Learn About Orchids from Their History

There was a moment in time when rich and well educated men would literally risk their lives to acquire (or acquire more) of these very rare and sought after flowers. The Orchid craze, which penetrated high society, is a testament to the beauty and elegance of these flowers.

Nowadays due to advances in Orchid growing hybrid species have been able to make the most gorgeous of flowers readily available. However their history as one of the oldest flowers on earth is steeped with beauty and adventure.

The Greek word Orchis is the origin of the name Orchid and when translated means testicles. This may seem like an odd name but it is due to the shape of the Orchids roots. Orchids throughout history have been valued highly; they have been used in medicine as well as added to food for flavoring, with the most obvious example being the Vanilla plant (V. Planifolia).

With huge greenhouses to grow the Orchids and numerous Orchid Hunters searching through the jungles, looking for rare and difficult to find Orchids, it’s not hard to see how popular Orchids were in times gone by.

A symbol of the well off and upper class during the 19^th century the Orchid became an invaluable resource for trade across the European continent.

Deforestation at a time when Orchids were extremely popular only added to the rarity and therefore value of these flowers. Thankfully it was the botanist William Cattley who was able to make the Orchid a permanent fixture amongst the most gorgeous flowers of the world. Discovering the Orchid being used as packing in a delivery of various exotic plants that he received Cattley was credited with creating a hybrid of the now named Cattleya Orchid. He also found that it was possible to plant Orchids, that would blossom, in the month of November.

It was Dr. John Lindley that was able to further the methods used by Cattley and he even named the first hybrid of the Cattleya family Cattleya Labiata after its creator.

Now the methods used to grow and care for Orchids are at a stage where it has become illegal to hunt for Orchids in the wild. Even though not nearly as rare as they have been in past history Orchids are still thought of as beautiful and luxurious plants, which I’m sure will not surprise you.

Cattleya Orchid – Why You Should Have More Than One

Named since 1824 the Cattleya genus of Orchids contains 42 species to date and can be found growing naturally all the way from Costa Rica to the tropics of South America.

With flowers up to 5 inches in diameter, some of the biggest flowers in the Orchid world, it’s not hard to see why Cattleyas are so popular amongst Orchid beginners as well as experienced growers. While Cattleya Orchids can be difficult to grow, due to them only flowering only one time every year and with blooms that last around 2 to 3 weeks, more and more people are trying to grow these gorgeous Orchids.

For more than a century hybrids of these wonderful Orchids have been created. Cattleya Orchids have been hybridised with other species within the genus as well as with other genera. William Cattley was credited for creating various hybrids from Orchids that were delivered in the form of packing material.

Cattleya Labiata was the first Cattleya Orchid to be named and since this time the Cattleya Orchid has become known for its air of mystery.

While the Cattleya Orchid continues to rise in popularity amongst the general Orchid grower or hobbyist it is now becoming a popular Orchid for more commercial uses. Thanks to the colourful and large flowers produced by Cattleyas this Orchid type is now used for corsages, lending its beauty to the arrangement.

Hybrids of the Cattleya are now being grown which can bloom for a longer period of time and also more frequently. This can be credited as one of the main reasons why Cattleya Orchids popularity is set to increase above current levels.

As you can imagine an Orchid that only flowers 2 or 3 weeks a year requires some dedication to grow, so with the introduction of these longer lasting Cattleya hybrids more Orchid lovers are becoming turned on to the idea of growing one of these beautiful flowers.

Now that there are hybrids of Cattleyas that can bloom for 5 and even 6 weeks, as well as hybrids which bloom more than once in the year, Cattleyas are making their way further into the mainstream.

This rise in popularity has in turn produced a sub-industry which aims to cater for those times when your Cattleya is not blooming. Some nurseries will in fact look after your Cattleya Orchid when it is not in bloom allowing you to only have your Orchid when it is at its most beautiful.

