Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Fri, Mar 12, 2010
The $2.1 million orchid conservatory at Old Dominion University was the lifelong goal of the late Arthur Kaplan, a physician and avid orchid collector who also raised money for the facility in Norfolk, Virginia.
Caring for the 750 orchids that Kaplan personally donated is the dream-come-true for Steve Urick, a horticulturist who grew orchids at his home in Hampton, Va., for 26 years.
The Deseret News tells us that Steve started at the Arthur and Phyllis Kaplan Orchid Conservatory in 2007, almost a year before it opened in April 2008. The complex consists of six individual, climate-controlled greenhouses. Since opening, the conservatory has purchased and received additional orchid donations, giving it 400 species among more than 1,500 plants. The goal is eventually to spotlight 2,500 orchid species among 5,000 plants.
The conservatory is open to free public tours 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday. The main display greenhouse is the "heart of the jungle," a native habitat replica with splashes of color from corsage-like Cymbidium, garden-style Reed-stem epidendrum and showy lady slipper orchids. Some orchids grow on bark in tree trunks, some in pots sunk in native garden soil, some in the depressions of a man-made rock wall. Vegetation like bromeliads, ferns, palms and cinnamon, chocolate and coffee plants add more tropical touches.
Steve is always switching potted orchids in and out of the five growing greenhouses, ensuring the display area is full of color with at least 100 blooming orchids flowers on any given day.
During your visit to the conservatory, you'll also see more common species like the Phalaenopsis, or moth orchids, and Paphiopedilum, or lady slipper orchid, that are so easy to grow indoors at home.
See the greenhouse online at sci.odu.edu/biology/botany/greenhouse/.
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Wed, Mar 10, 2010
“Approximately two hundred and fifty native orchids grow in the United States, with roughly fifty percent native to Florida. Elsewhere many native orchid species can go unnoticed because unless they are viewed close-up, most tend to look little more than stick figures growing from the ground.”
This is what Green Nature.com had to say in its introduction to their orchid photos, which is divided between native and non-native species.
Calypso Orchid – The Calypso bulbosa, more commonly known as a calypso orchid, is native to the Northern Tier and Western United States. The only species in the Calypso genus found in the United States, a spring bloom may reveal dozens in one area. As a small flowering plant that grows among old growth trees, it does not transplant well for home or garden use.
Green Rein Orchid - The Green Rein Orchid or sparse-flowered Bog Orchid (Platanthera sparsiflora) grows in high altitude wetland areas of the Western United States. It's one of almost four dozen native Platanthera species, better known for the fringed orchids. A similar Plantanthera species shares territory with the Sparse-flowered Bog Orchid, but the long spur is the key to differentiation.
Hooded Lady's Tresses - (Spiranthes romanzoffiana) has the most widespread distribution of all the Spiranthes species. It can be found in meadows and bogs at both low and high altitudes in much of the Northern areas of the United States. The small, spiraled flowers along the top of the stem are often enough of a clue to recognize species in the Spiranthes genus, Lady's Tresses. They are a common group of orchids, found throughout North America, with the vast majority of the thirty plus species regionally situated.
Once you fall in love with orchids you’ll look forward to seeing them everywhere you go, even if some of the loveliest orchids can be found in your home.
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Mon, Mar 08, 2010
Two orchid shows are in progress right now and into Spring in two very chilly locales: Cleveland and New York City.
In Cleveland, Orchid Mania is Cleveland Botanical Garden's “annual ode to nature's most exotic plant”, their press release announces. It runs through March 28, offering visitors a chance to see hundreds of dazzling blooms in all their staggering variety, color, shapes and sizes. By popular demand, hundreds of orchids will once again be displayed in fanciful ways in a naturalistic setting. Then, to show off all the unlimited floral design possibilities using orchids a dramatic, contemporary "orchid forest" will greet visitors upon entering the exhibit.
Cynthia Druckenbrod, the Garden's director of horticulture promises, "You'll find connoisseur orchids that you won't see every day." The Garden Store will also carry a variety of unusual orchids for visitors to purchase and take home. Complete program and visitor information is available at the Garden's website, www.cbgarden.org.
