orchids

The ever-popular orchid is no doubt a favourite due to their amazing variety.

It is estimated there’s an incredible 35,000 wild species of

orchids

throughout the world, with an additional 60,000 hybrid varieties and counting. It is due to this staggering variety that

orchids

are one of the most popular plants around.

Over the centuries

orchids

have been a symbol of love, luxury and beauty. Another bit of orchid trivia is that in the Middles Ages they were used as a remedy for a number of illnesses. They have also been considered an aphrodisiac and a main ingredient in certain love potions, although we don’t recommend brewing up your own orchid tonic.

People get a little scared of growing

orchids

, believing they are expensive and tricky to keep alive. This may be the case with some varieties but there are plenty that are well within the average budget and no more difficult to grow than any other flowering plant.

Cymbidium orchids

Cymbidium orchids

are generally the easiest to grow. They have long lasting waxy flowers with strappy, grass-like leaves. Blooms come in pink, burgundy, cream, yellow and green.

Cymbidiums are traditionally a winter flowering plant but some varieties will flower as early as April with others not until October. With a bit of know-how you can have a cymbidium orchid flowering for up to six months a year.

Expert growing tips from Tony Powell,

orchids

Abloom:

• Position in bright, well ventilated spot such as under a tree or on a patio
• Cymbidiums prefer gentler morning light to the harsher afternoon rays
• Avoid placing cymbidiums on the ground where they are more prone to insect or fungal attacks
• Keeps plants moist but not wet. Water each day in summer and taper off watering as the weather becomes cooler to once a week in winter
• Do not let

  orchids

  sit in a dish of water as this can promote root and fungal rot
• Keep the growing area free of weeds
• Scale and red spider are the main pests of cymbidiums. An insecticide is the best control. Apply in early summer, repeated two weeks later.

Repoting:
If your clump of

orchids

is exploding out of the pot, it’s time to divide and repot. Here’s how:

• Remove from the pot and shake off old orchid mix
• Use a sharp, sterilised cutting tool to separate the bulbs into 2-4 sections, keeping the small back bulbs attached
• Remove any dead bulbs or bulbs with dead or rotting roots
• Clean any pots being re-used, to avoid disease or plant sections into smaller pots
• Fill pot/s one third of the way with orchid potting mix then hold the plant and cover roots with mix and firm down
• Water well and leave space between pots to allow air to circulate.

Phalaenopsis orchids

Commonly known as moth

orchids

,

phalaenopsis

are the most popular

orchids

in the world, accounting for a staggering 75 percent of all orchid plant sales. They have smooth, shiny, large leaves, with flowers that look like moths.

In recent years they have often replaced traditional bridal bouquets because of the beauty and purity of their white flowers. Other moth orchid flower colours include shades of pink, yellow and purple. Expert growing tips from Bill Sieverding, W&E Sieverding:

• Position in a light spot, preferably with a northerly aspect
• From September until March phalaenopsis should receive only diffused sunlight
• Water in the morning and keep the plant moist but not wet
• Fertiliser with a complete liquid fertiliser every third watering but at half the prescribed strength. Wet the foliage as well
• Repot annually in late spring, not necessarily into a bigger pot using special orchid potting mix
• When flowering has finished cut back the flower stem to the lowest flower

Related articles:

Plants In Flower in Summer
Gardenia
Callistemon Bottlebrush
Jasmine - southern stars
Aloe Suprafoliata (always red) - June
Coastal rosemary - Westringia Fruticosa