|
GARDENER'S
READING ROOM
Indoor Plants
Exotic
Orchids
 Tropical
paradises, royal conservatories, debutante corsages…
orchids evoke images of the romantic, the unique, and the
beautiful. The orchid family is actually the largest in the
world, with over 30,000 species and 100,000 hybrids from every
continent except Antarctica.
Most
orchids are epiphytic—they grow on tree trunks and branches.
Others are terrestrial but grow in organic debris rather than
in soil. On average it takes 4-5 years for a plant to reach
blooming size. With proper care, that plant will get continue
to get larger and more floriferous.
For
houseplants, orchid success equals selecting an orchid suited
to the light and temperature in your home. For example, Cattleya
orchids like high light and warm temperatures (75- 85º
F), while Masdevallia orchids like low light and temperatures
of 63-68º. Once you pick a plant that likes your conditions,
the watering and fertilizing requirements are not hard to
meet.
Sky
Nursery is stocking a great selection of orchids, orchid potting
media, specialty fertilizers, and pottery, for everyone from
the beginner to the collector. I invite you to visit—we’ll
gladly show you around and answer your questions. This year
we’ll carry Zygopetalum, Phalaenopsis, Miltoniopsis,
Odontoglossum, Cymbidium, and more! Add some of these fascinating
beauties to your home now!
By Opal Guillotte
Skylights Winter/Spring 2001, Vol 15, No. 1
Other
articles on indoor plants
|
