I have been trying to get my orchids in shape this winter. They are scattered throughout the garden; some reside in trees and others in pots. I installed Cattleyas and Onicidiums in my Mango trees and have been tending the existing plants in the garden. It was a surprise to me that the orchids did not necessarily like residing in the boots of a Cabbage Palm – except on the north side. The plants that were not doing well were rehydrated and relocated. Who knew orchids could be rehydrated? I certainly did not. All have been watered daily and treated to a feeding with sea kelp spray – another odd detail in orchid culture. We will see how this goes.
Above is the prettiest flower in the house. A Phalaenopsis Orchid of unknown origin I picked up at our local farmer’s market. Of course, I am unable to resist a good deal on an orchid, these are frequently available there and my collection is growing. Another surprise to me is that these will rebloom after a while – if you don’t cut the stem off. Below is one I left, untrimmed, in my foyer a little too long. I thought (foolishly) it might enjoy a trip outside. The leaves began to yellow and I quickly brought it back inside. Flowers soon!
Here is a close up of the flower. The vase is Blenko glass from the 1950s. It was a wedding gift my parents received and passed down to me. Homage to the high heeled shoe! This vase is very difficult to use for flower arrangements, so I am pleased to have this orchid displayed in it.
That’s all from my garden. Sea kelp included. I hope everyone is safe and warm.
Please join Cathy at RamblingintheGarden to view more vases from other gardeners..
The Shrub Queen 
What a pretty orchid! I’ve read that they like indirect light. I have mine just to the side of a window. I need to try the kelp spray… mine limp along with my semi-neglect!
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I’ve not had much luck with orchids but my son in law grows them. When in bloom he keeps them hanging on his front porch and when not in bloom in a shade house.
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There is a place down here that sells them 3 for 24$
That’s why I have several!
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I like to imagine orchards in trees. Right now I’m looking at snow in trees.
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I think one precludes the other!
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Orchids, mangoes, oh my…two of my favorites, one to gaze on and one to eat. We have snow here in NJ. Ice on top of the snow. Wish I was in a warmer place right now, it is beautiful, but treacherous too.
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Oh, boy. Stay inside and look out the window! That cold front is arriving here.
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It’s an ice rink here. I can’t even walk to the back bird feeder, so I’ve been throwing the seed out the back door, and it bounces and scatters all over the place. Our yard is busy with so many happy birds.
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I hope things have thawed!
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Thanks, but that is wishful thinking. It is still here, although the top layers and edges thawed a bit yesterday. The forecast says we might get some snow squalls over the weekend. Oh No!
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Epiphytic orchids dislike certain allelopathic trees, like redwoods, cypress and pine. Perhaps palms are allelopathic also, which would be why only certain species, such as Nephrolepis, infest them.
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That is an interesting thought and the palm is infested with just that! It is very common to see dendrobiums growing in palm boots.
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Are dendrobiums the only orchids that grow in palm boots? One would think that if they can do it, their relatives could do it also.
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Actually there are Dancing Lady Onicidiums in there and a small Phaelenopsis. The others did not like the Eastern exposure.
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Orchids are magical. Thank you for sharing! I’ve grown orchids a few times, and they survive for a season or two, but then fail. I think, perhaps, I keep the temperature in my house too cool for them in the winter. Thanks for the tip on the kelp spray, should I try to grow them again.
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Thanks, Beth. I agree. Otherworldly. I think it’s probably the lack of humidity where you are – something we never lack! I am intrigued with the kelp spray.
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This is really interesting, Amelia, hearing about all your orchids and where and how you keep them – have you mentioned them before? I don’t remember an orchid focus before. I have occasionally been given one as a gift but have never got one to rebloom so ditch them. like my spent amaryllis. I had read that you trim the stems down after flowering, but you say not? Thanks for such an interesting post
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Thanks, Cathy, my orchids appear in SOS sometimes. I occasionally cut them for a Vase but most of them last longer on the plant. I have two friends who are orchid lovers that have given plants to me. It takes a while for them to establish in trees and they are a bit tricky to site properly and tons of water! There are some that grow in the ground as well.I think the Phalenopsis are the ones to leave the stem on. I would say the plant that is showing buds probably flowered in May or June.
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Your orchids look great. I treat mine terribly, watering them erratically and fertilizing them far less frequently than I should. I reminded myself just yesterday that I needed to give them care. Have I gotten to that yet today? Nope! And I’ve had a bag of orchid bark on hand for 2 months already to repot 3 of them.
https://krispgarden.blogspot.com/
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Very pretty. I am hopeless with the orchids sold in our garden centres here – no idea what sort they are. They never re- bloom for me, although I suspect they are bred to die off so that we go and buy another one!
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Amelia, the quick move back indoors was sensible. Yellowing after a Phalaenopsis goes outside is often less about needing more food and more about which leaf changed and how fast. A single oldest bottom leaf turning evenly yellow can be normal turnover. Several leaves fading after bright exposure, especially with pale or dry patches, points more toward sudden light or heat stress. Soft yellow tissue plus limp or dark roots would shift the suspicion toward excess moisture or root damage.
I would keep it in bright indirect light, avoid another location change for two weeks, and water only when the bark is nearly dry and healthy roots look silvery. Drain the pot fully; daily watering that suits mounted Cattleyas can keep a potted Phalaenopsis too wet. Do not fertilize yet, and leave firm yellow tissue attached until it releases easily.
A useful check is to photograph the plant now and compare the same leaves in three days. Stable markings suggest old damage; spreading yellowing means inspect roots and the crown promptly. I work on KnowYourPlant; our troubleshooting guide separates normal aging, light stress, and root problems: https://knowyourplant.app/blog/posts/orchid-leaves-turning-yellow/
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