Jun 152012
 

by Susan Taylor
Originally published in BellaOnline

Foliar fertilizing promotes better growth
During the peak growing months of summer use a very dilute foliar fertilizer (half normal strength) with 1/2 teaspoon per gallon soap as a wetting agent so that the fertilizer will stay on the leaves long enough to allow the plant to absorb the nutrients. Be sure to spray early in the morning before the sun gets to the plants and provide excellent air circulation to allow for rapid evaporation to prevent rots. Be very careful with the crowns of Phals and Paphs.

Increase your watering for outdoor plants
Outdoor or greenhouse plants will need additional water during the warmest months of the year. In most areas this is their peak growing season. In the hottest areas they will almost go into a hibernation period. Watch out for under watering signs such as wrinkled pseudobulbs, especially on Oncidiums and Cattleyas. I put extra sphagnum moss around those plants that appear to have problems with the heat and then spray early in the morning making sure that the moss gets some water. You increase your humidity this way and the plants will pull water out of the moss if they need it.

Phalaenopsis or Moth Orchids
Phals can still be in full bloom by the middle of the summer. If you want them to re-flower next year, cut back the inflorescences around the middle or end of July even if they’re still looking good. This will allow the plants to concentrate on growing and gathering energy to flower next year. If repotting is necessary, go ahead and repot now. If you bought new plants make sure you repot. Many Phals are sold in straight sphagnum moss and this medium is too soggy for most plants for long. Repot in coconut husk or bark mix.

Paphiopedilum and Slipper Orchids
Phragmipediums will need constant moisture during the hot summer months. I grow mine in a saucer of water year round to provide this moisture. Semi-hydroponic culture is even better. They need lots of light in order to produce flowers. Paphiopedilums also like warm temperatures, but require low light so as to keep the leaves from burning. Check the pots often during warm months to make sure that the moisture they need is provided at all times.

Cattleya Alliance Plants
Watch for roots on your fall blooming Catts and when the roots are about 1/2 inch or 2 centimeters long, repot them if necessary in appropriate medium. Watch your plants for over- and under-watering problems and rots during this growth period. A monthly application of fungicide will help reduce the chances of all kinds of rots.

Jun 012011
 

Get Growing with Lou Lodyga… Phalenopsis bellina

Anyone who has been growing orchids for years will know this species by its former name, Phalanopsis violacea v. Borneo. It was given full species status by Eric Christensen in 1995 and renamed bellina. Whatever name it goes by, this is a definite must for the Phalenopsis grower.

Since it comes from Borneo and Malaysia, it requires shady, humid conditions, like one would find in a tropical forest. The flowers are produced in the summer and fall on short inflorescences and can have 2 to 3 highly fragrant flowers open at a time. One nice item about this plant is that the inflorescence on older plants can rebloom year after tear so don’t cut off any green viable inflorescences.

There are many excellent line bred forms available at nurseries. This species does well mounted, but since Phalanopsis are subject to crown rot if water stands in the crown for any length of time, mount them upside down. If you decide to grow them in a pot, you’ll need to repot them yearly if they are in sphagnum moss.

Mar 012011
 

Get Growing with Lou Lodyga… … Epidendrum prismatocarpum

If you like flowers that make a statement then this striking species is for you.

Native to Mexico and Central America it’s found in forests growing on large tree branches. The bright, long-lasting flowers are produced in the summer on an 15” inflorescence.

An easily grown species, it needs strong bright light and can be grown mounted or potted, and since it has pseudobulbs, it needs to dry out between watering. Fertilize only in active growth.

Feb 012011
 

Get Growing with Lou Lodyga… Cattleya trianae

This beautiful species is from Colombia’s rain forest and is their national flower. It was selected for this prestigious position because it has the same colors as the Colombian flag. A strong grower with long lasting flowers, it is in the background of many Cattleya hybrids. It was quite popular as a winter cut flower for the corsage industry in the early 20th century.