For more than one hundred years the Orchid registry has not added a lot of the newly created hybrids. This has ensured that these longer lasting hybrids are yet to make it into the hands of the general public but remain hugely successful with Orchid enthusiasts and hobbyists.

So with all these new Cattleya hybrids being created, combating the less desirable aspects of owning a Cattleya, it can only be expected for the popularity of these simply outstanding Orchids to rise. And I hope Cattleyas will become even more popular as I think you would struggle to find any Orchid with such large and colourful flowers as the Cattleya Orchid.

The Different Varieties of Green Orchids

The Platanthera genus or Orchids is a rare variety of Orchids found in certain areas of North America and Europe. One particularly rare breed of Platanthera Orchids is Platanthera Hyperborean, which is now condidered an endangered species.

(Lake) Huron Green Orchid is a beautiful Orchid native to the Northeast of the United States and some areas in Canada also. These particular Orchids display a tall vertical spike from where the green Orchids will grow.

Regularly used in bouquets at wedding Cymbidium Orchids are more common the Platanthera Orchids. Naturally found in the East Asian countries of Japan and China Cymbidium Orchids have a fair amount of hybrid species. If green Orchids are your thing then this is definitely a fine Orchid for the beginner as well as being more readily available Cymbidium Orchids are hardier than other varieties of green Orchid.

The Cymbidium Sweet Dreams is an Orchid with light green flowers and slightly darker green leaves. With petals featuring a hint of red and white tips the Cymbidium Loch Lomond is another fine choice when it comes to green Orchids.

A type of Slipper Orchid, Paphiopedilum, can be found in parts of China as well as Vietnam. This particular family of Orchids has numerous green Orchid varieties.

Paphiopedilum Insigne, Image courtesy of lucac4

Paphiopedilum Fairrieanum, Image courtesy of Hartmann

• Paphiopedilum Fairrieanum found from the Eastern Himalaya to the Northeast state of Assam in India has the most beautifully patterned blooms displaying white, green and purple upon its petals.
• Aeranthes Grandiose a hybrid of Aeranthes Ramose (Shooting Stars) and Aeranthes Grandiflora is a fragrance less award winning Orchid which has large blooms in the shape of stars.
• With stems that can grow to around 3 feet the Dendrobium ‘Burana Jade’ Orchid is a hybrid which first begun life in Thailand. A wonderful shade of green that will add an elegance to any Orchid collection.
• The in demand colour of the pale yellow/green blooms of the Phalaenopsis Yellow Treasure, a hybrid originating from Australia and Asia, make this beautiful Orchid rather difficult to acquire.

Paphiopedilum Malipoense, Image courtesy of Dalton Holland Baptista

• The Jade Slipper Orchid or Paphiopedilum Malipoense, found growing at elevation on limestone cliffs of Northern Vietnam and South China, is an almost completely green Orchid apart from some red veins in its petals.

Each and every green Orchid will offer something different to your Orchid collection. Even within the scope of green Orchids there are still numerous Orchids to choose from as each species differs subtly but wonderfully from the next. Many of the species contain an accompanying highlight colour to the green petal of the flower, whilst there are some true green Orchids offering you a choice not only in the shade of the blooms but also the hue of the leaves.

Whichever green Orchid you do decide upon it will invariably add an understated elegance to your collection and provides a beautiful accompaniment to more ‘showy’ Orchids you may own.

Top image courtesy of darinmarshall

The Importance of Watering Correctly When Caring for Orchids

As with all living things water is a prerequisite of life and making sure your Orchid has the right amount of quality water is essential if you are to grow a beautiful and healthy Orchid.

Many people become lazy about watering their Orchids and this can only result in a dead or damaged plant.

In most countries the water from a tap is suitable, but not ideal, for your Orchid. Tap water is passed through a treatment process to make it drinkable for humans. This does not always mean tap water will be suitable for your Orchid as it can produce a build up in your Orchids soil of varying types of salts which are dissolved in standard tap water.

