Ascda. Motes Blood Orange
| December marks the beginning of the dry season in South Florida.
While this additional dryness provides relief from the autumnal rains that can
bring so many fungal problems, December is also the month of shortest day
lengths. This contracted period of light, on the contrary, reduces severely the
drying potential for our plants. Nature thus both gives and takes away from us
in December. We must make sure, therefore, that we do not aid the dark side of
the force by improper watering. In December, above all, one must stick strictly
to the two cardinal principles of orchid watering: water early in the day so
your plants have as many hours as possible to dry, and water heavily when you
water, allowing longer intervals between watering to dry plants thoroughly.
This practice maximizes the benefit of the dryer air of December and minimizes
the adverse effect of the shorter day lengths. When nature has delivered a light overnight or early morning rain as she so often does in December at the leading edge of a cold front, add to her efforts by watering thoroughly that same morning and skip out watering for an extra several days afterward. With this method you can use the general dryness of December to give yourself much of the advantage of a greenhouse in terms of controlling watering. As in all aspects of orchid culture, keen observation is the key to success. In cooler weather your plants need much less water and cool air even at the same relative humidity, strips less water from your plants because cool air has less water holding capability. Always be sure that your plants really need water before you roll out the hose in December. Remember to use at least one of the standard tests for dryness: the finger dug slightly into the media test or the newly sharpened pencil coming dry like a knife from a well cooked custard, or test by hefting a pot that you know the weight of, both wet and dry and be sure that it has attained sufficient lightness. When you are sure they are dry, water them until you are sure they are very wet, then let the drying air of December do its magic to ward off leaf spotting diseases. Himalayan dendrobiums of the nobile and callista (D. aggregatum, chrysotoxum, etc.) Sections require no additional water (beyond rain) in December. Remember, those of you who water (or, even worse, fertilize) these dendrobiums in December, will be punished by having your flowers taken away in the Spring. Some growers who have the space isolate these dendrobiums along with other types that want hard drying such as Catasetum, Cynoches, Mormodes, and Calanthe. Another strategy is to hang these plants high or at the edges of the collection reminding oneself to neglect them and also to avoid watering them by mistake. Some growers achieve the same result effect by turning the pots of these genera on their side in November or December, to avoid catching water from whatever source. Plants of some of these genera that have finished flowering can even be removed from their pots and stripped to bare roots in anticipation of re-potting them in new media when they break growth in the spring. Most sympodial orchids are resting in December and require less fertilizer. Biweekly or even monthly applications of a balanced fertilizer are still desirable. Nitrate nitrogen is the most readily absorbed in cooler weather; therefore at least one more application of the potassium nitrate/magnesium sulphate (at 1tbs. each per gal.) recommended in November is still a good idea. Motes Orchids will continue offering free spray grade Potassium nitrate at the nursery, to all our friends in December. It's good stuff! Vandas, Phalaenopsis and other monopodial orchids should be fertilized right through the winter although both the amount of fertilizer and the frequency of application can be reduced. Remember reddening of the foliage is not natural, nor is it a response to the cold per se but rather a symptom of nutritional deficiency. December can be cold. Frost has occurred in the first week of the month and unforgettably, the coldest temperatures ever recorded in South Florida were registered on December 25, 1989. If you haven't taken some of the precautions outlined in the November Newsletter, get busy! Keep a close eye on the forecasts during this volatile month. Remember that hard cane dendrobiums of the sections Spatulata and Phaleananthe are the most sensitive of commonly cultivated orchids. They resent temperature much below 60 degrees F. Phaleanopsis are next most sensitve, then vandas. Protect all these genera. If you are getting a jump on Spring potting chores by repotting sympodial orchids that have finished blooming, it is particularly important that you take extra care in securing them in their containers. These plants may not be sending out new roots for several months, enough time for them to be shaken loose from insufficient staking. Passing cold fronts can bring brisk winds in December. When new roots start to form on insufficiently secured plants, wind moves the plant and chafes the new root tips off. Improperly secured plants are never able to root properly and slowly pine away. If you love them you must tie them up, tie them down. This is also especially true of mass produced orchids sold in Home Depot, K Mart etc. The soft, peat based media used to grow these commercially produced plants in the controlled environment of a greenhouse often does not provide sufficient purchase to secure the plants in the rough and tumble of a South Florida orchid collection buffeted by harsh winter winds. You probably should have already re-potted these into more durable medium but until you do, tie 'em up! Keep those vandas, phalaenopsis and hard cane dendrobiums as warm as you can. Merry Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanza! Orchid EventsAmerican Orchid Society Monthly Judging - Montgomery Research Institute of Fairchild Tropical Garden 11935 Old Cutler Rd( just south of the junction of Old Cutler and Red Road, Coral Gables) Saturday December 9th at 12:00 Noon-always an educational experience. The public is invited to bring their finest orchids to be judged or merely to observe the beautiful flowers being evaluated. Ask the Chairman if you can observe a team judging but remember only judges and students should comment during the processFree Orchid Classes Free Orchid Growing Classes at Motes Orchids for the autumn have begun again. These classes cover most aspects of orchid growing in South Florida and are given as a public service to enable amateurs to succeed with these complex plants. The classes are taught outside in the ambient of a pioneer avocado grove approaching a century in age. Dr. Martin Motes, noted author, brings nearly 50 years of South Florida growing experience to the subject. The remaining schedule is: Saturday December 16th - Growing Phalaenopsis Sunday December 17th- Growing Dendrobiums ALL Classes at 11:00 AM - lasting one hour Motes Orchids is located at 25000 SW 162 Ave, that''s just south of Coconut Palm Drive (248 St) and SW 162 Ave and 2 and 1/2 miles due East of the Redland Fruit and Spice Park in the heart of the Redland tropical agricultural district. Take Turnpike south to US 1 at exit 12 in Cutler Ridge, continue south on US 1 to 248St, then right (west) on 248St to 162 Ave then left (south) one block to Motes Orchids. Call 305 247 4398 Or email vandas@mindspring.com for further information. Saturday and Sunday December 16 and 17th: Sale! Seems just about everyone in the Redland should be having a sale this weekend so Motes Orchids will be open both days. We as always have a lovely selection of flowering orchids that make perfect stocking stuffers or real live tree ornaments, all at real sale prices. So many of our customers enjoy combining a visit to us with some Pennsylvania Dutch baked goodies from our close neighbors at the Knaus Berry Farm but remember they are closed on Sundays. We can guarantee that South Florida's finest Vandas and Ascocendas are non-fattening! They'll be on display and for sale from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Motes Orchids is located at 25000 SW 162 Ave, that's just south of Coconut Palm Drive (248 St) and 162 Ave. Both Motes Orchids and Knaus are 21/2 miles due East of the Redland Fruit and Spice Park in the heart of the Redland tropical agricultural district. We are getting requests for back issues of "This Month" from new recipients. Not to worry, the newsletter is a work in progress. You will be getting a new and improved reversion each month next year. If we become too tedious, let us know, if not forward this to your orchid friends. |