Hybridizing Orchids

The orchids (more formally, Orchidacea) are a grouping of plants consisting of over than 20,000 named species, quite a few of which are highly valuable from a commercial standpoint. Many people believe them to be far and away the most interesting order of plants in the whole vegetable kingdom because of their unusual mode of growth and existence, their odd habits and the many shapes and forms of their blooms, which are quite distinct from those of all other plants -- delicate seeming in texture and with wonderful, glowing tints.

Orchids are also to be remarked on owing to their widely admired adaptability and the extent to which they will easily cross-breed or cross-fertilize. This is the case in their natural environs as well as under cultivation. This fact also accounts for the nearly endless varieties of flowers and colors that can be the outcome of the hybridizing process.

A little botany: The flower of the orchid as a rule is made up of these parts: sepals, the petals, the labellum (or pouch), and the column (or crest).

The labellum is generally the most notable part as well as the most important organ of the flower. Insects crawl or fly into it looking for the succulent juices held inside the spur or walls of the flower, pollinating the plant in the process and furthering cross-fertilization in the bargain. This is how such a large number of new varieties are produced in the wild, and these are the orchids that are termed natural hybrids.  But under cultivation this work must be performed by human caretakers using small camel's hair brushes and with a careful eye and judgment as to the right time for fertilization. It is in this manner that the most wonderful orchid hybrids are created, and these are termed garden hybrids.

One of the the things that makes growing orchids so exciting is the dream of producing our own hybrid orchids. The process takes knowledge and a good bit of patience, but even non-professionals have created breathtaking orchids through hybridizing.

If you are interested in experimenting with the hybridization of orchids, you should first gain some good experience in basic cultivation of these plants.Only after you have gained confidence in working with orchids should you try the more demanding task of hybridization. Orchids are slow growing, and slow to come to bloom, so you must be comfortable with waiting sometimes years to see if your hybridizing experiments are successful. Nontheless, when you do succeeed, it's fantastic experience.  You can produce not only some beautiful flowers in this way, but also orchid types never before seen in the world.

Naturally, you must obtain all the information that you can before attempting to hybridize orchids. Fortunately, there are good books available on all aspects of orchid growing, including step-by-step instructions on hybridizing orchids.

The most complete guidebook to contemporary orchid care, I have found, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which is available to be downloaded from the Internet. Mr. Howard's ebook is a complete course, useful for novices and the more experienced growers alike. As well, be sure to visit the Orchid Secretssite, which is publishing an ever-growing database of entries on a wide range of facets of orchid care.

An Introduction to Potting Orchids

Orchids are traditionally separated into two principal types, epiphytal and terrestrial. The epiphytals are the orchids that grow on trees. There are several different methods for growing this type of orchid in the house or in greenhouses. It all begins with the potting.

In a state of nature, the epiphytal orchids typically have roots that are much more exposed to air as compared to other plants.  Therefore, by "potting" we do not mean to pack them all around with thick potting soil.  Rather, we want to place them in a pot with loose, organic matter, from which they can draw necessary nutrients, along with rocks or broken pottery bits to create open spaces and to assist the plants to stay upright.

The typical formula for potting material appropriate to epiphytals is 1 part sphagnum moss to 1 part peat moss. Place a layer of this material in the bottom of the pot, followed by a layer of rocks or pottery pieces, then a second layer of the compost, and so on. When the pot is around a quarter or at most a third full, carefully place your orchid's root system down into it. Then continue adding rocks and mix, packing all of this material just tight enough to support the plant.

Try to gradually build the mix until it is up to and even a little above the top of the pot. The height you need to go above the pot depends on the size of the pot as well as the depth to which you have placed the plant. The general rule is to allow the plant's crown to rest on top of the mix. By crown is meant that part of the orchid plant from where the roots begin.

If you are repotting your orchid, you have to take special care when taking it out of its previous pot. If there are any new roots clinging to the exterior of the pot, you should attempt to ease them off with a penknife. It there is a mass of vital roots -- meaning, roots that have sap in them -- attached to the inside of the pot, then you might have to break the pot and pick away all that you can. You might need to repot it with bits of the old pot still hanging on the roots, and this is fine.

