A house orchid requires a specific substrate; it doesn't thrive in garden soil. Therefore, the term "garden orchid" is somewhat confusing. Our climate has harsh winters, scorching summer sun, and unsuitable soil. However, there are garden orchid species adapted to our conditions. Breeders have developed frost-hardy orchid varieties that not only survive our weather conditions but also our soil. They are planted in summer cottages and used in landscape compositions in gardens, where this tropical queen is the main focal point.
Description
There are about 15 species of garden orchids growing in our country. These plants have a symbiotic relationship with fungi, just like trees. During the first year, the southern beauty thrives on the mycelium, which helps it adapt to new conditions and soil. If the mycelium dries out, the orchid may die. Many orchid species are very rare, making the price of a single specimen high.
Garden orchids vary in flower shape and color. Sometimes they resemble fluttering butterflies, sometimes a woman's slipper. The inflorescences are racemose or spike-shaped, and solitary flowers are also common. The exquisite flowers are large and asymmetrical. The colors are variegated: crimson, cream, yellow, purple, and pink. The petals are striped, spotted, solid, and dotted. The lip is usually darker than the petals.
The roots are strong, and many species have tubers that grow at a shallow depth. The leaves are large, beautifully rounded or pointed at the tip, with distinct veins. They are arranged alternately on the stem, somewhat reminiscent of lily-of-the-valley leaves. Many varieties have a pleasant scent.
Varieties of garden orchids
Russian nurseries cultivate orchid species such as dactylorhiza, orchis, and bletilla. The "Slipper" orchid is one of the most popular and sought-after for gardens.
Dactylorhiza (Dactylorhiza)
The plants have a palm-shaped tuber with splayed fingers. It is brown and wrinkled. Each year, it dies, and a new, hard root—the tuberoid—grows in its place.
These perennials are short, with stems 30-70 cm long. The leaves are narrow, elongated, and alternate. The leaf color ranges from green to spotted. The flower stalk is straight and strong, with densely packed flowers. The flowers are asymmetrical, up to 3 cm in diameter. The lip is flat and consists of three lobes. The two petals and sepals are spotted and striped, and the colors are purple, white, pink, and violet.
The dactylorhiza loves sun and water, but does not tolerate drought or stagnant water. It prefers neutral soil pH. Dactylorhiza is grown in the northern and western regions of the country.
You may be interested in:Orchis
Orchis flowers grow in meadows and forest edges. The plant is used medicinally. Orchis roots are spherical, like kernels. The leaves are narrow and pointed toward the top. The flowers are bright, variegated, and sometimes uniform in color. The buds grow densely on the peduncle, forming a head-like inflorescence. Flower colors include lilac, white, and pink.
Orchis are wild plants that can adapt to any environment and bloom all summer long.
Tricyrtis (three tubercles)
Tricyrtis is a liliaceae garden orchid. The rhizome grows close to the ground. The bushes are low, up to 80 cm long. The leaves are oblong. The flowers are funnel-shaped, 4 cm in diameter, like those of lilies, or bell-shaped, with speckled petals. Colors include cream, blue, light blue, yellow, white, purple, and pink. The petals form a "starfish" shape. A single bud grows on each stem.
Tricyrtis thrives in shaded areas, with 5-6 hours of sunlight per day being sufficient. It does not grow in loamy soil.
Shoes
The orchid's name, "Venus Slipper," comes from the shape of its lip, which resembles a slipper. Similar characteristics are found in species such as Cypripedium, Paphiopedilum, Selenipedium, and Phragmipedium. Lady's slipper orchids belong to the genus Paphiopedilum. These unusual flowers thrive in temperate and cold-temperate climates.
Lady's slippers have massive, shallow-growing roots with small, thin rootlets. The stems are leafy, 30-40 cm long, and bear lanceolate leaflets with pointed tips. The leaf blades are veined.
The peduncle bears one large flower, sometimes two. The flowers are large, with three petals at the top and a brightly colored lip at the bottom. The coloring includes spots, speckles, stripes, and brushstrokes.
