Awesome orchids

Awesome orchids

They're pretty but require work if you pick up a bargain today

SOCIAL & LIFESTYLE
Awesome orchids
Going cheap: Mokara and Ascocenda are selling for as little as 100 baht a plant.

As the orchid market behind Government House draws to a close today, let us take another look at some of the flowers whose beauty melted even a military strongman’s heart.

The market was initiated by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, not only because of his concern about the decline in Thailand’s earnings from the export of cut flowers and his desire to help growers sell their plants, but also because he has a soft spot in his heart for orchids. Looking at the pictures on this page, it is easy to see why: The flowers are simply irresistible.

The market may not have increased foreign exchange earnings, but nursery owners were able to sell many of their plants. Most were cheap, but some were even cheaper, with Ascocenda and Mokara selling for 100 baht each and Dendrobium hybrids 35 baht, or three for 100 baht. The plants were changed every week so there were always new ones on sale, and today being the last day, you can expect plants being auctioned off or sold at half-price so that the nursery owners do not have to haul them home.

The question most amateur gardeners ask is how to treat the plant after the flowers have fallen. Others wonder why a flowering plant they purchased a year ago never bloomed again despite giving it tender loving care.

Prayut’s pretties: Even the military strongman cannot resist the beauty of orchids. There are bargains galore at his flower market by Government House, which closes today.

Success in growing orchids and making them bloom depends on species, and such factors as humidity, temperature, light and nutrition. Those in the genera Dendrobium and Rhynchostylis are natural bloomers and will bear flowers repeatedly every year. Others, like Vanda and Cattleya, bloom only once a year. Some, like Phalaenopsis, perform better where the climate is cold. If you are a beginner, start with Dendrobium first as they are also easier to grow, then venture on to other varieties as you learn more about orchid culture.

In their natural habitat, the majority of orchids grow in forest canopies with their bare roots attached to tree branches. A few species grow on rocks, and some grow on the ground as terrestrials. However, even the terrestrials do not have roots that penetrate the soil like other plants, but only run underneath the leaf litter. Therefore, orchids grow best when potted in soil-less media with good aeration and drainage, like pieces of brick and charcoal, or when attached to trees.

Using a sprayer, water your plants once or twice a day, early in the morning or late in the afternoon, or both. Avoid chlorinated water, but if you must use tap water, let it stand for at least three days for the chlorine to dissipate before using it to water your plants.

Professional orchid growers spray their plants with complete fertiliser (NPK 21-21-21) at a rate of 10 grammes for every five litres of water every seven to 10 days. When the plants are mature, they follow this up with a fertiliser high in phosphorus (0-50-0), to boost flowering. 

Is your plant getting enough light? Orchids need filtered light, but some species need more light than others. Is it getting enough humidity? New growth begins or accelerates during the wet season, when humidity is high. As the rains disappear and temperatures drop, mature growths produce flowers.

Orchids in bloom need more water, but spray only the leaves and roots, not the flowers, as water makes them susceptible to rot. After flowering, keep your plants tidy and prevent fungal infections by trimming off the dead parts, including the flower spikes or stems which have turned brown after the flowers are gone. Some orchids take a rest period and the foliage growth stops after flowering. Reduce water and fertiliser application until new leaves appear. n


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Spray of pink: Dendrobium are not only prolific bloomers, but an easy variety to grow.

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