The Diamond of the Plant World

By Carrie Shimada, Weld County Extension

They come in white, yellow and pink.  They are beautiful, exotic, and sexy; and while they do not cost two month’s salary- they are often linked to status.  Yes. . . .Orchids, are the ultimate in plant couture.   With over 300,000 licensed cultivars, the orchid is to the plant enthusiast, as the diamond is to the gem-lover- rare, long-lasting, and a symbol of beauty.

Orchids typically carry the stigma of being a difficult plant to grow, but with a bit of care, anyone can be successful at growing an orchid, even though they could be considered the plant world’s diamond.

There are a few species of orchids that fare well as a houseplant:  phalaenopsis, cattleya, and dendrobium, and cymbidium– each with their own characteristics.

 

Phalaenopsis species, or the moth orchid, are the most elegant indoor orchids.  They have long arching sprays of flowers that bloom in winter and last for several months and they adapt well to the home setting. 
Cattleya species are commonly used in corsages.  They bloom once per year in the spring or fall and the flowers last anywhere from 2-6 weeks. 

Dendrobium species bloom during the fall or winter and they remain for 3-4 weeks. Their floral displays are showy, long sprays of white, lavender, or a combination of the two.

Cymbidium species have thick, waxy petals, with petals ranging from one inch to five inches in diameter and they can have up to 20 flowers on one stem.

Temperature:

 

Orchids prefer normal household temperatures of 65⁰F-70⁰F during the day.  But during the night, temperature requirements vary by species:  phalaenopsis like 65⁰F, cattleya, 60⁰F, dendrobium, 52⁰F, and cymbidium, 58⁰F.

 In short, they should be fine in your house during the normal night-time temperature.  Just don’t leave them in a window during a winter freeze.

  Light:

Phalaenopsis species thrive under low light levels.  They perform best in bright windows with little or no direct sun, such as an east-facing window.  They can also be grown in artificial light, such as in an office setting.

Cattleya and Dendrobium species grow best in bright light to some sun.  They do not like direct midday sun, but they do like a slightly shaded south or west-facing window.

Cymbidium species have very high light requirements- a south facing window is best.

Watering

If you want to kill your orchid- let it sit in a waterlogged pot, as overwatering will kill your plant.  To avoid this, follow a couple rules:

-When orchids are actively growing, water once a week and allow them to dry slightly before the next watering.  Unless it is of the phalaenopsis species- they do not like to dry out.
-When watering- apply enough water to get water to drain from the bottom of the pot.
-When the orchid is done flowering, reduce watering.
-Do not allow water to remain on the leaves of your orchid, as this may lead to disease.

Fertilization

When orchids are actively growing and flowering they need to be fertilized on a regular basis.  Be sure to follow the fertilizer label- over fertilization will quickly kill your orchid.

Fertilize once a month using a water-soluble fertilizer.  Select a 30-10-10 fertilizer if your orchid is grown in a bark media; select a 20-10-10 fertilizer if you orchid is growing in any other medium.
After flowering, reduce fertilization until new leaf growth appears.

Humidity

Orchids prefer an environment with 40-60% humidity; since that is too humid for your home ( we live in Colorado after all) it is important to supplement the humidity.

Placing the orchid pot in a tray of pebbles with a small amount of water, having a humidifier in the room, or occasionally misting the orchid with distilled water can supply your orchid with the needed supplemental moisture.

Planting Media

Do not plant your orchid in regular potting mix- this will kill the plant.  Since most orchids are epiphytes, they grow best in soilless mixtures with bark or cork. (Epiphytes are plants that grow by attaching themselves to tree bark in order to absorb water and nutrients.)  Orchid planting mixtures are commonly available on the market- it is best to use these, as they will provide the orchids with good aeration and drainage.

As with any brilliant diamond- beauty and grace require care, but the payoff is big.  The long-lasting, sometimes fragrant, and always elegant orchid may not fit in a small blue box, but they will add a bit of sexy to your home without the hefty price. 

The Beauty of the Prairie

Posted by:  Carrie Shimada, Weld County Extension

 

With the 4th of July right around the corner, I thought pictures from a day-trip I recently took would be apropos.

I have lived in Colorful Colorado all my life and during that time I have traveled West, to the mountains many (many) times, South, all the way to the New Mexico border, and North, up to the Wyoming border (never stopping to visit any of the towns or recreational areas) - but the furthest East (in Colorado) I had ever been was Ft Morgan and DIA.  (Okay, so that’s a bit of a lie, I did go on a few family trips to Missouri when I was under the age of 6, but who can remember that far back!)

Like many Coloradoans, when I think of Colorado hiking trips or vacations, I think of mountains- not of the plains, but after a couple of recent trips, I suggest you consider a day-trip to the Colorado Plains.

