As a passionate gardener, I love adding new and interesting specimens to my plant collections. Most recently - four beautiful and colorful cymbidium orchids.
Cymbidium, or boat orchid, is a genus of more than 50-evergreen species in the orchid family Orchidaceae. Cymbidium orchids are prized for their long-lasting sprays of flowers, used especially as cut flowers or spring corsages. Yesterday, my head gardener Ryan McCallister repotted the orchids in appropriate orchid containers, so they could be displayed in my home.
Enjoy these photos.
Aren’t these orchids so beautiful? I am a big fan of cymbidium orchids with their gorgeous large flower sprays. I have many in my collection, but not in these colors – these are great additions from White Plains Orchids, a family-operated nursery not far from my farm.
Ryan places the plants in pots to check they are the right size. When potting orchids, choose a pot that can accommodate two years of growth, or about two inches larger than the one before. Specialized orchid containers have holes all around the surface to increase the air circulation in the roots – these are the best. These pots are made by master potter Ben Wolff.
Orchids don’t grow like other potted plants. Instead, they exist in a container of loose materials. I like to create my own mix, but there are pre-made orchid mixes available at garden supply stores. Ryan starts with a good quality coarse orchid bark which allows air to circulate naturally around the roots of the plant.
And then he adds perlite – a lightweight, porous volcanic glass used to improve aeration and drainage in soil and other plant mixes.
Cymbidium orchids prefer a little soil because they are semi-terrestrial orchids that naturally grow on trees and rocks in their natural habitat. They require a soil that is well-draining, airy, and slightly acidic, allowing excess water to pass through and prevent root rot.
Ryan then adds a couple scoops of charcoal which acts as a natural water filter preventing any buildup of toxins. It also absorbs excess moisture, helps to regulate pH levels, and contributes to a balanced and stable growing environment.
Ryan mixes the materials together with his hands to ensure even distribution. He adjusts proportions as needed. One can also wet the mix slightly to help settle it down.
As with all potted plants, it is important to have proper drainage holes in the pot. I always cover them with a shard, so none of the potting mix falls out.
Ryan covers the bottom third of the pot with the orchid potting mix.
And then he removes the plant from its plastic pot. This orchid was too snug in its pot, so to make sure the root ball remained intact, Ryan had to cut the pot. I like to save plastic pots for reuse, but sometimes that’s just not possible.
Notice, this root ball is a little pot bound. Cymbidiums actually prefer cooler conditions and can tolerate being slightly pot bound to allow them to absorb moisture and nutrients efficiently, which is crucial for their growth and blooming. It is one of the reasons it is blooming so nicely right now.
Ryan places the orchid carefully into its new pot, making sure it is at the same height it was in its original container.
The potting mix should be about one-inch below the top of the pot, so none of it overflows when watering.
Ryan gently presses the medium into the pot to ensure it is well packed, adding more potting mix if needed.
While the orchid is in active growth, keep it in slightly damp conditions but never let the medium become soggy.
Here, Ryan finishes up and tamps down some more to make sure plant and mix have good contact.
To help support the tall, heavy stems, Ryan secures them to natural colored apple branches using pieces of raffia. I prefer these to the painted bamboo that is sometimes found with nursery orchids.
Cymbidium orchids are prized for their sprays of long-lasting flowers. This one is Cymbidium ‘Jade.’
The range of colors for this genus include white, green, yellowish-green, cream, yellow, brown, pink, red and black with a variety of markings of other color shades – every color but blue. This is a Cymbidium hybrid – Cymbidium ‘Solana Star,’ Cymbidium Wood Wilson ‘White Knight,’ x Cymbidium Solana Rose ‘Nancy.’
This white and pink plant is Cymbidium ‘White Madame.’ Cymbidium flowers typically have three sepals and two petals each with a prominent three-lobed labellum making them appear “boat like.” The flowers last about 10-weeks.
