Taiwan Orchids at Chelsea Flower Show

More photos to follow, but here is a photo of the Taiwan Display at the Chelsea Flower show 2013

Orchid Bling

Its been a while since we last posted a few pictures, so here is a selection from Hampton Court.

Cocksbridge Pearl

Spring Calanthe: Japanese Calanthe

Ranyuen has shared a fantastic album of Japanese Calanthe Orchids on Facebook. Heres a selection.

Orchids under Glass

Growing Orchids successfully in the UK often means the need to some greenhouse space. As many of the most vivid and beautiful orchids require conditions we just do not have in the UK a well set up greenhouse can provide them.

Pap. supersuk

The key considerations are usually humidity and temperature, and by the addition of heating, lighting and humidity control you can provide the desired conditions for whatever orchid you wish to grow. Clearly there are other considerations such as the compost used (as we explored in this post previously) as well as the ph of water, but in a greenhouse it is easier to control these things.

Dendrobium rhabdoglossum

Taking Dendrobiums as an example, they have pretty specific watering requirements This is one of the key elements that new growers of Dendrobiums often fail to adhere to, avoid all watering from mid November until February. If the atmosphere in your home is very dry or you keep them in a dry greenhouse then you can mist your plants once a months to avoid over drying them or give them a good single soak every 8 weeks.

The Nobile varieties of Dendrobiums must have a rest from water between November and February if you want to produce flowers. There is a fine balance between drying them out completely (killing them) and keeping them alive. This is due to their natural habitat in South East Asia where the winters are cool and the air fairly dry. This winter treatment is stopped in February as growth re starts and water should be applied sparingly until good roots are visibly growing from the new shoots, by June watering can given twice weekly and continued until November. This watering regime is due to the plants native environment where they would be subject to monsoon type downpours during the early to late summer with corresponding higher temperatures and humidity and cool dry winter conditions. Growing in a greenhouse allows this control over temperature and water that would otherwise be difficult to replicate. For example in a house you typically have central heating which dries the air.

Gabriel Ash Wooden Greenhouse

Due to their delicate nature orchids can easily be damaged in strong wind or rain, so the greenhouse provides the protection needed to ensure this can not happen. These two Gabriel Ash greenhouses provide an ideal solution for growing perfect orchids in your garden.

Not only protection from weather but also protection from pests as well. However it is worth noting that problems can spread rapidly in the enclosed environment of a greenhouse if you do not treat quickly when a pest is discovered. For example red spider mite will go right though a greenhouse in just a few days if you do not introduce pest control (either organic or chemical depending on your own preferences.

Lean To Greenhouse from Gabriel Ash

Space can be a consideration, not everyone has large gardens to have a free standing greenhouse. If you are limited then a good solution can be a lean to. As well as saving space these can have other benefits as well.

If you attach it to the side of your house then you can reduce the heat loss from the greenhouse in winter as the wall of your home will provide additional protection from the cold and poor weather. If you are able to have a connecting door from your house it also means you don't have to get cold yourself to check on your Orchids!

Cymbidium Strathbraan

Cymbidium Strathbraan

Orchids For Your Home During Spring

The spring season is finally upon us, and for many flower and plant enthusiasts, that means it's time to get back out in the garden. Because many beautiful plants grow and bloom in the warmer and sunnier conditions that spring weather brings on, this is a time for planting and caring for new plants. In preparation, many gardeners will be heading to MySmartBuy for new gardening equipment, or browsing through garden supply sites in search of new seedlings. However, in addition to this popular focus on outdoor gardening, many people also take the spring as an appropriate opportunity to bring a few nice flowers into the home.

Cymbidium Highland Surprise 'Lewes'

Paphiopedilum parishii

For this task, it is difficult to find a more attractive or pleasing option than an orchid. Popular all over the world for their simplicity, grace and beauty, orchids come in different shapes, sizes and colours, and though some grow better in spring than others, all can be grown inside to keep your home from lagging behind your garden when spring hits. Keeping that in mind, here is a brief guide to four popular types of orchids and the conditions that can help them to grow effectively.

• Phalaenopsis Orchids - Generally flowering best in early spring, Phalaenopsis Orchids are the most popular sort of orchids for interior environments. Simply put, the flowers stay open and healthy for a very long time, are very beautiful and elegant, and are extremely low maintenance. Ordinary light, a typical home temperature, and regular but not excessive watering should do the trick.


• Dendrobium Orchids - With more elongated flowers that generally appear either in white or purple hues, Dendrobium Orchids are perhaps even more low maintenance than Phalaenopsis Orchids. Dendrobiums bloom best in winter, but can be maintained in a home interior environment and therefore stay healthy weeks into the spring season.


• Paphiopedilum Orchids - Perhaps the most unique among orchids, Paphiopedilum Orchids bloom into green and white stems and petals, and also have curious-looking pouches as lower petals. These orchids require room temperature and bright light, and can make for attractive and unique spring flowers for your home.


• Cattleya Orchids - Beautiful and delicate, Cattleya Orchids can bloom in spring and fall, and make for beautiful, bright options. However, they require a great deal of light (preferably significantly more than any other orchid) to thrive, so placement is critical if you plan on growing such flowers in your home.

Cymbidium Devon Lord 'Viceroy'

When it comes to spring gardening and flowers, there are virtually limitless options available. However, if you are also looking to bring a few interesting flowers into your home (in addition to planting them outside in your garden), options become more limited. Orchids can be wonderful and simple options for livening up your interior as the weather warms.

