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| Hello Hosta Friends, Going back through the recent posts, I noticed that some of you were very kind with your comments concerning my 'teaser' orchid picture. I thought I might elaborate a bit on my collection since it seemed to glean some interest. I am aware this is a hosta forum and I risk Ken's wrath by posting this. I'm also aware that there is a designated forum for orchids on Gardenweb, but I have been snooping over there recently and hadn't noticed much in the way of activity (well at least not when compared to the Hosta forum). In addition, you all have become somewhat of a virtual circle of friends for me and who doesn't love to share with friends ? I live in Philadelphia, so to grow orchids year round outside like most successful hobbyists I would need to move WAY down south. Seeing as I am about to set some 100+ hosta into the ground over the next 5 years, moving to a new location is not an option. In addition, I'm not sure I could handle the high humidity in the dead of summer (God bless ya Moccasin, Paula, Bkay - not sure how you do it). I grow all of my orchids and other exotics (Dykia) under T12 and T8 fluorescent lights. I have two 6 foot tall by 4 foot wide shelving racks that are set up in an un-finished room in our attic (you will see the heater in some pics) and then two 6 foot long by 3 foot wide tables next to each other with more lights overhead.
For watering, I take them all in to the bathtub and set them on cookie drying racks (basically an elevated grate) so that the water runs through and down the drain. I have a hand held shower head so I can move it over the medium. Here are Deloris and Helen getting their bath.
And here they are respectively under the lights. They got those names since they are NOID. They were Trader Joe $15.00 specials and truth be told some of the best growers I have. The purple is Delores and the white is Helen. The names came to me one day . . . don't ask . . . cuz even I am not entirely sure :p
My collection is about 3 years old and was MUCH bigger when I started. But time and my initial inexperience has killed some 20+ off. I currently have 49 individually potted orchids. At my peak it was closer to 70, but eventually you hit a water wall and my over zealous collection balanced itself out to my real life schedule and I am left with a 'stable' collection (not to mention three solid years of first hand growing experience). Side note: The quote that I cited for the alphabet (thank you for using it Paula) was told to me by a fellow orchid enthusiast one day while I was perusing here collection for possible trades. She hated purple flowers and I don't care much for yellow so we would swap on occasion. We were carrying on about a couple of hers not performing so well and I asked 'what would be better growing conditions' and that's when she responded 'The only way to know how to grow a plant properly is to have killed it a few times'. That was hand's down the BEST piece of botanical information I have received to this day. :) But I digress as usual. Some people say that orchids are 'hard' to grow and you almost always here someone say 'oh I've killed a few of those in my time'. But really, at the end of the day they are just a highly specialized plant with a different set of rules for growing. There are some basic elements you need to have in place for overall success but with a little research, a LOT of patience, and the will to succeed anyone can grow orchids. As for the specifics of growing orchids I will leave that to the orchid forum . . . you all can enjoy the fruits of labor. :p Ludi The next three pictures are of Phrag. 'Lucy Robins' (that is her official name . . . NOT one of my NOID names). This is the first year she has ever bloomed for me in the 2 years I have had her. It was wellllll worth the wait.
The picture right below is Phal. Norman's Jade 'Green Apple' . . . I put it right after the true/all white Phal. (above) so you can see the difference in hues. Norman's Jade in person is the softest shade of green . . . it is such a special Phal. I can never get the lighting right though in pictures for others to see how 'green' it really is.
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Follow-Up Postings:
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- Posted by almosthooked none (My Page) on Sat, Feb 2, 13 at 13:00
| Very beautiful . I have one orchid and it bloomed steadily for ove a year and a half until someone said I should transplant it. It bloomed again but only small flowers so I either gave it too much water or was totally mad at me. Don't worry about the posting here as we love seeing any growth including pets, kids and hosta. Brightens up a foggy winter day with spring still off in the future. Oh and I see in the second picture the THUMPER on the table is for all the sore muscles from all the hard work. Great job! |
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- Posted by Hostanista 5B (Ont) (My Page) on Sat, Feb 2, 13 at 13:04
| Hear that, Ludi??? That is the sound of my applause. My hands bleed. |
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| Wow ludi, what fun you are having while the hostas sleep. Your orchids are absolutely spectacular; thanks for sharing them. That 'Lucy Robins' is a fabulous lady, but my very favourite is the green one - it would look great in my livingroom!!! I treat myself to an occasional big box $15 orchid, and am always amazed by how long they will keep blooming with no more attention than "three ice cubes every week". You grow girl! Jan |
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- Posted by steve_mass 5b (My Page) on Sat, Feb 2, 13 at 14:35
| Very lovely, Ludi. But you need to save some room to grow some Hosta seedlings. I use T8 lights also.
