I always thought Orchids were tricky plants to grow so I was rather surprised when one day, walking round a craft show, I stopped to admire some beautiful orchids and I chatted to the chap on the stall. He told me that actually they were quite easy plants just so long as you follow some very ... Read review
Advantages: Easier than you think to grow, very beautiful Disadvantages: Can get quite big and you do need to follow the 'rules'
...left the fair clutching an Orchid plant and drove the 200+ miles home to East Anglia determined to try at least to keep the plant alive for a while. To be perfectly honest I wasn't too concerned if I failed because I thought that at least I would get to enjoy this plant whilst the flower lasted and as you probably know orchid blooms last quite a long time when cut so I figured it would last a little longer whilst still in the pot.
... ...and I now have two Orchid plants both of which have put up flower spikes and I am looking forward to enjoying the blooms again some time soon.
There are various types of Orchid available and the one I purchased is a Cymbidium which has strap like leaves and flower spikes which carry numerous good size blooms and which last for a couple of months. I have to confess I don't know anything about the other types or their hardiness so I ... more
I always thought Orchids were tricky plants to grow so I was rather surprised when one day, walking round a craft show, I stopped to admire some beautiful orchids and I chatted to the chap on the stall. He told me that actually they were quite easy plants just so long as you follow some very simple rules.
Needless to say, ever the sucker for a good sales pitch, I left the fair clutching an Orchid plant and drove the 200+ miles home to East Anglia determined to try at least to keep the plant alive for a while. To be perfectly honest I wasn't too concerned if I failed because I thought that at least I would get to enjoy this plant whilst the flower lasted and as you probably know orchid blooms last quite a long time when cut so I figured it would last a little longer whilst still in the pot.
That was over twelve years ago, and that same plant is still going strong today! Not only is it going strong but it got so big I had to 'split' it and I now have two Orchid plants both of which have put up flower spikes and I am looking forward to enjoying the blooms again some time soon.
There are various types of Orchid available and the one I purchased is a Cymbidium which has strap like leaves and flower spikes which carry numerous good size blooms and which last for a couple of months. I have to confess I don't know anything about the other types or their hardiness so I will concentrate this review on just this one type.
CYMBIDIUM ORCHIDS
Cymbidium (pronounced sim-bid-ee-um) is actually one of the best known and most popular of all orchids. The genus consists of about 50 species and, from these, thousands of hybrids have been developed.
They can be found growing naturally in China, and Japan through the Himalayas, South East Asia to Australia. Cymbidium is the oldest cultivated orchid, and there is evidence that they were grown in China 2500 years ago. It is one of the easiest orchids and, provided that certain rules are stuck to, it will flower year after year.
+ Temperature and Humidity +
According to gardening references conservatories or cool greenhouses suit these plants where night temperatures above 46°F can be maintained. In my house I have just placed them in good light in either the dining room or conservatory and they have flourished and in the Summer I place them outdoors in their pots and they have seemd to thrive on this.
It is recommended that during Autumn, Winter and Spring, night temperatures should not exceed 55°F which I have found relatively easy to achieve in this country but again I have given mine no special treatment or protection I have just left them in the room.
+ Air movement +
It is suggested that good air movement is essential for Cymbidium growth - all I can think is I must have good air movement in my house because again I have given them no special treatment but suspect their Summers in the garden have helped in this respect.
+ Light +
It is recommended that they get good light but are given a bit of shade against really strong sunlight in the heat of Summer. When outdoors mine have been in strong sunlight and coped remarkably well.
+ Watering +
The chap I bought my Orchid from told me NEVER to water them with tap water, to always use rainwater and that is exactly what I have done. You should never allow the plants to dry out and always keep the compost moist. Normally, watering once each week is sufficient but, during the hot summer months, it may be necessary to water twice weekly. To be honest the compost on mine has dried out a few times and they have come to no harm but I don't recommend that amount of neglect!
+ Fertilising +
I have a little tub of Orchid fertiliser and I give my plants a regular feed with this in accordance with the instructions on the side of the tub. The tub lasts for ages so they are actually quite 'cheap to keep'.
+ Potting and Dividing +
It is said that the best time to repot and divide Cymbidiums is between the end of February and until the end of June. I waited until mine had finished flowering and then wrestled with the root ball to cut it in half. The plants are said to grow better if they are 'contained' so to do this only repot into plant pots where there is just enough room for the following year's growth. Always use a proper Orchid Compost of peat and bark and never an ordinary compost.
