How to Grow Catasetum Orchid

This unusual group of orchids offers fascinating, waxy flowers that often have the peculiar habit of discharging their pollen masses (pollinia) onto pollinators. Almost always deciduous, the pseudobulbous plants have strict growing and resting periods. Most flower before entering a dormant period when they drop their leaves.
Light should be strong, especially near the end of the growth period. Early in the annual growth cycle, plants will tolerate less light, from 1,500 to 3,000 foot-candles. Plants grow best with light levels of 3,000 to 6,000 foot-candles, or one-half to three-fourths full sun. As pseudobulbs mature, harden them by giving slightly more light.
Temperatures reflect the fact these orchids are native to hot tropical areas and grow during the rainy summer months. During this growing period, day temperatures of 80 to 100 F and night temperatures of 60 to 65 F are beneficial. After growths mature, temperatures can be reduced to 55 F at night, with day temperatures of 70 to 85 F.
Water is a critical factor for the production of large pseudobulbs that result in best flowering. A great quantity of water must be stored by the plant in a relatively short growing season. Water heavily as new leaves are forming. As the pseudobulb matures, gradually reduce watering frequency. Leaves will yellow and drop. At this time, watering should be stopped completely until new growth begins. Water during this dormant period only if the pseudobulbs shrivel severely.
Humidity should be 40 to 60 percent. This can be provided in the home by placing the plants on trays of gravel, only partially filled with water so that the plants do not sit in the water. Air should always be moving around the plants to prevent fungal or bacterial disease, especially if high humidity or cool temperatures exist. In the greenhouse, the humidity is best increased by use of a humidifier. Evaporative cooling increases humidity while cooling the air.
Fertilize and water regularly to produce strong pseudobulbs. Use a highnitrogen formulation (such as 30-10-10) while plants are in active growth, slowly tapering off as pseudobulbs form. A blossom- booster formulation (such as 10-30- 20) should be used in the autumn, except for plants that normally bloom in the spring. Frequent applications of a dilute concentrations of fertilizer are more effective than occasional applications of strong concentrations.
Potting should be timed to coincide with the initiation of new growth, usually in the spring. New roots will be produced quickly at that time, and plants will experience minimal setback. These plants have vigorous root systems and require a rich, moist potting medium during the growing season. Many growers bare-root their plants during the resting period to ensure dryness at that time. Fine-grade media are common for smaller pots; medium-grade media are used only in larger pots. Sphagnum moss is used successfully for plants in many areas, as it provides tremendous water- and fertilizer-holding capacities. Some plants can be grown on slabs of tree fern or other material, which makes it easier to keep them dry during dormancy; however, it is harder to keep them moist while growing. When well grown, these orchids can be divided down to one mature pseudobulb and will then flower on the next mature growth. Spider mites are a common pest of these orchids when in leaf. Control spider mites by keeping humidity high or spraying with recommended miticides.

Hybrid Orchids Introduction

Phalaenopsis orchids can be a variety of different colors because the majority of these orchids today are hybrids. The phalaenopsis has become so popular on a global level that many States and countries are producing them on a commercial level because the demand is constantly growing.
More people are interested in purchasing this orchid because it is not only simple to take care of with consistent care, but it is also a rewarding plant that stays in bloom for a long period of time from winter through spring. Orchids originally were only available at speciality orchid shows or floral shops but now it is possible to find them at grocery stores, hardware stores, and even farmer’s markets.
The growing demand for phalaenopsis orchids has inspired different hybrids to be incorporated into the species. There are the standard hybrids which include the large white, pink, or striped flowers. These are the most common amongst the phalaenopsis orchid. There are also different colors that include red, orange, and yellow, as well as different patterns including spots or bars. The varieties can be simply ‘mixed and matched’ to please the consumer who not only wants to purchase an orchid, but one that has individuality based on its appearance.
Certain hybrids vary in size. The largest of the phalaenopsis hybrids are specific forms of the white flowered plants as well as the pink flowered plants. These plants can grow up to twenty five-inch flowers, which means the stem is long enough and sturdy enough to hold twenty large flowers. This basically means that one of these popular hybrids can be very large because of the fact that it is monopodial, or one, upright growing stem.
Some hybrids are smaller with an abundant number of smaller flowers. These hybrids usually include the brighter flowers that might have different patterns. These hybrids originally started with a standard large, white phalaenopsis orchid crossed with a brighter, more unusual orchid. They produce a smaller plant that has dominant bright colors, but the same shape of the phalaenopsis.

Meanings Of Orchids Flowers

Orchids are believed to be the most complex flowers among all whether it’s about growing them at home or if considered in regard to their species. Broadly all the Orchid species are divided into 5 groups.
Epiphyte: This is the type of Orchid that is found to be growing on trees and other plants. But they do get their required nutrients from water and air too; they do not remain dependent on other things only.
Lithophytes: These are strange type of orchids and they grow over rocks. They have also the system same as epiphytes to gain the nutrients necessary for their growth.
Monopodial: This type will have new growths over its stems that grow vertically. (They will need less space horizontally but should be planted at a place that is open and free till high.)
Terrestrial: These are the orchids planted in ground and they gain their nutrients through their roots who extract minerals from the soil they are placed in.
Sympodial: These are the Orchids that grow horizontally and so they spread sideways. They usually spread very quickly.
The flower symbolism associated with the orchid is love, beauty, refinement, many children, thoughtfulness and mature charm. Orchids are found in several colors and bring about different impact every time with a different meaning.
Yellow orchids are amazing, bright and cheerful. Yellow orchids bring a graceful feeling to any floral arrangement. Commonly known as flowers of love, yellow orchids have a rare and delicate beauty. Also, yellow orchids are a symbol of royal elegance.
Black orchids are mysterious flowers. They are described as fantasy flowers that have magical powers. Black orchids are a symbol of power and absolute authority.
White orchids are the rarest type of orchids. Beautiful, elegant and pure, the white orchid stands out in every flower arrangement. White orchid represent delicate beauty. They stand for purity, innocence, virtue and divine beauty.
The pink orchid is a magnificent flower. The pink orchid is the most delicate and interesting flower. Pink orchids are known to be flowers that represent love and pure affection. Pink orchids stand for pure affection.
Red orchids are often described as “an Asian love’s dream”. Radiant and grand, red orchids represent the extraordinary wishes of love. Red orchids stand for passion, energy, power, strength, determinism.
Blue orchids are rare, beautiful and deep meaningful flowers. Blue orchids represent delicate beauty. They are royal in color, and therefore, they represent depth, power and stability.
Purple orchids are stunning and their color is absolutely magnificent and the blooms differ from the brightest shade of royal, mysterious purple to the gentlest shade of lavender. Lavender orchids provoke romance and elegance, while deep purple arouses mystery and suggests uncertainty.

