Archive for the ‘orchids’ Category
Tuesday, December 15th, 2009
Everyone may have a favorite flower that holds special meaning, but orchids have long been a popular choice. Introduced to the Victorian society more than one hundred years ago, orchids are one of the most exquisite flowers available.
Orchids are available in four different varieties. Epiphytes – cling to the tree as they grow Lithophytes – known for growing on rocks. Saprophytes – grow in leaf litter. Terrestrials – grows in sand.Between these four categories, you will discover that there is an abundant number of distinct plants.
Native orchid species number more than 20,000 known species, which leaves us to believe that may be many not discovered yet. In addition to the native species, over 100,000 hybrids have been created artificially with cultivators. It has been a busy one hundred years for the orchid family.
Orchids often have the reputation for being difficult to grow, but this can be misleading. Some orchids do indeed require tender loving care. But many are very hardy. Some orchids prefer the high heat and humidity traditionally associated with this family of plants. But others will do just fine in cooler, dryer conditions. The range of light, temperature and growing conditions is another reflection of the variety of natural conditions in which they’re found.
Tags: flowers, gardening, hobbies, home and family, tropical flowers
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Thursday, September 24th, 2009
by Sarah Duke
It’s quite amazing how the desirability of the blue dendrobium orchid is rising at such a fast rate. Then again, maybe it is not so surprising. It forms gorgeous and long-lasting blooms in dramatic shades of blue and is a striking complement to any floral arrangement. It is also a favorite of most orchid growers, and it is interesting to note that this lovely flower is becoming a highly stylish house plant too.
The blue dendrobium boasts a rich history. It’s native to the Philippines where it grows as a natural species. It is rather similar in appearance to certain moths that fly all around in the wilds of that nation. However a transformation has happened in the blue dendrobium that is on the market these days in comparison with the traditional flowers that grow in their natural habitat. The present-day kind is a cross that is actually a good deal more dramatic in coloring than its long-established predecessor.
The blue dendrobium orchid is in fact somewhat rare and there are a few types that are even endangered. This is primarily because their native environs have been spoiled. But you can cultivate this lovely orchid in your own home provided that you possess determination, diligence and the proper information with regard to how to raise these blooms.
Tags: blue dendrobium orchid, flowers, gardening
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Tuesday, April 28th, 2009
by Jill Luning
Orchids are very popular plants in Indonesia and easy to find in every island, you do not have to go to the jungle to see them. That is one of the reasons why Indonesia chose Phalaenopsis amabilis as one of our national flowers. Orchids are notoriously lavish blooms that can add glitz and glamour to your walk down the aisle. Simply gorgeous wedding flowers. Orchids dislike sudden change in temperature, however a difference of 10 C – 20 C between day and night temperature is beneficial. The best suitable range is 18 C to 30 C, proper ventilation is must to provide fresh air and also helps in reducing the temperature.
Orchids are found throughout the world from the tropics to the subarctic zone. However, the orchid-richest areas are the tropics and subtropics. Orchids, like tulips , have become a major market throughout the world. Buyers now bid hundreds of dollars on new hybrids or improved ones. Orchids have few insect pests or diseases if properly cared for. It is important to have a problem identified before attempting control. Orchids native to temperate and arctic regions usually grow in soil or leaf litter. They generally have tuberous or bulbous roots which store moisture and nutrients.
Tags: a, f, flower garden, flower pots, flowers, flowers as gifts, g, garden, gardening, h, hobbies, home & family, house plants, o, orchid care, orchid plants, orchid types, plants, r
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Monday, July 21st, 2008
by Sarah Michaels
Lets get started! First you must get your new pot ready. Repotting orchids is pretty easy if you do the right thing. If you decide to use an old pot or recycled pot for your orchids – you need to prepare the pot itself. You can get a used/old pot ready by soaking it with a little bleach and water concoction. Once you have soaked it – make sure you rinse it off, and let it dry completely over a few days. If the pot is new – just soak it in water for 10-15 minutes.
After the pot is ready, you need to get the inside ready with a good-sized layer of plastic foam. The plastic foam peanuts work great when repotting orchids. Place the peanuts at the bottom of the pot. It helps the new repotted orchid’s roots get adequate drainage. This is important for your orchid to thrive. You can also wet the potting mix. It is best to do that with boiling water. Let the soil set and cool back down. Then add the soil to the pots.
Tags: family, flowers, garden, gardening, orchid care, orchid hobby, orchid repotting, plant, plants, repotting orchids
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Tuesday, July 8th, 2008
by David Wade
The question is as old as time: “Why are orchids so highly prized?”. Orchids, delicate, exotic and difficult to grow have more than 20,000 species. In the early 1900′s, orchids were worn chiefly in corsages by elegant ladies who could afford the price of the lavender-hued cattelyas.
Orchids have a taste of the luxury and exotic to them. A smart man will do well by buying his date a corsage made of various orchids. It is a sign of timeless class and elegance. The bridal shops have grabbed a hold of the orchid has a standard of excellence. Part of their charm is the variety in coloring, shape, spotting, and species. The Vanda Orchid is not the most common – but it has a fun and memorable look of a cute face.
