ORCHIDS ARE FASCINATING HOBBY; 
NEVER TOO OLD TO GROW ONE 
Alarmed, when you hear that it takes from five to seven years to 
grow an orchid from seed? Don’t be, as they say the first seven years 
are the hardest. When an orchid blooms for the first time you will get 
the thrill of your life. Under good care the plant will continue to thrive 
ORCHID NOTES 
from 
R. H. GORE - Orchids 
Box 211 
Fort Lauderdale, Florida 
and bear flowers each year thereafter. 
Orchid growing is a fascinating 
hobby which rejuvenates the old- 
timers to the point that they desire 
to grow more and more plants each 
passing year. You can well imagine 
our thrill when we saw our seed- 
ling blooming for the first time. 
We were not disappointed for if 
we were we would not be growing 
thousands of orchids today. We 
know it was a thrill to us and can 
well imagine it will be even more 
so for you. 
One is never too vid to grow au 
orchid. We have them available 
from seed to flowering size. It 
only requires a little patience till 
you get your first flower and you 
know that patience can be a virtue 
well rewarded with old age. We 
know some enthusiasts who now 
have plants they raised from seed 
or as small seedlings, who thought 
they would be pushing up daisies 
by now but instead they are grow- 
ing many orchids. 
The man of the house some- 
times has difficult days at the of- 
fice and needs diversion of some 
sort when he gets home. Wifey 
also has her hard days at home and 
on nights like this it’s best to get 
away from it all, so why not get 
in your slat house or patio to work 
with your favorite plants, the or- 
chids? After enjoying a few hours 
with your orchids, the wife can pin 
her favorite flower on her dress 
and hubby will probably offer an 
invitation to dine out that evening. 
Junior likes to get into the act, 
too, as one is never too young to 
get started growing orchids. So 
when those weeds start growing in 
the pot his small hand will get 
into the pot very easily to pul! 
them out. All youngsters like to 
break things up, so if you are in 
the need of some crocks for the 
bottom of your pots, give him a 
hammer and tell him to have fun. 
However, be sure you show him 
which pots to break up. Pots 
should be cleaned occasionally and 
we know the dish washer is not the 
place to put them. A small scrub- 
bing brush and Junior can do the 
job very well. 
All in all it’s fun to grow orchids. 
Their intrinsic beauty is unequaled 
in the flower world as they are the 
aristocrat of all flowers. 
1611 S. W. 9th Ave. 
ORCHID QUERIES 
Q. Are orchids expensive? 
A. We have varieties that sell from $3.50 and up. Orchids will 
increase by division and you will be able to grow many plants from the 
original purchase. No, orchids are not expensive. 
Q. Why do leaves turn yellow on orchids? 
A. Too much water after potting, and cool weather, are the main 
causes for leaves to turn yellow and fall from the plant. When you move 
plants from ihe shade into too much light it will also cause the yellowing 
of leaves. 
Q. Do orchids require feeding? 
A. When grown in osmunda, orchids do not require feeding. For 
many years they were grown in osmunda and given only water. Recently 
experiments have taken place and some indication shows that seedlings 
will benefit from feeding. Feeding seedlings every other week, is bene- 
ficial. Adult plants show some results from regular monthly feedings. 
By all means do not over feed. 
Q. How much sun should I give my orchids? 
A. Give your plants, except Phalaenopsis and Cypripediums, as 
much light as possible without burning the leaves. Plants that have a 
week root system will require some shade. Lush green leaves is an 
indication of too much shade. Leaves that are a light green will 
tlower better. 
Q. Do insects attack orchid plants? 
A. Like all other plants orchids are subject to insects. Scale and 
mealy bugs are often found on the leaves and under the skin of the 
bulbs. Thrip and red spider will also attack the plants. Nicotine, DDT, 
and Parathion are insecticides that can be used on orchids. Use care 
when handling Parathion as this is also poisonous to humans. 
Q. What temperature should I keep my room for good orchid 
culture? 
A. Temperatures should vary according to the variety you grow. 
Should the temperature drop to 50 or lower, then keep your plant on 
the dry side. Phalaenopsis like it warm with no water on the leaves 
during a cold spell. Orchids growing out of doors can withstand tempera- 
tures down to 35 in Florida, but they have to be on the dry side. Their 
growth will be checked for a while during the cooler weather, but will 
continue on in the spring. 
Q. How much water will my plant require? 
A. Most plants that are grown indoors will need about a cup of 
water once a week in the pot. Those that have old osmunda will need 
more water as the moisture will evaporate faster. Those grown outside 
will need about twice as much water as those grown indoors. A dish 
filled with small stones and about one inch of water, placed under pots, 
will atford the plant some moisture. Spray the leaves with water twice 
each day. 
Q. When should I pot my orchids? 
A. When the osmunda is very soft or when the plant has reached 
the edge of the pot. Do not overpot your plants. It is better to under- 
pot than overpot. Roots hanging over the edge of the pot is natural 
as these rots are only seeking food. Repot when possible after your 
plant has finished blooming. 
Grow Your Own Orchids 
MANY VARIETIES 
TO CHOOSE FROM 
Cattleyas—are the conventional 
favorites and are used in the flower 
shops for making corsages. Al- 
though the lavender-colored flower 
is popular, the odd colors such as 
yellow, bronze, lemon, red, pink 
and pastel shades are increasing in 
popularity each year. 
Phalaenopsis — are very good 
types to grow in the home. They 
are warm growing types and do 
not require as much light as the 
others. The long stems of small 
white or pink flowers are very 
attractive and last in bloom, longer 
than most other orchids. They re- 
quire more water at the roots than 
other types but do not like a chill. 
They grow well on trees here in 
Florida and do very well in homes 
in the North. 
Dendrobiums—are perhaps the 
easiest of all orchids to grow. They 
have small pink or white flowers. 
Some types have short bulbs that 
flower in clusters. Other varieties 
last several weeks and bloom on 
longer stems. 
Vandas—present some of the in- 
teresting colors in the orchid world, 
producing the only blue bloom. A 
deep to light blue flower produced 
on medium sized stems offers an 
interesting plant. Their culture is 
not difficult. They require freedom 
in the rooting area, and growing 
them in charcoal and _ small 
amounts of osmunda with a feed- 
ing of stable manure is beneficial. 
Botanicals—There are thousands 
of botanical varieties of orchids 
and each has its own charm. The 
yellow oncidium, which looks like 
a butterfly, is especially outstand- 
ing. The bronze and green cypri- 
pediums are related to the lady 
slipper. The heavy waxy flowers 
last for several weeks in bloom and 
can be grown quite easily. 
Orchids can be obtained in most 
any color range desired. Some are 
led to believe that there is a black 
orchid. It is more brown than 
black. To date we have never seen 
the real black orchid other than a 
flower that has been dyed. 
No matter which type you select 
to grow, each one will have its own 
fascinating characteristic which will 
give you years of enjoyment. Re- 
member, the orchid is the jewel of 
the flower world. 
