Confessions of an Orchid Addict

What’s the attraction?BeautyColor

RomanceMystery

Unusual formsPin-head to dinner-plate

size flowers

When you grow orchids in New Hampshire, you have the illusion of the tropics all year.

Our ‘first’orchid

• free from disease• no signs of pests• has the genetic ability

to grow strongly under average conditions

Instant gratification’s ok,

but whatever satisfies your craving, plant should be …

An OA is patient, a little risque, and always prepared

for the unexpected

Orchid Family Tree

• Genus• species/Grex (hybrid)• Cultivar/Clonal Name• Awards, if any• Parents, if hybrid• When, Where, How

Much• Photo

• Cymbidium• Peter Pan• ‘Greensleeves’• HCC/AOS• ensifolium x Miretta• 1988, Shaw’s

Supermarket, $19.99• Cymbidium ensifolium

Aerangis brachycarpa ‘Joanna’ CHM/AOS

Why Have a Grex/Hybrid Name?• Identifies all off-spring of

same two parents

• Registered Grex name validates AOS awards

• Anyone can propose name if she made cross or was first to flower the hybrid

• International Registration Authority at RHS publishes Sanders Listing

• Aerangis Mani’s Star

V. ADT

Ascocenda Kinikia

(easier name to pronounce than its

parents Rakpaibulsombat x

Yip Sum Wah)

Other Database Info

• Temp, light, water requirements

• Repotting, Division Dates• Special media used• Feeding info• Insect prevention and/or

treatment• Bloom Cycle with number

of flowers per inflorescence, etc.

• Awards to our plants

Did I say ‘Death’?

Most orchids are killed by acts of kindness rather than through neglect

Ideal Day/Night temperaturesCool: 68 – 50

Intermediate: 75 - 60Warm: 86 – 68

Who’s got the best advice?

Read all that you can about your orchids

Talk to people at your local orchid society

Don’t be afraid to ask questions and listen to what people say about their experiences

Experiment with a plant or two before trying something new on your whole collection

What works for me MAY NOT work for you

How far will this OA Go?

Size doesn’t matter … does it?

This object of my addiction tells me it needs a bigger greenhouse! …

Ascocenda Dong Tarn ‘Robert’ AM/AOS

Ascocenda Udomchai

‘Orange Crush’

Ascocentrum pusillum

Brassavola tuberculata

Cymbidium Devon Odyssey

den. speciosum

calypso

ls colorful

Oncidium Sharry Baby

red pepper

pat delight hildos

canfield

Vanda Darres’ Golden Heritage

Vanda denisoniana