Cool Growing Orchids.

For several years now we have grown and flowered the following orchids alongside our Cymbidiums and Australian Native orchids.  In some cases they need to be kept on the dry side during winter and in most cases they should be put under cover to protect the flowers from rain once they open.  We have a strip of clear plastic mounted under the shadecloth above one bench and move the plants into this area once they flower. 

See below for further details.

Click thumbnail for closeup.  

This is an autumn flowering orchid from Mexico. We usually get 2 flowers per spike around 115mm (4.5 Inches) across.  The potting mix is 5-10mm pine bark in a 100mm squat pot.  The plant pictured is L. anceps 'Chamberlains' . Flowering time in Melbourne is May - June. 

Another autumn flowering Mexican orchid.  This one has up to 6 flowers  per spike around 90mm across.  The potting mix is 5-10mm pine bark in a 100mm squat pot. 

Flowering time in Melbourne is May - June.

Temperature         Summer temperatures are up to 100,   winter down to 3.

Fertilizer                Any orchid fertilizer at half strength.