Orchids from Another Planet

If we ever found flowers on another planet, could they possibly be stranger than these earthly orchids? Some of these blooms look like visitors from Mars or Neptune.

Despite their alien facades, they’re simply members of the enormous orchid family, which has diversity beyond measure. Their long Latin names, like Masdevallia caudivolvula __and Sigmatostalix posadarum, are sometimes bigger than the blooms themselves. They may resemble birds in flight or deep sea creatures, but they don’t look much like flowers.

In choosing photos for this post, out of many years of our orchid show pictures, the Bulbophyllums truly stood out. This large, diverse group of orchids has lots of weird blooms. The last row of photos below shows three Bulbophyllum examples, but there were many more. Don’t these flowers look like they could have come from another planet?

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Orchids for Hillary

AboutOrchids only dabbles in politics related to orchid conservation, __and this post is no exception. If you’re an orchid lover, the only choice for president this November is Hillary Clinton. The Republican nominee would be a disastrous decision for many reasons, but the one that’s most important on this blog is saving our endangered planet. That requires science, __and Trump is anti-science. This recent article from Scientific American disqualifies him from the job on that single point alone. Fortunately, polls are looking good for Clinton now, but it’s not over til it’s over.

The photos above illustrate three examples of endangered orchid species which need Hillary Clinton to win. These are just a few of many thousands of orchid species which are imperiled by climate change, habitat destruction, pollution, and poaching of wild plants. Hillary Clinton has a strong environmental record, and she has pledged to tackle climate change and other problems. If orchids could vote, their choice would definitely be Hillary Clinton for president.

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New Parasitic Orchid Discovered

Japanese scientists have discovered a new parasitic orchid species whose flowers never open.  This strange new Gastrodia species doesn’t photosynthesize, instead stealing nutrients from fungi in the soil. In addition, its peculiar flowers stayed closed, __and pollinate themselves.

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A Big Purple Sobralia Orchid

Sobralia flowers never fail to impress. Recently I mentioned this plant in a post about Growing Orchids Outdoors in Pacifica. This Sobralia species bloomed for years outside in our San Francisco garden. It didn’t do so well after our move to the coast, so I finally brought it indoors. After a quick growth spurt, it flowered before we left for our recent trip to Colorado.

These big purple blossoms, with sunny yellow __and white centers, only last for a few days, the very definition of fleeting beauty. The first three pictures above show my plant’s recent bloom indoors. The remaining pictures below show blooms from past years, when the plant lived outdoors in our San Francisco garden, They include a great photo of a visit by a spectacular Gulf Fritillary butterfly, warming its wings in the autumn sun, __and adding even more beauty to a Sobralia bud.

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Orchids Hiding in Plain Sight

Australia is home to many unusual plants, including some orchids which hide in plain sight. They grow leaves year after year, but rarely flower, until there’s a bushfire. Pyrorchis nigricans, also known as the Fire Orchid or Red Beak, bursts into bloom in the year after a fire. Learn more about these scorched orchids in Australian Geographic.

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Fall Color in Colorado

Orchids may be our favorites, but natural beauty comes in many forms. That certainly includes the stunning fall colors of the Colorado Rockies. Dave __and I recently visited Southwest Colorado, __and enjoyed awe-inspiring mountains gilded in their autumn foliage.

The bright yellow leaves belong to aspens. In the thin mountain air around 10,000 feet (3048 m), there were a few orange and red varieties, but most were sporting yellow. Contrasted against green conifers and blue sky, the golden aspens easily stand out, whether it’s a single tree or a vast forest. A couple of idyllic mountain lakes, along with Columbines and a Dahlia from local gardens, complete the picture for one of Mother Nature’s best shows.

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Orchid Care Indoor Special Beginner

Orchid Care Indoor Special Beginner – If you are about to buy or have now got an orchid for the first time, then you need to be careful. It only takes one orchid, one orchid to instill a passion. You won’t ever be able to shake this passion; it will be with you for ever. But this passion isn’t enough to make your orchid survive. You have to have some orchid care knowledge.

A lot of people are put off from buying orchids because they are expensive and have a reputation for being difficult to look after. That is true but with orchid care, you are bound to get better with a little time and experience. Over time, you will become more confident, and as you get more orchids, you will start to become more adventurous.