A much more natural way to water your Orchid is using rainwater. Rainwater contains organic nutrients dissolved within it, which can aid your Orchids growth. When collecting rainwater for use on your Orchid it is important to ensure that the container you are using is clean and free from any type of manufactured cleaning agents.

Using water that is not at the same temperature as that of the air surrounding your Orchid can damage the root system of your Orchid. It can be difficult to detect when your Orchid has damaged roots and therefore the best practice is to use water that is at room temperature when watering your Orchid. If you are using tap water or rainwater for that matter leaving the water to stand in the same room as your Orchid for 10 – 15 minutes is always a good idea.

Orchids can be fussy about the conditions they find themselves in. Get the conditions right and you will have a beautiful blooming Orchid, too little water and your Orchid will survive but not as spectacularly and not for as long either while too much water can lead to root rot and a dead Orchid.

One possibility if your Orchid seems to be suffering in its present state is poor water quality. Water quality is measured on a scale of 0 – 14 called the pH scale, on this scale 7 is neutral 0 – 6 means your water is acidic and 8 – 14 you have alkaline water.

Rainwater has a pH of around 5.6 making it slightly acidic. The reason for this is that as rainwater passes through the atmosphere carbon dioxide becomes dissolved within it forming carbonic acid. Standard drinking water has a pH of between 6.5 and 6.8 making it almost neutral.

Research carried out to test optimum water pH for Orchids has shown that a pH of between 5.5 and 6.5 is suitable for Orchids. You must remember that this is the recommended pH of the water after the addition of any type of fertilizer.

Finding the pH of the water you currently use to water your Orchids can be achieved by using a pH meter. Standard pH meters are made up of a glass electrode or probe attached to an electronic meter which will provide you with the pH or your water.

In the case that your water is deemed to be too acidic you can boost the pH of your water using liquid potassium; this is also referred to as a pH Booster. Too alkaline and the addition of lemon juice, which contains citric acid, to your water will bring the pH back to an acceptable level.

Watering your Orchids in the morning is recommended. As night falls and conditions become cooler water that has trickled into gaps in the leaves provides the optimum condition for the growth of bacteria and fungi. By watering your Orchid first thing when you wake up the sunlight during the day will evaporate any excess water residue on the leaves and provide nowhere for bacteria of fungi to grow.

Watering your Orchid correctly is absolutely essential when it comes to caring for Orchids. Get the watering right and I know that you will have an Orchid you can be proud of in no time whatsoever.

Basics of Caring For Orchids

The options of where you grow your Orchid are in a greenhouse, outside in your garden or in your house most likely on a window sill. Below is some advice to help you grow a beautiful Orchid in whatever location you choose.

Caring for Orchids Indoors

Growing your Orchid inside will take a little extra attention to detail as heating in houses makes the air dry and Orchids like humid conditions.

Phalaenopsis (Moth Orchids) and Phragmipediums (a type of Lady Slipper Orchid) are among the easiest Orchid to grow inside and will provide you with beautiful blooms, which come two times a year.

A window with lots of natural sunlight will be essential to grow these Orchids. If you start noticing black spots appearing on the leaves of your Orchid then it is likely to be sun damage and you should move your Orchid to a different location. Artificial fluorescent lighting can also be very effective if you do not have a location in your house that will provide an adequate amount of light for your Orchid.

It is also important to make sure that there is not a draft coming from the window as this will inhibit your Orchids ability to grow and bloom.

When conditions are hot inside the house you should make sure your Orchid has a breeze by opening a window or alternatively you can also use a fan. Make sure that at the very least the temperature inside is always above 16 °C (60 F) and this will help your Orchid to bloom.

Providing your Orchid with the correct amount of water is also vital, you can achieve this by standing your pots in a gravel filled tray containing a layer of water.

