- Pre-discussion mailout:
"Orchids as Gifts", by Marilyn H.S. Light, Copyright 1998 - Fact Sheet:
"Orchids as Gifts - Helpful Suggestions", by Marilyn H.S. Light, Canadian Orchid Congress, Copyright 1999
Present were 11:
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA
marilyninOttawa
BTague (Barbara, sunny and cold N. Ca.)
paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida)
soobie me (Sue in NC)
prankster d (Susan from NE Oregon)
Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
JR000 (Jerry No. CA)
jim4eq (Miami)
marilyninOttawa
Tonight's topic is Orchids as Gifts. I thought we could have a go at developing
a list of helpful hints to that the proud recipient has continued pleasure
from their gift. The chat floor is open!
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
If you grow too well people won't give me those orchids they got as gifts
and can't grow.
marilyninOttawa
I gave two Phalaenopsis as gifts last fall. One recipient has had great
success. It re-bloomed and now it is in the window. She really has a green
thumb.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Here Phals are grown well in windows by many people. I guess that our normally
good weather is good for them. Phals are given frequently here. People seem
to think that they can give you their gift orchids and that you can automatically
can make them bloom - even when the plant is 3/4 dead!!!.
marilyninOttawa
John, I believe the secret is to volunteer to check the plant on a regular
basis and take charge of it before it dies.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
That is a good idea Marilyn. I haven't given orchids as my friends are into
other types of plants and I give them those (camillias etc)
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I only accept those that look like they will make it. That's how I got many
cymbidiums.
marilyninOttawa
Ellen, could you please explain?
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Friends got cymbidiums as Valentine present etc. but they never bloomed
again. They now live with me and are just fine.
BTague (Barbara, sunny & cold N. Ca.)
Marilyn, I always take a blooming plant to friends, the instruction always
ask to return the plant when the bloom faded. Most of my friends don't have
green thumb. Ellen, I have the same problem. Now I refuse to take in any
sick orchid plants.
paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida)
I ordered several plants from a nursery in Indiana, and they sent me a gift
plant - Soph. coccinea! Guess they didn't notice where they were shipping
the plants.
marilyninOttawa
Paula, what you have experienced is what we find up here where everyone
from milder climes believes that our cold conditions make it ideal for cool
growers. Reality is that we have either too hot or too cold but not simply
mild.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Everyone buys dendrobiums in Hawaii and then kill them at home.
paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida)
Ellen, don't dendrobiums do well in New York?
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
That's how some growers in Hawaii get well off. They ship a lot of Phals,
too.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I grow the nobiles well but not all warm ones.
marilyninOttawa
Phals are not the ideal windowsill plant they are made out to be, that is,
they are not ideal in all geographic zones. Here, Paphs are far more adaptable
to a windowsill than Phals except in very particular situations. Cymbidiums,
especially standards, rarely if ever re-bloom although they will grow.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
You also have to be careful as some ''sick'' plants may harbor pests picked
up in their new home.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I think that you must know which orchids will do well in your area.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
I have never seen a cymbidium that would bloom if grown in the house. They
need much more light.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I summer them outside in full light till Thanksgiving and they are all in
spike.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Marilyn, in wintertime aren't your houses fairly dry because of the heat
needed to warm the house?
marilyninOttawa
That is correct John. When the temperature is -30, running a high interior
humidity turns the walls and windows into a 'still'! Our winter RH runs
around 20-30%.
marilyninOttawa
Nobody cheers when an orchid dies. If we are the giver, we should try to
adopt and/or suggest practices to help ensure a plant's continuing good
health. It is these practices that we are discussing tonight.
BTague (Barbara, sunny & cold N. Ca.)
Yes, Cymb will not do well indoors, will never bloom without the chill.
Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
My mother lives outside Seattle, she has had a cymbidium for 5 years that
blooms every year (5 spikes this year) indoors. It is in an east facing
glass alcove by the sliding door. I'm telling her to get it repotted.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Thamina, your mother is very lucky. She has found the perfect spot for the
plant. Tell her to repot but not to move the plant from where it is!!