I want to introduce you to some of the fundamental concepts of orchid care. The first thing that a lot of people get wrong is the watering schedule. One of the main reasons they die is because people water them too much. You shouldn’t be watering them more than once a week. If you are unsure whether they need to be watered, then they probably don’t.

Orchid Care Indoor Special Beginner

Orchids originated in the tropics. Orchids prefer warm temperatures. If you are keeping your orchid outdoors, then you need to pay particular attention to them. If the weather is going to be cold, then think about bringing them indoors into the warmth.

Orchids love lots of light. This is another bit of orchid care that you will have to master. You want your orchid to get a lot of light, but you don’t want to leave them standing in direct sunlight for an extended period.

I hope that you do not get put off by the difficulty of orchid care and buy your first orchid. It is a very rewarding experience that I am sure you will enjoy. The worst that can happen is that you can give it to someone you care for if you don’t enjoy it.

Let me guess… you are looking for orchid care tips because someone has given you an orchid for the first time? That is how a lot of us get into orchids, through gifts from family and friends. Now that you have your orchid you need to know what to do with it. If you do things correctly then you should have an orchid that blooms year after year.

For people with their first orchid getting into the area of orchid care can seem overwhelming. This is easy for me to understand as I have seen many people get worried. With experience, you should find it much easier.

Many people struggle with knowing how much to water the plant. This is often where people go wrong, and if you get this part of the orchid care wrong, then your __plant will die. Do not over water your orchid. It only requires watering about once per week, no more than that. Always check right under the soil to ensure that it is completely dry before you water it. Ifin doubt leave it a bit longer.

Orchids love the sunlight. One of your tasks in orchid care is positioning the orchid correctly. You need them to get a lot of suns, but you don’t want them in direct sunlight for to long.

I hope that I haven’t put you off getting your first orchid. It is a great experience and with a little orchid care, it should prosper very well. Orchid Care Indoor Special Beginner.. Good luck!

Tips For Planting Azaleas Bush Perfectly

Tips For Planting Azaleas Bush Perfectly – Azaleas bush are a flowering __plant with a lot of panache. They put off an impressive show, and if done right, will continue to do so for years to come. However, like any plant, you need to give them a good start for good results.

Planting them in the proper spot, giving them the right amount of water and food and providing the appropriate maintenance will help you have perfect azaleas. Following is a guide to ensuring the success of this beautiful flowering shrub.

Most azaleas bush are store bought. When choosing the azalea bush in the store, be sure to choose a __plant that has green leaves and lots of flower buds. If the plant is at all weepy or the leaves are limp, this plant will probably not do well and may be diseased. A good choice will produce a rewarding plant.

When you are ready to plant your azalea, you must first prepare the soil. Azaleas bush prefer an acidic soil and need to have good drainage. Therefore you must loosen the ground that it will be planted in about six to eight inches down. Also, be sure to test the acidity of the soil and adjust it accordingly.

Tips For Planting Azaleas Bush Perfectly

Azaleas bush prefer to be fertilized after they’ve had a chance to establish their roots. When the plant has successfully been put in the ground, water it thoroughly; about five to ten minutes with a garden hose, but do not fertilize.

When it’s been in the ground for a week or two and it’s obvious that it’s taking root and flourishing well, then fertilize and water regularly. When there’s very little precipitation outside, water with a garden hose daily for five to ten minutes.

In the fall, prune the bush back to promote new and full growth for the following spring. Be sure to allow for fresh spring growth when pruning. The second growing season tends to have small amounts of growth, but in the third and after that the plant will really take off. Keep that in mind when pruning. Be sure there’s enough room for growth above the ground as wellas below.

Use a container for your miniature tree that has drainage holes beneath it. This will aid in the drainage of extra amounts of water inside the pot so that your Azalea Bush will not suffer the consequences of over watering.

You must supply your Azalea Bush of adequate quantities of water. Water is crucial for the hydration of your bonsai. You must not give too much water because this will drown your bonsai and will lead to its weakness. And, giving too less water will not supply the required amount of water for it to grow well.

Expose your Azalea Bush to a direct morning sunlight and indirect afternoon sunlight. It is highly recommended that you expose your bonsai to morning sunlight because it is just good enough for your growing Bush. However, midday and afternoon sunlight are too harsh for your bonsai that is why you need to place it under a shady area.

