GUARDIAN'S GARDEN GUIDANCE
Orchids
by Dorislee Doyle, Advanced Master Gardener

Some gardeners hesitate to grow orchids because of their special requirements concerning light, potting mix and fertilizer. Since taking a couple of courses offered in recent years at Master Gardener workshops, I have a lot more confidence in what I am doing.

The first plant given to me ten years ago now has seven blooming stems. Even with this success, there is always more to learn. That became evident when a friend of mine threw out the basic rules and tried her "own thing." Using Dendrobium, Onchidium, Paphiopedilum, Phalaenopsis, Cattleya and the Miltonia varieties of orchids, she planted them in good quality potting soil. They were then mulched with wood chips and hung outdoors for the months of June to late August. The plants were protected from the wind and shaded from direct sun. When brought indoors, they had grown so much they had to be divided. She gave several plants away.

When bringing the orchids indoors, she placed each one in a large plastic bag and sprayed it with home and garden spray to eliminate any insects that might have taken up residence, and left it for half an hour before bringing it in. When she repotted a plant, a three-month fertilizer was used. Only rainwater was used throughout the year.

So, after seeing her success, I started using good quality potting soil and mulching with wood chips. I rescued a very weak orchid from a local nursery. It had only two leaves. When I repotted it into soil, I saw that it had a good root system. Now, in only a few months, it has developed a new flowering stem. The plant resembles the kieki, which my friend gave to me. A kieki is a new stem with roots, which grows in the air on an old stem. I planted it in soil, and it now has a new flowering stem also.

Each gardener has to find out which light exposure is best. Currently, I have plants in the south, west and north windows. The four plants on my bathroom window facing west seem the happiest. My largest, oldest plant loves the south window and is in direct sunlight (not too far from a wood stove) - would you believe? I try to keep water in their under trays as much as possible.

At this point, I am looking forward to seeing them all blossom this winter.

To learn more about growing flowers or any other topic, consider taking the Master Gardener series that is being offered this winter in Bad Axe. The 11-week course is offered Thursdays, January 18 - March 29, 2007, from 6 to 10 p.m. Cost is $200, which includes everything you will need for the class: a 900-page manual and related materials. Call the Master Gardener Program at 989-269-9949 for a brochure.

Anyone interested in becoming a Master Gardener or finding out more information about the program should call MSU Extension - Huron County at 989-269-9949. A new Master Gardener series is being offered January 18-March 29, 2007. Class size is limited so do not delay. Cost is $200 per person for the eleven week series and the price includes all materials needed. Michigan State University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status or family status.

For more information on other gardening interests or the events listed above, call the Master Gardener office in Huron County at 989-269-9949.