Visitors enjoy the RHS Orchid Show. Photograph by Sarel Jansen More on orchids The Orchid: a portrait Useful websites RHS Wisley The North of England Orchid Society
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Tips and facts about orchids
Never leave your orchids next to the fruit bowl and other invaluable advice from Camilla Swift Did you Know?
- The orchid's name originates from the Greek orchis, meaning "testicle”, because of the shaper of the bulb, and its history is one of lust, greed, and wealth
- There are nearly 25,000 varieties of orchids
- The largest number of orchids come from Asia. South America is especially rich in wild orchids, but they can in fact be found in any conditions almost anywhere except the polar regions
- Greek women thought they could control the sex of their unborn children with orchid roots. If the father ate large, new tubers, the child would be male; if the mother ate small tubers, the child would be female
- The Aztecs, who drank vanilla mixed with chocolate, were said to take their legendary strength from the vanilla orchid
- Orchids are also called "ladies' fingers," "ladies' tresses," or "long purples”.
- They come in every colour except blue - even black and green
- The world's largest orchid can grow to 20 metres long
Useful Tips- In late winter and spring when new shoots are emerging, the plants will need more light and water.
- In summer, when they're growing nicely, they need nutrients, water and warmth.
- In late summer and early autumn they need plenty of light and a gradual reduction in water.
- Fom late autumn into winter, when they're resting and then flowering, they need more light but very little water.
- Choose hybrids rather than wild species, as they're easier to grow.
- Make sure they get fresh air now and then, but don't leave them in a draughty spot.
- Keep fruit bowls away from orchids because the gas released by apples makes the buds and flowers drop.
- Create a microclimate to suit your orchids. Group them with other plants that like the same conditions, such as bromeliads and ferns.
- Buffing the leaves with a cotton wool ball dipped in 50/50 full fat milk and water will give them a lovely shine.
- Most orchids prefer to be pot bound, and do best in the smallest pot they can be crammed into! So re-pot only when they are showing a determined attempt to escape, or are top heavy and falling over.
Where to see OrchidsRHS National Orchid Show
17 & 18 March 2007
Glasgow Orchid Fair
14 &15 April, 2007
Peterborough International Orchid Show
(formerly the Newbury International Orchid Show)
16-17 June 2007
WebsitesThe Orchid Society of Great Britain British Orchid Council
National Collections of Orchids
RHS information BookRHS Orchids: A Practical Guide to the World's Most Fascinating Plants
This is a guide to the fascination of orchids, capturing the romance of their history, looking at the contemporary triumphs of hybridization and providing the key to growing orchids at home. Over 180 varieties are discussed and there is step-by-step information on cultivating and caring. ISBN: 1903845599
Wilma Rittershausen, Brian Rittershausen, Linda Burgess
Paperback
Quadrille Publishing
RRP £14.99
Amazon
This article was created: 7 March 2007.
This article was last edited: 26 June 2007.
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