You may be interested in:Planting garden orchids
Orchids are moisture-loving plants. They require permeable soil, which is light, neutral, or alkaline, though rarely slightly acidic. It should have drainage and a fertile soil layer. Dig a hole 60 cm wide and 40 cm deep, and layer the mixture.
Layer order:
- drainage 10 cm – expanded clay, pebbles, broken brick, small stones;
- peat;
- vermiculite;
- pieces of pine bark (disinfected);
- sand.
Place the seedling on the mound of soil, spread the roots, and carefully cover with soil. The buds should be at least 1 cm deep in the soil. Afterwards, water the plant lightly around the bush. After the soil has settled, add bark and mulch with moss.
If repotting is necessary, move the plants to a new location no more than once every five years. Repot the flowers in April or May before flowering. Many varieties thrive in the same location for 15-20 years, provided they are regularly fertilized and watered.
Preparing the site
For this garden beauty, choose a quiet, draft-free location with bright light alternating with partial shade. If the site is open and receives intense sun all day, a canopy or shelter is necessary to prevent the orchids from burning.
Avoid areas where moisture accumulates constantly after watering or rain. Choose light soil that absorbs water well.
Types of shoes
The distinctive feature that unites orchids into the "slipper" group is the lip, shaped like an elegant shoe. This is usually a large, protruding part of the flower, distinguished by its vibrant color.
Gisela
A winter-hardy variety called Queen's Slipper. This garden orchid grows in dense clumps. The flowers are numerous and densely arranged on the stalk. The petals are brown with a purple tint, and the lip is creamy.
The Gisela gelb hybrid has a light pink lip that later turns crimson, and white petals that glow at night. The Michael hybrid boasts low-growing plants with large purple flowers and dark stripes.
Bee-bearing ophrys
This variety differs from other hybrids in its flower structure. The lip resembles a whimsical, smiling bee. A single flower with three crimson petals and a variegated, fluffy inner part grows on a 40-cm-tall flower stem.
The ophrys blooms in May or early June, lasting two months.
Bletilla
This species includes a dozen cultivars, including Bletilla striata and Bletilla hyacinthina. It prefers a mild climate and grows in open, sunny locations.
The pseudobulb roots are sometimes visible on the surface. The leaflets are long and folded. The stem consists of pseudoleaves that cling tightly to the trunk. Pale lilac flowers form spike-shaped inflorescences. Colors can be white, violet, or purple. The flowers resemble hyacinths.
Varieties of lady's slipper:
- Slipper - 40 cm high, a hybrid of the true and large-flowered varieties;
- large-flowered – flowers up to 10 cm in size, colors: crimson, pink, purple, on a 50 cm long stalk, 1-2 flowers;
- true slipper - grows up to 40 cm in height, flowers are 7-8 cm in diameter with a yellow lip and scarlet petals;
- spotted variety - a 30 cm tall trunk with small purple flowers covered with burgundy spots;
- A royal variety up to 1 m in length, with large flowers 8-10 cm, with 2-4 flowers per stem, white petals and a raspberry lip.
Planting and caring for the slipper
Orchids can withstand temperatures down to -35°C (-35°F), provided there's a 5 cm layer of snow or they're covered with leaves, sawdust, or pine needles. The orchid site should be shaded, with sun exposure until 11 a.m. and then after 3 p.m. In full sun, orchids dry out. Plants can be planted near bushes or trees that will provide shade. Orchids are planted in raised beds. They're also planted along fences or buildings facing north.
Lady's slipper orchids are planted in the fall. Dig a hole 60 cm in diameter and 30-40 cm deep. Add a mixture to the bottom of the hole: peat, drainage, sand, bark, and crushed shells. Place the plant on top, cover the roots with soil, water, and mulch with pine needles, sawdust, and bark. When planting, place the buds 1 cm below the soil surface. Orchids bloom three years after planting.
Care
Caring for outdoor orchids is not difficult, but there are some care guidelines to follow. Plants need sufficient light in the first half of the day. Water the flowers in the morning or evening. Water at the base or around the plant, avoiding contact with the leaves. In summer, water 2-3 times a week. Orchids dislike stagnant water, as this can cause fungal infections and destroy the entire orchid family. In winter, watering should be discontinued.
