Ooh-la-la Orchids!

Every time I step inside my father’s orchid-filled greenhouse, the sheer pleasure of it overwhelms me. When he started his hobby more than fifty years ago, orchids were exotic, expensive, difficult to find, and intimidating. He rerouted family vacations to pick up new plants and potting supplies.
Now orchids bloom cheerfully in the produce department of the grocery store and sprays of orchids commonly grace flower arrangements.
So why don’t you grow these wonderful plants? When you have a party, instead of buying fresh flowers for the table, pick up a blooming orchid and place it in a beautiful container or a simple basket.
“Oh, but I could never keep it alive!” you exclaim. So what? You’re not going to keep those fresh flowers alive forever either, and you’re handing over good money for them. Plus, if you keep the plant watered (not overwatered!) the orchid may bloom for months. When it stops blooming, toss it onto the compost pile and buy another. I’ve spoken to many orchid growers, and they all agree: Stop waiting for some great sage to teach you about orchids and start enjoying them. As your interest grows and small successes mount, you may want to find the perfect windowsill for your own orchid garden. If you can grow African violets, you can grow orchids.
If you decide to grow orchids, start with plants in bloom so you can enjoy the flowers immediately, but choose a Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, or Paphiopedilum.
Phalaenopsis are the moth orchids, which produce a spray of large flat blooms. Those are the most popular orchids right now and the ones you’re most likely to find in grocery stores and home centers. They will rebloom in late winter and spring for hobbyists, but growers manipulate them to bloom any time of year. Phals like it warm. Each of the orchids in this column will do well in dappled shade outside (mine hang under the pecan tree all summer), but wait until night temperatures are consistently warm (in the 60s) before putting the phals outside.
The Oncidiums, however, can move outside earlier, once night temperatures are consistently in the 50s. If we get a week of warm weather in May, I move my orchids outside. But watch the forecast and bring them in for late spring cool spells. A bright shade site in summer — under a tree perhaps — works well for orchids, as long as you provide the things they like best: water, air movement, and fertilizer. When summer temperatures peak, they appreciate more frequent watering. Orchids also like water sprayed on their leaves; these tropical rainforest natives appreciate a refreshing shower.
The most familiar Oncidiums have tall sprays of several yellow blooms – a very exotic look. They are less susceptible to sunburn and take brighter light than the other two, but don't like direct sun. Early morning sun would be OK, but not direct afternoon sun.
Paphiopedilums are the intriguing and dramatic tropical lady's-slipper orchids. The American Orchid Society reports that these semi-terrestrial orchids are among the easiest to grow.
The $60 annual membership in the American Orchid Society includes a very informative monthly magazine for both novice and advanced growers. Its website (www.aos.org) is also very helpful and includes care sheets for several types of orchids.
So the next time an orchid bloom enchants you, take it home. At the very least you’ll have beautiful, exotic flowers for weeks. You might even succeed in coaxing yours to rebloom. Committed or not, you can enjoy orchids.