Orchid bloom in your garden

 Amarjeet Batth

Growing orchids is a fascination for many. The exquisite flowers present a visual delight, especially as these bloom during these months of the year and later also in October-November. Growing and taking care of orchids is not easy and needs knowledge, time, dedication and patience. So if you are prepared for all this, then you can get down to this by understanding the following steps:

The many types

Orchids growing on trees are epiphytes or ‘air-plants’, on the ground are ‘terrestrial’, on rocks the ‘lithophytes,’ and those on decaying matter ‘saprophytes’. These are found in wide geographical terrains with a range of adaption and in three groups as per their growth pattern. Commercial hybrid varieties are also quite popular.

Get going

Orchids are perennial, highly decorative flowering plants. The flower remains in bloom for a few days to even a month. The vase or cut life of the flower is also good. Orchids flourish under diffused sunlight as harsh direct sunlight kills it or causes sunburn by forming black blotches on the leaves. Perforated earthen pots 4-6-8 inch diametre with good drainage are ideal.

Among the orchid varieties, dendrobium, phalaenopsis and vandas have been observed to do well in this region. These orchids can be grown together in the same orchidium if the night temperatures are maintained around 15ºC and day temperature ranges from 22ºC to 27ºC.

The epiphytic orchids are not planted in soil like the terrestrial orchid varieties. The growing medium should be firm and stable yet well aerated so the roots can attach themselves. Growing medium consists of porous coconut husk, wooden chips preferably of pine, half-burnt charcoal and pieces of bricks or mixed in equal proportion. The growing medium is then filled in the shell of a coconut or slatted baskets or rafts of wood. Do not fiddle with air roots and let them grow naturally.

Care and upkeep

This region experiences period of unpredictive weather. Orchids are sensitive to these sudden changes of temperature, which may cause sudden drying or even its dropping.

Another unique habit of orchid is that it does not relish shifting it from its place of habitat. The bright green, not dark green, colour of leaves shows that the plant is getting desired sunlight. There is a tendency to over water them. Moisture requirement is not uniform throughout the year and varies with the type and variety.

Once the bloom is over, the main stalk begins to get brown at the tip and subsequently dies. It is now time to cut to the first node which is closed to the base so that new roots to begin to grow. Use fine sterilised tool (disposable razor blade) for trimming and upkeep of the plants for preventing spread of any disease. The right time to repot is during its dormant phase after its flower dropped. Fertilisers rich in NPK (10:10:10) are sprayed once a month and a dose of nitrogenous fertiliser is sprayed only during growth period. Aphids and thrips attack the new growth, flowers and buds. Scale insects form a brown or black crust on leaves and stems. Mealy bugs also attack the leaves.

ORCHIDIUM

Develop an Orchidium to provide Orchid its natural habitat and safeguard the plant from harsh hot and winters climatic conditions of north India. Consider a place large or small but ideally a 10’ x 8’ area covered with net (35-50%) to maintain shade and moisture. Fit a cooler or a fan to control temperature especially during extreme summers. Watering is done by misting, therefore, have a regular misting arrangement inside it. Placing few foliage plants helps to retain humidity in the Orchidium.