It is a good idea not to water for a day or so before or immediately after potting this type of orchid.

This has been a general introduction to potting epiphytal type orchid plants. The subject can be more complex than this, particularly in the case of some of the more delicate or senstive species. Entire books have been printed on how to pot the various species of orchid plants!  Fortunately, most of us don't need books devoted entirely to the potting art in order to enjoy success with orchids. A recognized, comprehensive guide to all aspects of orchid growing is sufficient.

These days there exists lots of excellent, accurate information available for anyone who wishes to grow orchids. The most thorough guide to contemporary orchid care, many people are finding, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which is available to be downloaded over the Internet. Howard's well-written guide constitutes a comprehensive education all to itself. And, you will find it suitable for beginners as well as more experienced orchid growers. Also, be sure to visit the Orchid Secrets site, which contains a growing library of information on many topics of orchid care.

Orchids Adore Rainwater

We can thank orchid and other flower fanciers, at least in part, for the burgeoning movement to make full use of the water that reaches our houses and yards, particularly that which comes down as rain. If you are growing orchids, this might be something you should look into.

Orchids, similar to other plants, have very particular likes and dislikes as to what is provided them to nourish their roots. Most of them will not thrive in hard water. Unfortunately, the water that comes out of the taps in many areas is too hard for orchids to respond as well as we might like. Most of the time, hard water won't kill orchids. It might stunt their growth, though, or keep them from ever blooming as wonderfully as they would have.

A good thing about orchids is the fact that they have thick, fleshy roots that can stand up to hard water better than many other types of plants. Woody plants, for instance, with their fine roots, are easily destroyed by water that is too hard. Nevertheless you should take measures to avoid using hard water on your orchids.

You can buy devices that fit on your water line to soften your water while removing various types of unwanted impurities. But to tell the truth nothing beats rainwater for treating orchids right! After all, this is the way nature waters wild plants the world over.

A number of companies produce rain barrels that are perfect for catching and holding rainwater until you want to use it. Many homeowners set the barrels up underneath the rainspouts coming from their roofs. With some planning and work, you could set up several rain barrels to direct water directly to your orchids. Then the watering chore, presuming you live in a fairly rainy area, becomes virtually hands off.

Whatever type of water you use, don't use it on plants if it has a chill on it. For instance, I would not use water that I got from an outside tap on a cold winter's day, without first allowing it to come to room temperature in my home or greenhouse. Chilly water can lead to spotting, rot young growths and damage roots.

Some orchids will get benefit from water with some lime mixed in it. In years gone by, people noticed that imported Cypripedium orchids often were covered with chalky lime deposits due to the plants having grown in limestone rock crevices where water trickled down upon them. So if you have a Cypripedium, you could try adding lime to its water, a little at first and then more if you determine that the plant is responding well to it.

The art of orchid cultivation is an intriguing topic. Orchid growing is not as difficult as some people make it out to be, but you must arm yourself with accurate information before plunging in to this rewarding pastime. 

The most up-to-date guidebook to expert orchid growing, in the opinion of many, is Orchid Care Expert by master orchid grower Nigel Howard, which is available to be downloaded online. Mr. Howard's guide is a comprehensive course, enlightening for novices as well as more seasoned devotees alike. As well, visit this Orchid Secrets site, which contains a growing library of information on a wide range of topics of orchid care.

What is Composting?

Many people who are gardeners or care about the environment at putting in kitchen and garden waste into composts therefore creating a product which can then be used in the garden.  This is done by speeding up the process that the materials you use to compost go through on their own – decomposition.  If you are a keen gardener then composting is somthing that you should learn more about.

Compost is not soil.  It is a common misconception that the end-result of composting is the dirt that you find in the ground.  Compost allows plants to grow healthier by providing lots of wonderful nutrients.