You need to report your miniature tree whenever necessary. You have to transfer your Azalea Bush to a new container for miniature trees when the roots have filled the old tank. If you are not able to report your miniature tree at the right time, your miniature tree will experience pot bound.

Azalea Bush can tolerate hard pruning, but you should perform it carefully because the fine roots can break easily. You need to prune harder the bottom and sides of the entire root system, but you should be cautious when untangling the roots on the upper portion.so Tips For Planting Azaleas Bush Perfectly..I hope this helps

How to Take Care of Orchids Daily

How to Take Care of Orchids Daily – Humidity is very important when it comes to take caring for your orchids. It is the first thing to consider if you want to make your orchids grow abundantly. If there is less humidity in the air, then your plants will mostly likely die or grow feebly.

If you live in a region where it is very or moderately humid, then there is no problem in growing them. However, if it is the other way around, you need to do some ways on how to grow them abundantly in your place. Hygrometer can measure the level of humidity at home.

If you find that there is less humidity with the hygrometer, do not worry, you can still increase it by using a humidity tray. This can be bought at any orchid specialty stores or even online. Place the orchids on the tray and it will then humidify them. Another way is to mist the plants. Using a spray bottle with water, mist them daily to provide them enough water vapor so they will thrive well.

How to Take Care of Orchids Daily

Orchids are plants that represent beauty and love. Most people grow them because the plants exude elegance and they are very fascinating. Orchids are also very popular in events either for decoration purposes or as corsages in weddings and proms.

There are over 30,000 hybrids of orchids all over the world. This means that one can get an orchid __plant in any part of the world depending on what kind of orchid they want. One thing that orchids have in common is the fact that they require very good care and maintenance in order for them to maintain their beautiful look at all times.

The first step you need to take in order to ensure you take care of your orchid __plant as required is to ensure you have the right orchid for your environment. This is because environment plays a very important role when it comes to taking care of orchids. Some of the factors you should consider before choosing an orchid include: the space you intend to plant the orchid in and the temperature conditions the orchid plant requires.

Taking Care of Orchids

Space is a very important factor to consider. This is because orchids mature differently in terms of height and width. For example some types of orchids tend to grow very big. If in restricted spaces, they may not mature as they should. Such types of orchids should therefore be grown outdoors where there is ample space.

The temperature requirements are also very important considerations since they enable you to know whether or not the orchid plant will be able to thrive in the temperature conditions you intend to grow them in.

When taking care of orchids, it is also important to consider the moisture requirements of the plant you select. This is because all orchid hybrids have different moisture requirements. There are those which require moderate moisture and there are others that require a lot of water. Having this information prevents you from watering your plant in the wrong way. The chances of the plant remaining in good condition for a long time is higher are you water the plants in the right way.

The other thing you need to do in order to ensure you are taking care of orchids in the right way is to use fertilizers more often. Fertilizers are very important because they are a way of feeding the plant in order to ensure it grows and matures in a healthy form.

When it comes to choosing fertilizer, it is important to know the stages of the plant before using any fertilizer. If the shoots are just being formed, you are supposed to use high nitrogen content fertilizers. In later stages, it is recommended to use fertilizers high in potassium and phosphorus.

In conclusion, these are some of the most important things you need to ensure you do in order to ensure your orchid is well taken care of. Failure to do this may result in unhealthy looking orchid plants. It is however very important to seek assistance from the person who sells the plant to you in order to know everything you need to do to offer the plant the best care.thereby How to Take Care of Orchids Daily may be useful..

How To Keep Orchids Alive

How To Keep Orchids Alive – To those of us who live in crowded cities where a window box or terrarium is the only means we have of indulging a desire for green and growing plants, orchids offer special attractions. Indoor gardeners say that a house full of plants is soothing.

This is certainly true of the frequently grasslike and gracefully arching foliage of orchids. But orchids in flower are wondrous beyond all other plants. Ordinary house plants have an air of quiet respectability. Orchids bring to your home an exotic touch, a hint of faraway lands.

For orchid growing, a window on the south side of your house is ideal. It gets a full eight to twelve hours of sunlight. Sun on windows on the east and west rarely lasts longer than five hours, and west windows receive an intense light which may prove harmful. North windows rarely have enough light. Orchids should normally receive ten or more hours of mellow light.