At The New York Botanical Garden you can find “Cuba in Flower” where their press release promises thousands of colorful orchids and soaring palm trees that offer a tropical sanctuary from the seemingly unending winter of 2010. Iconic sites in Old Havana and the Cuban countryside have been re-imagined to evoke the island's history while engulfing visitors in radiant flowers.
With the popular show acclaimed as a "tour de force that leaves most visitors gasping with amazement and delight," The New York Botanical Garden's 8th annual exhibition unveils a new theme, design, and experience by Cuban-born designer Jorge Sanchez of the Palm Beach firm Sanchez & Maddux. The stage is set for this season's showcase for garden lovers, orchid fans, history buffs, and those searching for a sign that spring will return. The Orchid Show: Cuba in Flower runs through April 11. Tickets are available on the Garden's Web site at www.nybg.org.
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Thu, Mar 04, 2010
We’ve told you about some orchid pest threats – mainly spider mites, mealy bugs and scale insects. We told you about some ways to combat these pests, but you also want to be careful not to harm insect friends of your orchid. So now we thought we’d mention a few friendly insects – that either help to pollinate orchids, or that might take care of the pests for you.
Ladybugs - and in particular their larvae, which are active between May and July in the northern hemisphere, are voracious predators of mites, and scale insects and small caterpillars. The ladybug larvae are initially small and spidery, growing up to 17 mm long with a tapering segmented grey/black body, orange/yellow markings and ferocious mouthparts. They can be encouraged by cultivating a patch of nettles in the garden and by leaving hollow stems and some plant debris over winter so that they can hibernate.
Green lacewings - A general predator that feeds on a wide variety of insects and may help suppress mealy bugs, scales and spider mites. Widely available from garden catalogs, often as eggs.
Bees and Moths - Many moth orchid (AKA Phalaenopsis orchids) named for their resemblance to moths are also pollinated by them. Orchids have the ability to only release their fragrance during the time of day when their common pollinator is out. For example, when one species is normally pollinated by bees, it is fragrant in the morning, as opposed to species that are pollinated by moths, which is fragrant at night.
One thing to remember is that nature is an intricate dance that involves all kinds of living beings, and when we take steps to eradicate insects that are detrimental to our beloved orchids, we may be harming friendly helper insects, which may in turn affect the balance of ecosystem. So do take care!
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Tue, Mar 02, 2010
Steve Urick, a horticulturist at the Arthur and Phyllis Kaplan Orchid Conservatory at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, offered tips for new orchid enthusiasts. He should know, too—he takes care of 400 species of orchids among more than 1,500 plants—in addition to the almost 2,000 he keeps at home, according to The Deseret News.
"Most people worry and fuss too much over their plants," says Steve. "Orchids are easy to grow, much easier than African violets and many other flowering houseplants."
Light needs:
- Low light (east window): Phalaenopsis (moth orchids), Paphiopedilum (slipper orchids) and seedlings.
- Medium light (south, east or west window): Cattleya, Dendrobium and Oncidium.
- High light (south window): Cymbidium, Brassavola and Vanda.
Temperature needs:
- Almost all orchids do well with daytime temperatures 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit but here's what different species need for nighttime temps during winter:
- Warm (60-65 degrees): Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum with mottled leaves, Dendrobium phalaenopsis and seedings.
- Intermediate (55-60 degrees): Cattleya, Oncidium and Paphiopedilum with solid green leaves.
- Cool (50-55 degrees): Cymbidium, Dendrobium nobile and Dracula/Masdevallia.
Moisture: Let an orchid get almost dry before watering it. Sit pots on trays of pebbles/water to provide extra humidity during winter. For optimal watering, use 3 ice cubes a week for a perfectly measures amount of water.
Fertilizer: Use a good orchid fertilizer according to directions.
For outdoor container gardening during summer, try Reed-stem epidendrum, a "fireworks" orchid that grows nicely in a pot, giving you flowers spring to fall. During winter, put it indoors in a sunny window. Such a display can be seen at the conservatory, which is open to free public tours 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday through Friday. You can read more about it at their website.
