Book Review: 'Tropical Slipper Orchids' by Harold Koopowitz

Earlier this week, I had 2.5 hours to myself and I thought I'd sit at a local Starbucks and read. The problem was I had nothing to read and I convinced myself I needed to get that 'slipper' book I had been coveting for some time. So, I did, and $78 later I was glued to its pages while I sipped a vanilla latte.

This is a nice book. Koopowitz does a nice job of relaying information about Paphiopedilum and Phragmepedium from many angles. He discusses the culture methods of various growers, which I really liked. The pictures are wonderful and include many in sutu pics. If you are serious about growig Phrags or Paphs, then I would highly recommend this book.

You can preview the book at Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/088192864X/ref=sib_dp_pt#reader-link

Phaius-Another Beloved Terrestrial

As you already know, I am a huge fan of terrestrial orchids and I especially love the genera Phaius. I currently have 3 plants in my collection and i have to say I'm just getting the hang of growing them. I started out last summer with a purchase of Phaius flavus var. maculatus. This is my favourite Phaius species. Here's a link to what the plant and flowers look like:

http://hanamist.sakura.ne.jp/flower/tansiyo/ran/ganzeki.html

I actually think I may have Phaius flavus var. punctatus because the leaves on mine are very spotted with yellow. It's a beautiful species and I almost killed mine! I put the plant outside for the summer in an area that received lots of indirect light with a tiny bit of direct light. It was very obvious my plant didn't like the arrangement or the extreme summer heat. The leaves became yellow and the spider mites took over.

By the time the fall had come around, the plant was nothing more than 3 egg shaped pseuodobulbs. I shook the bulbs out of the pot, and placed them in a plastic ziploc bag with a tiny bit of moss with the hopes of encouraging new growth.

Sure enough, a few weeks later, the front bulb was showing signs of growth and I seperated the bulb, potted it in a tiny plastic pot with sphagnum moss, and enclosed the whole lot in a plactic ziploc bag. The plant is coming along very nicely as you can see. Based on my research, the species is native to southeast Asia where it dwells in very shaded, humid forests and can usually be found growing in moss. This explains why my plant did so poorly before. From speaking with other experienced growers, this species does indeed prefer it on the shady side and high humidity.

My other 2 plants are hybrids. One of them may be a species. Back in January, I received 4 plants, one of which was Phaius grandifolius alba. The other 3 were assorted hybrids all from EFG orchids. It was such a busy time for me and I left them aside far too long and they were in dismal state by the time I tended to them. So I was left with 2 good plants, one of which had no leaves left. You can see from the picture above that the bulb is growing a brand new lead and the other plant (first picture in post) has 2 new leads.

Phaius can become monsters when established. My friends in California and Florida grow them out of doors in their gardens where they become massive clumps.

Summertime-Should You Put Your Orchids Outside?

The weather is much warmer here in the Big City and I'm thinking of summer and how it will be here in no time. Many of you have already been experiencing warm weather in other parts of the world but here we've been waiting with baited breath. Last year, I placed all of my orchids outside for the summer. It was more of a necessity as I was in the midst of putting together a new grow area and I needed the summer to arrange the details.

I was slightly apprehensive as there are other tenants in the house I live in and not everyone values the orchid as I do (imagine that!). Add in the fact that the yard gets full sun from every angle with no trees in sight, I knew I had a challenge ahead of me.

So, the first week of June, I scavenged the garden shed for old lumber and built an impromptu shade house. Since I live in such an urban neighborhood, I was concerned about racoons, squirrels, and kitty cats investigating. I am a self professed nature and animal lover but stay away from my orchids!! The first structure was up in half a day based solely on pieces of 1.5 inch thick spruce and wood lattice. I covered the sides and front with window screening and created the front to peel up and down for ease of watering. The top was also lined with thick plastic underneath the lattice . I prefer to control the watering and not leave it to mother nature. The last thing I needed was a torrential downpour in the middle of the night accompanied by a drastic drop in temperature! The Big City can be very unpredictable with regards to weather!

After I had lugged out every single last plant, I realized I only had room for half of my collection! So I headed back to the garden shed and using sheer ingenuity with the remaining resources, I constructed an attached unit for the remainder of the population. It was much simpler than the first as lumber was limited at this point and I wanted to get it over and done with! I don't believe in spending money unless I have to and if your clever enough, you can accomplish plenty with the resources you have handy to you. Hence I point out the old shower curtain bar which was used as the primary hanger. Incidentally, that bar lasted the whole summer and winter! I took old pots and containers and using my beloved drill, made hanging pots with old electrical wire. Early June was slightly nerve wracking as I ran out numerous times to cover the babies in tarp so that they would be protected from the 2 or 3 sudden cold spells we had. There were 3 areas I found the most challenging. I would certainly invest in some proper shade cloth the next time around. As much as I tried to shade the plants by my own means, the sun was too much for them at times and it certainly showed in their yellow leaves. I watered with rain water I collected from roof run off and it was almost disastrous. I've learned much about water quality since then! Lastly, the insects were all too eager to come around. The ants came to feed on the honeydew excretions and spiders spun webs while sow bugs hid. No major damage and at the end of summer, my plants were twice their size and I had no room to put them inside!