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Repot in late winter.
marilyninOttawa
Thamina. The next time you visit, why not arrive with a new pot, some medium
and do the re-potting with your Mom.
Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
She doesn't have a green thumb, underdoes watering, fert. This works for
orchids.
marilyninOttawa
Thamina, why not create a fact sheet on How to re-pot including some information
on the size of pot needed, the type of medium and where it can be purchased,
etc. You could also arrange to contact a Seattle dealer, if there is one,
to deliver some mix. [See Fact Sheet 2 above.]
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Many people buy their first orchid at Home Depot or a similar store and
the plants aren't in great shape to start with.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
A fact sheet on growing the type of orchid we give might be a good thing
to give also. Even if it is only a sheet of paper we have written up.
marilyninOttawa
Good concept John.
marilyninOttawa
Ellen, I would assume that if we are giving orchids as gifts to non-specialists,
we give plants in good shape and those in spike or in flower.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
How true Ellen. Saturday I went to Home Depot and almost bought a beautiful
Dend but I took one look at the plant and decided it wasn't worth the $10.00
even if the flower looked good.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
But, John, some good bargains can be had by shopping right! *G*
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Many dealers have seedlings and not affordable blooming plants other than
phals and dendrobiums.
JCY8S (John in Arcadia, CA)
Earl, yes but look at the plant first. It may have a nice flower but if
it is in bad shape you may never see the flower again!!
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
What would each of us recommend as a 'gift' plant? I like the equitants,
myself, and think they would do well.
marilyninOttawa
I think that the recommendation will have a lot to do with the growing conditions
Earl. What say you?
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Well, if the receiver of the gift has roughly the same conditions as the
donor, then whatever works for you is the ideal gift.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
One problem here on Long Island is we have very few orchid dealers.
marilyninOttawa
How many of you have given orchids recently?
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I have. Miltoniopsis.
marilyninOttawa
I have bought plants at a fall show. The gifts arrived a few months before
the holiday season but were still blooming then of course.
marilyninOttawa
What instructions have you provided for Miltoniopsis care?
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I use a culture sheet from Komoda in Hawaii, higher light, always moist.
He also uses a slow release fertilizer similar to Osmocote.
paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida)
I recently bought a large cattleya for a friend - she plans to attach it
to her tree.
marilyninOttawa
Now that is interesting Paula. Did you give her any guidelines as to what
to use to attach it or does she already know?
paulav (Paula in Boca Raton, Florida)
I suggested she use jute twine since it is gentle to the plant, and by the
time the plant's roots have grown well enough to hold it tightly to the
tree, the jute decomposes.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Maybe an inexpensive orchid book along with the orchid?
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
On that theme, Marilyn, it would be nice to have someone who could demonstrate.
Providing Orchid group meeting dates in the same area as the receiver would
be a thoughtful addition.
marilyninOttawa
Very good suggestion Earl. An invitation to an orchid meeting. Volunteer
to pick them up if convenient. Great concept. By the way, I agree that equitant
are charming gifts although only a few growers up here do well with them.
Local conditions count a lot.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Yeah, but they are sooooo easy to grow if things are right!!
BTague (Barbara, sunny & cold N. Ca.)
I must been with the wrong crowd, most my friends have never tried orchids,
they don't think of giving me orchid unless I ask.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Well, then, educate them, BT! *G* Send them orchids postcards/greeting cards.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
My garden club went to the New York Show and about 10 have tried orchids
they bought there.
marilyninOttawa
How did they make out Ellen?
marilyninOttawa
I cut Cymbidium flowers as gifts for the office crowd. Always appreciated!
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
About 50% of the plants are alive. The owners are people willing to read
about their new plants and spend time watching their needs.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Once you have *looked* at orchids, you're hooked! [#^).
marilyninOttawa
Paula, I have used old nylons. They don't rot but certainly do not harm
the plant in anyway and can be removed later.
BTague (Barbara, sunny & cold N. Ca.)