And this is Cymbidium ‘Red Arrow.’ Soon they will all come up to my Winter House for display – and just in time for my weekend dinner party.
The 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show is done for another year with top honors going to "Penny" the Doberman Pinscher, but all well-loved and cared for dogs are winners.
This week, thousands of spectators came to New York City to attend the most prestigious dog show in the United States - with thousands more watching online. Breeds were evaluated based on their specific standard - not other competitors, but to the ideal proportions, weight, size, head shape, gait and overall temperament of the breed. Only one dog is titled "Best in Show," but it's a great time to celebrate all canines, their attributes, and their importance to those who love them.
Enjoy these photos.
Attending dog shows is a wonderful way to learn about the different breeds and their care. This is an Australian Shepherd, a very intelligent, energetic, and loyal breed that is known for its boundless energy and love for companionship.
This is the Xoloitzcuintli – pronounced SHOW-LOW-ETZ-QUEENT-LEE. It is also known as the Mexican Hairless. It comes in three sizes – toy, miniature and standard. The breed is one of the world’s oldest and rarest breeds, and is said to be the first dog of the Americas.
The Yorkshire Terrier is a breed that needs a lot of grooming for its silky, long, straight coat.
You may recognize this breed – one of my favorites. The affectionate and playful French Bulldog is best known for its wrinkly face and bat-like ears.
Poodles come in three size varieties: standards should be more than 15 inches tall at the shoulder; miniatures are 15 inches or under; and toys stand no more than 10 inches. All three varieties have the same build and proportions. This Poodle is shown in the continental cut where the face, throat, feet, tail, legs, and hindquarters are shaved.
The Shar Pei is a breed from southern China. It is well known for its deep wrinkles around the head, neck, and shoulders.
I am quite fond of the Keeshond – I once had one of my own. This is a medium-sized sturdy breed that is smart and eager to learn.
The Black and Tan Coonhound is a large, powerful hunting dog known for its exceptional scent skills and friendly demeanor. It stands tall at 23 to 27 inches and weighs between 50 to 75 pounds. Their coat is short with a distinctive black coat and tan markings.
Owners stay with their dogs in the benching area, so visitors can meet the different breeds. The Pomeranian is a compact, short-backed, active toy dog of Nordic descent. The coat consists of a short dense undercoat with a profuse harsh-textured outer coat. The heavily plumed tail is among its distinguishing characteristics.
This is a Biewer Terrier – a small dog breed that originated in Germany in the 1980s. It is similar to the Yorkshire Terrier, but has a tricolored silky coat combination of white, blue, black and gold.
The Whippet is a British breed of sighthound that closely resembles the Greyhound, but smaller. The Whippet is loved for its speed and agility and is excellent in a variety of dog sports, including racing and lure coursing.
The Portuguese Podengo Pequeno is a small hunting dog originating from Portugal. Bred for hunting rabbits, they have a rich history dating back to ancient times.
Here is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel in the red and white colored variety called Blenheim.
The Swedish Vallhund is an ancient herding breed native to Sweden and recognized for its intelligence, energy, and sociable nature.
The Pug is an ancient dog breed that originated in China around 2,000 years ago. The Pug became a favorite of royals around the world, and today are very popular companion animals especially for those with smaller homes.
This Lhaso Apso is a Non-Sporting dog breed originating in Tibet. The breed was largely used in the Buddhist monasteries, to alert the monks to any intruders who entered.
The Coton de Tulear is a small, fluffy dog breed originally from Madagascar and known for its affectionate and clownish personality. They typically weigh between eight to 13 pounds and stand about nine to 11 inches tall.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog breed from South Africa. It is an all-purpose hound whose distinctive mark is the ridge, or stripe of backward-growing hair, on its back. Ridgebacks are cherished family dogs whose owners must understand its independence and strong prey drive.
Teaching a dog to be still is very helpful when brushing out their coat or trimming hairs on their feet. The Schipperke, Belgium’s “little captain,” is the traditional barge dog of the Low Countries. This breed is curious, lively, fun-loving, intense, and can be quite mischievous.
