Give Orchids What They Want for Repeat Bloom
By Joan Reis, U. C. Master Gardener - March, 2003
you are looking for a hostess gift, a get-well present or just something to
brighten a room, orchids are your answer. They look exotic, and although they
are thought of as difficult, orchids can be one of the best gifts in the flower
world.
As far as being difficult, nothing can be worse for a hostess
than a tightly tied bunch of flowers thrust into her hands when she is already
busy greeting guests and finalizing dinner. Now she must get out the scissors,
find a vase, stuff the flowers in, and coo about how beautiful they are, all
the while making sure the risotto is stirred and the doorbell answered.
An orchid requires only 30 seconds of cooing, can be placed
anywhere and creates instant decor. Furthermore, it will bloom for weeks,
even months—long after those cut flowers have gone to the compost.
How long the blooms will last depends on the type of orchid
(Phalaenopsis can bloom for months), the stage of the buds at purchase and
the care the plant gets while blooming. Keep it in a cool area and out of
direct sunlight. Water once a week and never let it stand in a puddle of water.
When the orchid has finally stopped blooming, choices must be
made: consignment to the compost pile, or rest and recovery? If you decide
against the compost, you can encourage the plant to rebloom by providing the
conditions it likes. The factors to consider are water, light and temperature.
Water is easiest to control. Water only once a week with room-temperature
water. Don't use sodium-softened water; orchids cannot tolerate it. During
its growing period, fertilize every other week with a dilute solution, 1/4
to 1/2 teaspoon per gallon of 7-9-5 or any commercial orchid food. Give the
orchids the humidity they love by placing them on top of a gravel-filled tray,
which will catch the runoff from watering.
Light requirements vary by variety, but most home orchids do
not like direct sun. Place them where they can get bright light and watch
the color of the leaves. If the leaves turn yellow and you have not been over-watering,
the plant is getting too much light. If the leaves are very dark green, the
plant needs to be moved closer to the window.
Temperature requirements also vary, but the range is generally
that of the average house, with 10 to 15 degrees of variation from day to
night. Without nighttime variation, most orchids will not bloom.
You need to know the kind of orchid you have. To identify a
mystery orchid, check some of the excellent sources on the Internet or visit
orchid shows, which are usually held at this time of year when blooming peaks.
Cattleyas, those large, blowsy, old-style corsage orchids, respond
best to nighttime temperatures of 55ºF to 60ºF degrees and 15 degrees warmer
by day. They like a western or southern exposure with good sunlight.
Phalaenopsis, the beautiful moth orchid, and one of the easiest
to grow, thrives at about 65ºF at night and 10 to 15 degrees warmer during
the day. With this warmer temperature, it requires more humidity and is a
great candidate for the rock-filled tray.
Oncidiums, the dancing dolls, prefer cooler conditions, with
night temperatures of 45ºF to 50ºF degrees and the low 70s during the day.
Like Cattleyas, they appreciate considerable sunlight, but some shade is helpful
during bloom to keep the blooms lasting longer.
Paphiopedilums, the lady's slippers orchids with their
outrageous color combinations, can be divided into two groups identified by
their leaves. The ones with mottled foliage need 60ºF to 65ºF degrees at night
and 70ºF to 85ºF degrees during the day. These flower in summer. The green-leafed
plants need cooler temperatures, and most bloom during the winter.
Cymbidiums are the orchids most often seen growing outdoors.
They do best with enough light in summer and early fall to yellow their leaves.
When the flower buds begin to open, like all other orchids, the plants should
be withdrawn from the strong light.
Orchids are relatively pest free. If you find sticky residue
on the leaves or blossoms, scale is present. Look for small wart-like objects
often hiding on the underside of the leaves. These can be scraped off by hand
or with a Q-tip dipped in alcohol.
To become more involved in the world of orchids, contact the
Napa Valley Orchid Society or check out some of the sites on the Web, such
as www.orchidlady.com.