful vivid flowers, and collector plants.  If you are interested in an easy to understand, step-by-step guide to orchid care, visit the Orchid Expert, by Nigel Howell.

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David Bird bought his first orchid on a family trip to Hawaii nearly 31 years ago.  Since then he has been obsessed with raising, growing and blooming orchids.  In his own words, "You feel as if you have accomplished soemthing’ then you are really hooked."

David has create a 6,000 square foot Orchid Cave with over 4,000 orchid plants representing more than 100 different species of orchids. Last weekend, he opened the Orchid Cave to visitors and visitors from all over the globe descended upon David & his collection. 

Read more about David Bird’s Orchid Cave in this article.

Interested in buying orchids in bloom?  Visit the Aloha Orchid Nursery for beautiful vivid flowers, and collector plants.  If you are interested in an easy to understand, step-by-step guide to orchid care, visit the Orchid Expert, by Nigel Howell.

Muncie Indiana has a hidden treasure just beyond the gates of Ball State University’s Christy Woods.  Inside the tropical gem, red and blue poison dart frogs and purple spotted orchids grace the display dedicated to rainforest conservation.

The Wheeler Orchid Collection and Species Bank has been on campus for 27 years and houses about 1,200 plants.  The greenhouse is open to students and residents and is a popular destination for artists and photographers as well.

The curator, Cheryl LeBlanc, propogates the rare and unusual species to help preserve those plants that are close to extinction.  LeBlanc says that over-collection of plants in the wild threatens many species.

Read the entire article about the Christy Woods Greenhouse.

Interested in buying orchids in bloom?  Visit the Aloha Orchid Nursery for beautiful vivid flowers, and collector plants.  If you are interested in an easy to understand, step-by-step guide to orchid care, visit the Orchid Expert, by Nigel Howell.

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A rare orchid known as Encyclia kingsii was found growing in Grand Cayman.  The yellowish-brown flowering plant is close to extinction, and for good reason, the location of the discovery is undisclosed.

The orchid was thought to be endemic to Little Cayman until the discovery by Ms. Carla Reid, a member of the Caymen Islands Orchid Society.

Read more about the rare orchid on Grand Caymen on the Caymen Net News Website. 

Interested in buying orchids in bloom?  Visit the Aloha Orchid Nursery for beautiful vivid flowers, and collector plants.  If you are interested in an easy to understand, step-by-step guide to orchid care, visit the Orchid Expert, by Nigel Howell.

Care of Orchids in your home can be simplified by understanding more about their stem and root growth.  Orchids can be subgrouped in a variety of different ways, including light requirements, temperature requirements, growing origins, etc.  The type of stem and root system is another way that orchids can be grouped. 

Taking care of orchids in the same growing group may make it easier to grow several at a time when you are just beginning.  However it may be more interesting and satisfying to collect one of each type so that you can learn about a variety of orchid care needs.  Keep reading this article for a brief introduction to each of the growing groups.

Grouping orchids by Stem Structure

Monopodial orchids typically have a single, thick stem growing straight up.  Leathery leaves grow alternatingly from either side of the stem with wide aerial roots growing from the point that leaves and stem meet.  These plants grow constantly and as a result may have new flower stems growing while a previous bloom is fading, thus always being in bloom!  Monopodial orchids need a lot of moisture, warmth and lightly shaded coniditions to grow and bloom well.  Let the plant dry out in between waterings.  Examples include Vanilla Orchids, Vandas and Phalaenopsis. 

Sympodial orchids have mutiple stems or pseudobulbs growing from one rhizome.  The bulbs act as storage tanks for both water and food.  These plants produce new bulbs at the end of the growign season which stems from the bottom, or eye of the front bulb.  The front bulb is also the one that produces a flower stem after ripening.  Sympodial orchids are very easy to grow.  Varieties include Cattleya, Epidendrum, Dendrobium and Oncidium.

