Orchid plants are becoming
increasingly fashionable as decorations in homes, offices, hotels and
other living areas. This trend is also reflected in the media and makes
perfect sense as the use of
flowering orchid plants creates a
natural and stylish effect.
These exotic plants have at last
become more freely available and the many varieties are easy to grow
and extremely long lasting.This huge plant family offers something for
every taste. The variation of colour, shape and size is endless and there
are even fragrant orchids that fill your home with a sweet and subtle
scent.
Orchids are easy to grow - don’t be told
otherwise. Large parts of South Africa have an ideal climate to grow most
of the popular orchids available. You just have to remember that the
majority of orchid types which are cultivated do not grow in soil.
Although a few terrestrial (ground) orchids
are in cultivation, most of them are epiphytic. They grow in trees or on
rocks (litophytic) and have a greater part of their root system exposed to
light and air. For success these conditions must be copied in cultivation.
To do so plants can be grown on slabs of tree fern, cork bark, sekelbos,
hardekool, bobbejaanstert, coconut shell or husk etc. They can also be
planted in pots or baskets with a coarse potting mix. This ensures a high
volume of air within the pot and free drainage of water.
A rule of thumb is that the heavier and
thicker the root system, the coarser the mix. A number of prepared mixes
are available using pine bark chips, macadamia shells or cultiwool as a
base. The chips should be 5 mm to 20 mm in size and some additional
components can be added to keep the mix open and aerated like polystyrene,
foam chips or genulite (perlite) .
Growing
tips:
The majority of orchids
grow in a moderate climate with lots of fresh air and humidity
Light
Provide 50 to 60% shade
- most orchids thrive in diffused bright light
Symptoms of too much
light can be pale yellow leaves or red pigment appearing in streaks and round the edges of
the leaves.
Too little light may
result in soft dark green foliage and plants that do not flower well.
Water
As a general rule plants
without pseudobulbs (like Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum etc.) do not want to dry out totally
between watering. Plants with pseudobulbs (like Cattleya, Oncidium, Dendrobium, Cymbidium)
need to dry off between watering.
Keep plants moist but
not wet. Once or twice a month, plants should be flushed with water to guard against
fertiliser burn. Apply more water in hot conditions - less when cold.
Orchids should not stand
in water - For extra humidity plants can be grown on pebbles in a tray with water, but the
pots should not touch the water.
Mounted plants should be
watered more regularly.
Some orchids (like
nobile Dendrobiums) require a winter rest period with light misting instead of watering
and feeding.
Fertiliser
Apply any balanced pot
plant fertiliser like 18-18-18 weekly. Higher nitrogen (30-10-10) can be used in the
growing season (Spring and Summer).
A fertiliser
specifically for Orchids is available from nurseries.
Potting
When the plant outgrows
its pot or the potting medium breaks down, it is time to repot. The best time for
repotting is just after flowering when the new roots start to develop. Good drainage is
imperative. The container must not be too large.
Growing medium
Chopped pine bark or
Macadamia shells mixed with a small amount of polystyrene,
cultiwool, sponge or
Genulite provides a well drained mix. Add a
sprinkling of dolomitic lime - N.B. No soil!
Tree fern, cork, sickle
bush (Dicrostachys cinerea) and
Xerophyta (villosia or bobbejaanstert) make
excellent mounts
ORCHID INFORMATION DISKS FOR SALE
The SOUTH
AFRICAN ORCHID COUNCIL (SAOC) has produced the following
CD. The disk contains 2 formats, Microsoft Publisher and
Microsoft Word, to suit most operating systems. This is a
real must-have for the serious orchid grower. The CD
contents are as follows: detailed cultural information on
the most popular genera, pests and diseases and their
control, growing conditions, where to buy orchids
including discounts, mounting plants, greenhouses & shade
houses etc.
The SOUTH
AFRICAN ORCHID COUNCIL (SAOC) has produced the above set
of 4 CD’s. Each disk contains excellent photographs of
most species with details of flowering times, where they
are found and habitat. Each disk has been produced using
Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Word, to suit most
operating systems. The cost of each CD is R35 plus p/p.
Orders or enquiries should be sent to Alan Pike at
a_kl@mweb.co.za .
Repotting:
More tips for growing your orchids
Cattleya: Warm to intermediate growing. Allow
plants to dry out between watering.
Cymbidium: Like lots of fresh air and filtered
light. Water frequently during hot weather.
Phalaenopsis: Prefer darker and warmer conditions.
Feed regularly.
Paphiopedilum: The slipper orchids prefer more
shade. Dilute fertiliser to half strength.
Dendrobium:
Nobile types: Can take
full morning and afternoon sun and only need light shade during the hottest part of the
day. Lots of water in summer - occasionally in winter.
Den. Phalaenopsis types:
Grow in warmer conditions like Phalaenopsis.
Epidendrum: Very easy to grow. They need a lot of
light and flower all year round.
Miltoniopsis: Thrive in intermediate climatic
conditions, some shade and regular watering.
Odontoglossum-Alliance: Cool to intermediate
conditions with strong light, sufficient air movement and high humidity.
