pediums. I also have a high-light, 

 cool area in my passive solar collec- 

 tor. There I grow cymbidiums, 

 odontoglossums, and oncidiums. 



I recommend trying a phaleanop- 

 sis — the moth orchid — as a first 

 plant. These are my favorites. I 

 consider these to be some of the 

 most dainty, exotic, and sensual 

 flowers that can be grown. But 

 those are my rewards for months oi 

 caring and nurturing. But when 

 they do flower, a well-grown plant 

 will hold its blooms for about three 

 months. They are well-adapted to 

 home-growing because they enjoy 

 the temperature range that humans 

 prefer. In fact, they make perfect 

 companions to African violets. 

 They share several similarities in 

 their cultural requirements and 

 they adapt well to artificial 

 lighting. Also, the lack of proper 

 humidity can be overcome by using 

 pebble trays or an ultrasound 

 humidifier. 



Cymbidiums would also be a good 

 choice for the New England 

 grower. They can be grown outside 

 for most of the year in full sun, 

 needing protection only at midday. 

 The roots must reach 45 degrees in 

 the fall in order for the plants to set 

 flower spikes. The plants have lush 

 green foliage and vibrantly-colored 

 blossoms during the winter, adding 

 greatly to our holiday cheer. TTiis 

 type of orchid is probably one of 

 the easiest to grow. It is a very 

 forgiving plant. 



Now, this article was meant to 

 introduce you to orchids, but to do 

 the plants justice, you must come to 

 one of our local orchid society 

 meetings and see tor yourself the 

 grandeur of the orchid flower and 

 the quality of some oi our local 

 growers. It is really only through 

 this forum that you can be a 

 successful grower. Every area of the 

 country presents special problems 

 to the orchid grower. Our meetings 



are designed so that the novice can 

 learn from the trials and successes 

 of the more experienced grower. 

 The New Hampshire Orchid 

 Society meets in Manchester on 

 the second Saturday of the month. 

 Paul Sawyer of Grafton (603-523- 

 7410) is the person to contact for 

 more information. The Maine 

 Orchid Society meets in South 

 Portland on the second Monday oi 

 every month. John Mitchell oi 

 South Portland is the person to 

 contact in Maine. And the 

 Massachusetts Orchid Society 

 meets at the Waltham Field Station 

 on the second Tuesday of each 

 month at 7:30. See you there. Tell 

 them Emmett sent you. 



Emmett Ross raises his plants at Cape 

 Neddick Gardens, PO Box 272, 

 Cape Neddick, Maine 05902. He's a 

 genuine enthusiast and is always ^ad 

 to talk abut orchids. His phone 

 number IS (207) 365-6276. '^ 



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