Vanda Orchids – What Are They?
Vanda orchids have five petals. Several blooms may be grow forth from a single stem. Some of the rarest blue orchids species are Vandas. They are often seen growing on tree bark. Vanda orchids originate from places like the Himalayas, parts of New Guinea and Australia. Orchid hobbyists prefer to grow Vanda Orchids in baskets. Their depth of color ranges from deepest blues and purples to white with thousands of spots.
Tags: gardening, orchid species, planting, types of orchdis, vanda orchids, vanda species
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Sunday, July 6th, 2008
by Eve Robinson
Why do we value the orchid so highly? The question has been asked for generations and yet the answer is in the elegent, delicate and exotic nature of orchids. They can be difficult to grow without the proper information and with 20,000 species, the specifics can be daunting. And yet, the prize flowers have been used for centuries as corsages.
Orchids have a taste of the luxury and exotic to them. A smart man will do well by buying his date a corsage made of various orchids. It is a sign of timeless class and elegance. The bridal shops have grabbed a hold of the orchid has a standard of excellence. Part of their charm is the variety in coloring, shape, spotting, and species. The Vanda Orchid is not the most common – but it has a fun and memorable look of a cute face.
Vanda Orchids – What Are They?
Vanda orchids have five petals. Several blooms may be grow forth from a single stem. Some of the rarest blue orchids species are Vandas. They are often seen growing on tree bark. Vanda orchids originate from places like the Himalayas, parts of New Guinea and Australia. Orchid hobbyists prefer to grow Vanda Orchids in baskets. Their depth of color ranges from deepest blues and purples to white with thousands of spots.
Tags: gardening, orchid species, planting, types of orchdis, vanda orchids, vanda species
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Saturday, July 5th, 2008
by Mark Smith
The question is as old as time: “Why are orchids so highly prized?”. Orchids, delicate, exotic and difficult to grow have more than 20,000 species. In the early 1900′s, orchids were worn chiefly in corsages by elegant ladies who could afford the price of the lavender-hued cattelyas.
Orchids have a taste of the luxury and exotic to them. A smart man will do well by buying his date a corsage made of various orchids. It is a sign of timeless class and elegance. The bridal shops have grabbed a hold of the orchid has a standard of excellence. Part of their charm is the variety in coloring, shape, spotting, and species. The Vanda Orchid is not the most common – but it has a fun and memorable look of a cute face.
The Vanda Orchid
Does your orchid have 5 pedals? It may be a Vanda Orchid. They have 5 petals and come in a range of colors from royal blues and purples to elegant whites with a multitude of spots. You may also notice multiple blooms on a single stem. Some of the rarest orchids are the blue orchids – many of these are Vanda Orchids – or some hybrid of the Vanda Orchid. They also are known for blooming from tree bark, which you could see in nature throughout the Himalayas, New Guinea, and even down under in Australia. Baskets are a great place for Vanda orchids to grow – and many hobbyist use baskets.
Tags: gardening, orchid species, planting, types of orchdis, vanda orchids, vanda species
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Wednesday, June 25th, 2008
by Shelia Miller
Ahh, the joy of orchid gardening. It is a pastime that has been around for ages. With such beauty and variety in the orchids, the options for gardening are endless. With so many different types of orchids (28,000 + the hybrids), it is hard to find a guide that can answer everything. The basics below are just that – the basics and they should hold true for any species.
Orchid Gardening Tip #1 – Care Is Required
One thing that you must understand is that while orchid gardening is not difficult, it must be undertaken with great care. This is why many people who are just getting started with orchid gardening find that while they are able to keep their orchids alive, they are unable to get them to bloom. Herein lies the reason why you should choose an easy type of orchid.
Orchid Gardening Tip #2 – Choosing The Right Orchid
Choosing the right orchid is important. For a beginning orchid gardener, you may want to start with one such as the Cymbidum, to work with. Doing so will provide for a much more rewarding experience.
Tags: exotic flowers, gardening, green house, grow orchids, orchid, orchid care, orchid gardening, plants
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Wednesday, January 23rd, 2008
by Jamie Christianson
One very popular flower is the orchid. Most likely the reason for this is its exotic look. And even more unique, in the orchid family, is the black orchid. The black orchid’s genus name is bulbophyllum. This specific orchid belongs within a species that can vary greatly with their appearance.
The name bulbophyllum originates from both the Latin and the Greek. The latin “bulbus” means bulb-like and the greek, “phyllon” meaning leaf are descriptive of its form. This exotic plant is the largest genus in the Orchidaceae or Orchid family, as well as being one of the the largest in the entire plant kingdom. Numbering at about 1805 species, the study of the black orchid is no small feat.
There are many different species of the bulbphyllum, and they can greatly vary in their form, look, smell, environment, and growth pattern. Identifying this plant can be diffucult, and most of the time is done by looking at the specifics and the structure of the flowers of the plant.
Tags: floral, flowers, gardening, hobbies, home, nature, plants, recreation
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