Orchids Make the World Go Around

I am looking forward to the 26th New York International Orchid Show organized by the Greater New York Orchid Society of which I am a member. This event takes place April 20-23, 2006 at Rockefeller Center. Each year, I spend hundreds of dollars here on new orchids for my collection. It's so nice to be among kindred spirits who suffer from the same sick obsession with orchids as I do. I always take a week off from work and spend my vacation there (how sick is that?).

I also look forward to seeing my friends at Andy's Orchids, Kawamoto Orchids, Carmela Orchids, Piping Rock Orchids, Orquidias de Valle, Ecuagenera, Orchidphile, and Orchid Art.

The above picture is a print of a water color painting of Phalaenopsis schilleriana painted by my friend Angela Mirro. You can buy T-shirts with this print along with her other exquisite works of art at the show.

You can find me working for Andy of Andy's Orchids at the show. Drop by and say hi!

Why Won't My Orchid Bloom?

Photo of Vanda Pat Delight, a gift from my friend Jose Exposito of Soroa Orchids.

It blooms reliably for me two times a year and needs full sun.

Do you have one of those orchids that you bought in full bloom and now never seems to bloom even though you've been growing it for years and give it plenty of attention? Are you ready to throw the orchid into the compost pile? Just hold on a minute...I may have the answers to your problem. I started asking some expert growers that I know about the possible reasons that may cause an orchid not to bloom. Listed below are some of the common reasons. Before we get to those, it's important to understand plant biology. All plants bloom for reproduction, i.e., flowers get pollinated and produce seeds. It takes energy to produce flowers and seeds, so a plant will only bloom when it has excess energy. In orchids, an indication of energy is the size of the pseudobulbs for sympodial orchids or leaf span for monopodial orchids. You should strive to have progressively larger pseudobulbs or leaf span with each growth.

• Insufficient light. This is the most common reason why orchids do not rebloom. Try giving the plant brighter light levels. This boost in light intensity causes an increase in energy production. If the orchid is getting sufficient amount of light then one or more of the following may be the reason.
• Need repotting. When was the last time you repotted the orchid? Orchids need to be repotted regularly because the potting media breaks down and turns sour. Sphagnum moss breaks down more readily and should be repotted every six months, while bark breaks down slower and should be replaced every 2 years. Phalaenopsis like to be repotted in fresh media as this will invigorate them.
• Temperature differential. Some orchids such as phalaenopsis and dendrobiums need a 15 degree temperature differential between day and night, which signals a change in the season, particularly in the Fall.
• Not pot-bound. Some orchids like dendrobiums, encyclias, and epidendrums prefer to be pot bound before they will bloom. I had an Epi. Green Hornet that I repotted and kept in a 4-inch pot. It took 8 years for it grow and fill the pot before it bloomed.
• Disturbed

Violet's Distant Relatives

These are Violet's (see previous post) distant relatives, however, they vehemently object and deny any relationship--I think it's because they don't want to have any association with a family member who is a slut. Be that as it may, like Violet, they are paphiopedilum (slipper orchids) hybrids and their identities are also unknown. I bought these guys (and a whole mess of other goodies) from Geoffrey Beene's estate last fall. Geoffrey Beene was an avid orchid collector who had over 2,000 in his greenhouse. He passed away in September 2004 and his orchids were neglected since his death. I got them cheap since the tags had gotten lost and they could not be identitified since they were not blooming at the time. I brought them home and kept them under fluorescent lights in my basement, where it is about 5 degrees cooler than the rest of the house, and watered them once a week. Fast forward 3 months, and surprise, surprise...they bloomed, and yet they still can't be identified (by me any way). There are many orchid hybrids that look alike, some with only subtle differences, so it is not easy to identify them once the tag is lost. I am hoping some one can identify the paph in the top photo since it has unique mahogany streaking. These have been in bloom for 4 weeks and should last at least about 3 more. Mr. Beene had exceptional taste as evidenced by these two orchids that were in his collection. He would be pleased to know that his prized orchid collection survives and are well-cared for by the people who bought them. Most of them went to members of local orchid societies, like myself.

Violet: I'm Coming Out...I Want the World to Know...

Photos courtesy of Jay Lassiter.

My new pals Jay & Greg sent me pictures of their slutty orchid, Violet. It originates from Asia and is related to the North American Lady Slipper orchid (Cypripedium) and the South American Slipper Orchid (Phragmipedium). Although she is named "Violet" and affectionately referred to as "slutty" by her owners, it is a Paphiopedilum (or Paph.) hybrid. Specifically, it is a vinicolor Maudiae-type--meaning it has a burgundy-wine color and its shape is similar to Paph. Maudiae. Despite not knowing its true identity (other than being referred to as "Paph. Unknown," "Paph Hyrid," or "Violet the Slut"), it is a very pretty plant and deserves a spot in your home. I don't know about her reputation as a slut, so I would keep it away from the other plants, giving her a prominent spot of her own. It has a single flower that is approximately 2.5 to 3 inches and lasts for 4 to 6 weeks. It makes a magnificent display when the plant gets larger, forms clumps, and sends several flower spikes.

Hybrid paphs are easy to grow and are perfect for the home. They take African violet conditions (maybe this is how she got her name?), meaning average home temperature and light conditions (no direct sunlight). Keep it evenly moist but not soggy wet. Fertilize once a month using dilute (1/4 strength) solution. Violet seems very happy and well-cared for. Notice how straight the flower stalk is--and it's not even staked! She's got good flower size with nice shape, color, and form. Speaking of color, deep, dark purple (almost black) is favored among enthusiasts and orchid judges. So, one look at Violet, you can tell she's a high class slut. Great job raising Violet! If these two men can do a fantastic job with Violet, I am confident that will do an equally superb job raising a child if they choose to.

Everybody Ought To Have a Maid and a Restrepia

Free flowering, compact, easy to grow, and cute flowers. What more could you ask for in an orchid? Hard to imagine that this is an orchid, but it is. Restrepia brachypus hails from Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Colombia in wet montane forests. It prefers high humidity and intermediate to cool temperatures (52°F min. to 80°F max.) year round. Keep it evenly moist (3 to 5 waterings per week) and give it bright indirect light, i.e., no direct sunlight. Fertilize once a month at quarter strength. Too much fertilizer yields lush foliage with no flowers. A friend of mine grows hers in a unique way. She places the plant (potted in small clay pot) in a plastic bag with moist sphagnum moss to provide the humidity. This species can be propagated by leaf cuttings from a previously flowered leaf. Photo courtesy of Andy's Orchids.

Your Name in Chinese 取中文名字

People are fascinated by other languages and often want to know how their name would be written or pronounced. I found a site on the web that will generate a Chinese name and provide the written characters, pronunciation, its meaning, and your zodiac sign. You can choose the essence of your desired name, for example strength & power, mind & intelligence, or beauty & appearance. Give it a try here.

Blc. Mem. Anna Balmores 'Carmela'

This Cattleya hybrid is a croos between Blc. Mem. Robert Straight and Blc. Good News. This clone was created by and named after Carmela Orchids. It has large white 5-inch flowers with red lip and slight red flaring on petals. Carmela Orchids is one of my favorite orchid vendors.
This is a spectacular flower don't you think?