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Fri, Feb 26, 2010
For centuries, flower enthusiasts, poets, and the merely maudlin have all sought a truly black flower -- the kind you'd expect to find growing in a cemetery. When the orchid craze struck Europe during the 19th century, there was a great deal of speculation about the potential discovery of a black orchid, yet it proved as elusive as the black tulips people had been trying to breed for many years.
“Alas, no truly black flower of any kind has ever been described.” This is some of what Orchids.org has to say about the mysterious black orchid. What is it about a black flower that has captured the imagination of so many? But capture imaginations it has.
In addition to a list of orchids that are dark in color, (generally ranging from purples to browns) that have been nicknamed Black Orchids, Wikipedia says:
Black Orchid may also refer to:
- Black Orchid - a character from DC Comics
- Black Orchid - a Doctor Who serial
- Black Orchid - 1953 film with Ronald Howard
- Black Orchid - 1958 film with Sophia Loren and Anthony Quinn
- Black Orchid - an Australian gothic metal band
- Black Orchid - a character in the video game Killer Instinct
- Black Orchids- a Nero Wolfe double mystery by Rex Stout
And if you go to Amazon.com, you can find an additional list of books—both fiction and non-fiction-- that have the words “Black Orchid” in, or as, the title. Not to mention the new fragrance by Tom Ford, who says he found a Swiss orchid breeder who had one of these highly sought after orchid plants that he used to create his scent.
But the Maxillaria schunkeana may be the closest thing to a true black orchid.
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Wed, Feb 24, 2010
There a three main orchid pest threats to your orchid plants.
1) Spider Mites - They appear in hot, dry conditions. Various insects and predatory mites feed on spider mites and provide a high level of natural control.
2) Mealy Bugs - Look for cotton-like spots on the leaves. Small infestations may not inflict significant damage. In larger amounts though, they can induce leaf drop.
3) Scale Insects - They secrete a waxy coating for defense; this coating causes them to resemble reptilian scales or fish scales, hence the name.
To protect your orchids from these pests, you can find horticultural oil or insecticidal soap at any garden center – dilute it with water and it won’t harm you, your plants, or pets. Biological control – which involves introducing predator insects, parasites or bacteria to battle the bugs is another option.
We’ve also found some organic, safe and natural suggestions you might want to try. You can find more information on all of these at the following links:
Organic Pesticides - Remember, just because a pesticide is organic doesn't mean it's not toxic. Here’s a list of the most used and their effectiveness and downfalls.
Least Toxic Pesticides - Reminds us that the same precautions should be taken in the use of "less toxic pesticides" as with synthetic pesticides. Relying heavily on the use of any pesticide is an un-ecological practice.
Organic Gardens - Safe, all-natural pesticides that can be concocted from inexpensive ingredients that often are already around the house.
Avian Web - Helps you choose methods that won’t harm birds, ladybugs, butterflies, pets or children. Many herbs and essential oils are effective alternative solutions.
EcoSmart review by SafBaby - Organic, Chemical-Free, and All Natural Insecticides by EcoSMART. “Organic oils such as peppermint and cinnamon are blended in a way that really does smell delightful” and it’s effective too.
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Fri, Feb 19, 2010
The Orchid is An Ecotel Hotel in Mumbai (formerly Bombay) and is Asia's first certified eco-friendly five-star hotel with 63 international awards to its credit. The exclusivity of The Orchid is experienced as soon as one enters the atrium with its 70-foot indoor waterfall.
Around the waterfall on the first level is the Boulevard, the 24-hour coffee shop. The beautiful orchids growing there give you a true feel of an Orchid experience.
Or, if you’d be more interested visiting India’s orchid gardens, you’ll have a lot of ground to cover! India is a huge country and therefore for the purposes of identifying orchids has been divided into three main zones: The Himalayan Region, The Peninsular Region and The Andaman & Nicobar Islands Region.
The Himalayan region is dominated by 3,000 miles of mountains, including Mt. Everest, the tallest peak in the world. There are valleys too, which means that the region has alpine, temperate and tropical vegetation. There are around 876 species in 151 genera. But the tropical zone is where you’ll find Phalaenopsis orchids, along with Vanda, Dendrobium, and several others.