Paph Supersuk

I was flicking through a selection of photos earlier when this particular one jumped out. I just had to share.

Cymbidium Devon Lord 'Viceroy'

Another beautiful late winter flowering Cymbidium, this time Cymbidium Devon Lord 'Viceroy'.

Cymbidium Devon Lord 'Viceroy' 

Cymbidium Devon Lord 'Viceroy' 

Cymbidium Devon Lord 'Viceroy' 

Cymbidium Devon Lord 'Viceroy' 

Cymbidium Devon Lord 'Viceroy' 

Cymbidium Chelsea Red

Another beautiful Cymbidium hybrid, Cymbidium Chelsea Red.

Cymbidium Chelsea Red 

Cymbidium Chelsea Red

Win A Mothers Day Orchid

We have a lovely Mothers Day gift available to win form Marks and Spencers, stunning Autograph Orchid Bowl.

This stylish twin stem multi-floral Phalaenopsis orchid will make a statement in any home. Allow it to cause a stir again and again by displaying by a window that doesn't get direct sun allowing it to bloom for many weeks. With care will reflower in future.

To Enter all you have to do is answer the following question.

What type of Orchid is pictured above.

a) Phalaenopsis 

b) Paphiopedilum 

c)Cymbidium

Remember we will need to be able to contact you if you do win, so whilst "anonymous replies" can be made to the blog if there isn't a way to contact you then these will sadly have be discounted.

Extra entries can be made by sharing this competition on Twitter (include #orchidgardens so we can see your extra entry) or by liking our page and sharing the competition from Facebook. 

An additional entry can be made by "following" this blog via Google Friend Connect

Terms and conditions: This competition closes at 23.59 on 6 March 2013. Any entries received after this time will not be counted. Entrants must be UK residents aged 18 years or older to enter. By entering this competition you agree and consent to your name being published and by taking part in the competition, entrants are deemed to have read, understood and accepted all of the Terms and Conditions and agreed to be bound by them. The winner will be selected at random from the correct entries and will be announced here on the blog. Please make sure we are able to contact you if you do win, as we will need to arrange for your prize to be sent to you to arrive by 9th March.

Wordless Wednesday Cymbidium Highland Surprise 'Lewes'

Cymbidium Highland Surprise 'Lewes' 

Cymbidium Highland Surprise 'Lewes'

Cymbidium Doris Dawson 'Scotch Mist'

Another fantastic Cymbidium from McBean Orchids Silver Gilt winning display at the 2013 RHS Plant and Design Show is the fantastic winter flowering orchid Cymbidium Doris Dawson 'Scotch Mist'.

Cymbidium Doris Dawson 'Scotch Mist'

Cymbidium Doris Dawson 'Scotch Mist'

Cymbidium Doris Dawson 'Scotch Mist'

Cymbidium Doris Dawson 'Scotch Mist'

Cymbidium Mighty Mouse 'Minnie'

Cymbidium Mighty Mouse 'Minnie' 

Cymbidium Mighty Mouse 'Minnie' on display at the RHS plant and design show earlier this week. This hybrid flowers from late winter though until the early summer. It is a cross between Cymbidium Redwood and Cymbidium Pajaro

Cymbidium Mighty Mouse 'Minnie' 

Cymbidium Mighty Mouse 'Minnie' 

Cymbidium Mighty Mouse 'Minnie' 

Cymbidium West Down "Winter White"

Cymbidium West Down "Winter White"

This beautiful Cymbidium, caught our attention at the recent RHS Plant and Design Show, Cymbidium West Down "Winter White". Cymbidium orchids are very popular, especially with beginners or for use in the home, and their showy flowers can last for a number of weeks. Ideally they are best grown in a cool conservatory and placed in the garden for the summer. As you can see from our photos this week they are generally winter and spring flowering although some varieties will flower in the summer and autumn as well.

The typical standard varieties such as Cymbidium West Down "Winter White" will grow into quite large plants showing off their large flowers. They should be potted on in the spring when flowering has finished roughly every 2 or 3 years.

Cymbidium West Down "Winter White"

Cymbidium West Down "Winter White"

Orchids at the 2013 RHS London Plant and Design Show

We went along to the RHS Spring Plant and Design Show today, and as well as plenty of bulbs, flowers and other exotic and unusual plants there were a great selection of Orchids.

I haven't yet had time to sort though everything but here is a selection. Names and more details to follow!

Cymbidium West Down "Winter White"

Orchids at Kew

Kew have shared a first photo from the orchid exhibition that opens tomorrow. For more information and tickets see the Kew website.

Phalaenopsis bellina

Phalaenopsis bellina

Phalaenopsis bellina a small orchid from Borneo. It is an epiphyte  that grows on lower branches of trees often in moist conditions such as overhanging streams, typically in shady, humid conditions. It prefers hot conditions as its origin would suggest. Once established it can repeat flower on the old flower stems so don't remove these when it has finished.

Burrageara Living Fire

Burrageara Living Fire

Burrageara Living Fire prefers to be grown in partial shade and should be kept at a cool to intermediate temperature. It prefers to be kept moist but avoid overwatering as a sodden planting medium will encourage rot. Burrageara Living Firecan be potted in fir bark or similar medium and should bloom around autumn and winter. It is a hybrid between Vuylstekeara Edna × Oncidium maculatum