Eco-gardening is at its best in The Monday Garden
ISSUE #38 December 15, 2002
“In My Garden” this week, the orchids, back since Thanksgiving, are a pleasant sight against the snow. This is one of the Potinara ‘Hoku Gem’ that you last saw blooming in July. For me, it rests in the heat of August and September to return with flowers when most needed in early winter. It will continue blooming until my spring bulbs flower and then some.
Two moth orchids (phalaenopsis), a parlor maple (abutilion) and an amaryllis are also blooming. There are also plenty of ferns and some orchids that bloom late winter, so I’m ready for a bad winter. Let it snow!
note: see article in houseplant culture on keeping the humidity up during the winter.
Here's my notes on raising the Potinara ‘Hoku Gem’:This is the best performing house-orchid that I've ever had.
History: purchased from Smith & Hawkins in 1997, has been divided once every year or two since and numerous plants given to friends. In a south window, shaded from summer mid-day sun, blooms almost year–round with rests in August-September (probably too hot) and February-March (probably too little light in December – January to set new buds).
Water: about weekly with ˝ strength fertilizer for tropical flowering plants (middle number highest). A fertilizer especially made for orchids (highest number first) should be used, if at all, only during rest periods. Best way to water: soak submerged for a few minutes. Important: plant should become almost dry between waterings.
Flowering: watch out for mealy bugs on buds and flowers
Bugs: Prone to mealy bugs. Spray with Safer insecticidal soap or a water with a few drops of mild dish washing soap, then rinse. Repeat weekly for several weeks.
Light: needs bright light; can take a lot of sun; watch for burning in mid-day or afternoon sun.
Temperature: This is a medium-temperature orchid that does well in ordinary household temperatures (but not super-cold air conditioning). Like most orchids, it needs a 10-degree drop in night temperatures to bud. This happens naturally on many windowsills.
Air: orchids need circulating air; don’t over-crowd.
Humidity: orchids like humidity. Set over a dish of damp pebbles and sprinkle the moss in the top of the pot daily. It’s also good to wash leaves at least once a week (while watering is fine).
CLICK HERE for more about Phalaenopsis
CLICK HERE for more about orchids generally
Photo credits: Sue Sweeney
© Sue Sweeney 2002
that’s Kerry’s brother, Denny, gracing the table with thePotinara ‘Hoku Gem’. The orchid is the never-fail/no-work; the cat, being a feral male, is more of a challenge but also very rewarding.
Comments (1)
And here’s what readers said:
They truly are gems - mine are not blooming - I guess they already did; however I find myself more and more just liking the shades of greens and shapes of all of mine plants. In the past I always focused on the flower. Thanks again - whenever I look at my garden - I feel grateful to both Roger (perfect husband) and you. Little do you know how you change peoples lives :) Kal (NY)
Such a nice Christmas gift to yourself! Barbara (NY)
I like these, they remind me of Thanksgiving. They look like "cheery" flowers. Anyway thanks for the letter, Happy Holidays everyone! ~*¤KIM¤*~ (ONT)
Monday mornings at work have never been easy for me. This past Monday morning was particularly dreary weather-wise. With the advent of the Internet, Monday a.m. now includes going through a ton of junk email with one finger on the delete button. So "In my Garden" hits my monitor when it's needed most; Monday morning. This past Monday a beautiful Orchid! (along with an extremely useful article). ….. I need all the help I can get on Mondays. Yours is especially appreciated. Jack (CT)
Love your weekly emails. Brad (NY)
Posted by Sue Sweeney | February 27, 2005 3:45 PM
Posted on February 27, 2005 15:45