Before you begin composting there are choices to be made – what type of container and style suits your project, what type of waste you will be composting, and the location of your bin.  No matter what choices you have to make, how you convert your waste into compost happens the same way.  It is a breakdown of waste materials as they are digested by microbes (bacteria and fungi).

This might not sound very nice but without the microbes, you'll not be able to achieve compost.  They need air, water, and food to do their job and it is up to you to supply it to them in the correct amounts.  For great compost you should consider using worms.

People who have never owned a compost before in their lives are under the misconception that composts are automatically smelly it is most likely the result of not enough air circulating throughout the waste material.  Without air, the material will still breakdown but it will be done by anaerobic microbes (organisms that do not need oxygen) as opposed to aerobic (ones that need oxygen).  If you discover that your compost is emmitting a foul smell then you should add in some cardboads and also turn the compost with a fork to allow more air into it.  Wood chips or hay are good for the composter.

Composting is something that everyone should get involved in, even if you only have a very small garden – it prevents waste from enetrying landfill and also adds much needed nutrients to your soil.

Killing Insects The Natural Way

You might be one of these people who think that all insects should be nuked.  It's because of this belief that there are so many products on the market designed to help people get rid of the unwanted insects.  While it's true that there are many insects that can cause harm, normally the insect only is defending themselves.  So think again about how you kill ants.

If you need to attack insects, at least do nature the justice of attacking the ones that are only a threat to you or your plants' survival or health.  Some people have allergies to insects and so are left with no choice but to eradicate them.  A wasp or bee sting could put some people in the hospital.

Some insects that are beneficial and do not cause harm to us will cause harm in some form to our plants.  Everyone loves butterflies as they are so pretty, however those who are keen gardeners aren't too happy about the caterpillars munching on their plants!  Some insects that you will want to encourage into your garden include ladybugs, bees and also some wasps.  Honeybeens will sting you if they feel under threat but if we didn't have them we wouldn't be able to enjoy honey and also our plants will have great difficulty in pollenating.

Boric acid has been used for many years to help control nasty little roaches.  Ants have always been quite a problem because they love to come into our homes and can also bite.  Wasps that do sting cause allergic reactions, fear in small children and many adults because of their aggressive nature.  People usually use some form of spray to attack them so they don't have to get too close and risk their painful stings.  A useful thing to learn too is what do ants eat.

Neem comes from the Indian lilac tree.  The reason it works is that it prevents the insect from being able to feed and also regulates growth.  Pyrethrum is one of the most popular natural insecticides for attacking insects.  It is used to paralyze and must be applied directly.  It's contained in many pet shampoos for flea and tick control.  Nicotine is well known as a tobacco product, it of course causes major problems to people's health.  Some insects can actually be controlled by it.  Rotenone and sabadilla dust can be considered exotic natural insecticides because they are made from plants that exist in other countries.  If for whatever reason you want to get rid of honeybees then you should use Sabadilla, however it should be noted that it's only a short-term solution.  So consider the possibility of homemade ant killer.

Adding Interest To the Garden With Ornamental Grass

A group of plants that get forgotten in the garden for most of the year, but deserve greater appreciation for the texture and balance they provide are ornamental grasses. They may be used as a sole clump that provides a variation on the normal foliage within a garden bed or they could be made as a living showpiece at the centre of the garden. They're a versatile group of plants and can be grouped together to from hedgerows or as a formal border.

For the most part, ornamental grass varieties aren’t fussy about the soil types they are given. With water conservation an ever-present consideration these days, ornamental grasses become an ideal garden choice with many of them drought tolerant with the exception of sedges. Although it is best to look up exactly which position is most suitable for an individual type of plant, ornamental grasses generally prefer a sunny to partially shaded position.

The diversity of the various types of ornamental grass can be seen by taking a brief look at a few well known grasses ofdifferent sizes.

Some, such as Muhly Grass will sit largely unnoticed in the garden blending in with its neighbours as an unremarkable looking plant that grows to a height of around 3 foot. But come the end of summer it really comes out of its shell and produces a resounding display of deep pink-red inflorescence giving it a real cotton candy look.