CONCLUSION
So there you have it. Orchids are truly much easier that I ever thought and mine are an absolute delight when they are in bloom. I never cease to be amazed at their sheer beauty and I am really glad I bought my plant all those years ago. I have kept them and they have flourished with little more than a few words of advice from the vendor which I will reiterate below:
Always water with rainwater and NEVER tap water
Always pot in Orchid Compost and not ordinary compost
Feed with Orchid Fertiliser
Pop them outdoors in the Summer
Sit back and enjoy the display
This advice relates to Cymbidium Orchids - I can't comment on the others. If you see one in your local garden centre and you are tempted why not give it a go - I did and found them far easier than I ever imagined. To me they are one of the most exquisite flowers around, I have always loved Orchids, and I love them even more now that I grow my own!
I attach some photographs of mine in bloom last year.
Advantages: Beautiful flowers, still grow if you neglect them! Disadvantages: Expensive compared to other house plants
I have always liked orchid flowers. but have never had much success with house plants so never really considered growing them. I tend to neglect plants so eventually they dry out and die! However in a moment of weakness in a garden centre, I spotted a rather sad looking phalaenopsis (not that I knew that was what it was at the time!) With beautiful pale pink petals and a deep pink centre. It was reduced as it had been rather bashed and didn't look ... ...over 12months ago and the orchid has been in flower ever since - certainly a lot cheaper than a bunch of flowers! I have acquired another 6 orchids since then, and am rapidly running out of window sill room! I have also bought a couple of books and even been to an "orchid event" at my local garden centre! Be warned - this is a low input but pretty addicitve hobby! ===Phalaenopsis, a bit of back ground ===
Phalaenopsis, or moth orchids are the most ...
sk0680 24.02.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Orchid
...our home the common spotted orchid which is very tall on a very long stem,the leaves are sometimes spotted and sometimes not, usually one or the other on each flower not mixed, these are comonly spotted on fileld or very sunny areas of woodland. they flower from may to july with beautiful purple flowers.
Another orchid that is becoming more popular is the early flowering orchid which flowers from april untill june producing a darker purple flower ... ...of spots on some flowers and not on others, Both the plants are very similar, with long stalky stems and beautiful looking and smelling flowers, they look lovely in a vase and do attract quite a few bees in your garden so if you dont like bees dont buy these plants, ...
billy1970 18.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Orchid
Advantages: Modern looking, Long Flowering, and Beautiful Disadvantages: Expensive
I have to say that I love all plants, and I find all flowers interesting in their own way; however, Orchids have to be one plant that is the Spear and Jackson of the plant world. They are definately a plant to be proud of.
They flower profusely, and they stay in flower for a very long time; unlike many other plants, that have lovely but, somewhat, transient flowers.
At the moment, I have two Phalenopsis (Moth Orchids). One of them has white flowers, and the other one has yellow flowers. They are a great plant that can match almost any surrounding, and the Moth Orchids come in lots of beautiful colours. They can be postitioned almost anywhere indoors, so long as they get enough light, and are kept at a moderate temperature.
Requirements:
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They require a daily misting, that is always best done, in ...
Starseeker1 25.06.2006
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Orchids
Advantages: Elegant single stemmed orchid with beautiful rich coloured flowers Disadvantages: Costly to buy. Requires regular attention.
For Easter this year, my husband surprised me with a beautiful Vuylstekeara Cambria Orchid. With its elegant long stem bowed over from the abundant small butterfly shaped flowers, the plant does look uniquely stunning.
I say uniquely - but apparently this is the most widely grown orchid in the world!! It is a hybrid orchid produced by crossing three different original orchids: Cochlioda, Miltonia and Odontoglossu.
I had always thought the orchid to be a difficult plant to keep. Thankfully it is not. The plant does require care but nothing too difficult or unachievable in ordinary home circumstances.
~What?s in a name?~
The Vuylstekeara Cambria Orchid is a member of the orchid family which are distinguished by the differentiation of one petal into a lip (labellum).
It was originally produced by the Belgian orchid grower ...
MAFARRIMOND 19.04.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Cambria Orchid
Advantages: Flower, Colour, Ease, long lasting Disadvantages: Fast growing roots
Today I?m gonna write something about orchids. I hope this start does not sound like I?m lecturing.
Before you go further, I would like to tell you not to forget to view the pictures which I have pasted below. Once finished reading the review, please look at it and tell me what do you think about it ok? Thank you very much!
As you see, orchids could most probably be the easiest plant to be grown in your garden. Why? I?ll explain?.
To start off, try to get your hands on one orchid. It is a good investment if you love plants. Orchids are sold widely.
What do orchids require? Orchids are not fussy plants. They are generally wild plants and they do not require soil to live. Orchids can grow on their own (on rocks, on dead woods, on branches, on plastics), without even having soil. All you need is a pot, or a plastic pot, fill ...
kenny_khaw 27.07.2004
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Orchids
