Winter Orchid Dreaming

Culture

by Susan Taylor

Originally published in BellaOnline

Posted by Sys Admin over 11 years ago.

Article Blog   Article Index

Orchid growing is somewhat like any other gardening – January and February are very slow months! Unlike outside gardeners in temperate climates, though, we are constrained by the problems of cold weather shipping and delivery rather than the growth of most of the plants we grow. During the coldest months, many growers will take orders for later delivery, but hesitate to ship even with cold packs during the coldest months.

So now is the time for us to look through those catalogs, review what plants we already have and how they’re growing and look seriously at what we might want to grow for the coming year. Each of us has slightly different conditions and some plants grow better than others under those conditions.

What is really doing well for you? If you like them, consider growing more of those kinds of plants. Look through the catalogs and see if you can find similar crosses and the chances are that they will also do well under your conditions.

What is really not doing well? If this is something that you really love and want to grow, then look at your conditions and see if you can change them slightly so that the plants will do better. Until you figure that out, it’s probably better not to buy any more of them.

Is there something new that you want to grow and see if it will do for you? Develop an “Orchid Wish List” to take with you to orchid shows. If they are displayed there, talk to the owner and find out what kind of conditions he or she has to get some idea how that particular orchid likes to grow. Check out pricing from online vendors before you go so that you will have an idea of what you should be willing to pay for a plant. Many times it is less expensive to buy at a show because you’re not paying extra for shipping.

Take some time to clean up your growing area and your plants. Stake new growth and clean up old dry growth. Wipe down leaves to remove residue and dust and allow the plant to better absorb the available light. This will also help remove any pests that have moved into your plants. Make a list of the plants that you are going to need to repot in the spring and make sure that you have the supplies necessary to do so. Buying supplies at this time of year is a good investment. There are generally sales from the vendors who cannot ship plants during the cold months.

Share on Social Media:  
Log in to Add a Comment

New Topics

  1. Jeanne Uzar Hudson asked question Meetings for Advanced Growers in category General Discussion
  2. kevan gregory asked question how difficult is it growing from seed in category General Discussion
  3. Carmen Britton asked question Information in category General Discussion
  4. Jeanne Uzar Hudson asked question Repotting Large Cattleyas in category Cattleya Alliance
  5. Nancy Shapiro asked question Where did you find this type of orchid pot? in category General Discussion

New Comments

  1. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on topic "Repotting Large Cattleyas" by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  2. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Paph. malipoense by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  3. William Gorski commented on topic "how difficult is it growing from seed" by kevan gregory
  4. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Information " by Carmen Britton
  5. Carol Holdren commented on member plant C. lueddemanniana var. Coerulea, Venosa by Paulo Fiuza
  6. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on topic "Banrot 40WP" by Therese Stecher
  7. Maria Lucia Prieto Real commented on orchid Rlc. Village Chief Armani
  8. Mariana Chacon commented on orchid Gom. Jiaho Queen
  9. Roberto Lizama commented on member plant Max. dillonii by Roberto Lizama
  10. Nancy Speedy commented on scheduled event "2024 Orchid show Martin County "Ocean of Orchids"" by Martin County Orchid Society
  11. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Paph. Fanaticum by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  12. R .Benson commented on member plant Den. Tianmu Green Elf 'Sweetheart' by R .Benson
  13. Alice Walker commented on article "Oeniella polystachys" by Tom Kuligowski
  14. Kathryn Kersey commented on scheduled event "Boca Raton Orchid Society Show & Sale" by Boca Raton Orchid Society
  15. BJ Lough commented on member plant Asctm. miniatum by BJ Lough
  16. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Where did you find this type of orchid pot?" by Nancy Shapiro
  17. Carol Holdren commented on topic "What is the culture for Cattliante Chongkolnee" by Mike Minney
  18. Linda Thorne commented on member plant Paphiopedilum Munchkin Mopsi Aru by Linda Thorne
  19. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Orchids wanted St.Croix usvi" by Charles H Wood
  20. William Gorski commented on topic "Is this a species or Primary Hybrid?" by William Gorski