Steve |
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| Ludi you are doing very nicely, beautiful orchids. I especially enjoyed seeing those roots climbing out of pots and around the table. I once bought orchids when we drove around Florida, had them growing in NY state probably for a year or two, it was a good experience. Bernd |
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| Ludi, your orchids are stunning. I enjoyed the show. Steve, the hostas look exceptionally healthy... and plentiful as well. Looks like you could start up a nursery of your own?? |
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- Posted by moccasinlanding z9A AL (My Page) on Sat, Feb 2, 13 at 19:29
| T8 lights, you say. I'll see if DH knows how to do that. I'm sending a link to this topic to my botanist friend who grows native orchids. He can appreciate the skill behind the beauty. Me, I keep trying but only the Nun's Orchid survives more than one year. Looking fab every one of them, Ludi. |
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| WOW!! Beautiful! I sent a link to a friend of mine who loves orchids but doesn't have as many as you. plantbug |
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- Posted by Don_in_Colorado 6a (My Page) on Sat, Feb 2, 13 at 23:15
| Beautiful, Ludi. I have but one in my care that my daughter gave my wife 4 years ago for Mother's Day. It's still alive; a small victory for me. Yours are fantastic. Don B. |
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- Posted by sandyslopes z5 UT (My Page) on Sun, Feb 3, 13 at 2:16
| Ludi, nice set up you have there. I need to remember that quote because I do tend to beat myself up over some plants not surviving me. Your orchid collection is absolutely lovely. Such unique flowers on each one. Steve, that looks like a really good way to beat the hosta blues in winter. |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Sun, Feb 3, 13 at 9:09
| I am aware this is a hosta forum and I risk Ken's wrath ==>> now that was a gratuitous drive-bye assassination attempt??? .. i hope you were kidding ... she responded 'The only way to know how to grow a plant properly is to have killed it a few times'. That was hand's down the BEST piece of botanical information I have received to this day. :) ==>> that is actually.. the given definition of a 'green thumb' .... as in.. your thumb wont turn green.. until you have killed every plant 3 times.. learning how to grow it ... anyway.. thanks for the mid-winter respite.. it was 8 F when i looked at it this morning.. ken ps: thats a lot of wasted space you could be using for hosta seedlings ....
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| Absolutely breathtaking! Now if we could just put those flowers on hostas! |
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| You certainly brightened my day with these pictures. Thank you! |
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- Posted by MadPlanter1 5 Nebraska (My Page) on Mon, Feb 4, 13 at 9:58
| A beautiful collection, loved the rosy ruffled one just after Green Apple. I have a $10.00 NOID phal. It's three years old and gets more flowers every year, so I guess it's happy. Should I be cutting off the flower stem after it gets done blooming? I was told to leave it if it was still green. This year it has four little spikes, all with a few buds. I'd rather have one big stem full of flowers, like yours. |
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| WOW . . . I'm really excited so many of you enjoyed the pictures :) These poor orchids sit up in my attic with only myself and the mice to see them. It is nice to finally have some people to share with . . . I really mean that :) Sir Ken of Adrian - Aww Ken I'm sorry . . . I should have worded that better. I meant no harm, honest. The worst I feared were maybe some all CAPS shouting at me to take my Hoity Toity Posies over to the appropriate forum. Forgive my poor wording ? Steve Mass - Honestly . . . I have plans for next winter to start some hosta seedlings . . . it is really exciting to hear that all you use are T8 for your successful seedlings (gives me hope). The only process I am worried about is the culling in spring. I have a 'no plant left behind' policy and worry about space. Mad Planter - Grats on a flowering Phal. I remember when one of my first Phals shot an inflorescence up . . . I felt like such a winner for making it bloom again . . . keep up the good work. The 'branching' you seem to be having is not uncommon in Phals, but traditionally they only have one giant long stem like you saw in my pictures. There are Phals out there (referred to as 'floriferous') that will actually branch smaller inflorescence from the main stalk and bloom at the ends of these. This is something that is genetically instilled in the plant. You cannot stop it from branching in this manner if that is what it does naturally without any trauma to the main stalk. As far as cutting off the flower stalk . . . that depends on how long you want to keep it in bloom and also the overall health of the plant. To keep it blooming from a 'spent' stalk . . . you cut the stalk about three 'nodes' up from the base and then it should (if it has enough strength) put out an entirely new flower stalk from the cut you made. The nodes appear as little leafy type attachments going up the stalk. They are usually evenly spaced and easily noticeable. I only recommend this if you know you will have enough light during the growing season for the plant to recover form 'double' blooming. In the wrong conditions, forcing second blooms can stress the plant to the point of death. It take orchids a tremendous amount of energy to both form and sustain the flowers once they are open, thus why most only bloom once a year. Further more if you have a floriferous Phal . . . once the new stalk starts to form from the cut . . . it should branch as well towards the end like the original. Just something to think about since you indicated you prefer a single flowering stalk. The trick with Phals is temperature. When it becomes consistently warm (usually above 75F) they start putting out new leaves and go into 'new growth' mode. As soon as there is a 10-15 degree cold differential in the temps it will switch out of growth mode and start to form it's inflorescence for the year. I threw together an almost barbaric diagram to hopefully clarify the wordy description.
