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South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2017

72 South Bay Accent Bay Area expert Bruce Rogers, author of “The Orchid Whisperer: Expert Secrets for Growing Beautiful Orchids,” says you can successfully grow phalaenopsis, or “phals,” in your home, as long as the temperatures stay between 58° and 78° F. Cymbidiums can grow indoors, but they get big, so the good news is they thrive outdoors in the Bay Area. The plant is native to India, China, Japan, Indonesia and Australia and prefers temperate climates with cool nights. 2 Transport an Orchid with Care, Just as You Would a Pet Rogers estimates that 10 percent of all orchids never make it home alive after riding in a car, and another 10 percent are seriously damaged. Never leave an orchid in an enclosed car, and if you must park, park in the shade and roll down a window. Direct sun through a car window can damage an orchid in as little as five minutes. Make sure to secure your orchid in a car seat with crumpled newspaper or clothing around the pot. not get direct sunlight. Good choices are kitchens and bathrooms, which tend to be more humid. But be careful: too much heat or too much coolness will damage or kill an orchid, so keep the plant away from stoves, hot lights, or heating and cooling vents. Orchids also thrive in fresh air and with good air circulation, so A special someone just gave you a gorgeous tall orchid as a gift, or maybe you were swept away by a seductive beauty near the checkout stands. The flowers are a joy to look at now, but in about a month or two when they wilt and fall to the floor, then what? Many are baffled by how to get orchids to bloom again, or how to even keep them alive. Before you kill the orchid with too much kindness (a.k.a. water) or toss the plant on the compost heap, follow these six tips from local orchid experts and you’ll be able to enjoy blooms for years to come. Most of the advice below focuses on two of the most popular orchids found in Bay Area stores, phalaenopsis (or “phals”), and cymbidiums, but can apply to other types. See the resources list for where to get more information on orchid care.1 Know Your Orchid Experts and hobbyists say if you know where the plant was originally grown, you can mimic some of its favorite growing conditions. Phalaenopsis is native to the jungles of Southeast Asia and northern Australia. 3 Pick the Right Spot How much light orchids get is important. Too much, and they may burn; too little, and they will never bloom. For example, phals thrive in shady to bright rooms, as long as they do open some windows from time to time. A calm spot away from heavy traffic, children or pets is also a smart choice.4 Water Smart Orchids like to dry out between waterings, and


South Bay Accent - Feb/Mar 2017
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