The Peninsular Zone is divided into East and West, and each can be further subdivided into three distinct zones. The pressure from the increasing population has stripped the mid-elevation forests, and the lack of forest cover could mean imminent extinction of many species of plants. In the Western Region alone there are about 315 orchid species, 4 sub species and 3 varieties in 75 genera are reported.
In the Andaman & Nicobar Islands there are a record number of 104 species, 1 subspecies and 1 variety in 53 genera. It has been reported that around 16 species and one variety are endemic. Continuous deforestation has resulted in the loss of many endemic species, and unless measures are taken, we may lose some rare and wonderful orchid species.
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Wed, Feb 17, 2010
Orchids may also be classified as saprophytic, terrestrial, semi-terrestrial, and epiphytic.
Saprophytes depend upon the mycorrhizal fungus in their roots for their entire supply of nourishment. These plants do not possess any chlorophyll and their plant-body is reduced to a knob–like stem and a bunch of coralloid roots. They emerge above ground only during the flowering--small inconspicuous flowers only interesting to botanists.
The terrestrial, or earth-bound, orchids have roots that grow beneath the surface of the soil, as with most other kinds of plants.
Cypripediums, the lady-slipper orchids, are mainly of this type, though some are semi-terrestrial, having both underground and aerial roots. The lovely spray orchids, cymbidiums, are terrestrial; they grow in the loose humus of rotted wood or decayed leaves.
By far the largest, most varied, and most showy of the orchid family are included in the semi-terrestrial and epiphytic groups. These are tropical or subtropical and live on trees in the rain swept coastal jungles or on bare rocks in the hot sun.
Their elevation ranges from sea level to two thousand feet above sea level. They abound through parts of Asia, the islands of the South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, and South and Central America. The Himalayas and the Andes are also congenial to lovely orchids.
Most Phalaenopsis orchids are epiphytic shade plants. In nature, epiphytic orchids establish themselves by their fleshy roots on branches or bark of trees. Organic matter that accumulates between the roots and branches furnishes their nutrients. Suspended from trees or on lofty rocks, the epiphytes dwell in filtered light and always in open, airy situations. Some also accommodate themselves to extremes of torrential rain and extended drought.
To produce their exotic orchid blooms in profusion in your greenhouse, you’ll need to create an approximation of their natural conditions, particularly in regard to light and air. Some claim a dry period between growing and blooming is essential for these flowers.
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Mon, Feb 15, 2010
The orchid family is spread all around the world, ranging throughout the tropics, across moderate zones of both hemispheres, and even into the fringes of the Arctic. But as in any family, there are branches of the family tree.
The first branching separates the monopodial and sympodial groups. The monopodial, including the Vanda and Aerides, grow upward from a single point. They add leaves to the apex each year and the stem grows longer accordingly. Phalaenopsis orchids, though monopodial, are stemless, but they grow a pair of leaves from the characteristic crown annually. The word Monopodial is derived from Greek "mono-", one and "podial", "foot", in reference to the fact that monopodial plants have a single trunk or stem.
Orchids with monopodial growth often produce copious aerial roots that often hang down in long drapes and have green chlorophyll underneath the gray root coverings, which are used as additional photosynthetic organs. They do not have a rhizome (stem of a plant that is usually found underground, often sending out roots and shoots from its nodes. Rhizomes may also be referred to as creeping rootstalks, or rootstocks) or pseudobulbs so species adapted to dry periods have fleshy succulent leaves instead. Flowers generally come from the stem between the leaves.
The sympodial group, of which Cattleya, Laelia, and Coelogyne are notable examples, have pseudobulbs-- the individual "shoots" of a sympodial orchid which have a chunky base to hold water topped with leaves. Sometimes the pseudobulb is small and the leaves are long (as in Cymbidiums) and sometimes the pseudobulbs are long and the leaves are small (as in Dendrobiums).
The orchid bloom spikes usually come from where the outermost leaf meets the pseudobulb. At the base of sympodial orchids are small nodes that are called "leads". They may have one or more leads and from these will grow new pseudobulbs. The word Sympodial means "with conjoined feet".