These are my latest passion. For the space-challenged, esp., they offer a lot -
- small, w/ most 6"-8" high (some stay around 2")
- growth is vertical
- deciduous, so in winter, they look like bonsai - delightful for the minimalist in me
- blooming season is several weeks long so far, judging from my first one
- different colors of flowers - from greenish white to cream, yellow, lavender, purple, light pink, hot pink, cherry red
- some variation in flower size and shape
- all flowers are fragrant - some very
- loads of variety in size, shape, coloration of leaves, w/ some having pink, white, and green stripes; others white and green stripes; others green and yellow variegation (sp?). Some collectors grow them for the leaves.
- most are at the less-expensive end of orchid prices
Where have they been all my life?
As for care, I'm brand new, but one of the long-time commercial growers provided a watering schedule from the Japanese:
1. No fertilizer, ever
2. Water quality - Just be sure the plants get minerals and trace elements. Because my tap water is unfit for living things, he advised 10% tap water and the rest RO for every watering. I'll leach w/ tap water once a month, followed by the 90%-10% mix.
3. Nov. through Feb., make sure the sphag is “crispy dry” before watering.
4. From March through May, the sphag should be “barely damp” before watering. Same for August - October.
5. June & July – the sphag can be “soaking wet” all the time.
As for other conditions, he said my indoor orchid room will be fine:
- winter temp range of high 50s/low 60s to 75-80 degrees F
- inside: E/SE light, supplemented by T8s
- air movement
- winter humidity range from high 20% to mid-50%
Summers outside in whatever the St. Paul/Minneapolis weather provides
Hmmm - one unknown is day length. Anyone know if they need short days in winter? My T8s run 14-16 hours/day, but the plants could go to a spot w/ natural day lengths.
Another long-time commercial grower said the plants can bloom 2-3 times a year. That would make them just about perfect for me.
Other thoughts and experiences?