Grouping orchids by root structure

Epiphytic orchids have all of their roots exposed to air.  Epiphyte means "air plant".  In the wild epiphyts grow on trees and aquire all of their moisture and nutrition directly from the air and from organic matter that washes over them as they cling to the bark of trees.  Phalaenopsis orchids are epiphyts.

Semi-epiphytic orchids such as cattleyas have roots that grow both in the air, and take root into the potting medium. These plants require very good drainage and great care must be taken to not have the roots soaking in water after watering or if placed in a non-draining decorative container. 

Terrestrial orchids grow roots entirely in teh soil just like other garden plants.  Examples include Bletia, Bletilla and Habenaria.  Semi terrestrial orchids on the other had grow in rich porous organic material such as leaf litter.  Examples include Cymbidiums, Phaius and Paphiopedilum.

Taking care of orchids with two different rooting systems clearly requires that you understand some of the basic needs of the plant.  Epiphytes have different watering requirements than terrestrials for example.  Can you identify the stem and root groups of all of the orchids in your home?

Interested in buying orchids in bloom?  Visit the Aloha Orchid Nursery for beautiful vivid flowers, and collector plants.  If you are interested in an easy to understand, step-by-step guide to orchid care, visit the Orchid Expert, by Nigel Howell.

Taking Care of Orchids in your home requires some knowledge of the species and origins of your orchid species.  The care of orchids at home attempts to mimic the natural growing conditions of your species. Dendrobium orchids have a colorful and varied geographic distribution and range of altitudes, latitudes and temperatures making it easy to find a plant suitable for your home.

The geographic origin of a dendrobium plant determines the the care of orchids in the dendrobium genus.  The growing range of dendrobiums extends from Northern India south across the equator, to the islands of New Guinea, Polynesia and Australia and includes South East Asia as well. The growing altitudes range from sea level to the Himalaya.

As a result, dendrobium orchids can be classified by geographic origin:

1) Nobile (or Himalayan)
2) New Guinea Plants
3) Australian Plants

You may also hear of "Singapore Orchid", which are a hybrid species with origins from the New guinea group and will therefore have similar care requirements.

Several other classifications of dendrobium orchids exist, including evergreen vs. deciduous and warm vs. cool plants.  The Care of Orchids in the Dendrobium genus care therefore be a little bit intimidating.  But if you build your collection one plant at a time, the care of orchids in your home will become easier and easier.

 Interested in buying dendrobiums in bloom?  Visit the Aloha Orchid Nursery for beautiful vivid flowers, and collector plants.

 More articles on taking care of orchids in the Dendrobium Genus can be found under the category "Dendrobium" selection at right. 

If you are interested in an easy to understand, step-by-step guide to orchid care, visit the Orchid Expert, by Nigel Howell. 

Proper Care of Orchids depends upon the right range of temperature in addition to sunlight and nutrients.

Orchids use the biochemical process of photosynthesis to create energy out of sunlight and carbon dioxide.  The leaves collect energy from the sun in order to create carbohydrates, or sugars, to store as energy.  At nighttime as the temperature drops, the sugars are transported down into the bulb system where they are stored.  If nightime temperatures are too warm the orchid will not be able to store the sugars it has produced.  While it may continue to grow nice folliage it is unlikely that the orchid will produce flowers. 

Nighttime Temperatures 

Nighttime temperatures should be about 10-15 degrees fahrenheit below the daytime temperatures for this storage to occur For most orchids, this is in the range of 60-62 degrees.   During the winter months, you may want to avoid keeping your orchids in a window sill as the temperatures close to the window may drop well below 60 degrees when it is below freezing outside.  If you only have one or two orchids, you may not mind moving them off the windowsill each evening, but if you have a large collection, doing so would become too cumbersome

Daytime Temperatures 

Day time temperatures of 70-80 degrees are ideal, and is usually easy to acheive in most homes, even during the winter months.  But windowsills can still cause problems with the day time temperatures if the location becomes too warm.  One tip I’ve heard others share is to simply feel the leaves.  If the leaves feel significantly warmer than the surrounding air, it may be too warm a location, or the plant may simply be getting too much direct sunlight.  Moving the plant away from the window, or hanging a light, sheer curtain can cut down on some of the direct glare as well, reducing the temperature a little bit.

