Hanging around with orchids
By Elizabeth Licata
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A Stanhopea in a natural setting,
at the Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens. |
When I visited the Orchid Show, before I even got to the prize-winners, I was stopped in my tracks by the greenhouse just beyond the new Florida habitat. Here, the Society, in conjunction with Gardens staff, has created an actual orchid habitat, where you can get some idea of how these plants exist in the wilds of Southeast Asia, Ecuador, Australia, Fiji, Japan, and, oh yes, Florida. Here’s where you’ll see that orchids don’t actually come in neatly arranged rows of pots—which has been pretty much the extent of the orchid display here for years. Until now. Society volunteers came up with the idea of using downed locust branches from last year’s storm as a durable framework from which to hang the plants (many of which draw moisture from the air, not the ground). Now a variety of cultivars peek out from an attractive curtain of Spanish moss. The Society also helped pay for the misting system that fogs the air here every morning.
They’ve also donated many plants and help grow more. A group of ten or so come in every Wednesday to take care of the plants on display as well as cultivate dozens of fledgling orchids in two behind-the-scenes greenhouses. “We have a number of very good growers,” says Society member John Kociela, explaining that different members specialize in the various types of orchids, the most popular of which include cattleya (often used for corsages), dendrobiums (many gorgeously scented), miltonia (which look like pansies), and phalaenopsis (moth orchids, the easiest for the novice to grow, and widely available).
Many of the members of Society, including president Joe DiDomenico, have traveled to look at the plants in their native habitats, which adds to their knowledge and ability to help the Gardens.
Although the Orchid Show is long over, the new orchid display in the Florida habitat is now open and even more potted orchids are massed along the shelves of the tropical flower greenhouse. You can also create your own private orchid habitat at home. Orchids, like all living things, have specific needs, but they aren’t that hard to grow, especially if you start with some less demanding cultivars, like the phalaenopsis. It doesn’t need as much sunlight as the others, and will thrive in average home temperatures. When asked about the three biggest mistakes a novice orchid grower can make, Society member Sue Charles answers instantly: overwatering, not enough light, and overpotting (orchids should fit comfortably in their posts, without excess potting medium, not soil—it is a special mix of small rocks, bark, peat moss, and other organic media. She also recommends the use of a tray filled with water; the pots can be placed on a rack above it, allowing air circulation and humidity.
Here’s another tip on how to become a successful orchid grower: join the Niagara Frontier Orchid Society! The monthly meetings feature guest speakers, plant show-and-tells, discussions, and access to the text and electronic resources of the club.
Elizabeth Licata is editor of Buffalo Spree and writes for two garden blogs: allentowngardener.com and gardenrant.com. Visit buffalonyorchids.com for more information about the Society and check buffalogardens.com to see what’s happening at the Botanical Gardens.
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