The flowers are produced during the winter and early spring. New growth begins shortly after flowering finishes in the early spring and continues to August. The sheaths are formed when the growth matures but the flower buds do not start to grow until November. Give typical cattleya growing conditions – very bright light is a must. There are some additional varieties available such as C. trianae v mooreana which has a dark splash on each petal. At one time there were more named variety of this species than any other Cattleya. Cattleya trianae is endangered in its natural habitat as a result of environmental degradation and urbanization.

Feb 012011
 

Species of the month: Eria rosea

This is a small sized member of a large family related to the dendrobriums which is native to China and Hong Kong.

Plants bloom in the spring and as the name suggests, they bear 3 to 4 rose colored flowers on spikes which appear in the spring. These small plants grow very well mounted and are warm tolerant.

Jan 012011
 

Species of the month: Maxillaria picta

Maxillaria picta belongs to a large genus of orchids which are native to Central and South America. Many of these are well suited for growing in the South Florida area.

Of these, M. picta is one of the prettiest. This warn to cool growing species is native to Brazil and Argentina and blooms from winter to spring. The fragrant yellow flowers are marked with red and have white lips and a mature plant can make a spectacular display when it’s in bloom.

From experience with my plant, it likes bright light, moderate water and fertilizer with a bit of a dry rest and good air circulation. Plants bloom from January to March.

Look for it at the upcoming Ft. Lauderdale and Tamiami shows.

Jan 012011
 

Get Growing with Lou Lodyga… Prostechea boothiana

A Florida native, also found in the Caribbean and Mexico in dry scrub forest and tropical deciduous forests as a hot to warm growing miniature to small sized epiphyte. It is found from sea level to 150 meters in elevation, it is commonly called the dollar orchid for the shape of it pseudobulbs; it grows best on a mount in bright light and blooms in the summer.

Spikes arise from newly formed bulbs and tend to be larger than the plant. They can carry up to 5 long-lasting flowers. Like all Florida orchids, this one is illegal to collect in the wild. Plants are available from several nurseries.

Dec 012010
 

Species of the month: Cattleya perciviliana

One of the Christmas blooming orchids, this species is native to Venezuela where it is found at altitudes of 1300 – 2000 meters, however the plant will grow and bloom well at sea level as it grows well for us in South Florida.

Like many cattleya species, other color forms include alba, semi-alba, and coerulea, as well as its normal pink. These plants are fragrant, although the scent is not pleasing to all.

Cattleya perciviliana is well known as one of the so-called Christmas orchid, named for their tendency to bloom in time for the holidays. Other such orchids include Laelia anceps and Angrecum sesquipidale, the “Star of Bethlehem” orchid.

Nov 012010
 

Species of the month: Bulbophyllum guttulatum

This is a small warm to cool-growing member of this large class of orchids which is found in the Himalayas, Assam, Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan, Myanmar, and Vietnam where it grows at elevations of 1000 to 2600 meters.

It is an easy to grow miniature which blooms from summer to fall on an inflorescence which carries between 6 to 8 inch long flowers in a loose umbel above the foliage. Well grown plants can be very floriferous and give quite a display.

Like all bulbophyllums, these plants like to be kept moist and need light and good air circulation to bloom well. This genus grows very well in Florida and is frequently seen at society meetings and shows.

Nov 012010
 

Get Growing with Lou Lodyga… Laelia Anceps

Laelia anceps is an undemanding and easy plant to grow for most people. This species is naturally occurring in Mexico and is extremely drought resistant as well as temperature tolerant.

It will thrive in temperatures from 20 degrees F. (-5 degrees C) to 100 degrees F (32 degrees F) as long as it is given enough moisture. It is known as a vigorous grower of medium size with long inflorescences from which it will have 3-5 lavender flowers measuring three to four inches. They are known for their Christmas blooming period although they can bloom from November to January.

Two distinct varieties are recognized by taxonomists an eastern variety and a darker western variety.

It needs a lot of light and needs well draining media. It grows best mounted where it can dry out completely between watering. Water 2-3 times during the summer and give a rest period in winter after it blooms.

It produces large clumps when mounted in trees where it provides a spectacular display. For this reason, it is very popular in mild winter climates like Southern California and Southern Florida.