Using a Thermometer

Most home owners are able to easily meet the needs of orchids by experimenting with a few locations in the house.  Investing in a nice temperature & humidity meter will pay off in the long run because it will help you fine tune the ideal locations for your orchids.  

Keep in touch for some additional information about varying temperature ranges depending on the specific species of orchid that you are raising. 

Interested in buying orchids in bloom?  Visit the Aloha Orchid Nursery for beautiful vivid flowers, and collector plants.  If you are interested in an easy to understand, step-by-step guide to orchid care, visit the Orchid Expert, by Nigel Howell.

One of my favorite sensations when I visit an orchid greenhouse is the cool breeze that continuously circulates.  Without the breeze the plants quickly suffer from too much humidity just as you would begin to feel uncomfortable in a warm humid environment.  In nature, orchids grow on the upper trunks and branches where they can receive plenty of ventilation from natural air movement. Taking care of Orchids in your home should replicate this natural airflow

Air circulation helps to evaporate excess water that is not being used by the orchid.  Standing water will soon rot the leaves, roots and bulbs of your beautiful plants.  During the summer time, an open window nearby is adequate to keep a fresh breeze blowing near the orchids.  It also helps recirculate the oxygen and carbon dioxide, bringing fresh carbon dioxide to your plants so that they can continue their food gathering from photosynthesis.

In the wintertime when it is too cold to have open windows, a small oscillating fan will work just as well.  If you have an enclosed greenhouse space, then a small fan inside the greenhouse should keep air flowing through the room. 

Taking care of orchids is no more difficult than caring for any other house plant.  Proper ventilation is a simple step to be certain your orchids stay healthy.

Interested in buying orchids in bloom?  Visit the Aloha Orchid Nursery for beautiful vivid flowers, and collector plants.  If you are interested in an easy to understand, step-by-step guide to orchid care, visit the Orchid Expert, by Nigel Howell. 

Taking care of orchids can be a wonderful experience for both the beginner and the seasoned enthusiast. Taking care of orchids in your home requires just a little bit of knowledge.  With the addition of a little equipment and the right location caring for orchids in your home will be a rewarding past-time. 

Light
The majority of orchids prefer filtered sunlight, usually with a southern exposure.  A sunny southern window with a sheer curtain may be ideal.  The leaves must be protected from the hars, midday sun which can result in burning the leaves.  Yet a light colored or sheer curtain still allows ample light to reach the green folliage. Too much light can burn or dry out your leaves, resulting in yellow or brown folliage.  If your orchid is getting too little light, the leaves may become very dark green.

If the leaves of your orchid feel much warmer than the surrounding air, they are probably getting too much direct sun.  Experiment with different locations in your home, it’s better to ease the orchid into a sunny location than to risk burning it by placing it in direct sun too quickly.

What type light does your orchid prefer?
Orchids can be divided into high light and low light species.

Low light orchids include Oncindium, Phalaenopsis and lady slippers.  Moderate to high light orchids include Cattleya, Dendrobium, and Vanda.

You’ll need to find two ideal locations in your home if you have both low and moderate or high light orchids in your home.  It is generally best to start with a single plant, or at least a single species and convince yourself that you can keep it alive (don’t worry, it’s not hard!)  Sometimes your plants can be arranged in a single location that takes advantage of varying amounts of light throughout the day. 

Taking care of orchids a much easier task than most people think, and finding just the right light for your new plant can be an enjoyable process.

Interested in buying orchids in bloom?  Visit the Aloha Orchid Nursery for beautiful vivid flowers, and collector plants.  If you are interested in an easy to understand, step-by-step guide to orchid care, visit the Orchid Expert, by Nigel Howell.