How To Keep Orchids Alive

As sunlight becomes brighter in summer, a muslin or close-net curtain is drawn across south and west windows from midday to late afternoon in order to protect orchids from direct light. In winter, although drapes are not desirable for diffusing light, they are needed.

At night when frost, snow, and ice chill windowpanes, curtains are drawn to protect orchids from the cold radiations of the glass. Each morning, as soon as the sun warms the windowpanes, curtains are drawn back in order that plants may have full benefit from the available sunlight. East windows, receiving only morning sun, rarely need to be shaded.

One of the most successful ideas devised by an amateur’s ingenuity is the __plant tea table. Any tea table that is set on casters can be used. On top of the table place decorative trays filled with moist gravel. Set the potted plants on slats above the gravel. That is all there is to it, providing the gravel is kept continuously moist.

In very cold sections of the country a __plant table may have removable glass sides and top which can be set up over the plants. The table may be further improved by using water instead of gravel in the trays. Into the water dunk a flat aquarium heating unit, and plug it into a wall socket on cold nights and days. Water evaporation will be faster and the air will be kept a bit warmer.
Window Box

If a movable table is not desirable, aquarium heaters and chicken-brooder heating units can be adapted to window ledges and shelves. Small heat lamps with reflectors can be installed at the top of a window. The lamps can be controlled by a thermostat and they will heat and light the window at periods when orchids need stimulation. Such supplemental light is beneficial on cloudy and rainy days and is sufficient in intensity to benefit orchids.
Sometimes orchids have been placed in trays of moist gravel set above steam radiators with excellent results. Gas heaters in a home are not always practicable; they dry the air, combustion is often incomplete, and the gaseous products often are poisonous to plants. Before you use a gas heater, check with your gas company. Use only natural gas.

The requirement of orchids for continuously fresh and buoyant air is not so difficult to meet in winter as it sounds. Open any window except that in which the orchids are kept. Don’t open the window enough to create a draft or chill the room, but just enough to keep the room from being stuffy.

In summer most windows will be open anyway, and all that matters then is to protect plants from dry, hot drafts.So How To Keep Orchids Alive..regards

How To Grow Orchids Cattleya

How To Grow Orchids Cattleya – Orchids Cattleya is one of the most beautiful flowers in the world. They can be tough to grow, though, so properly Watering Orchids Cattleya is an important aspect of building them.

A tropical __plant that needs less watering

One of the first things that people do wrong in growing orchids is that they water them too much. Many think because it is mostly a tropical __plant that it needs a lot of water. Many people kill the plant because they over water it. They are very sensitive plants so treating them properly is important.

Watering them once a week is usually the way most quality plants are grown. Depending on the climate and time of year, you may need to do it a little more often.

Too much water at one time

Another problem is that some give too much water at one time. The plant itself should never be left in standing water, or this may also harm it. The best thing to do is to water the plant when it is relatively or wholly dry. They do not like being in a lot of water at one time.

The best time of day for watering orchids cattleya

Some people feel that almost all plants need to be watered when the sun is going down. With these plants, it is important not to water at night. If you do, this could leave a water buildup in the roots which can cause root rot as well as a fungal growth which is a common problem with orchids cattleya. Watering it in the daytime is perfectly fine, preferably before midday so that the water has time to evaporate.

What are essential tips to growing healthy plants

You can usually water the plants once a week. In the summer months, it is best to water them every four to five days depending on the humidity and climate. Make sure you do it in the morning or the early afternoon hours.

This will allow the water to evaporate properly and not leave any moisture residue. Another important aspect when watering orchids Cattleya is to make sure that a person knows all about the particular one that they have. Some may need a little more water and some may not.

The plants also do not do well in soil but seem to grow better in moss or bark environments. It is also important to not use fertilizer or any growth mixture. Surprisingly they are much easier to build than some think, as long as you water them correctly.

What type of water is best

Many people for years have felt that watering orchids with tap water would harm the plants. That is just a myth. Tap water is perfectly fine to use. The temperature of the water, however, is crucial. It must be near room temperature. If the water is too hot or too cold, then it may shock the root system and kill the plant.

Watering orchids properly can help them grow properly

Orchids are very intimidating for some people to become. Watering orchids properly are probably the most important part of growing orchids.so How To Grow Orchids Cattleya..regards..