Extension Communications 3614 Administrative Services Building Ames, Iowa 50011-3614 (515) 294-9915

9/19/03

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts:
Linda Naeve, Reiman Gardens, (515) 294-8946, lnaeve@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033, jmcguire@iastate.edu

Orchids Can Make Great Houseplants

By Linda Naeve
Extension Coordinator
Reiman Gardens

Orchids. Few other flowers excite people with such passion as the orchid.

Knowing this, I wanted to write an entire series about the Orchidaceae family. But typically, many people have a hard time following newspaper articles that are one in a series of stories, because inevitably you miss a day or two in the sequence. Also, several books have been written on the Orchidaceae family, so not even a single series would do justice to this intriguing plant family.

After considerable thought, I chose instead to highlight three different orchid genera from the thousands of beautiful orchids in cultivation.

This week's Reiman's Pick is the orchid genius Phalaenopsis, pronounced fal-en-OPP-sis. Phalaenopsis orchids are often referred to as "moth orchids" for their beautiful and nearly perfect flower form. They are among the easiest orchids to grow.

This orchid genera is the first in my series because it is considered a "beginner level" orchid. I found it to be the easiest and most rewarding houseplant I have ever grown. I received one as a gift a year ago. This beautiful orchid bloomed for several weeks at that time and is about to reward me for the third time with a new flower spike.

The orchid family is such a diverse and interesting group of plants that it should not be a surprise when a few new vocabulary words are necessary to fully understand their growth and care.

Orchids have two basic growth forms, monopodial and sympodial. Understanding the forms will help when you select and grow an orchid. The word "monopodial" is Latin for "single foot" which describes its single stem growth habit that grows primarily upward. The stem produces new leaves at its tip. The flower spike forms from buds between the recently matured leaves and the stem. Phalaenopsis orchids are monopodial.

Sympodial orchids have a horizontal stem called a rhizome that grows outward and spreads along the surface of the growing medium. New shoots originate from buds on the rhizome and send out their own roots. "Sympodial" is Latin for "many footed," describing the many shoots that arise from the base of a plant. Unless repotted regularly, the growing tip of the rhizome on sympodial orchids will jump over the rim of the pot and grow down the side. Additionally, many sympodial orchids produce thick, stem-like "pseudobulbs" that store moisture and sustain them through extended dry periods. Flower spikes on sympodial orchids originate between the leaves at the top or from the base of a new pseudobulb.

Unlike the sympodial orchids, monopodial orchids do not have pseudobulbs, so they require more uniform moisture conditions. Also, they don't produce rhizomes and new shoots, so they are not as easily divided as sympodial orchids.

Orchids often have unusual growth habits. As a new orchid grower, I was alarmed when a lower leaf on my Phalaenopsis shriveled up and died just after the first bloom spike faded. I soon learned this was typical, and a new leaf eventually formed at the tip of the plant.

The foliage on orchid plants is considered as unattractive as the flowers are attractive. However, Phalaenopsis orchids have a low, compact growth habit with fairly attractive, broad, glossy leaves.

The flower spike on a Phalaenopsis is long and arching and requires staking to keep it upright. Phalaenopsis orchids typically bloom from fall through winter. Some sources say that if the flower stalk is cut back just below the node that produced the first flower, it will branch and flower again. This will extend the already long bloom time a month or so longer.

Phalaenopsis orchids are excellent easy-to-grow houseplants because they thrive in warm temperatures and typical low light levels found in homes. They are epiphytes (plants that use other plants for support) and grow best in a well-drained, course bark medium. The bark should be kept moist, but not soggy.

The stunning orchid show in the conservatory at Reiman Gardens in Ames has several Phalaenopsis orchids blooming in a variety of colors. There are nearly 350 blooming orchid plants of several genera in a beautiful, tropical display scheduled for exhibit until Oct. 19. On Saturday, October 25, all these orchids will be for sale from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. to help the Gardens recoup the cost of this exotic exhibit.

To learn more about the Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University visit us on the Web at: http://www.reimangardens.iastate.edu/.

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Editors: Two color photos, suitable for publication, are available at right. Click on each thumbnail photo to go to the fullsized photo. The top picture's fullsize photo is 100K and the bottom picture's fullsize photo is 112K. Caption: orchid 1
Caption: orchid 2

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