Marilyn, I've use fish line, which I always have a roll in the GH.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
I always preferred string because I *knew* it would rot, if I forgot (and
I did).
marilyninOttawa
I would use fishing line for small plants but a larger plant might require
more robust support. What you use depends a lot on the tree surface and
where you intend to place the orchid (at eye level or above is best), the
shape of the plant and the robustness of the root system, and the amount
of wind shelter are all factors to consider when attaching plants.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Placement can be critical for some plants, esp. species. Moir used to go
on about it, and he was right.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Taking someone to a show usually creates a new orchid lover. Also I have
a young man I tutor who gets an orchid from me each time he moves up 6 months
in reading. It has been a wonderful incentive. A new generation of orchid
growers.
marilyninOttawa
Great move Ellen.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
What I like to do, sometimes, is to explain the flower, if I think the recipient
is/would be interested. Most people can't see past the outer beauty of them
to appreciate their biological beauty.
marilyninOttawa
As I said in the pre-chat material, many recipients of flowers have asked
me how to grow the flower! They are certainly motivated to get more flowers.
I divide recipients into two groups: those who are likely to become growers
and those who would enjoy the blooms but lack the ability for whatever reason,
to take care of the plant over the longer term. It is this latter group
that I cater to, by giving a blooming plant with the understanding that
it will be replaced when blooms are done. It can be quite distressing for
an elderly person no longer capable of taking care of plants as they once
did, to see a plant die.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Good point, Marilyn.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Marilyn there are some people who rent orchid plants in bloom and then they
go back when finished.
marilyninOttawa
If this is the case, then perhaps one 'gift' source would be such an enterprise.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
To get back to an earlier point, what would others on the forum give?
Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
I bought some small Miltonias and phals for a friend at her request. She
has a M.S. in Horticulture. They all died.
BTague (Barbara, sunny & cold N. Ca.)
Ellen, the nurseries here in San Francisco bay area are full of boarders.
Most the well to do people just want the flowering plant, can't be bother
with the daily care, really sad. To me the growing & blooming of the
plant is just as much fun.
marilyninOttawa
Does anyone give Cattleyas in flower? Certainly some of the longer lasting
and fragrant types would be winners for short-term or permanent gifts.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
No one said the education *means* anything *BG* - I have one, too; and I
have killed my share.
marilyninOttawa
Thamina. Do you have any idea why the plants died? Too much TLC?
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Milton Warne had a couple of Catts. that would have been great for that.
Don't have them scanned, tho. Kinda like an aurantiaca, but larger, yellow
bunches of 10 or less, maybe 5 spikes in a 6'' pot. And easy to grow.
marilyninOttawa
Speaking of care, what do you feel are some solid guidelines regarding generic
orchid care. Light? Water? Fertilizer? Temperature? I have found that the
recipient often wants to know a lot about care, if they are really interested.
I provide detailed notes although I agree, a book would be a nice gift accompaniment.
Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
The plants died mostly from overwatering. I told her correct culture but
she's a fern expert and kept them too wet.
marilyninOttawa
I would suggest then that the plants be potted in a very porous medium (hydroponic
gravel) so that they would have a better chance under her conditions. It
may have also been too shady?
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
One problem is buying plants from another climate and they need time to
adapt. Not everyone is willing to wait it out.
JR000 (Jerry No. CA)
Hello Marilyn-remember you visited here with the pumpkin. I recently gave
a lady many Catts for a wedding. Even though the flowers had been in bloom
for a while, they were something people talked about.
marilyninOttawa
Hello Jerry. Good to have on line tonight. Does your pumpkin still grow??
JR000
Marilyn- I did everything wrong but the pumpkin grew to be 500 pounds. Next
year I will do it correctly if there is time.
marilyninOttawa
Earl, you would love the latest to bloom out of our (L. pumila x B. nodosa)
cross. Big flower, fragrant of cherry soda at night, dark magenta blotches
on both the inside and outside of the flared lip. Flowers have been lasting
6-8 weeks on those previously bloomed.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
And they do well in Ottowa, eh?!
marilyninOttawa
We basically have a dry rather than a damp environment. Most of the fall
is RH 50%. Teretes and orchids like C. aurantiaca and its hybrids generally
do well provided the temperature is high enough to keep the plants growing.
