Blooming Orchids in My Greenhouse
It's no secret that I love gardening, and I love plants of all kinds - in particular, potted plants. I keep a sizable collection of houseplants in my greenhouse, which includes a growing group of orchids - the vibrant colors and variations in shape and size make me so happy.
Caring for orchids is a daunting process for many, but if you take the time to understand their basic needs, there is no reason why they couldn't bloom and thrive in your home. Here are photos of the orchids that are currently flowering at my farm.
Enjoy.
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- My orchid collection takes up two long sliding tables in my temperature and humidity-controlled greenhouse. When in bloom, I love to bring various selections inside my home where they can be enjoyed by me and my guests.
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- This is a ‘Martha Stewart’ Cattleya orchid. The Cattleya is a genus with more than 100-species and numerous hybrids, which range in bloom size, color, and smell. This was given to me several years ago by Kalapana Tropicals. Cattleya orchids are among the most popular. They have often been called “corsage orchids” or “Queen of orchids” because of their big, showy flowers. http://www.kalapanatropicals.com/index.php
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- I love the bright fuschia pink blooms. They are gorgeous, large, and luscious. The plant has grown significantly in the few years I’ve had it.
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- A rule of thumb for potted orchids is the leaf color. Cattleyas receiving a proper balance of light, humidity, and temperature will have healthy bright green leaves. Too little light would make the leaves very dark.
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- This is Rhyncholaeiocattleya My Orange ‘NN’ – a Cattleya hybrid. It has fantastic orange flowers. It is an easy growing plant that likes filtered light, especially if kept outside during summer. When watering, keep it slightly more evenly moist at the roots when in bud or bloom.
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- This is Phalaenopsis schilleriana ‘Wilson’. Phalaenopsis, the moth orchid, is perhaps the best orchid for growing in the home and is also a favorite with greenhouse growers. Well-grown plants can flower often, sometimes with a few flowers throughout the year, though the main season is late winter into spring.
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- Oncidium orchids are popular indoor orchids because of their large sprays of flowers. A large, well-grown Oncidium will have several branched sprays of beautiful, colorful blooms.
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- This is Oncidium hybrid Mclna. Yellow Star ‘Okika’. Its pretty pointed two-and-a-half-inch blooms can last up to one month.
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- This orchid is also an Oncidium hybrid called Beallara Marfitch ‘Select’. These plants get very tall flower spikes and produce about seven to 12 flowers per spike. It grows best in cool, intermediate, or warm temperatures, allowing the potting mix to get pretty dry in between waterings.
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- The flowers are large, and deep grape-purple in color, making it a very showy plant. The flowers measure about five inches across.
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- Paphiopedilum orchids are often called lady slippers or slipper orchids because of their unique pouch-like flowers. These specimens are easily grown as houseplants and look wonderful with their striking green leaves.
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- The pouch of a slipper orchid traps insects so they are forced to climb up, collect or deposit pollen, and fertilize the flower. Slipper orchids have two fertile anthers — meaning they are diandrous.
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- The key to growing these plants is to keep the root systems strong and healthy. These plants have no bulbs or stems to store moisture and nutrients, so it is important to maintain their roots.
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- My large glass greenhouse is completely temperature and humidity-controlled. I also have these large shades across the entire glass ceiling that can be moved depending on lighting needs. The windows in this greenhouse are also mechanical and can open and close when necessary.
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- Optimum temperatures in winter are 45 to 55-degrees Fahrenheit at night and 65 to 75-degrees Fahrenheit during the day. When plants are in bud, temperatures must be as constant as possible. I am fortunate to have greenhouses, where temperatures and humidity levels can be closely monitored.
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- Dendrobium is a large orchid genus, with more than a thousand species. This Dendrobium ‘Little Atro’ grows to 20-inches. The evergreen canes are topped by a single three to five-inch long inflorescence, each one producing four to eight flowers.
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- This is Dendrobium ‘Aussie chip’ x. Dendrobium atroviolaceum ‘Pygmy’ x. Dendrobium atroviolacrum ‘H&R’. Dendrobiums need lots of light, but not direct sun. A lightly shaded south window is best.
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- I love getting rare and unusual orchids. This one came from the New York Botanical Garden some years back. If you’re in the New York City area any time through April 19th, head over to the New York Botanical Garden for its annual Orchid Show. I love attending this show every year. Held inside the magnificent Enid A. Haupt Conservatory, it is known as the nation’s largest exhibit of its kind. This year’s “The Orchid Show: Jeff Leatham’s Kaleidoscope” is a must-see.
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- Although generally thought of as a tropical plant, orchids grow on every continent, from the Arctic Circle to the southernmost jungle, except Antarctica.
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- The size of orchids depends on the species. They can be quite small or very large. However, every orchid flower is bilaterally symmetric, which means it can be divided into two equal parts.
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- The leaf of this orchid is larger than the palm of one’s hand. The size, shape, and texture of leaves depend on the habitat. Orchids that live in dry climate have large, thick leaves covered with wax, while species that live in warm and humid areas have thin, elongated leaves. Certain species of orchids do not have leaves at all.
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- This orchid’s mottled flowers are cream to yellow with dark burgundy spots.
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- This is a reed-stem Epidendrum orchid. These plants thrive with medium to high light conditions and should be potted in a well-draining medium. Reed orchids produce clusters of flowers shaped like those of the cattleya orchid, but much smaller. Here, the bright pink blooms stand out against the green leaves. Epidendrums are tough plants and can do well in almost any temperature above 50-degrees Fahrenheit.
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- This orchid’s flowers have yet to bloom. This is Oncidium Heaven Scent ‘Sweet Baby’. This plant’s fragrance is strongest in the morning hours, and a single plant in bloom can fill a room with the smell of chocolate.
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- Orchids are such gorgeous plants – they are a wonderful sign that spring is on its way. What orchids do you have? Share your comments in the section below.
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