Selecting orchids with which the average amateur is likely to succeed presents a rather difficult problem, for different conditions and individuals will be found in each instance.
The problem is more that of the conditions encountered than the varieties chosen, and this applies to the grower and the location where the plants will be grown.
Enthusiasm among gardeners varies. The more sincere it is, the greater the hope for success.
Orchid Culture
The culture of orchids is not difficult if the conditions for their health can be provided.
Some of the requirements are adequate sunlight, a humid atmosphere but avoiding the overwatering of potted material, and a temperature adapted to the plants’ individual needs.
Sunlight Requirements For Orchids
Meeting the conditions suitable to their health is much more difficult in the home than in even a small greenhouse. Sunlight is essential to their health and especially to the production of flowers.
Even in the greenhouse, they must have abundant light, although shading is necessary during the hot months.
If the plants receive insufficient sunlight, they will present a healthy green appearance but will produce no flowers.
There is insufficient sunlight in the average living room unless the plants are placed in a bay window or preferably a solarium.
Wardian Cases
The Wardian case is a great aid in meeting humidity and temperature requirements. In this case, humidity can easily be maintained at the desired 60% to 70% percent, and if the case is placed where the light is good, two of the requisite conditions will have been met.
Temperature can be controlled using an electric bulb, a small heating coil, and a thermostat.
Ventilation of the Wardian case is achieved by raising the lid as needed and permitting air to enter at the bottom of the case.
Orchids To Choose From
One of the first considerations should be the height the orchids will likely attain. One should take into account the relative size of the case.
Incidentally, a well-constructed Wardian case makes it a desirable place to grow small seedling orchids.
However, I wish to caution the average amateur against initially attempting to grow orchids by purchasing small plants exclusively.
Although the small plants may be given favorable conditions, the average person will likely lose much of his enthusiasm for orchids during the 6 to 8 years he’ll have to wait before they bloom.
It certainly is inadvisable for the inexperienced to purchase the little plants in flasks or bottles and then without definite instructions to transplant them into “community pots,” for the loss is likely to be very great and will beget discouragement.
A far better way is for the beginner to purchase a few good, strong, blooming-size plants so he may learn about their care by experience while enjoying some beautiful flowers. Thus, he will become an enthusiast and better able to care for the small seedlings when he does purchase them.
Of course, some small seedlings in 2 1/2-inch pots might be obtained simultaneously as the first adult plants and grown with them in the Wardian case.
Variety of Orchids For Wardian Case
Varieties for the Wardian case should include some cypripediums or Ladyslippers.
These are especially suited to that purpose, being dwarfed, taking up less room, and not only very beautiful but lasting longer in bloom. In general, they are less expensive.
Cypripedium insigne is the least expensive, good plant, sometimes costing even less than $5,00.
The flower is sometimes called the “green orchid,” although other colors are present. It was my first orchid, and I still like it.
Cypripedium Harefield Hall is larger and more colorful, easy to grow, and not expensive. C. Shogun is an improved insigne, like Harefield Hall.
C. HARRISIANUM was the first hybrid cypripedium produced and is a desirable variety that often blooms more than once a year.
It is mahogany with green in the dorsal sepal. C. insigne sanderae is a pretty yellow, and C. maudiae is a beautiful flower that illustrates what nature can achieve with just green and white. It is a favorite corsage flower and has beautiful mottled green leaves.
Cattleyas for Wardian Cases
Cattleyas and their hybrids may be grown in cases if given sufficient room. Species are usually suggested for they are less expensive, and many do not attain the size of some hybrids.
Cattle-skinned is a beautiful free-blooming orchid that does not grow so tall. The flowers are bright orchid shade with a beautiful “sheen” upon the surface of the petals.
This blooms around Easter and Mother’s Day. There is a white type, which is quite expensive, although the orchid colors are not.
C. mossiae and Trixie are always recommended—mossiae flowering about Easter time and trianae from the holidays to January and February. C. labiata and Fabia are good medium size flowers for autumn blooming.
C. PERCIVALIANA is also an autumn variety that, while rather small, is quite colorful and not expensive.
Laelia Aphrodite is a pretty flower with white petals and colored lips, resembles a cattleya in shape, flowers freely about May, and is reasonably priced.
Cattleya Enid is always good and flowers at different times of the year. C. schroederae is a white or faint pink flower with a yellow throat.
It flowers about Easter time and is fragrant. Many other medium-sized varieties might be chosen, but these mentioned are dependable and not expensive.
For Small Greenhouses
Any of the above-mentioned kinds can be grown in the greenhouse with a better promise of success than in a Wardian ease.
There is almost no limit to the kinds which may be chosen. Price, choice of color, and blooming time desired have a wide range. A relatively few are more difficult to grow.
Cattleyas, kielius, and their hybrids with brassavolas are those usually most favored. Cattleya bowringiana, an autumn-flowering species, is one of the easiest to grow.
It blooms on a multi-flowered stem with a medium bright orchid-colored bloom similar to that of C. skinneri. I have had as many as 19 flowers on one stem.
Sturdy Cattleya Varieties
C. gigas is a strong grower. It flowers in early summer—a large, brilliant orchid color with yellow eyes. This is best grown hanging up near the glass.
C. Harold, one of its hybrids with C. GASKELLIANA is a particularly good variety flowering in late spring and early summer.
It is much superior to C. gaskelliana. Laelio-cattleya canhamiana alba is a beautiful white-petaled flower with a deep orchid-colored lip. It flowers in June, just in time for weddings, and is the chosen flower for many brides.
Laelio-cattleya King George is very similar, but a little later. C. Prince Shimadzu is a beautiful orchid-colored flower with much golden yellow in the throat and labellum.
It flowers in autumn. C. Mrs. Myra Peters, an albino with a faint yellow throat, is one of the best whites.
Several other white cattleyas are very fine, but the plants are expensive, and in general, the colored types seem a little sturdier in growth.
The possessor of a well-constructed and heated greenhouse, small though it may be, can choose from a large list of desirable orchids with little chance of failure with any of them.
44659 by Dr. Norman C. Yarian