Do You Know The Flower Sexy Yellow Birds of Paradise

We got home late last night from our brief trip to the Northeastern and Northwestern parts of North America… An hour before departing from our hotel in Seattle, we ducked into the Pike Place Market and loaded up two small boxes with assorted produce to take back as checked baggage. Then we texted some friends in Manila to invite them to Sunday lunch, and on the menu, whatever cleared customs inspection at NAIA (the Manila airport). I was up at 5am with jet lag, and headed to the Centris market in Quezon City to pick up some herbs and other greens and I spotted these unusually stunning yellow birds of paradise (a member of the heliconia family, is that right?).
At PHP100 for three blooms, they were a bargain.I asked the vendor what they were called, and he answered “Sexy Yellow” and that was that. If you happen to know the scientific name, please leave a comment as my gardening skills are almost non-existent.As we were on our final approach into Manila last night, I couldn’t help but think that the city was pretty dark and gloomy, a zoning nightmare, a fairly ugly place. It was an extremely negative viewpoint, I know, but fairly objective I think. We had just come from some visually stunning places, and it was inevitable that I would compare Manila vs. Vancouver vs. Seattle vs. New England vs. any major international city that I would personally like to visit and revisit again and again. I can’t imagine that droves of tourists would come to Manila simply to visit the city (as opposed to visiting family, friends or conducting business) as say millions would do so for Paris, Hong Kong or New York… I suspect if there were direct international flights to Boracay, Palawan, Bohol, etc. folks would bypass Manila altogether.
Some of these reflections probably hark back to some of our conversations during the recent eyeball in Vancouver. It was wonderful to meet folks who read the blog, but more importantly, Filipinos from all walks of life who have chosen to make a foreign city/country their adopted homes. They have raised their families there, and their children, while identifying themselves as ethnically Filipino, will be for the most part, proudly Canadian, American, etc. as well. There are perhaps more than 10+ million Filipinos who have migrated to various parts of the world in the past 50-60 years, and millions of their children will have been born and raised in a new environment, many of them rarely or never coming back to the Philippines to visit. And yet when you meet them, there is that instant spark, that affinity, that streak of Pinoy that doesn’t fully disappear… And it is wonderful.

flowerwild workshop

　　

　　
　　
　　as you may have guessed from the lack of posts lately...we've been busy. (like hanging these insane floral "clouds" from the ceiling of an old hog barn. whose crazy idea was that???) next time i will definitely consider the "how" before I blurt out an untested creative zinger like that! big thanks to my honey-pie for listening to all of my "pie in the sky" ideas and ramblings on this (balloons covered in petals, styrofoam forms with layers of tubed hydrangea wrapped around them, etc) and then figuring out how to engineer their installation. you are a patient and sweet man!
tomorrow I'm kind of, or mostly on my way to my good friend Jose Villa's workshop in Los Olivos. Nevermind my car died an hour ago - and I'm not in LA. but, thanks to the good will ambassador of flowerwild (ambassador of happiness and all things positive (amber moon)) it looks like Jose will get his flowers and some other goodies.
which brings me to something else. many of you have been asking about our next workshop. and i haven't planned dates yet, or locations. So though I would ask you all. when and where would you like to see flowerwild workshops?
considering first and last weeks of november, and other dates in Jan and feb!

Wedding Flowers By Season

Beautiful flowers are a necessary part of any wedding. They will make wedding more colorful and increase romantic atmosphere. So choosing your wedding flowers carefully.
With the development of modern transport and technology, you can choose the flowers whatever you like. For example, you can buy tulip in winter, although it blossoms out in summer actually. But in this case, you may spend much more money on flowers than are anticipated. The best way is that to select the local flowers which blossom in your wedding season.
Here is a list of a few of the many flowers that are in each season.
Spring: Blossoms (cherry, pear, apple) Sweet Pea, Lilac, Roses, Tulips, Magnolia, Hydrangea, winter jasmine
Summer: Rose, Lily, Cornflower, Forget-me-Not, Daisy, Sunflower, Rose Mallow, Peony, Orchid, Calla
Autumn: Aster, Chrysanthemum, Pot marigold, Narcissus, Dahlias
Witer: Freesia, Holly, Ivy, Amaryllis, Roses, Evergreens, Poinsettias, Mistletoe
Depending on the flowers you choose, building ceremony and wedding reception decorations based on your flowers can also be cheaper than finding other ways to decorate. Flowers automatically look dressed up and a single stem can be placed in a vase with a ribbon for an easy elegant look at little cost. Choosing seasonal flowers can really make the decoration savings add up.