As it gets colder outside, it gets chillier near the window and the plants
can stop growing.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
One thing the breeders need to focus on is an easy growing, nicely flowered
plant with ''nice'' flowers. ''Nice'' is the hard one, tho.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Earl price is also a concern. Some people aren't willing to spend on an
orchid.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Yeah, but... traffic will be more for an orchid than most plants, and if
it is easy-growing as well, they last a *long* time. Heirloom, even! And
provide a nice source for future gifts from you.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I would rather have an orchid than a bouquet, which dies 5 days later. Money
down the drain.
BTague (Barbara, sunny & cold N. Ca.)
I'm with you Ellen, I almost never buy cut flower, I have blooming orchids
all year around. The cut flowers only good for 4 or 5 days.
marilyninOttawa
Most non-hobbyist recipients are not hung up on form. They like the flowers
even though they might not win a ribbon. A mass of Bc. Maikai blooms is
showy, as is a lovely pink Phal whose petals do not quite overlap.
Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
In the Seattle area Miltonias were often given as gifts. Purchased from
florists.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Mine is in bloom now Marilyn and its quite a show.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
And there are often really good flowers hiding in the genes if they're seedlings
that are given (to those who can appreciate them).
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Ladies (and some men) like to wear the flowers, and if they have a ready
source at home....
marilyninOttawa
I often do buy cut Dendrobiums. I could never raise the quantity needed
for a hostess gift. Dends are so inexpensive! I have also purchased cut
Cymbidiums for members of my wedding party. Clear yellow for the ladies,
white for the gents and I wore two of my own Cattleyas. Cymbidiums last
quite well.
BTague (Barbara, sunny & cold N. Ca.)
That sounds lovely Marilyn, you must been recently wed.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Cymbs are the most popular orchid cut flower, M, if you didn't know.
Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
30 years ago in Seattle a well grown, many flowered Miltonia was $25 from
a florist, probably from Beall or Gordon Hoyt.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
Earl they are spectacular when they bloom and they stay so long.
jim4eq (Miami)
I like cut flowers, in Miami we get the extras from the import trade, $5
for 25
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
But they're so dull, biologically! *G*
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
More people will try orchids when the price is within their reach for blooming
plants. Home Depot, etc. proves that.
marilyninOttawa
18 years this year but I still remember the flowers fondly and so do the
ladies. Cannot speak for the gents*G*
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Have a lot of friends in Hawaii who are making a good living because of
that, Ellen.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I can't believe the amount of plants that those stores move each month.
Lanceps (Thamina from Manhattan Beach, Calif.)
If you need cut cymbidiums for a gift, How about buying a plant in bloom
and cutting the flowers?
marilyninOttawa
You can do that Thamina if you have space for the plant. Vendors price the
plants based on the number of spikes.
marilyninOttawa
Miltoniopsis are not good cut flowers but they last and last on the plant.
The blooms are fragrant too! I would think that Miltoniopsis would be a
lovely blooming gift. It could give a couple of months of pleasure.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
People start with those plants like people start a tropical fish tank with
guppies. If they are successful they move on to bigger and better. And sometimes
they will bloom again in the fall.
uncleearl (Earl from Vacaville, CA)
Is your Lc. X fragrant, M? Or was it Bl.?
marilyninOttawa
I know that some of the Sunbulb products do well. We see them on our show
table and some are winners. Small but healthy plants can grow well given
appropriate conditions. We have recently seen a gorgeous Rhynchostylis gigantea
(solid red purple) and a Zygopetalum not to mention countless really floriferous
Phals.
BTague (Barbara, sunny & cold N. Ca.)
Marilyn, I have 2 warm growing Miltoniopsis in bloom now, they ever have
fragrant too. Love for the table.
marilyninOttawa
Bl. Earl.
marilyninOttawa
What do you think of us producing a fact sheet on gift plant care? You can
send me additional thoughts and we will post it for the holidays.
Ellen,Smithtown,NewYork
I think that would be great.
marilyninOttawa
I think that we have had a good session. Best wishes to you all and thank
you. Goodnight.
BTague (Barbara, sunny & cold N. Ca.)
Good night Marilyn, thanks for your chat tonight, always good to hear you
talk.
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