The Enchanting World of Orchids
One of the world's most beautiful blooms, orchids have a way of mesmerizing gardeners and turning them into passionate collectors of the showy epiphyte
Collectors of one of the most beautiful blooms in the world talk about their addiction to orchids and what it takes to grow this amazing epiphyte, plus where to buy the perfect orchid.
Tom Uhler first fell in love with orchids in much the same way that many orchid lovers do. The president of SanibelCaptiva Orchid Society received one as a gift back in 2000. It
was a Dendrobium given to him as a housewarming present. “I still have the survivors of that plant,” says Uhler.
From then on his love of orchids became a life- long obsession. Uhler now has 160 orchids of his own, including Cattleyas ( often used in corsages and wedding bouquets), Dendrobiums ( the second largest orchid genus in the world), Phalaeonopsis ( one of the easiest orchids to grow in the home), Vanda ( known for its showy and fragrant flowers), and several other genera.
“Orchids truly are addictive,” says Uhler, who along with 44 other members of the Sanibel- Captiva Orchid Society, meet on a monthly basis to discuss ( obsess over) everything from growing award- winning orchids to learning about native orchids, such as the Grass Pink orchid ( colors range from pink to white) and the Orange Fringeless orchid ( flowers yellow to orange).
No matter the species, orchids are colorful, delicate, exotic, fragile, mysterious and beautiful, and so it’s little wonder that many are so taken with orchids. In fact, this obsession is well captured in the book, The Orchid Thief, by Susan Orlean. The story, set in South Florida, is about poaching wild orchids. In fact, the Ghost Orchid, an epiphyte ( a plant that grows on a host plant) featuring three white petals and three sepals as well as a network of roots, was made even more popular by the book. This rare gem generally blooms between June and August at the Audubon Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples.
All orchid species are popular indeed. In fact, they are the second most popular potted plant behind poinsettia. No doubt their popularity is due to the aforementioned attributes, as well as the fact that orchids are quite adaptable and savvy. “I would have to add that orchids are one of the most highly intelligent plants,” says Anita Force Marshall, head gardener of the Botanical Gardens ( established in 2009) at the Sanibel Moorings resort, a garden filled with six acres of vegetation including orchids, hibiscus, citrus, palms and other native plants.
Orchids live off other plants, while pollinators go through acrobatics to pollinate them,” adds Marshall. Orchids often use nectar to attract their pollinators ( typically bees, wasps and flies), but they also utilize color, shape and fragrance. They also can mimic the flowers of other plants. Besides their high IQ, in the plant world that is, orchids are lucky in other ways. “They are lucky enough to have the human species hunting, buying and adoring them, which in turn, protects them,” says Marshall, who cares for the 50 or more Dendrobiums, Laelia/ Cattleya, Vandas, Encyclia tampensis, Vanilla planifolia and Phalaenopsis orchids that can be found throughout the botanical gardens.
In addition to the popular orchid types that can be purchased at local nurseries, such as the Cattleya, Epidendrum, Phalaenopsis and Vandas, there is a group of exotic ones.
The Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, a seven- acre garden and campus in Sarasota, has two rare orchids in particular: Epidendrum ilense from Ecuador and Gongora boracayanense from Costa Rica. Cal Dodson, the first executive director of the Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, discovered the Epidendrum ilense in 1977. This rare orchid is prized for its showy and exotic appearance. “This orchid is so beloved, that is has become a parent to many hybridized versions which are now readily available commercially, including the Epidendrum Annelie Wans and the Epidendrum Plastic Doll,” says Bruce Holst, director of botany at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
The exotic flowers of the Gongora boracayanense closely resemble wasps in flight. “Other than Costa Rica, this orchid is not known to grow anywhere else in the world,” adds Holst, who says that it was discovered in 2003 during a botanical inventory of a remote cloud forest on a private wildlife refuge in Costa Rica.
While all orchids are part of a large family of flowering plants, the Orchidaceae, all species of orchids differ in their growing requirements. There isn’t a one- size- fits- all for each species. “The trick is to determine the growing needs of the plant and then deliver those needs,” says Uhler, who explains that each type has different water and sunlight requirements. “An orchid from the mountains of Himalaya is unlikely to be happy on Sanibel; one which requires a dry summer season is likewise not likely to survive here, to say nothing of flowering,” says Uhler.
