Orchid Care and Placement

Beginners’ Orchids

Orchids suitable for beginners are those natural forms and hybrids which are very adaptable and which will grow fast and flower regularly without coaxing. In general, but not always, hybrids are less sensitive than species as the raiser will have made them suitable for growing indoors.

Hydroculture and Orchids

Orchids can be grown quite successfully by this method. However, you should buy your orchids in a hydroculture container from the start, as a changeover from soil to hydroculture is time-consuming and some orchids will not survive the process. Orchids grown in hydroculture should never be allowed to get "cold feet". Place a warming pad underneath the plants or insert a heating cable into the plants' container. Be careful to only use waterproof mats and cables to avoid any accidents with electricity.

Orchids suitable for hydroculture:

hybrids of Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, Cymbidium, Laelia as well as Vuylstekeara "Cambria" and Doritaenopsis.

Orchid unsuitable for hydroculture:

epiphytes that obtain water and fertilizers solely via their leaves, and terrestrial orchids which need to be placed in a very cool position.

Orchids as cut flower gifts

In florists' circles, orchids stand for luxury, although they are not as woefully expensive as they used to be. There can be some justification in buying orchid over other cut flowers, the most obvious being that they last much longer:

• Cymbidium about four weeks
• Dendrobium phalaenopsis about three weeks
• Paphiopedilum and Phalaenopsis about two weeks
• Cattleya, Laelia and Oncidium about one week

If you wish to cut a flower from your own orchid collection then, if possible, choose specimens from the ones mentioned above or their hybrids. Among other orchids, the only suitable types are those whose flowers possess a firm, almost hard surface, are shiny or look as though they have been coated with wax. Delicate flowers with matt surfaces will not keep long when cut.

How to cut Orchid Flowers

• Orchid flowers or panicles should be cut under running water

• Dendrobium panicles should be briefly dipped in alcohol.

• Only use lukewarm, boiled water in vases.

• Cut the stalk again every two to three days.

• Top up any evaporated water.

• Stand the vase in a cool position at night.

• Avoid draughts.

If your orchid flower seems to wilt too soon, make a slit in the stem about an inch long and stand it in lukewarm water up to the flower-head for several hours.

Orchid Placement

Orchids can be kept in various ways although some species will only flourish under certain very special conditions. Possibilities include: windowsills, an open or closed picture window, a conservatory or greenhouse. Each is particularly suitable for certain types of orchid.

Orchid on the Windowsill

Purely from the point of view of the amount of available light, an east-or west-facing window is an ideal position for orchids. However, there may be a problem if a radiator is situated beneath the windowsill, as the warm, rising air may easily dry out the plants. If you are good with woodwork you may be able to widen your windowsill to avoid excessive heat from the radiator, build a protective screen for the orchids or stand a custom-built table in front of the window, which fits flush with the ledge. Raising the humidity here is essential. In the case of cold, stone window-ledges, insulation should be provided underneath any plants. The choice of orchids should depend on the conditions of light and temperature available on the relevant windowsill. If you have French windows, stand your orchids on a shelf or stand made of glass. This will be visually pleasing and will offer the plants optimal lighting conditions.

Pot-holders

On the one hand, pot-holders hinder the circulation of air around the roots of sensitive orchids; on the other hand, the beauty of the flowers will be set off well by an attractive vessel. Take the middle path, with an air-permeable pot-holder made of basket weave, rattan or bamboo. The warm natural shades of these containers will harmonize particularly well with orchids.

Six orchids that do well on windowsills:

Cattleya, Mini-Cymbidia, Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis.

Hanging Orchids in Baskets or Containers

Plants with long, hanging flowering shoots look best grown in small wooden baskets. Grid containers are available in all sizes and can be hung in a window. This makes it possible to utilize the window space for other orchids.

Six orchids which look good as hanging plants:

Brassavola, Coelogyne, Dendrobium, Odontoglossum, Oncidium, Phalaenopsis.

Orchids in a Bay Window

You are very fortunate if you already have a bay window as this will enable you to create a colony of exotic orchids. It is also possible to build such a window if you wish to do so. A built-out picture window with a roomy plant box which has been filled with gravel or sand as a bottom layer, with a layer of peat or Hortag on top is ideal. Orchids, bromeliads or other tropical plants can be planted straight into this medium. If you wish, you can even anchor one or two epiphyte trunks in the box and tie other plants to these or hang orchid baskets or pieces of bark with orchids in the window. This type of window will only be really successful if it is equipped with some means of shading on the outside, ventilation, an insulated windowpane, additional lighting, base heating, humidity providers and room heating. All warmth-loving orchids can be kept here.

Six orchids for a built-out picture window:

Dendrobium hybrids, Doritaenopsis, Doritus pulcherrima, Oncidium papilio, Paphiopedilum callosum, Phalaenopsis.

Orchids in Glass Cases and Closed Picture Windows

This system creates and encloses its own micro-climate which allows the growing of the most difficult kinds of orchids. Humidity, ventilation, climate and light can all be exactly regulated by means of technology. To find out where you can obtain the equipment you need for this method of growing orchids, consult a reputable nursery. Indoor mini-greenhouses are really enclosed picture windows in miniature. If they are kept bright but not left standing in glaring sunlight, you can plant one or two orchids that require high amounts of humidity and warmth in them.

Six orchids suitable for enclosed picture windows or a glass case:

Angraecum species, Doritis pulcherrima, Oncidium kramerianum, Paphiopedilum callosum, Phalaenopsis.

Orchids combined with other plants

Most orchid lovers are of the opinion that, just like at home, orchids in "exile" tend to flourish in the company of other plants. This is partly because other plants next to your orchids, especially plants with many or large leaves - produce plenty of moisture through evaporation, thereby contributing to the general humidity.

Orchids in Conservatories

Conservatories provide a wonderful opportunity for cultivating orchids as they are usually built on to the house. This makes care considerably easier than would be the case in a free-standing greenhouse. If your conservatory can be heated, temperate to warm orchids can be cultivated there; if it is cool, like a bedroom, cool to temperate plants are better suited.

Orchids for cool to temperate conservatories:

Coelogyne, hybrids of Cymbidium', cool Dendrobia, Disa uniflora, Masdevallia; cool Miltonia, Odontocidium hybrids; Odontoglossum (Rossioglossum) grande, Odontoglossum hybrids; Oncidium hybrids; cool, green-leafed Paphiopedilum, Vuylstekeara Cambria, Zygopetalum.

Orchids for temperate to warm conservatories:

Ascocenda hybrids; Cattleya hybrids; warm Dendrobia, Dendrobium phalaenopsis, Laelia hybrids; warm Oncidia, Paphiopedilum hybrids; Phalaenopsis hybrids; Vanda hybrids.

Orchids Glass/Greenhouses

Many an enthusiastic orchid lover, faced with an ever-growing orchid collection, has resorted to building a greenhouse for their beloved plants out in the back yard or garden. It goes without saying, however, that, even in a greenhouse, you cannot manage without the aid of special gadgets for heating, humidity regulation, light, shade and ventilation. These are the ideal positions for greenhouses:

• near the house because of necessary power and water supplies

• if possible, near a tree with foliage which will provide shade in the summer and allow light to penetrate through its branches in the winter.

With the help of technology, you will be able to choose the temperature range. Depending on your choice of plants, you should then be able to cultivate many orchids of the same temperature range.

Understanding Orchids by William Cullina