This year will be very different as I now have my indoor greenhouse (see post) and it will prove to be much more convenient as I can continue to water with reverse osmosis water.

I will miss the compliments from inquisitive neighbors telling me how exquisite my Vanda sanderiana is and how my dedication and patience is admirable!

Introducing Paphiopedilum sanderianum X topperi

I can't take credit for this exquisite Paphiopedilum because it belongs to my friend Leslie. "You have to come over and see my Paphiopedilum!" were his words and I squeezed in a quick viewing between a Sunday shopping spree. First of all, the pictures do not do justice to this beauty. I wanted to pull up a lazy boy and a good book and spend the rest of the Sunday reading Trollope and gazing frequently at this fine plant. I have an affinity for primary hybrids because they conjure up images of confused bees attempting to copulate with the flowers in the wild and instead pollinating one species with another to create a mish-mash of genes which result in sheer beauty.

You can see the graceful curving petals courtesy of Paphiopedilum sanderianum and yet they stop at a perfect 23.5 cm due to the genes from Paphiopedilum topperi. The large green foliage is proof of both parents. Both parents contribute intracate spots and stripes.

Leslie has had the plant for 1.5 years and has grown it from a large seedling. The plant sits in a south facing window which is tinted with blue. It's neighbours are Vandas and Paphiopedilum rothschildianum and parishii, which also bloom happily. Leslie waters exclusively with Reverse Osmosis water, often twice weekly, and feeds with MSU fertilizer, alternating with fish emulsion biweekly.

I might add that I encounter many hesitant hobbyists who insist they cannot grow such a species in their small apartment or condo. I have visited Leslie's residence on several occasions and it's no different than the living conditions many city dwellers face. If you have large windows which face south, west, or east, than you are blessed. If you do not, than there are many artificial lighting sources which will allow you to grow splendid orchids which you can brag about.

Good quality water is the key with Paphiopedilum as is good strong light. Never subject these beauties to direct sunlight which will burn the tender leaves. As for humidity, a humidifier will do wonders or you can choose to forego the humidifier as Leslie does ( and I also) in favour of daily misting. Keep your handheld mister handy and spray when you can, but not in the evening hours as it's important that the leaves and crowns have the opportunity to dry thoroughly before nightfall. It's completely heartbreaking to lose your treasured plant to rot!


I would certainly be lying to you if I told you that growing Paphiopedilum orchids was easy. If you want an easy plant, buy an African Violet. Orchids are for the brave who favour challenge in exchange for long term rewards.

Incidentally, Leslie purchased this plant at Zephyrus Orchids:

www.zephyrusorchids.com

My Newest Addition-African Beauty Eulophia guineensis

One of my orchid friends asked me to take his Eulophia guineensis off his hands in return that I grow them to perfection and save a small pot for him. So there I was on my knees, in the foyer of his downtown condo, sorting through the newly active bulbs.

Eulophia guineensis is a terrestrial which can be found mostly in Africa. Here is a very nice picture of the blooms thanks to Arne Larsen's website (http://www.larsen-twins.dk/).

Based on my research, this species is normally found in wooded areas where it grows amidst trees and forest scrub. The species is usually found at elevations of 1000 meters or less. This tells me that I should grow the bulbs in dappled light and at warm to hot temperatures. Here's a great link to a picture of the plant growing in Zimbabwe:

http://www.zimbabweflora.co.zw/speciesdata/image-display.php?species_id=119210&image_id=1

As the plants are terrestrial, they are found growing in leaf litter and soil where the conical bulbs are usually protruding above ground. That being said, I planted my bulbs in a mixture of tree fern, ground coir, small leca (for drainage), and a handful of bat guano. The plants are doing well and
after a few weeks here's what they look like:

This flower is so bloody stunning and apparently fragrant!!! I am very excited about growing this!

Do any of my orchid friends in Africa have any Eulophia stories?

Why Are Orchids So Expensive?

While I was booking my forthcoming trip to Miami (Redlands!!), the topic of orchids came up. My travel agent is from Trinidad and her mother loves orchids. Anyone who is not seriously involved in orchids always asks me the same question:

"Why are orchids so expensive?"

To the average consumer, orchids may seem pricey. I really don't think so but then again I have seen a different side of orchids-a place where kooky people spend hundreds of dollars on small plants they have to nurture for years before any sign of flowers. To me, paying $30 for a large white Phalaenopsis is no big deal!

