Cymbidium Orchid

Cymbidium Orchid

CYMBIDIUM ORCHIDS Apart from the ever increasing number of cultivars, there are about 50 species of cymbidium orchids native to the regions from the Himalayan foothills to China, Japan and Taiwan and down to Indonesia and Australia. Some are tropical, some from cooler climates, often due to altitude, some are epiphytic (a plant growing on another but not parasitic) and some terrestrial (growing in the soil). There is no great mystery about the cultivation of cymbidiums in a climate like that of Sydney. They can be grown in pots or directly into the ground. Their primary requirement is sunlight in the morning, preferably all year round, and protection from the hot afternoon summer sun. In the ground, in a well drained or raised position, the common varieties will, over a period of years, develop into a large clump which may produce 20 or more spikes each year. When grown in pots they require a special potting mix, usually composed of relatively large chips of bark or some such medium. They should be placed in a pot only slightly larger than the root system and kept in the same pot until they are virtually root bound. They tend to flower more prolifically the more congested the root mass. Whilst they will do OK without any fertiliser at all, a once-a-year feed of Osmocote or similar slow release fertiliser or regular application of soluble fertiliser will be of benefit.

Slipper Orchid (Paphiopedilum Lemora X April)

PAPHIOPEDILUM and PHRAGMIPEDIUM The genera Cypripedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium and Selenipedium have a similar flower structure where the lip is in the form of a pouch or a slipper and they are all referred to as “slipper orchids.” Cyripediums are terrestrial orchids widely distributed in north temperate Asia, Europe, Japan and North America. Selenipediums are native from Costa Rica south to tropical South America. These two genera are rarely seen in cultivation. PHAPHIOPEDILUMS The genus comprises some 60 species found growing in much the same geographical area as dendrobiums, but not as far south as Australia. PHRAGMIPEDIUMS The genus is related to paphiopedilums but occupies an entirely separate geographical distribution, being native to the tropical Americas. Most of the species have flowers in shades of green and brown but there are colourful exceptions.

Bromeliad Gusmania Sanguinea

Cymbidium Orchid

Cymbidium Orchid

Cymbidium Orchid

Bromeliad Billbergia pyramidalis, variety Concolor

Bromeliad Canistrum Triangulare

Bromeliad Canistropis Billbergioides Citrinum

Sophrolaeli Cattleya

Cactus Orchid

Bromeliad Tillandsia Aeranthos

Cattleya Hybrid

CATTLEYA ORCHIDS All these plants are members of the same sub-tribe of the orchid family, the Laeliinae, which comprises more than 800 species in 43 genera. A salient feature is the ease with which many of the genera can be crossed, one with another, resulting in a proliferation of intergeneric names. They can be attached to, or hung under, trees in favourable areas such as Southern Florida, Hawaii and tropical Asia. Even here the best flowers often come from shadehouses with protection from overhead rain so that watering can be controlled. Further from the equator, cattleyas are usually grown in a green house. Potting requirements are similar to that of cymbidiums

Cymbidium Legacy Conference

Dendrobium Bellinger River

DENDROBIUM ORCHIDS There are perhaps more than 1,000 species in this sympodial genus, making it one of the largest in the orchid family. The geographical range is also large, being much the same as cymbidiums except that it extends into the islands of the South Pacific, growing anywhere from sea level to considerable altitudes. There is such a diversity of vegetative and floral structure that it is difficult to generalise. However the genus has been classified into a number of different sections. CALLISTA This covers a small section of Asian species with deep green leaves of good substance confined to the upper portion of swollen canes. They can be grown in the same way as cattleyas, including minimum temperatures of 10 degrees celsius, but require less water in winter. DENDROCORYNE Orchids from this section grow naturally on the coastal wetter side of the great dividing range in eastern Australia. They are epiphytes or lithophytes with leaves of good substance on the top of pseudo bulbs which are relatively slender and wider at the bottom. An enormous amount of hybridising has been done with this section in Australia. EUGENANTHE Plants in this section are sometimes referred to as “soft cane” dendrobiums, although the term is a little misleading. These are all epiphytes and will survive winter night temperatures down to 3 degrees celsius if kept dry. NIGROHIRSUTAE This Asian section has deep green leaves and stout canes which are covered with black or brown hairs. They can be grown with the same light levels at cattleyas. A humid atmosphere is desirable. OXYGLOSSUM Orchids in this section are small plants native to Irian Java and Papua New Guinea or outlying islands with a few extending to the Pacific. They are high altitude plants which rarely survive if they are brought down to sea level within the tropical latitudes where they are found. They are not difficult to cultivate in temperate climates where they are still definitely cool growers, withstanding temperatures down to near freezing but disliking intense dry summer heat. PHALAENANTHE There are only a few species in this section but two are very important. These are Dendrobium Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium Biggibum. They are found in the north of eastern Australia and in Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

Dendrobium Sulphurem

Miltonia Maufanti Jersey

ONCIDIINAE These grow naturally in tropical and sub-tropical America and the Caribbean, mainly as epiphytes. There is a confusing number of genera and hundreds of species. Some are classified under the genus name “Odontoglossum,” formerly “Lemboglossum.” Then there are Columbian Miltonias and Brazilian Miltonias. ONCIDIUM There are probably 500 species in this genus which is spread widely over the Americas’ tropics and sub-tropics. With so many species growing under varied conditions it is not possible to give specific advice about requirements in cultivation which will apply to all. If in doubt, treat them as cattleyas, allowing them to dry out between waterings. Minimum required temperatures range from 8 degrees celsius to 15 degrees celsius.

Paphiopedilum (Slipper Orchid)

Phalaenopsis (Snow Leopard)

PHALAENOPSIS Phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, comprises some 40 to 50 species native to a wide tropical area in India, South East Asia, Indonesia, the Philippines and northern Australia. They are mainly epiphytes, although some can grow as lithophytes (growing on stones). The genus is characterised by fleshy, wandering roots and succulent leaves. A flower stem can carry anything from a few flowers up to 100 on a branched stem. The flowers are flat and of heavy substance, in many colours and a diversity of patterns. They are tropical plants and failures are often experiences by growers who do not provide the warm temperatures which are required. On the other hand, if temperatures are to their liking, the plants can be quite forgiving grown in otherwise less than perfect conditions.