<font face="arial" size="2"><b><center>Orchids-plus-more.com Newsletter December 2004 <center></b>
Volume 1 # 103
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Orchid Growing for Wimps: Techniques for the "Wish I Could Do That" Gardener
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Content
Name Change? New Orchids added Specials for December How And When To Prune Picture Perfect Orchid for December
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Our Holiday Message
By now the after effects of the Thanksgiving dinner and shopping are now in the past. If you are like me I still have some shopping to do, in fact, a lot. I'm sure happy that I have a great wife who does most of it.
I want to take this opportunity to wish you and your family a very Happy Holidays. In looking forward to the New Year may it bring you all a wonderful and fulfilling year and one with orchids as well.
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If this newsletter has been passed on to you from a friend, I hope that you enjoy it. If you do, I'd appreciate it if you would subscribe
I promise that your email address will only be used to send the newsletter to you. We do
not sell or rent any addresses or information about you.
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Newsletter Name Change?
After several of you made suggestions to me to shorten the name of the newsletter we have decided that it may be a good idea. But first I'd like some suggestions from you, our readers.
You can send me your suggestions and next month I'll let you know what happened and the new name for this newsletter.
New Orchids Added
Orchids-plus-more has added more orchids for your viewing and purchasing pleasure
Brassia Rex Sakata
Cattleya dolorosa var coerulea
Striped Phalaenopsis
Purple Phal
Phal Brother Sara Gold F623
December Specials, Great for the Holiday Gifts
Dgmra. Tahoma Glacier
Regularly Priced $59.95
On Sale in Dec for $45.95
Large, four inch blooms grow on a wispy flower spike that becomes top heavy as the blooms mature and get larger. The tip of the flower's labellum is a dull yellow which gives this orchid an interesting appeal. The center is a dull maroon. Sent in bud and bloom with basket shown. Stands approximately 24 inches tall. Fragrant.
Blc. Amy Wakasugi "Madonna"
Regularly Priced @ $69.95
On Sale in Dec for $52.95
This cattleya may produce one of the largest flowers in the purple cattleya variety. Dark purple flower displays large labellum centered with distinctive white "nose" above its column. Fragrant. Rare. Highly recommended.
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The flowers have all died and when should you cut the stalk back and how far?
Pruning an orchid stalk (spike) should cause no harm to
the plant. However, some orchids will produce new bloom shoots
from the nodes on the old blossom stalk, or some plants will
produce small baby plants (pups) from these nodes. The new plants
may be removed and potted after they develop roots. Of course,
some orchids do neither of these things. In either case, it doesn't
hurt the plant if you remove the old bloom stalk; you may just miss
some new blossoms or a baby plant.
Once the stalk turns yellow or brown, it is obvious that no blossoms
or plants will be produced. You can then cut it to within an inch
from where the blossom stalk originated on the plant. You can also
cut it there when it is green if you don't mind losing potential
blossoms. Another option is to just remove the end of the blossom
stalk to shorten the stalk, but retain enough so that it may bloom
again. If you do this, cut it back to about 1/4 inch above a node
(indicated by a small leaf-like bract clasping the stalk).
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Orchid Picture of the Month
This picture is from a collection of Dr David R. McAdoo who has documented the orchids of North Carolina. This particular on is Platanthera cristata. Another name is the Yellow Crested Orchid and is found in the mountains and the coast region. It blooms from June to September.
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