In larger gardens you may find an ornamental grass such as Pampas Grass commanding attention as a magnificent clump ruling over the rest of the garden looking visually stunning. The plumage of the Pampas Grass can be quite showy with a coice of either white or pink and various shades in between sitting up to 12 feet tall. However, Pampas Grass must be carefully tended and is regarded as a noxious weed in some areas.

Moving from the big to the small, some ornamental grass varieties such as Mondo Grass are used to show off other plants in the garden by providing a lush green background canvas. Used as a groundcover or low border they can really define the tone of a garden.

A quick run through of some of the popular ornamental grasses to consider includes: Fountain Grass, Blood Grass, Blue Fescue, Maiden Grass, Pennisetum, Northern Sea Oats, Zebra Grass and Bunny Tails.

The various types of ornamental grasses have a lot to offer a garden and is well worth considering when planning a new garden design. Whether using them as a border, a ground cover or a striking floral statement they will give the garden an added memorable elemental design.

Understanding Orchid Fundamentals

At one time, many folks assumed, perhaps with some justification, that cultivating orchids was an occupation only for the quite affluent. Today, most folks know that cultivating orchids is an absorbing pastime that is available to people no matter their means.Yet another false perception is still around, though: that taking care of orchids is extremely difficult. But this is certainly not so.

The fact is, many of the most astonishingly lovely orchid types are really fairly easy to grow. All you need is some foreknowledge, gleaned from books, whether they are the hard-copy kind or the convenient digital kind that you can download from the Internet. If you live in a mild or warm climate, you will be able to grow many varieties outdoors, in your yard or garden.But even if your climate is a cold one, you can still grow gorgeous orchids in a greenhouse or even a regular room, dedicated to the purpose.

Why grow orchids rather than other types of plants?If you have had any experience growing orchids, you would not need to ask the question. Orchids can seize us with a hold that never relaxes once it has us in its grips!

Nevertheless, here are some possible answers to the question. One huge advantage of growing orchids as opposed to other flowering plants is their extreme showiness paired with the great length of time they will stay in bloom. Some orchid varieites will delight you with their blooms for three or four months. A few will continue blooming for six months. Even if your collection of orchids is a small one, it is possible to have blooms the year around, due to the varying blooming seasons of different species.

The topic of orchids, and how to cultivate them, is both broad and deep. You should dig deep into the subject, learning as much as you possibly can before acquiring your first plant. Nevertheless, there are a few basics you should know right off the bat. One of those basics is that orchids are divided into two great groups based on their growing habits.

One of the two major groupings is the epiphytal orchids. These are orchids that grow on trees, or sometimes in moss or fungus on rocks. They are the air dwelling orchids, because they seemingly live on nothing but air and sunlight, though this of course is not actually true. It is these fascinating species that first seized collectors' imaginations and led to the orchid craze of more than a century ago. They are still the ones that most fascinate people today.

Epiphytal orchids are not parasites, though. They draw only a little of their sustenance from the bark of the trees to which they cling, and this does not harm their hosts in the least. They also draw nutrients from water, moss and fungi, as well as leaves that often get caught on and around them, decomposing in the process. Orchid devotees adore the epiphytals because of the enjoyment of recreating their unusual habitats in a garden or greenhouse.

The other major grouping of orchids comprises the terrestrial ones. As you can guess, these are the kind that grow in the soil like "normal" plants. Growing them requires potting, just as with any other familiar houseplant. Many of the most gorgeous varieites of orchids are to be found here.

Many orchid growers start out by concentrating on one of these two main groups of orchids. As you might guess, though, they end up growing at least a handful of species from both groups. It''s recommended to learn about both types of orchids if you are serious about joining the world of orchid growers.

In our day there exists an abudance of good, accurate information to be had by anyone who would like to grow orchids. The most complete guidebook to 21st-century orchid growing, more people are finding, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded over the Internet. Howard's clearly written guide will provide a full understanding of the subject. Also, visit the Orchid Secrets website, which features an ever-growing library of articles on many facets of orchid cultivation.