What's Blooming Now!

This Epidendrum radicans - a native of Mexico - grows like a weed and is nearly always in bloom with these small but pretty purple flowers. There is also a bright orange version. The word epidendrum comes from the Greek epi meaning upon and dendron meaning tree. There are over 1,000 species of epidendrum.

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A hybrid Miltonidium - a cross between a Miltonia and an Oncidium. A similar looking orchid that can be found in most nurseries this time of year is called "Sherry Baby" and smells of chocolate. If you see one, buy it!

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A dendrobium hybrid "Dusty Dawn". The flowers last for weeks. This is on a large plant that has many blossoms along each of the stems. There are over 1,000 species of dendrobiums and countless hybrids.

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A new aquisition - a hybrid cymbidium with large long lasting waxy saffron flowers. No scent but plenty of good looks. These are vigorous growers from India and China. Cymbidium is from the Greek kymbos, meaning boat shaped cup. There are 44 species of cymbidium orchids.

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Hybrid Phalaenopsis "Daniella" Has many buds and will be in bloom until the end of summer. It is in the larger pot in the lower right. Just in front is a small bright yellow hybrid getting ready to bloom. Phalaenopsis is from the Greek phalaina (moth) and opsis (appearance). These are sometimes referred to as moth orchids. There are about 50 species of phalaenopsis.

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Dendrobium aggregatium - a species rather than hybrid - blooms smell faintly of honey and are native to India and Thailand. I've had it growing in a hanging orchid box for 7 years. Dendrobium comes from the Greek dendron meaning tree and bios meaning life.

Species orchids are those that occur in nature. Many species orchids bloom just once a year.

Hybrid orchids are crosses between 2 of the same species or between 2 or more species. Hybrids are grown for color, size, shape, scent etc. They are also grown to increase the number and frequency of blooms and to create more vigorous plants.

Orchids grown from seed - which is best left to the professionals - often take up to 5 years to mature and bloom.

All orchids bloom. It's all about the flower. If you own an orchid that does not bloom, there's a problem. I have a couple of orchids that will not bloom for me and I have not yet figured out why. The leaves and growth are healthy, but they are being stubborn. It could be not enough of or too much of any of the following -or a combination of any of the following: light, food, water, cool temperatures, warm temperatures, elevation and humidity. I find the easiest way to get an orchid to bloom is to threaten it with extinction.