General Growing Tips. Summer is right around the corner. Now is the time to maximize growth and develop the plant strength and food reserves needed for good flower production. Larger plants typically produce bigger and better flowers than smaller ones so resist the urge to divide your plants just for the sake of having more plants. Recycle your clay or plastic pots; first soak in a water-detergent mix and scrub away salts and algae then soak in a 10% bleach solution (with Physan or 10% pool algaecide at 2 tsp/gal). Heat sterilize clay pots in a 350F oven for an hour or two to eliminate virus particles. Sterilize wire products too. Do not reuse potting mix or drainage material.
Cattleyas. Get a head start on dividing cattleyas by severing the rhizome in whole or in part (at a point where you will have 3 to 5 pseudobulbs per division) with a sterile tool while the plant is still in the original pot. The new growths will emerge weeks later at which point you can finish repotting using a rhizome clip to secure the divisions. Continue feeding cattleyas with a dilute fertilizer solution with each watering and flush with fresh water monthly.
Cymbidiums. Finish repotting these elegant orchids if they are bursting out of the pot. If the medium is in good condition (just a year old), you may be able to move the plant from one container to another with the addition of a small amount of medium without disturbing the roots. Keep the pots moist and syringe the foliage frequently, particularly if you have moved the plant into brighter light.
Paphiopedilums. This is the ideal month to complete repotting of your lady's slippers. Prepare a fresh terrestrial mix (say 85% bark, 10% peat and 5% charcoal). Remove dead roots and keep as many growths together as practical. The single flowered types should be in shade though the multiflorals like more light. Keep root zone moisture levels high (though Brachypetalum types generally like drier conditions).
Phalaenopsis. Repotting plants that have finished flowering is a priority. When you repot, remove the old inflorescence and eliminate all rotten or completely dehydrated roots and cut the roots back to about 2/3 the depth of the new pot. Remove also the dried bottom section of the old crown until you reach fresh tissue. Resume fertilizing when new roots become visible. Consider a spraying program with a recommended fungicide.
Vandas. Some plants may need more room for root development. If your plant is in a wooden basket, simply drop it into a larger size basket. If your plant has become top heavy and unsightly, cut away the top part of the plant as long as this section has three roots to sustain it and rebasket it being careful to secure it so roots will not be damaged in the wind. Keep the bottom section of the plant in the old basket as it will usually sprout keikis at the base and be well established by the end of the summer.
More Monthly Advice
Dr. Courtney Hackney Tips:
Repotting Paphs and Phrags.
Paphs and phrags are largely terrestrial plants, which require more constant moisture. They have roots that do not have the hard protective covering found on epiphytes... read more
Dr. Martin Motes Notes:
Progress of the Season.
April has been cooler than average and dry overall... read more
Orchids in May. May is a month of transition in South Florida. Early in the month we can expect the driest weather of the year. Because of the clarity of the air and lack of cloud cover, temperatures rise... read more
AOS Beginner's Newsletter:
Spring Has Sprung - Repotting. The most important task we associate with spring is repotting our plants... read more
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Monthly SAOS Meeting Subscribe to Our Newsletter
We normally meet on the first Tuesday of each month at Watson Realty, located at 3505 US 1 South in St. Augustine. The meeting begins with a plant sale at 7 pm followed by a presentation by an orchid expert at 7:15. The meeting closes with a plant raffle and auction where members can expand their collections. It's fun and informative for beginner and experienced growers. Here's a membership form if you want to join. Visitors and guests are always welcome!
 Here's a video of one of our meetings!
June 5 Meeting - Bifoliate Cattleyas
Ruben Sauleda of Ruben in Orchids will return to St. Augustine to talk about bifoliate cattleyas. Ruben’s talk addresses the different species of bifoliate cattleyas, those cattleyas with two leaves that tend to bloom so well during the summer heat. Ruben will discuss these species, their color forms and specific culture.
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Plant Clinic at Ace Hardware - June 2
The first Saturday of the month from March through November, Master Gardeners and St. Augustine Orchid Society members will be available to talk with you, answer questions and help you repot orchids. We will be at the Ace Hardware at 3050 US 1 South in St. Augustine from 9 am until 1 pm.
Here's a video of a repotting clinic!
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St. Augustine Orchid Society Happenings
Membership Chair Gail Marshall puts together the SAOS Happenings each month so you can easily find all the orchid events around town.
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Monthly Checklists and Newsletters
Monthly orchid growing tips including Growing Orchids in St. Augustine Month by Month, Courtney Hackney's Monthly Tips and Martin Motes Notes, and the AOS Beginner's Newsletters for new growers.
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Questions and Answers
Questions and Answers from the SAOS Newsletter, where members share experiences. Q and A from this month, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.
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Orchid Photographs
Terry Bottom photographs all the orchids brought to the Show Table each month. The photographs are categorized by alliance and are provided for your viewing pleasure. There is an interactive form to identify your plant on the show table and a photo archive of pictures from all the SAOS events.
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Donate to the SAOS
Your information source for growing orchids in North Florida. The SAOS is a Section 501(c)(3) not for profit organization for the development, improvement, preservation, cultivation and hybridization of orchids. All donations are tax deductible. |
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Site Map
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