Yesterday, we jumped into the car, last minute, and ventured out to the Pawnee Buttes, located within the Pawnee National Grasslands.  This trip, according to US Forest service, is 25 minutes northeast of Greeley, 35 miles east of Ft Collins, which seems like a quick trip, right?  But, beware if you want to venture into the 193,060 acre region or to the Pawnee Buttes area- be prepared for very bumpy gravel roads.  While facilities are limited, recreational opportunities are not.  This area is an internationally known birding area (May-June are the best) and a good place for a grassland hike.  Instead of ponderosa pines or aspen tress, there are yucca plants, cactus, and a quite serenity that is only found on the prairie.  Here is my trip....in pictures.


We finally arrived....after a very bumpy ride.



The Map.

Beware of the gate...it took two of us to figure out!





The official Pawnee Buttes.

 

It wouldn't be a hortie blog without plant pictures!

This is one of the only places yucca belongs :)

The interpretive signage.  At one point in time titanotheres
(a rhino-like creature) roamed here.

My dog, Magnolia Jean- if you take you dog,
bring plenty of water and watch out for cactus.

My Selfie :)

                                       


Thanks for joining me on my adventure!

 

 

One Gardeners Search to Become a Gardenista.

        Carrie Shimada, Weld County Extension

Among my Co-Hort bloggers, I’m known as a fashion maven.   Yes, I love to garden and play in the dirt, but I also like fashion.   I will admit I have a closet that’s overflowing with clothes, many pairs of shoes (okay-many, many pairs of shoes), and handbags.   I follow fashion trends and I have been known to rock a pair of 5” in a snow storm, that’s why it pains me, a little, to admit that my typical gardening attire is far from fashionable. 
 

Just this past weekend, I would have been fined by the fashion police- my paint-splattered shorts, my slightly yellowed tee-shirt, and green gardening clogs were far from fashionable.  So, in fear of being issued a citation for my crimes against fashion, I decided to check out what was in style for the avid “Gardenista”.

My green gardening clogs, while washable and comfortable, they're not very stylish.

What I found out, was just what I expected- gardens on apparel were more common than stylish apparel for gardening.  Spring 2013 is the year of floral printed dressed, leaf printed blazers for men and women, and anything foliage-related on clothing.  In spite of all the fashion inspired by gardening, I kept searching for a website that would lead me to that great fashion find.

And did I find a couple of interesting sites!  (These websites were research, not an endorsement of any product)

Girliegardening.com, a site FULL of pink.  Of course their pink lip patterned Wellies caught my eye in an instant, but it was the ‘girlie’-named’ gardening products that kept me clicking through the pages.  Let’s just say the names of the quite fashionable garden products, keep your mind wondering to other adult products ;)  The website does use words like ‘allotment’ and ‘brolly’- mind you it’s a British company that brilliantly took the idea of the ‘plastic-wear party’ and adapted it to ‘Girlie Garden’ products.  Who’s in for adapting this to the United States?

From: girliegardening.com
 

Kusashoes.com, a company dedicated to “the sensation of walking barefoot on grass. Anywhere! Anyime!”  Who knew that searching for garden fashion would get you to a site that produces parts of the garden as fashion.  Kusa took the well-known donut company’s idea of grass lined flip-flops and made it wearable- because wearing a shoe with grass growing in the foot bed is not practical- I guess (that coming from a girl who wears 6” platform heels).



From: kusashoes.com

So, maybe my search got a bit distract by the all the pink lips and faux-grass shoes, but what’s wrong with a little fun! 

When I finally got back on track, I found that no matter how far I searched, woman’s gardening apparel was not that fashion worthy.  Instead I decided to compile a list of fashionable gardening accessories- a Gardenista’s best friend.

A Gardenista’s must have accessories:

1. Gloves- leather gloves are useful when pruning, gripping wheelbarrows full of mulch, and dealing with thorny rosebushes.

2. Pruners- for dead-heading, for nipping string, and of course, pruning.  By- Pass pruners are the only way to go, when in the garden.

3.  Rubber Shoes- adapted from the wooden clogs of Holland, the washable, versatile rubber clog is a garden must-have.  A good pair of Wellies is also a must- muddy soil and wet lawns are easier to navigate when your entire foot is covered.

4.  Big Floppy Hat- protects you face from the sun’s ray, because wrinkles are a no-no for guys and gals- need I say more!

5. Sunscreen- a broadband UVA/UVB sunscreen is a definite must.  The sun is great, but its rays are not.

Whether you dress to the nines, or the opposite of the nines, in the office or the garden, there are many stylish ways to make your gardening ventures a bit more Gardenista-like. Whether you choose a pink pair of Wellies, or a pair of faux-grass flip-flops- I know I will still rock a pair of paint-splattered shorts, a face hiding big floppy hat, and a pair of Wellies.  Gardening is messy, so why ruin my fashions with dirt J

Me in a floral print dress and my trusty Wellies...with my Maggie!

 

*Gardenista was the only fashion-maven word I could think of- sorry men!  But by no means are men exempt from looking stylish- even in the garden!