Caring for Orchids in a Greenhouse

With a greenhouse it is possible to control the climate for your Orchids much more effectively. Orchids can grow in all kinds of temperatures but as a general rule it is good to have the overnight temperature of your greenhouse be at least 10 °C (or 15 F) less than it was during the daytime. Cooler temperatures at night allow the Orchids to keep a lot more moisture in their soil than they do during the day.

It is a good idea to keep in mind that while some Orchids thrive in extreme lighting others are much more comfortable in the shade. Understanding your particular species of Orchid will allow you to adapt the condition to get the most gorgeous blooms out of your Orchid.

Being a closed environment it is important to provide some form of air circulation to your greenhouse either by opening windows or if you want to keep the humidity in then you can use a fan.

You will want to water Orchids grown in a greenhouse once to twice per week. It is also useful to check the moisture levels as during the summer months the heat of the sun can dry the soil your Orchids are in very quickly if not paid attention to. Of course Orchids that are in the sun all day will require more water than your indoor Orchids.

Caring for Orchids Outside

Orchids are very adaptable and while it may surprise a few can be successfully grown outside. Although thought of as exotic plants Orchids can manage to survive the whole year by attaching themselves to other trees and plants. If you do live in a country that get rather cold in winter it may be a good idea to plant your Orchids in pots that can then be brought inside during the most sever months.

Final Thoughts

Orchids are by nature very adaptable. By selecting a suitable species for your environment and giving your Orchid the proper amount of care and attention there’s no reason why you cannot grow some spectacular Orchids in any kind of environment.

Caring for Orchids can be an Extremely Enjoyable Experience

However Orchids have a reputation of being difficult to grow and care for. Any experienced Orchid grower will no doubt be able to tell you of the hardships of growing these wonderful flowers. Caring for Orchids will need your full commitment as well as the correct knowledge and skill required to get the most out of your Orchid of choice.

If you’re up to the task caring for Orchids will undoubtedly become a very rewarding hobby. As with anything the harder it is to obtain the more you value it when you have it and Orchids are no different, in fact some people just can’t stop caring for Orchids once they get started.

Now that we know you’re serious about growing and caring for Orchids here are some helpful tips to get you on your way:

• You will need soil of good quality. This cannot be stressed enough; Orchids are very picky when it comes to soil quality so make it a priority to have a high quality of soil when growing your delicate Orchids. Bear in mind that your soil quality degrades over time and this is why it is essential that you use fertilizers regularly on your soil to ensure a high quality when caring for your Orchids. The deterioration of the soil quality is particularly noticeable when growing your Orchids in pots.

• When it comes to caring for Orchids the right location is everything. Placing your Orchids in the correct location from the start will make caring for your Orchids that much easier, this is especially true if this is the first time you have attempted to grow an Orchid. As an example some families of Orchids have to be placed in an elevated area, Lithophyte Orchids acquire all of their nourishment for the surrounding air and will otherwise wilt and die if not place in an elevated area. Epiphytes will not survive in stagnant air; their leaves must be kept moist by a modest breeze. As you can see being aware of such important factors, such as location, will help you a lot when caring for your Orchids.

• Light and lots of it. Some Orchids, like Phalaenopsis Orchids, can survive with standard indoor artificial lighting. But others, such as the Cattleya genus of Orchids, require a lot of natural sunlight. As a rule of thumb more rather than less light is preferable.

• Water: Not too much not too little. Orchids are very sensitive when it comes to overwatering. You should never have your orchid standing in water, all Orchids are very good at retaining water and overwatering can rot their roots and kill your wonderful Orchid.

• Orchids are an exotic plant and as such must be kept warm. Coming from tropical climates Orchids also like humid weather and can require up to 70% humidity, at this end of the scale it is best to keep your Orchid in a greenhouse during the summer months and then use an artificial heater during the winter.

You’ll be pleased to hear that if you stick to these points all your hard work will inevitably pay off and when it does your reward will be some of the most beautiful blooms and scents around. And after time while caring for Orchids can be difficult I think you will agree that it’s worth it.

Image courtesy of pikkus