When You’ve Killed Your Weight in Orchids
There’s a saying that you become an orchid expert when you’ve killed your weight in orchids. Some people wince in horror when I repeat that, but orchid lovers usually just laugh __and nod. Growing orchids means sometimes making mistakes __and killing plants. I’ve grown them for over 25 years, and earned my expert status a very long time ago. Fortunately, my mortality rate is far lower than it once was.
These photos are all orchids I’ve killed. Many are older plants which are long gone. In fact, a few of these photos are a dozen years old. Some died because I watered too much or not enough, forgot to repot, or let pests get out of control. Others died for reasons beyond my control, like raccoon damage, or having a short lifespan. Most importantly, I’ve tried to learn from each of them, even if it was only about the limits of the growing conditions I could provide.
Now, don’t get the idea that I used to run some type of orchid slaughterhouse. I have orchids which have thrived for decades, despite this visual record to the contrary. Whether beginner or expert, all growers need to continue learning. With tens of thousands of species and countless hybrids, orchids are an endless field of knowledge. There are always more mistakes to make, and more orchids to kill.
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Rare Orchid Discovery Halts Aussie Racers
Rare orchid populations have stopped plans for an Australian race park. Orchid lovers found Leafless Tongue Orchids near the planned track. That’s pitted nature lovers against racing fans, but local officials have stated that the building plans had many flaws, including the fact that the area is home to lots of endangered species. The Leafless Tongue Orchid, Cryptostylis hunteriana, is one of many strange Australian plants. It’s a terrestrial found only near the country’s southeastern coast. With no leaves to photosynthesize, it’s believed to draw nutrients from fungi __and decaying leaves. The orchid has been classified as vulnerable __and is protected by Australian law.
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Ground Orchids Bloom in Tough Spots
Spathoglottis, or Ground Orchids, are staples of the tropics. They’re sturdy enough to serve as landscaping plants in shopping plazas, like these orchids on the island of Kauai. Grown alone in pots, or in flowerbeds with other tropicals, they make gorgeous displays.
These terrestrials are easy to keep in the tropics, but hard to grow elsewhere. They need lots of direct sun, warmth, water, __and fertilizer to bloom. For tropical gardeners, __and others with warm greenhouses, there are several species and an ever-expanding number of hybrids to choose from. Many can become large plants, but there are smaller varieties available, too.
The next photo below shows the only one in this post that’s not part of commercial landscaping. The bloom belongs to a wild plant next to a desert stream in Waimea Canyon. The Philippine Ground Orchid, Spathoglottis plicata, has naturalized in Hawaii. Surviving in a hot, dry environment, it’s demonstrating the same toughness that allows its relatives to thrive in a concrete planter near a parking lot. For gardeners in the tropics, Ground Orchids can provide great blooms for tough spots.
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The Orchid Mantis Is Not a Flower
Orchid mantises mimic flowers so well that their lunch flies right to them! Check out two great videos showing these stealthy little predators —
Learn more about orchid mantises in this earlier blog post.
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April Orchid Shows
From Alberta to Maui, from Florida to Queensland, there’s a good chance that an orchid show is nearby this month. Don’t miss these amazing opportunities!
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Hawaii’s Native Species Face Uncertain Future
Among the Hawaiian Islands, Kauai is the last refuge for many of the state’s endangered native flora __and fauna. They face threats from invasive species, habitat loss, pollution, __and climate change. With human help, however, some are recovering and rebounding. During our recent visit, it was a joy to see that many people on the island were working to protect and preserve these rare species. For example, the Hawaiian Monk Seal, dozing in the third photo below, was accompanied by nearby beach volunteers to prevent anyone from disturbing it.
For eons, Hawaiian animals and plants were isolated on the world’s most remote island chain. As the rest of the world has arrived over the past few centuries, native species have faced threats which they had never known. Since many are endemic (found only here,) if they disappear from Hawaii, they’re extinct forever. Sadly, some are already gone. Fortunately, lots of groups like National Tropical Botanical Garden are working to protect Hawaii’s remaining natural heritage.
These photos were taken at McBryde Garden and Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge on Kauai, except for the Hawaiian Monk Seal photo, which was taken at Lawai Beach on the island’s south shore. All of the animals and most of the plants in these photos are threatened with extinction. We’ve never seen any of Hawaii’s three native orchid species, but we’ll keep trying. They’re all very rare and endangered, and conservation efforts for them are continuing. To learn more about Hawaii’s threatened species, explore facts sheets from the state’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife.
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