Art, Jr. writes a question and answer column for the Flair section of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. His column appears on various Saturdays during the year. Use the email link above to send him your questions. The three best questions will be answered here and in the next installment in Flair. Click here for the archives.

Flair Column, January, 2008

Question:

I am a backyard plant enthusiast with one orchid that is not doing well. I was wondering if I can extract seed to propagate more plants. Peter G.

Answer:

'Extracting seeds' is only possible if there is a seed pod already on the plant. Otherwise, the orchid would at least have to be in bloom so that it could be pollinated (and be strong enough to generate seeds over the next 6-9 months - no small task). And having the seed is just the beginning...

A modern laboratory would be required with sterilized beakers filled with agar for germination. A competent technician would have to carefully sprinkle the seeds then provide 16 hour lighted days in a special heated room for a year. Then, the technician would transplant the healthiest plantlets into 'community pots' which 20 siblings would share for another year in a warm seedling greenhouse. Three years into the project, the babies finally graduate into tiny individual pots.

If this whole project seems too daunting, perhaps starting fresh with a new healthy orchid might be the answer.

Question:

I have a Den. Thongchai Gold that suddenly started losing leaves. Is this orchid deciduous? I grow it under lights. Taco B.

Answer:

This lovely yellow flowered hybrid, though not deciduous, may not necessarily be in trouble. It is common for 'evergreen-type' Dendrobiums to drop some leaves from time to time. The key for the expert grower is to notice where the leaves fall from - older or newer canes, upper or lower leaves. Generally speaking, there is no concern unless the foliage is struggling at the top of the most recent cane.

Low humidity, a common occurrence at this time of year, can stress almost any orchid. Insufficient light is another possibility because 'Hawaiian Lei' orchids require considerably more sunlight than popular Phalaenopsis (Indoor grow lights may not provide enough foot-candles for Dens). Finally, lack of water can contribute to the problem since most Dens are potted in bark chips which dry out faster than other media such as sphagnum moss. Correction of any or all of these factors can remedy the situation and prevent further leaf loss.

If the top leaves of the new cane are fading, the new growth may be rotting off. This disease may spread within the rhizome to the other canes which is a potentially life threatening situation. There are times when intervention is required. Cutting off the new growth below the rot line or stripping the remaining leaves to allow air to dry out the festering area may seem extreme but can be the difference between a temporary setback and fatality.

Question:

I obtained a slipper orchid recently that was in bud. The flower lasted a month then just 'fell off'. Is this normal? Todd B.

Answer:

Lady slippers are notorious for not giving any notice when their flowers are finished blooming. One day the bloom looks fresh as a daisy, the next day it is laying in a heap on the ground. There might not even be any browning around the edges of the pouch or a translucent look to the sepals - subtle changes in the flower that the seasoned grower might notice. Here today, gone tomorrow - or so the saying goes..

All the more reason to purchase lady slippers 'in bud' - so as to get the maximum duration out of them, not to mention the 'surprise' that awaits when the blossom unfolds and shows itself to the world for the first time...

© The Baldwin Image 2003