St. Augustine Orchid Society - North Florida Orchid Growing

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 but be sure to sterilize them first along with any wire products. 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:
Does Your Orchd Need to be Repotted? May is one of the busiest months for orchid hobbyists. There is still time to repot, fertilize and attend to orchid pests. “Should I repot this orchid?” is a common question... read more

Dr. Martin Motes Notes:
Progress of the Season. April has been exceptionally wet. The rains associated with slowed or stalled cold fronts have been more frequent and more intense than typical. This continental weather pattern is set fair to continue... 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... read more

SAOS News

Monthly SAOS Meeting - June 4 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!

Monthly Meeting - Broughtonias and Cattleytonias
Phillip Hamilton of Bredren Orchids will talk about the Caribbean Broughtonias and their hybrids with cattleyas. Phillip currently manages a 2.5 acre orchid production facility for Sun Bulb Co. in Apopka as well as operating Bredren Orchids, a small, mail-order business that focuses primarily on producing Broughtonia species and hybrids, novelty Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilums. Phillip will be bringing plants for sale, a sample of which can be seen from his EBay listings. If you wish to pre-order any specific plants shown, email Phillip.

Orchid Repotting and Plant Clinic at Ace Hardware

Plant Clinic at Ace Hardware - June 1
The first Saturday of the month from March through October, 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!

Keiki Club for Orchid Beginners - May 26
The Keiki Club is for our beginner orchid growers. We normally meet at Sue and Terry Bottom's Home on a weekend afternoon to talk about orchids in an informal environment. While designed to meet the needs of our beginner growers, the Keiki Club meetings are enjoyed by all members. Visitors and guests are always welcome!
Here's a video of one of our get togethers!

Keiki Club - Watering and Fertilizing Your Orchids
Orchid roots are different from the roots on your other house and landscape plants. We’ll talk about how to water and fertilize your orchids, including season by season changes in your watering practices. We'll meet at 6916 Cypress Lake Court in St. Aug from 1 - 3 pm. Bring a folding chair and any plants you have questions about. Guests and visitors are always welcome. Call Sue at 797-4360 if you have any questions.

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.

Orchid Culture

General Orchid Culture

Repotting Orchids

Orchid Culture by Genus

Water Quality and Fertilizer

Monthly Checklists and Newsletters

Growing Orchids in St. Augustine Month by Month

Courtney Hackney's Monthly Tips

Martin Motes Notes

Sue Bottom Articles

Orchid Pests and Diseases

Orchid Pests

Orchid Diseases

Other Types of Damage

Orchid Viruses

Questions and Answers

Tips for New Growers

Orchid Growing Basics

Your First Orchid

AOS Beginner's Newsletters

Home and Backyard Orchid Growing

My Favorite Orchid

Orchid Photographs
Terry Bottom photographs all the orchids brought to the Show Table each month. There is an interactive form to identify your plant on the show table.
Show Table Orchid Photographs
Orchid Photos Categorized by Alliance
Photo Archive of all SAOS Events
Orchid Videos

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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