So, back to the question. Orchids are not like other flowering plants you see at your local florist or garden centre. Growers have perfected the art of quickly growing and bringing to market perfect specimens of Azalea, Cyclamen, Hydrangea, and so on. Although the process for orchids has been greatly streamlined, through processes such as meristem culture, orchid growing is still an investment in time and money for the grower. If it the grower has to invest time and money in growing that orchid, than you can imagine how much you will have to pay by the time it arrives at your local store.

In Taiwan, which is probably the largest Phalaenopsis grower in the world (I think), it takes on average, 18 months to bring a Phalaenopsis seedling into bloom. Phalaenopsis are quicker to reach maturity unlike other genera like Cymbidium and Cattleya which can take years to reach flowering size. Of course you have to consider that I am speaking of hybrids which have been bred over many generations to be perfect for the floral market and easier to bring to maturity.

Species orchids are a completely different story. Yes, it is possible to find a few species on the market but these have been cloned by the thousands because of their marketting potential. A good example of this is Phalaenopsis stuartiana 'SOGO'. Check it out here:

http://www.phalaenopsis.net/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=5680

If you are looking for the unusual species, then you will have to head to your local orchid society or event, like Redlands in Homestead, Florida (did I mention I am going?). Small seedlings can cost you $30 or more and mature divisions of quality plants can cause you to remortgage your home! Here's an example:

http://zephyrusorchids.com/PAPH.htm#SANDERIANUM

Welcome to the crazy world of orchids!

My New Indoor Greenhouse

Many of you have been asking me to share pictures of my new greenhouse. Here it is! This is a 'Habitat Indoor Greenhouse' which is manufactured by Hydrofarm. It's designed to be moisture resistant and a completely enclosed growing environment. I like it so far. I didn't like it when I first got it mostly due to the green detailing on the outside. On any note, the plants are doing well and I'm having fun! In the picture above, you can see the interior of the whole unit. It measures a little over 4 feet across and just over 2 feet wide. The unit stands at 6.5 feet. The interior is a special white reflective plastic which is also water resistant.

Here's what the unit looks like on the exterior. It zips up completely and contains a few ventilation holes (both 4 and 6 inch size). I'll talk more about ventilation shortly.

The unit was very easy to put together. I did have a little trouble stretching the cover over the frame. Nonetheless, it took me 20 minutes to put the whole thing together. Do you see the green trim?? I wasn't aware of this and the owner of the store I purchased the unit from did not tell me. I was really disappointed when I got home because the picture on the website shows a completely black unit. No more talk about the green trim!


For lighting, I am using a 400 watt Metal Halide. I prefer Metal Halide because the lamp burns blue and is very close to natural sunlight and nicer to look at than an HPS system which burns orange. It's important to know that regular Metal Halides burn completely blue which is great if you want to grow nice foliage. Since I want BEAUTIFUL flowers, I chose a Metal Halide lamp which is more of a full spectrum. These Metal Halide lamps are usually called 'gold' or 'warm'. The lamp hangs easily from the top of the unit. I ALWAYS operate High Intensity Discharge (MH or HPS) lamps with an air cooled cylinder. These lamps become quite hot and are sensitive to water. The lamp will shatter easily if water happens to splash on it. The air cooled cylinder protects the lamp and assists in ventilating the heat.


This brings me to the topic of ventilation. Proper ventilation is absolutely CRITICAL. Trust me, I killed many beautiful orchids in the beginning due to lack of ventilation. Because I am growing in a plastic case, and because I am lighting with a metal halide lamp which gives off a great deal of heat, ventilation is even more critical. This is why I have an inline fan. It connects to the light via the glass reflector and the fan draws the hot air out of the unit and outside. This fan has a CFM of 449. CFM is essentially the amount of time it will take for the fan to completley replace the air in your grow area. I would suggest you google it to learn more. This fan works beautifully and keeps the grow area perfectly ventilated. I'll write more about ventilation on another day.

Arranging the interior took the longest. I decided to use simple chrome shelving which can be purchased at any big box store. The plants on top get the light from the metal halide which is perfect for very high light orchids. This is where I have my Cattleya and Vanda. The bottom are is fitted with 4 feet long T5 fluorescents. I have found that orchids love these lights as long as they can be close to them. This is why I arranged the bottom shelves to perfectly fit smaller plants so they are directly under the lights. Because these lights are also very bright, I use the area on the floor to grow orchids that like bright but indirect light. Here you will find my Paphiopedilum, Rossioglossum, and Phaius.

Although my new greenhouse will make things easier for me, I do maintain a close watch. I currently don't run a humidifier simply because I have not found one that suits my needs. I spray my plants with a fine mist at least twice daily. When I am working, I do it once in the morning and when I get home at night. If I happen to be at home, I mist many more times. I always water and mist with reverse osmosis water. Orchids are like children; you have to always keep your eye on them!