I have written before of driving around New England as a kid with my parents. We would stop at antique stores for mom and orchid nurseries for dad. My preference was the nurseries.
What I distinctly remember was that antique stores were everywhere. Not so with orchid nurseries. Dad had to comb all manner of sources to locate them.
The orchids for sale were also really expensive, often so costly that Dad would pass them up. Or he would end up buying one or two that he thought he could afford. Mom had a lot more success for a lot less money.
Today, orchids are very inexpensive. And you don’t need to find a nursery in some exotic location to fill your needs. You can find these wonderful and easy-to-grow plants at your grocery store. If you are Outside, you can find them for sale everywhere: supermarkets, gas stations, hardware stores, florists and more.
There is a very simple reason for the drastic drop in prices: something known as mericloning. Simply put, in the old days breeders made exact duplicates of plants and then they split them in two. Now this is done on a cellular level. Thousands and thousands of orchids are multiplied in flasks. The number of plants created is the reason they are so inexpensive.
What this means is orchids are probably more accessible than most other houseplants. Given their low cost, many people simply buy an orchid in bloom and then toss it after they fade. My father would be horrified, but such is one of the results of mericloning.
Orchids are very easy to grow, so given their availability and low cost, you cannot go wrong trying your hand. Here are a few tips to keep yours going so you don‘t need to toss them.
First, orchids generally grow in some sort of coarse bark. One reason is because their roots rot easily if they are constantly wet. So, tip one is to water once a week, at most. My dad watered his every Sunday. All you need to do is take the plant over to a sink and let lukewarm water drain over the bark and roots — some may be on the outside of the pot — for about three minutes. Then place the plant back where it is displayed.
Next, look up your plant on the internet. This is because there are lots of kinds of orchids: Phalaenopsis, Vandas, Cattleya, Cymbidium, Oncidium and Dendrobium. Each likes a slightly different temperature regime. And each requires different aftercare post-flowering.
Phalaenopsis, perhaps the most readily available and easiest to grow, for example, set a bud partway down the flower stalk. You need to know where this bud is so you don’t damage or remove it after the flowers drop off. Some will bloom more than once a year and others only annually. Write the date of blossoming each time on the plant label.
Next, most orchids like a drop in temperature at night. In Alaska, you can achieve this if your grow yours near a window.
And finally, orchids need good light. So, grow them near a south-facing window. Most require 14 hours of light, which means in the winter you will need to so use the lights to get them to re-bloom. I know you have installed some sort of light setup to help your plants through the Alaska winter.
This week, while you shop for food, check out the offerings in the floral department. There are plenty to choose from and while they are cheap enough to toss, it is fun to keep them and maybe start a collection. Trust me, it really is easy.
Jeff’s Alaska Garden Calendar
Alaska Botanical Gardens: Join now. Memberships are inexpensive and well worth it. The Garden appreciates you support!
Houseplants: Check for spider mites under leaves.
Lights: Don’t make me write a column. You know you need a system to help plants through the winter. Nine months is a long time to grow with inadequate light!