Dividing and back bulb removal

If required, the plant may now be divided or have a few of its back bulbs removed. The back bulbs are the oldest and leafless bulbs which have discarded their foliage and have been supporting the younger bulbs and their new growths. These bulbs are of great benefit and should not be removed unless they outnumber the green bulbs in leaf. In this case the excess back bulbs become an encumbrance to the plant and should be removed to restore the balance of the plant. A plant which is growing in more than one direction, as indicated by the new growths, may be large enough for division into two plants if at least four bulbs, including both green and leafless bulbs, can be retained on each piece. The pseudo bulbs are joined together by a hard woody rhizome which is visible on Cattleyas, for example, but hidden on Cymbidiums and Odontoglossums. In the latter its position can be determined by gently pressing the bulbs apart. To divide a plant or remove an unwanted back bulb this rhizome must be cleanly severed with a sharp knife or pair of secateurs. As a general rule for most of the bulbous orchids, never reduce a plant or divide it to less than four good bulbs, otherwise it will be greatly weakened and will take several years to restore itself to flowering size. However, there are a few exceptions, such as the Pleiones, where the old bulb decomposes quickly and plants never consist of more than one green bulb each year. Read the rest of this entry »

Because of their slow rate of growth compared with most other types of house plants, orchids are seldom potted more than once a year, and are very often left for two years before it is necessary to disturb them. However, certainly after two years the compost will have broken down and need replacing as the food value becomes exhausted, the plant will have outgrown the pot, and its roots will have become potbound.

There are several indications that a plant is in need of repotting. The compost may be decomposed and this can be determined by pushing a finger into it. If this can be done easily the compost needs replacing and the plant should be repotted. If the leading bulb has reached the rim of the pot or is protruding over the edge leaving no room for future growth inside the pot, or if the plant has pushed itself up above the pot rim, it has outgrown its pot. The foliage may have turned a yellow green which indicates starvation, the food in the compost having been used up. Bulb- less orchids such as Paphiopedilums or Phalaenopsis, which do not progress across the pot in the same way as those with a horizontal rhizome, are best repotted when their roots have filled the pot, or are showing above the rim. Read the rest of this entry »

Like everything in the home, your house plants will become dusty, and orchids are no exception. An accumulation of fine dust building up on the surface of the leaves will, if left for a long period, prevent the leaves from breathing properly and will impede the light which is so essential for a healthy plant. Periodically, at least once a month, this dust should be cleaned off using a wet sponge and a bowl of clean water, wiping each leaf and the stems and bulbs. The leaves can then be passed under a running tap. This will not only greatly benefit the plant but will also improve its appearance. Flowers and buds should not be dusted, these should be left well alone for fear of bruising.

Spraying

Many orchids enjoy a daily spraying of their foliage. In the home this is difficult for obvious reasons, but if the plant is removed from the growing area for regular watering, spraying could be carried out at the same time. Read the rest of this entry »

sheila’s perfume

A cheerful red and cream-yellow two-tone rose that offers beauty, vigour and fragrance. The small to medium-sized flowers are elongated when young, opening wide to display pretty colours. Growth is bushy, upright and fairly dense, with particularly lustrous foliage that is reddish-purple when young

Southern sun

Urn-shaped buds are borne individually or in large clusters and unfold into large, full blooms with attractive blends of gold, orange and red. The medium-high bush is vigorous and extremely floriferous, with slightly arched canes carrying heavy clusters of flowers. Very good for growing in containers and on Standard stems. Read the rest of this entry »