Orchiata Growing Guides

		Bulbophyllum Introduction: Bulbophyllum are the largest genus in the orchid family with species deriving from the high and low altitude rain and cloud forests of most tropical and subtropical countries. They have remendous variation in their growth habit, ranging from fully terrestrial species to giant epiphytic climbers. They can bloom directly from the rhizome or the growth, depending on the species. Whilst it seems they are a diverse group of plants, they can mostly be grown together. They are a good genus to cultivate and relatively forgiving. Click here for the complete growing guide
		Cattleya Introduction: The following is a guideline for growing orchids of the Cattleya alliance. Cattleya and relatives are native to Central and South American rainforests and are low to high altitude, warm cultured (with some notable exception as Cattleya dowiana, some maxima, some rupicolous Laelia) or lithotropic (grow on rock outcrops) orchids. Cattleya generally have a pseudobulb with either a singular thick leaf (unifoliate) or two leaves (bifoliate) protruding from the bulb. Flowers are singular or clustered, large, bright and often scented. Unifoliate Cattleya have thick leaves used for water storage as well as the bulbs therefore these plants can go considerable amounts of time without water. Although there are many types within this alliance including cool, intermediate and warm types, the guideline below gives a good idea of the methods in which to grow these brilliant orchids. Following below will allow you to grow the hybrids, and many popular species. Some notable differences will be mentioned such as Laelia anceps, as they are popular on their own. Click here for the complete growing guide
		Cymbidium Introduction: The following is guideline for growing Cymbidiums in Orchiata. It is aimed at helping the grower to ensure that any areas of concern have some guidance. It is important however to remember that growing and climate conditions will differ from greenhouse to greenhouse and country to country. The guide speaks of Cymbidiums in general although it is well known that there are both heat and non heat tolerant varieties as well as terrestrial and epiphytic. From experience different. Cymbidiums will generally grow in similar conditions although specific varieties will need extra care. Click here for the complete growing guide
		Dendrobium Introduction: The following is a guideline for growing Dendrobium commercial varieties of orchids in Orchiata and Spagmoss; it is aimed at helping ensure that any areas of concern have some guidance or referral. There is also a quick guide available for ease of use. Note that pot sizes and climate conditions will change according to growers. Adjustments will have to be made depending on their conditions; especially for the different varieties grown. Remember this is just a guide. Click here for the complete growing guide
		Disa Introduction: Native to South Africa, Disa orchids grow as a bog plant on the outskirts of cool swamps. They are naturally high altitude plants and prefer cooler temperatures. Disa uniflora are the more common types grown; flowers ranging in colour from bright red to cool yellows on firm stalks good for cut flowers. These plants are generally evergreen and are easily grown from tubers. It must be noted that in South Africa, it is a common practice to grow Disa without the tuber stage, new growth being induced shortly after the plant is blooming, and the tuber stage being avoided. It is a technic that allows for faster growth, but as well carries the risk of killing the plant. As a result many cultivars from South Africa have disappeared. In New Zealand or Europe bulbs would be allowed to form which makes an additional safety in case of culture problems. Today most of the older varieties are exceedingly rare or even extinct due to a lower number of breeders still working commercially today. The new varieties are still interesting but some colours and shapes no longer exist. Click here for the complete growing guide
		Epidendrum Introduction: This group of orchids encompass a range of plants which bear colourful, long lasting flowers on top of vigorous growth. Epidendrum are good novice orchid plants owing to their easy growing habitat. Native to the Americas, they are variable in habitat with some being lithotropic and some terrestrial. The so-called ‘mini epidendrum’ are in fact hybrids of Epiphronitis Veitchii, a very strange hybrid only made once that was supposedly sterile. It appears that one individual plant out of a tissue culture of that hybrid was fertile, which opened the door to all the miniature Epidendrum used as pot plants today. Click here for the complete growing guide
		Masdevallia Introduction: Masdevallia orchids are a very colourful genus of orchids native to South American countries such as Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia and Venezuela. Their natural habitat is a cool cloud forest habit where the air is humid and light is medium. They have beautiful delicate flowers ranging in colour from whites, yellows, oranges to highlighter pinks and purples. This group also encompasses the Dracula orchid which grows at even higher altitudes. Some species and even some cultivars of normally cold species are able to grow at high temperatures such as some of the Dracula vampira. It is not completely exact to say that they are cold growing plants; only that their roots need to be kept cold, in a way similar to the Disa. In fact it can be explained in part by the dissolved gases level in water where the maximal gas dissolution occurs at lower temperatures and no gas can be dissolved at higher temperatures. Click here for the complete growing guide
		Miltonia and Miltoniopsis Introduction: Miltoniopsis orchids are native to the Andean and Central American regions e.g. Peru. They are very colourful orchids with flowers resembling large pansies. Miltonia and Miltoniopsis can be distinguished where Miltonia have 2 leaf Pseudobulbs and Miltoniopsis has only one leaf per pseudobulb; their cultivation can be treated the same however. They are not the easiest of orchids to grow and are therefore left for more enthusiastic growers. It may be that their culture is poorly understood by some growers. Click here for the complete growing guide
		Odontoglossum Alliance Introduction: The following is a guideline for growing Odontoglossum and its relatives. This group of orchids include Oncidiums and other genera native to the Central American regions. The general requirements for each genera are the same however temperature will differ generally due to the difference in native altitudes. Odontoglossum are usually native to high altitudes in the Andes where temperatures are much lower. Oncidiums however are native to lower altitudes down to some coastal regions. Both these plants grow all year round in all sorts of growing conditions and contain a variety of beautifully coloured flowers, which are easy to grow in the proper conditions. Click here for the complete growing guide
		Phalaenopsis Introduction: The following is a guideline for growing Phalaenopsis in Orchiata; it is aimed at helping the grower to ensure that any areas of concern have some guidance. There is also a quick guide available for ease of use. Note that pot sizes and climate conditions will change according to grower and that adjustments will have to be made depending on these conditions, especially for the different varieties grown. Remember this is just a guide. Click here for the complete growing guide
		Vanda Introduction: Vanda are an interesting orchid which can be grown without growing medium. Native to the Himalayas, all through Asia, Australia, and New Guinea; some of the most popular species are epiphytic plants which grow on various parts of trees. Vanda have very robust aerial roots which extract moisture from the atmosphere. These orchids are grown for their stunning floral colour which may occur throughout the year. Some related genera such as the Mokara, and Dimorphorchis however are partially terrestrial and require much more wet conditions at their roots. Bare root basked culture is preferred as a convenience by most growers; however stunning specimens have been seen in pots. Click here for the complete growing guide
		Zygopetalum Introduction: Zygopetalum are a relatively easy species to grow and can be treated rather similarly to Cymbidiums although damper conditions can be tolerated. They are naturally epiphytic or terrestrial with relatively sombre coloured blooms – greens and purples. Their main attractive feature is their startlingly beautiful scent which means they are sought after when in flower. Most types have pseudobulb storage organs which allow them to be divided. Click here for the complete growing guide

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