Generally speaking, one should water orchids only when they are on the verge of drying out, give them good air circulation, feed them a very dilute fertilizer solution on a regular basis, watch out for bugs and snails, and know how much light they need. For example, Cattleyas require a good amount of light, whereas Phalaenopsis require low light.
Local nurseries such as Sundance Orchids & Bromeliads in Fort Myers and Florida SunCoast Orchids in Myakka City offer a wide selection of orchids and other plants, as well as a good amount of information on their websites about the growing requirements for a variety of species. Plus, since these nurseries specialize, the staffs are knowledgeable about orchids.
“One can also contact or join a local orchid society, go to an orchid show or visit an orchid conservatory,” said Robert Fesq, a longtime member of the Southwest Florida Orchid Society, a group of 50 orchid lovers who meet in Fort Myers on a monthly basis. The local orchid societies have orchid shows, while nurseries, gardens and conservatories offer tours, lectures and even classes. UF Extension is also a good resource for plant and garden questions.
For those who want to add orchids to their homes or gardens, it’s best to figure out first where the orchid will go— outdoors or indoors— and then figure out what kind of light is offered in the space, before making a purchase. Or one can always find the orchid they love, and then figure out where it might thrive best.
Because we live in a frost- free zone— zone 10a subtropical, according to the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map— orchids can grow well outdoors in Southwest Florida. “They take care of themselves and live free range and wild in our garden,” says Marshall, who explains that orchids readily enjoy shady canopy evergreen host plants. Sanibel Moorings Botanical Garden’s preference for these host plants is mahogany trees, a medium to large tree that can grow up to 75 feet with a 50- foot spread and a trunk that can range from 3 to 4.5 feet in diameter. Typically, the tree is 40 to 50 feet tall.
“One should first secure the orchids with gardener’s stretchy tape for at least one year; stability is their first security need,” says Marshall, who explains that once an orchid’s roots have grown around the host plant, orchid lovers can enjoy their beautiful bloom and watch their growth each year. Orchids can also be grown in the ground or planted in pots.
Of course, growing orchids indoors is a popular choice. Many love to fawn over their beautiful color, style and, sometimes, fragrance, on their windowsills, countertops and end tables. “The variety of orchids is truly amazing, with a range of colors, sizes and patterns unmatched in the plant kingdom,” says Uhler, who explains that most orchids are actually not all that fragrant.
Many that do produce fragrance, do so only during certain times of the day. Plus, if they do provide fragrance, it might not be all that sweet. One example is the Yosemite bog orchid, found in Yosemite National Park. This yellow flowering orchid is well known for its foul odor.
If you are thinking of purchasing or collecting orchids, a few good ones to start with are the Phalaenopsis and the Cattleya. The Phalaenopsis orchid can be found at most places that sell orchids, such as a grocery store. The beauty of the Phalaenopsis is that they stay in flower for a long time ( often months) and are extremely attractive. Phalaenopsis can be grown indoors in natural or artificial light and outdoors in a shaded area. Cattleya orchids are also a good choice. “They are dependable growers and are relatively easy to reflower,” says Uhler. They require a good amount of light and enjoy both indoor and outdoor locations.
While orchids are fascinating in so many ways, the biggest reason most people are drawn to them is decidedly the showy, elegant flowers they offer. “After all, one doesn’t go to Corkscrew swamp to see the Ghost Orchid when it is not in bloom, in spite of the fact it is a fascinating leafless orchid,” says Fesq, who has over 150 orchids of his own. Fesq’s collection includes: Phalaenopsis, Dendrobiums, Vandas, Oncidiums, Encyclias, Cymbidiums, Bulbophyllums and Stanhopeas, among others. Although Fesq may not be able to name a favorite, he admits, “The most spectacular is the Stanhopea wardii, a spotted yellow beauty that once boasted 39 five- inch blossoms.” Ann Marie O’Phelan is a resident of Southwest Florida, who writes about a variety of local topics and enjoys boating, dining and all things tropical.