INTRODUCTION
Orchids
are probably the most famous type of flower in the plant kingdom. They are
a very large group of plants and account for a large percentage of the
total number of flowering plant species in the world. Many preconceptions
and connotations surround them. There are associations with wealth,
mystique, exotic countries and steamy jungles. They have been the subject
of countless documentaries, books of both fact and fiction and even
featured in an elaborate James Bond film plot ("Moonraker"). So we'll need
to be rich, have big, hot glasshouses and spend days on end pampering them
in some way?
Well, as ridiculous as this seems, these are still
the popular beliefs of those who have not attempted to grow these plants.
Sadly there is more myth than fact when it comes to these plants but
orchid growers and hobbyists are setting the record straight. In this
introduction I will provide my opinions and answers to the common
questions and preconceived ideas and try to get you to look at them in a
different way; after all, they are only plants..
"Orchids are expensive"
It's true,
some are very rare and others still trade on the associations mentioned
earlier but orchids are not that expensive. Many can be purchased as young
plants at a lower price and some are now being mass produced. The
economies of scale in such ventures are driving down the costs and
sensibly priced plants are available. The bottom line is that most orchids
we grow are from sub-tropical and tropical regions of the world so in
temperate climates some heat is needed. Add to this the fact that most
orchids take from three to six years to flower from seed and sometimes
almost as long when vegetatively propagated and the price seems
reasonable. The plant has been cared for, for many years in order to
produce that stunning display of flowers and that care is what we are
paying for.
For many the beauty of orchids and their sheer
impressiveness over other flowering plants is unquestionable and
unassailable. It is this stunning display that rewards the grower and
makes the extra cost easily justified. Having said that, it never ceases
to amaze me how the cost of simpler, cooler growing and even completely
hardy plants is soaring. I am a big fan of hardy perennials and also
summer bedding plants but just look at the price of a few Geraniums
(Pelargoniums) or a strip of Petunias these days. It's shocking.
"Don't I need a
greenhouse?"
Perhaps. It depends on how hooked you become!
Many can be grown indoors and if just a few plants are favoured then
indoor growing is a sensible introduction.But a word of warning : these
plants are addictive. Few people set out to grow large collections in big
greenhouses from the word go. Most buy a plant or two to try them out and
once the plants have started to bloom, the bug can bite. As mentioned,
some may be satisfied with a few good plants on a windowsill but many soon
find themselves running out of windows.
The progression to
greenhouse or conservatory growing is a personal choice. Indoor growing is
a good start and many exciting plants can be easily cultivated on
windowsills. Maybe you have a conservatory that just houses a table and
chairs or is used like a shed? This is the sad fate of far too many
conservatories! These structures were invented by the Victorians for the
very purpose of growing impressive collections of tropical plants that
could be shown off and enjoyed. What a shame we seem to have forgotten
this.
"I haven't got time
to look after them"
Can you spare four minutes a week?
Orchids do not need constant attention. They just need a quick look over
which can be done when watering and most will only need watering twice a
week in summer and once per week in winter. Some do need more regular
watering and some may require twice daily attention but if you haven't got
the time for this then simply choose a variety that suits your needs. Some
may require a dry period referred to as a "rest" but this is not difficult
and is not necessary for all plants. Other than watering, occasional
feeding with a liquid fertiliser and a repot every 2-3 years, they need no
other intervention. If you are exceptionally busy then choosing varieties
that like to dry out between watering rather than being moist all the time
will probably be a better choice.
"So why are they considered difficult"
Because
they flower. Quite simply, orchids are no more or less difficult than your
average "Birds Nest Fern", Cheeseplant (monstera), Diffenbachia (leopard
lily), Ficus (rubber plant) etc. The difference is that these plants are
grown for their foliage and not their flowers. Plants need to be satisfied
in order to flower. Even most "foliage" houseplants will flower if grown
well. How much growth does your palm put on each year? A couple of new
fronds? This is all because most houseplants are not being grown in the
best way. They too require the correct light, temperature, water and
compost to thrive. Just an annual re-pot does most a world of good.
Everyone has success and failures with their houseplants. If a plant is
not growing well then work out why. Adding more water or putting the plant
in direct sunlight are the most common responses but these are rarely the
correct solutions. It may be a problem with light, too much water, too
little water, or sour old compost to suggest a few. A degree of neglect is
usually the cause so just a few extra minutes a week attending to your
plants is probably all that is required.
Orchids are grown for
their flowers so we are not impressed by a few new leaves each year. As a
result, people label them "difficult" and "fussy" because they don't get
flowers. We just need to pay more attention to getting the growing regime
right and then the plant will thrive with minimal attention from the
grower. After all, nature has honed these plants through millions of years
of evolution and we have sped this up even more through hybridization;
they hardly need our help! We just need to give them the correct
environment and they will do the rest.
"My houseplants are lousy so how am I going to
succeed with orchids?"
By selecting plants that are suited
to your conditions. We are all guilty of impulse buying and acquiring
plants that are not suited to the conditions we can provide. This is true
of the simplest bedding plants to garden perennials and houseplants. What
looks good is not necessarily the best plant for the conditions and we
cannot always have the exact plant we want in the exact location we want
it. This may sound like common sense, and it is, but it is the No 1 rule
when buying all types of indoor and outdoor plants but it also the most
ignored. If you can't provide the high heat and humidity required by that
Vanda then don't buy it unless you like its leaves! If you've got a shady
conservatory then seek out the shade loving plants. If you have a
windowsill that receives hot, direct sunlight then get a plant that likes
intense light and heat. Take note of the watering requirement and get into
a watering routine. Remember that all plants are different and they cannot
all be watered in the same way.
"I was thinking of growing orchids."What's the best way to
start?"
Evaluate your conditions and pay attention to
temperature, light and water and then select the plants that are suited to
those conditions, and that you like. You shouldn't have to grow a plant
you don't want to. It is also a misconception that young plants are the
best way to start. Young plants can often be a real bargain, are seen as a
cheaper option and it is rewarding to grow them to flowering size but a
selection of sizes will provide some plants that will flower more quickly.
Waiting several years for seedlings to flower may result in a very bored
grower! A selection of sizes and varieties, all suited to the conditions
will give the most interest and reward. Once plants have been successfully
flowered then the grower can evaluate their success and may decide to
concentrate on a particular genera. For many, it will become a life-long
hobby.
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