Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any other questions contact us
Q: What is an orchid?
A: This definition was given by Sally Moon when delivering a lecture to the Mid-Sussex Orchid Society :
A flower should have seven attributes to be classified as an orchid, although there is always the odd one that breaks the rule.
• It has a Lip - often an airstrip for the pollinating insect to land on, marked with spots or Stripes
• It is Resupinate - orchid buds twist through 180 degrees before they open, so that the lip is at the lowest part of the flower..
• It has a Column - the reproductive part is a single organ both producing pollen and receiving usually pollen from another flower via an insect vector.
• It has a Pollinia - the pollen is produced in two to eight sticky blobs, good news for hay fever sufferers as it does not float freely in the air getting up sensitive noses.
• It is Zygomorphic - symmetrical about a single plane, the right and left halves of the flower mirror images.
• It is a Monocotyledon - a seedling has only one leaf and the leaf veins run parallel along the length of the leaf.
• It has Tiny Seeds - orchids have seeds so small that they look like dust, and often produce millions in each pod.
Don’t let all this waffle put you off, we all know an orchid when we see one,don’t we?
Q: Why grow orchids?
A: The orchidist grows them for a variety of reasons, the heavenly scent or perhaps their wonderful blooms (which may last for three months depending on the type). Generally orchids are very robust and plants bought today may still be flowering and growing when the purchaser’s grandchildren have grandchildren. It’s no wonder they have a fond place in all our hearts.
Q: Will orchids make me sneeze as I’ve got hay fever?
A: No. Orchids produce pollen in little sticky blobs called pollinia that stick to the insects that deliver them on to the next flower. Orchid pollen and not blow about in the air and get up your nose.
Q: I’ve been given an orchid plant. Where can I go for advice?
A: One sure way of getting advice is to go along to your Local Orchid Society. There you will find fellowship and be able to share your delights and fears. Question and debate are encouraged. We at SCOS have a table show where members offer their plants for judging and advise. This is accompanied by a raffle (your chance to obtain some very good plants, perhaps). We have lots of interesting speakers and visits from well known orchid nurseries.
Q: Are orchids difficult to grow?
A: That depends on the plant chosen. More orchids are killed by kindness than by neglect.
Q: Are Orchid really difficult to grow?
A: Some are; a few are exacting in their requirements and need specialist equipment, but there are thousands of cultivated plants with a vast range of both habit and flower, most of which are easy to manage and make wonderful house-plants. Take advice in the first instance from the nursery when you buy your plant. Reputable nurseries will give free advice before they sell you a plant, to make sure it is suitable for the conditions you can give it.
Q: What about watering?
A: As a general rule orchid roots like plenty of water poured over them BUT then they like to dry out and, except where you have been otherwise informed, the plants should only be watered when the pot feels light. There are some orchids for which this rule is not appropriate but they will not be plants for the beginner anyway. In hard water areas most orchids prefer rainwater mixed with the tap water.
Q: What about feeding?
A: This is probably the biggest area for debate. Each expert will often tell you something different, but it will all add to the same thing in the end. When plants are growing (the visual root tips have a tender green shoots on the ends) feed your plants using a balanced fertilizer, but very weakly. If in doubt don’t feed. Orchids are remarkably efficient in gaining nutrition from the atmosphere. The usual demise of a plant is due to root burn caused by insoluble salts left in the pot after the water has evaporated.
Q: How often do orchids flower?
A: Plants usually flower yearly, but some will only flower on fairly mature plants. They may then flower continuously throughout the year.
Q: Orchids aren’t scented, are they?
A: Some 65% of the orchid flowers have a smell that we can sense. Often this scent is only found at certain times of the day or night. Orchids are pollinated by a wide range of insects that sometimes forage for only a short period of the day. Our plants will not waste their scent when the insects are not active. There are a few orchids that generate scent that is disturbing to say the least. If in doubt, seek advice.
Q: How do orchids grow in the wild?
A: There are three main types:
• Epiphytes - grow on trees;
• Lithophytes - grow on rocks;
• Terrestrials - ground or soil growing;
None of these harm their host. Orchid roots are used to gain water and nutrients from rain and moisture. They do not invade the host tree; they do not choke it, poison it, nor prevents its growth.
Q: Do I need a greenhouse to grow them?
A: Orchids come from nearly all over the world. Some grow above the snow line in the high mountains of the world, some grow in the steamy jungles of the Far East. We usually divide into four groups.
• The hardy outdoor or garden variety;
• Cool growing - a minimum of 45F in winter and not exceeding 80F in summer;
• Intermediate growing - a minimum of 50F in winter, not exceeding 85F in summer;
• Warm growing - a minimum of 60F in winter, not exceeding 85-90F in summer;
Q: Where do we get our plants?
A: You may receive your first plant as a gift or even be tempted at a garden centre or supermarket, some garden centres are now quite knowledgeable. However you should ensure that you are able to get advice and guidance on the aftercare of your particular plant.
Q: How many orchids species are there?
A: Arguably, there are some 30,000 species that are found growing on all continents except for the Antarctic. Whilst many of these are of botanical interest only, due to their growth habit or uninteresting flowers, the number that find favour in the eyes of the growers is somewhat smaller.
Q: How long do orchids live?
A: Given reasonable treatment orchids never die, they can only be killed (usually from misplaced kindness).
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