If so inclined . . . anyone can feel free to email me if they have any questions about orchids. I am by no means an expert but I would be happy to talk shop and share what growing conditions work for me. My email is in my profile. :) Thank you Thank you Thank you alllll again for such appreciation. It was my pleasure sharing. :) Yours, Ludi |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Tue, Feb 5, 13 at 7:18
| Forgive my poor wording ==>>> DONE!!! .. i figured as much .. i got a foot of snow.. and barely in the teens.. i dont really care what you post where .. besides the forum is always a bit dead this time of year.. so knock yourself out ... most of my referrals to other forums.. are for the poster.. for a diversity of opinion on a PROBLEM ... e.g. if you had a problem with your orchids.. i would suggest that forum.. and i am sure there arent many orchid pro's here.. but hey.. you never know what peeps have in their closets.. lol ... showing off your pride and joy.. [even if i question why they arent hosta.. ] ...is NOT A PROBLEM ... again.. thx for the show ... ken |
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- Posted by steve_mass 5b (My Page) on Tue, Feb 5, 13 at 9:00
| Ludi, Email me (it's in the profile also) when you are ready to start seeds next fall/winter. I'll make a few Elegans crosses for you. Steve |
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- Posted by hostafreak (My Page) on Tue, Feb 5, 13 at 9:50
| I love just about all plants,and your Orchids are beautiful,but I can't grow anything that doesn't grow in 'dirt'! I once had a wild Orchid come up right near my pool deck when I lived in Florida,but when I tried to transplant it,it just died. I'll stick to plants that grow in soil,from now on. Phil |
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- Posted by ken_adrian z5 (My Page) on Tue, Feb 5, 13 at 9:51
| crimminey steve.. how generous.. but might i suggest that you send her something that will be bigger than her fingernail in less than 3 years ... sieboldiana seedlings take centuries to grow up ... lol ken |
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- Posted by moccasinlanding z9A AL (My Page) on Tue, Feb 5, 13 at 14:01
| Hmmmm, Ludi, your latest posting had a lively upbeat vibe to it, not at all dry and stodgy as some technically explicit information can be. You have a native excitement about the subject, that communicates itself to me. I guess what I'm saying is, you are a good writer for readers like myself with little to no experience in orchids. If I'm correct, the youngster Ludi will be around to see the sieboldiana seedlings become mature clumps. Ludi, thanks for the beautiful break in the winter, old man. |
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- Posted by almosthooked none (My Page) on Tue, Feb 5, 13 at 17:48
| Ludisia is quite a "jewel" of an orchid |
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| How gracious of you Steve. I would love to try my hand at some of those crosses if it isn't too much of a burden to pollinate them. I have already dug about a dozen or so baby Elegans from under mama and moved them into the back to be left to mother natures care. With the three huge clumps I have and given how fertile she is I will have Elegans seedlings for many years to come. But specific crosses with me in mind would be a lovely treat and a great way to start. I will email you to coordinate. Ken I agree with you about the sieboldiana types being slow . . . but I think it appropriate that my introduction to seed growing be from Elegans. She is after all the one who pushed me (and quite aggressively I might add) down this rabbit hole. Moccassin . . . I'm sure in some circles 27 years old is a 'youngster' but I can tell you I sure don't feel like a youngster. But yes, I have a LOT of time to sit by and watch tiny seedlings grow up. DING DING DING � Faye gets the grand prize . . . Ludisia is a genus of orchids. Their common name is the Jewel Orchid. They actually sit just outside the circle of epiphytes and are one of the true terrestrial orchids. But their signature trait is the iridescence in the veins in their leaves. To see one in person is to see diamond dust sprinkled all over a leaf. That is the best way I can describe it. Pictures on the internet can not show you the light changing effects these veins have when you move the plant around the sunlight. Ludi |
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- Posted by steve_mass 5b (My Page) on Wed, Feb 6, 13 at 13:02
| Ludi, It's quite simple really to make crosses. I'll do a little pictorial when I get some flowers. In the meantime check out Motley Crew, Leapin' Lippizan and Screaming Yellow Zonkers on the Library. Those are all crosses that use Elegans as the pollen parent. Steve |
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