Yes,You Can Grow an Orchid

In Florida, growing orchids is a popular avocation.

I don't want to say hobby because usually people who grow orchids take it very seriously and really, if you have over 100 orchids, is it really a hobby?! (I think it's a form of art~it has taken as much time to learn!)

 But you don't have to live in the tropics to enjoy

 these beautiful exotic plants.

Our Phaleanopsis on the lanai.

I think I can safely say that orchids have a universal allure.

Who wouldn't want to have one of these stunning plants!

I also know that alot of people who buy them have no idea how to care for them and they either never bloom again or die shortly after they're brought home.  Thus, they have received a notorious reputation for being difficult to grow.

First a little history.

When I moved to Florida and saw my first orchids (in a pot, not as a corsage), I wanted to know how to grow one.  The Marie Selby Botanic Garden in Sarasota has a large orchid display area.  The orchids are changed frequently so that there are always spectacular, often unusual flowering orchids to be seen.  There is also a Plant Shop at the gardens with orchids for sale.   This is where Woody and I bought our first orchid~a Vanda.  We were told it was one of the easier orchids to take care of.

Vanda Sensai Blue  

The tag on this orchid listed a local grower, so after making our purchase we decided to find Tropiflora.  There, we found many greenhouses~3 just for orchids; but not many of the orchids were flowering.  Since we knew absolutely nothing about orchids we picked the brain of Bob, the orchid guy.  We were there for well over an hour, asking questions and trying to take in all the information.  We left with 3 more orchids.  One, a beautiful white, very fragrant Cattleya.  I called it "Sierra Blanca" an abbreviated version of it's full scientific name.

Cattleya  "Sierra Blanca"

One of the 3 orchids died within a week.  I bought books and read, I took a "how-to" class at Selby Gardens and read some more.  I read and read and read.
3 months after purchasing our first orchid, we attended the International Orchid Show held annually in Miami.  We were awestruck!
The convention center was full of orchid displays, orchid vendors, orchid growing supplies and everything else relating to orchids. At the shows, the different growers compete for prizes in a number of categories.  The displays are creative and exquisite; the winning orchids are huge and perfect.  You just have to have one!!   So, you go to the vendor area.  Seasoned orchid lovers and show attendees come early with their wagons and carts.
When we, the amateurs, left that first Show, we had 13 new orchids!  In 3 months we went from no orchids to 1 then 4 then 17. 

Two years later we had over 100.

In 8 years I've learned a lot!  Vandas aren't necessarily "easy" to grow and a whole collection can be wiped out by a cold winter or going on vacation or not recognizing the signs of a pest infestation.

I believe that anyone can grow a beautiful orchid~

but not everyone can grow just any orchid.

FIRST RULE for growing an orchid:

 "KNOW YOUR ORCHID"

There are thousands of orchid varieties (they are very easy to hybridize); but there are only a dozen or so "families".  Some are very exotic, but the common ones most everyone would recognize.

Phaleanopsis (Phals), Cattleya, Vanda and Dendrobium

(all are pictured on this page)

Phaleanopsis "Amy's Sweetheart"

Dendrobium

Phals, Dendrobiums and Vandas are the ones you most likely have seen at Home Depot or Loews.  Phals are even seen in the grocery store flower depts and at kiosks at the mall.  They make the best starter orchid.

The reason:  They are the longest blooming and the easiest to grow.
They make excellent houseplants.

There are several PROs for choosing a Phaleanopsis.

1. The flowers last 3-4 months.  The plant blooms only once a year; usually from early spring thru early summer.
2. They like low light.  This makes them a good "house" plant.
3. They prefer cooler temperatures.  Another reason why they make good house plants.  (How often does your home go below 50 degrees?)
4. They are fairly resistant to pests and disease. ..a very good reason.
5. But..they do need some humidity;which you can provide by spraying or setting in a tray filled with gravel and water.

Dendrobium

Dendrobiums are also a good choice.

1. They are fairly resistant to temperature changes. (we leave ours outside all year...even if it gets into the 40s)
2. They require more light than Phals, so a little direct sun won't hurt them.
3. The don't mind being in the same pot for a long time.
4. Depending on your plant, they can bloom many times a year and the blossoms can last for weeks.

The only CON is that they are susceptible to spider mites.  But if you know the signs of infestation, they are relatively easy to get rid of.  We spray ours intermittently with a non toxic oil (like Volck Oil Spray) and haven't had a problem.  When a plant is infested it is very identifiable~pale silvery gray leaves appear before you notice the little critters.

Vanda

Vandas are easy to care for, but don't make good house plants.

They are the ones that are planted in a basket with no potting medium, the roots hang freely.  To water and feed, you just hose them down with water or spray with orchid food.  They require alot of light and they are heavy feeders. 
The flowering varies by the plant.  We have one that blooms about 4 times a year. Another plant blooms every other year.  Vandas are susceptible to thrips which is also a pest found in other garden plants (at least here in Florida).  They must be eradicated quickly or they will infest all adjacent plants as well.  This happened to us after our 3rd year of growing.  I had no idea what was going on with the roots and when I finally found out it was too late.   We lost many of our Vandas that year (including "Big boy" pictured here).

So the most important advice:    KNOW YOUR ORCHID

There are 3 important factors for growing a healthy orchid:

water             How often depends on so many factors.

                      But MOST important is: Don't overwater.

fertilizer         I learned "weakly, weekly".  Feeding your orchid

                     1/2 of the amount suggested on the orchid

                     food container every week makes it almost foolproof

                     to forget. Thursday, for me, is orchid day.

 light              Each type of orchid requires a different amount of light,

                     but not direct sunlight.

Temperature and humidity are also important but these can be easily controlled.  Don't place your orchid near a heater or A/C vent.

If you know the growth requirements for the particular orchid that you have, you will have good luck growing and enjoying it for years to come.   So, don't throw away that little tab stuck in your plant that has it's name on it.  That is the most important information that you have.

Buy a good orchid care book.

Join a local orchid society. You will get good advice and help with cultivation problems.  Also, the American Orchid Society has an excellent website. It has excellent resources and worth joining.

If there are orchid shows in your area, attend one.  You can ask questions and find beautiful plants.  Orchid people love to talk about orchids!!

If you go on vacation for 1-2 weeks, don't worry.  Your orchid will be fine.

(Having a helpful neighbor "orchid sit" is not always the best idea.)  Remember, it is easier to revive a thirsty plant than one that has been overwatered and has developed "terminal" root rot.

Orchids are beautiful.   Go ahead take a chance.

This is "Little Susie".  We bought this orchid off the sale table for $1.00. 

The salesman told us the pot was worth that much.  This orchid only had 2 little leaves when we bought it.  Two years later it bloomed. Now 6 years later "Susie" is all grown up and blooming prolifically!