ORCHIDS & EXOTIC PLANTS
Orchid & Succulent Arrangements
These one-of-a-kind arrangements are exclusively created by Sandra Charles, Orchid Greenhouse volunteer, and available for sale at the San Mateo Arboretum Society Orchid Greenhouse. Various types of orchids are accented with succulents & planted in Canary Date Palm Tree frond base/planter.
Paphiopedilum (aka Paphs) is a genus of the Lady Slipper orchid subfamily Cypripedioideae. These sympodial orchids lack pseudobulbs instead they grow robust shoots, each with several leaves. Each new shoot only blooms once when it is fully grown, producing a raceme between the fleshy, succulent leaves. Allow to dry out slightly too moderately before watering. Place the plants in or near a sunny window.
Stanhopea ‘Wardii’: Bloom period is fall to winter with 3 to 10 flowers that may last 2-4 days. Flowers are 5″ wide and very pleasant and clean fragrant. Plant should be grown in shade, kept warm and watered regularly. Plants are usually grown in baskets in sphagnum moss or in medium fir because of its pendant flowers. The fragrance of the Stanhopea is rather intense lemon/citrus at first.
Bc. Momilani Rainbow: A terrific grower and bloomer with an exceptional soft peach-yellow with pink splash color. Cool/Warm temp tolerant. Multiple blooms on the inflorescence, plant stands about a foot tall is one the most rewarding plants to grow. Fall/Winter bloomer and does not require as much light to get it to flower.
Phalaenopsis (aka Phals) are one of the easiest orchids to grow in the home. Watering will depend on the potting medium. Bark retains less water than moss. If your Phal is potted in bark watering once a week is generally sufficient. If your plant is potted in moss, water when the top feels dry. If any water remains in the crown (where the leaves join in the center) use a paper towel to blot the water to avoid crown rot. They grow best in an east window and can be grown in a south or west window if protected by a sheer curtain. Phals the same temperatures we do – above 60º F at night and a range of 70º F to 80º F or higher during the day. Feed weakly (half strength of balanced fertilizer) weekly works well. When the blooms are finished, cut the spike down to the level of the leaves leaving two nodes (those little brown lines on the stem below where the flowers were) on the stem. The plant will bloom with larger flowers and a strong stem within a year.
Oncidium “Sharry Baby” orchids are great for beginners and orchid experts alike. The flowers appear to be soft and delicate, but the petals actually have a firm, almost leathery feel to them. Just like chocolate, they can be very addictive. Their scent is a wonderful chocolate scent floating up from dozens of tiny blossoms.
Nepenthes: Popularly known as tropical pitcher plants or monkey cups, are a genus of carnivorous plants. Nepenthes species certainly attract and kill their prey through active production of sugary nectar and sweet scents. They like bright light without much direct sun. Do not allow them to dry out completely. They benefit from moist media and occasional flooding to wash away any accumulated salts. After situating the plant where it is to grow, add a little water to the pitchers, about 1/2- 3/4 inch. Pitchers and leaves die naturally as the plant grows and these should be trimmed off, pruning the green stems back to encourage side shoots and a fuller plant.
Cattleya Patricia Lines (C. Barbara Billingsley x C. Bob Betts) 1957: Heirloom, great winter/spring bloomer with 6”+ white/yellow lip, excellent shape, very fragrant long lasting blooms, a good grower.