The Irish Wolfhound is a large sighthound breed known for its impressive size and gentle temperament. Originally from Ireland and used for hunting wolves and large game, it is recognized as the tallest of dog breeds.
Dalmatians are medium-sized dogs known for their iconic spotted coats and energetic personalities, historically used as carriage dogs and firehouse mascots.
And this is a Borzoi – large Russian sighthounds that resemble some central Asian breeds such as the Afghan hound and Saluki. Borzois have silky and flat coats that are often wavy or slightly curly. And at the end of the day, all these dogs are best friends and family members to those that care for them.
A four-year-old Doberman Pinscher named "Penny," is this year's top dog after winning "Best in Show" at the 150th Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
This week, more than 3000 dogs representing more than 200 breeds and varieties competed for the coveted title. The annual show runs for three days. It kicks off with the Masters Agility Championship, where performance dogs climb, jump, weave, and sprint their way through a series of course obstacles. And then two days are dedicated to breed competitions. Dogs are exhibited in seven different groups, organized by the original work that each breed was developed to do. The groups include Herding, Sporting, Non-Sporting, Working, Hounds, Terriers, and Toy breeds.
Here are more photos, enjoy.
One of my favorite breeds is the Chow Chow, which originated from Northern China where it was used for guarding and hunting. It is known for its lion-like mane, dense double coat, and dignified manner. My own champion Chow Chows did not compete at Westminster this year, but my dogs have been entered in years past and have shown wonderfully.
Here are three of the eight that competed. Chows Chows are excellent performers and this breed loves to compete.
The Chow Chows showed in the same ring as the French Bulldogs did earlier in the day, also under Judge Ekarat Sangkunakup.
This dog is shown in a stack, which refers to the technique of positioning the dog’s body and legs to highlight its physical structure, balance, and attributes.
Dogs are walked around the ring to show its overall gait and movement.
A dog’s gait is crucial in conformation competition. The dog’s back feet must move in proper synch with its front, with its head well balanced as it moves.
Here, the judge is giving the handler a direction to take his dog, so he can see its gait from the front and the back.
Chow Chows can come in several colors, including red, black, cream, blue, and fawn.
Chow Chows are also known for the distinctive blue-black tongue. This trait is caused by high levels of melanin, the pigment responsible for the color variations in skin, hair, and eyes.
Here’s a Chow relaxing in the bench area. This breed is generally very calm and stable when socialized properly.
And while they may be cautious with strangers, these dogs form strong bonds with their owners and families. They are loyal and intelligent.
Other breeds showing at Westminster include this Brussels Griffon, a small, smart, and affectionate breed of dog in the Toy Group.
The Australian Shepherd, often called an “Aussie,” is a medium sized herding dog known for its high activity, intelligence, and loyalty. And do you know… despite its name, it was actually developed on the West Coast of the United States.
The American Eskimo Dog is a double white coated breed that is friendly and playful and comes in toy, miniature and standard sizes.
In dog showing, there is also a category for junior handling. Children nine to 18 years old learn basic handling abilities, and how to care for, and present, different breeds in a competition. While Juniors are judged by an official AKC Judge, it’s the quality of their presentation that is judged, not the dog. This junior handler is showing her Ibizan Hound.
These Pulis are heading to their ring. The Puli is a small to medium sized Hungarian herding breed known for its long, corded coat. The curls are similar to dreadlocks.
The Beauceron is a large herding breed. It is known for its strength, versatility, and intelligence.
The Irish Wolfhound is one of the tallest dog breeds and loved for its gentle and calm demeanor. Males can stand nearly three-feet tall.
This medium sized dog is called a Mudi. It can have a wavy or smooth coat and is very spirited, energetic, and highly trainable.
If you’re ever in New York City this time of year, be sure to check out the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – it is informational and so much fun for the entire family. Congratulations to all the dogs that competed this year.
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