Ruud Kleinpaste: Orchids

New Zealand has over 150 species of native orchids; most of them are pretty special as Endemics.

Orchids have always been a group of plants that inspires people…and CERTAINLY collectors; They often have an attraction for gardeners.

I also have been inspired by orchids, My favourites are “Kandy Dancers” which I met in Sri Lanka; although the Oncidium species may look like the Dancers in Kandy (Sri Lanka), the actual orchid hails from Mexico to Southern Venezuela. 

I also adore the native orchids here in NZ; right now the Earina autumnalis is in bloom and you’ll smell it before you see it; just beautiful

A month ago I found sun orchids on the Lewis pass and Green hooded orchids in midwinter (Tawharenui)

    NZ Sun Orchid             

Green hooded orchid

A lot of orchids are pollinated by insects and some in very tricky ways; There’s a great story about Charles Darwin who found an orchid species in Madagascar with a very long and deep nectar tube. Nobody knew who the pollinator was, but Darwin predicted it was likely a specific Hawk Moth with a very long tongue (about 10 cm long)

A few decades after Darwin died that moth was found and scientists proved that Darwin was right!

As our native orchids are usually rather scarce and special, they are often protected plants and certainly won’t grow in ordinary New Zealand gardens; Their habitats are characterised by specific conditions of light, temperature and soil conditions.

No point translocating them!

But the exotic orchids that are often seen in pots and gardens are a different matter altogether

Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are doing OK indoors if you know how to treat them …. Not too much sun – not too wet around the sensitive roots etc etc

Cymbidiums are commonly grown outside in large containers – keep them free from frosts and fertilise them for growth of new leaves (Nitrogen fert in Spring and summer) and Potash Fert in autumn to set up buds for flowering in winter/spring

But some of the most successful exotic orchids we can grow in NZ are the Epidendrum and Dendrobium types:

Epidendrum is known as the crucifix orchid. The do well in pots and in well-drained soil.

They have very fibrous, white roots that grab moisture and nutrients from rain or liquid fertiliser, can stand a few degrees of frost and thrive in full sun.

Flowers (spring summer and well into autumn) come in reds, oranges and yellow hues.

We grow them here in Christchurch easily and they’re outside all year long!

Dendrobium is a Genus of orchids that is also quite hardy, although we keep them under trees in winter to reduce the heaviest frosts.

Giving the plants direct sunlight is the key to getting heaps of flower spikes (too dark and they really don’t flower well)

Liquid fertiliser with a good amount of potash will make them happy; The “rock lily” (Queensland coast plants!) has large flowers (pictured) whereas the smaller Dendrobiums often have blue, purple or sometimes pink flowers

Try them – they are Easy-As

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