Overfeeding orchids is much worse than underfeeding them. For tropical flowers, the substrate provided when they were planted is sufficient. Mulch also provides nutrients to the plants. Once a month in the summer, you can feed garden orchids with orchid fertilizer. Dilute the fertilizer 2-3 times less than recommended. Fertilize the plants during watering.
Features of flowering
Indoor orchids bloom year-round, while garden beauties produce flower stalks only during the warmer months from May to August. This depends on the orchid species or variety. Buds appear in May, and a month later, they fade, and green foliage and roots begin to grow. From autumn until April, the plants enter a dormant period.
To achieve flowering, it is necessary to create the following conditions:
- lighting before lunch and after 4:00 p.m.;
- increase in humidity;
- fertilization for flowering;
- regular, moderate watering;
- protection from winds and drafts;
- avoid constant exposure to direct sunlight;
- After flowering, flowers need shading.
Reproduction
Orchids rarely reproduce on their own, so divide the bush in the spring and replant it. Choose a mature orchid at least 4-5 years old, a healthy specimen with no signs of disease. Carefully dig the bush out of the ground to avoid damaging the roots. Divide it into 2-4 pieces. Each piece should contain at least 2-3 buds. Prepare a hole with substrate for each seedling and place the young bush in it, fill it with soil, water, and mulch. Care is the same as for mature plants.
Growing orchids from seed indoors is difficult, but germinating seeds in the garden is entirely possible. The process is complex and requires effort, patience, and time. Seeds are planted as seedlings in a greenhouse, and the seedlings are transplanted into open ground in the spring, when the soil warms to 13-15°C. The young plants are protected from frost for the winter. Many seedlings die, but only the strongest survive.
Species recommended for cultivation
The most frost-hardy garden orchid species include: Lady's-slipper, Dactylorhiza, Orchis, Helleborine, and Orchis diffusa. Cold-resistant varieties of Lady's-slipper include: Spotted Lady's-slipper, Yatabe Lady's-slipper, Small-flowered Lady's-slipper, Royal Lady's-slipper, and Tibetan Lady's-slipper.
All types of garden orchids are used to create compositions in the garden and at the dacha, each unique and beautiful in its own way. Among the orchid hybrids that stand out for landscape compositions are Anna, Emil, Gisela, Michael, and Hank Small. Low-growing varieties are used for flower borders, while medium-sized plants are used for mixed garden borders.
It's best to plant lady's slippers in corners of the garden, surrounded by ferns, grasses, and shrubs. They resemble small forest edges. All plants are selected according to height so they don't obscure the majestic flowers.
Orchids are planted in rock gardens and rock gardens. They are used to decorate flowerbeds and arrange small arrangements along houses. Single plantings of orchids of a single color look unique.
Pest and disease control
Outdoors, the risk of disease and insect infestation increases. Fungal infections, viruses, bacteria, and pests often cause the death of garden orchids. If the problem isn't detected in time, an entire orchid family can be lost.
You may be interested in:Harmful insects
Pemphigus are white and live on the underside of the leaf. They appear in dry air. Treat the flowers with soapy water and baking soda.
Scale insects are brown, growth-like bumps that cover the leaves and stems. The insects feed on the sap. Remove the pests manually, remove affected leaves, use soap and baking soda, and wash the entire plant.
Aphids can be green or black. Poor temperature regulation promotes pest infestation. Wash plants with a soapy or milky solution.
Thrips appear in hot weather, and it's very difficult to get rid of them once they've infested flowers. They feed on plant sap. Orchids are treated with chemicals to control thrips.
Red spider mite – white or yellow spots appear on leaf blades. Leaves curl. Spray flowers with insecticides.
Whiteflies, a white midge, feed on the leaves, causing them to turn yellow and fall off. Treat with insecticides every three days. Destroy all affected leaves, and spray all nearby plants.
Spider mites – the outer surface of the leaf is covered with yellow spots, the underside with white webbing. Wash the leaf surface and trunk with a soapy alkaline solution; in severe cases, use acaricides.
Besides insects, orchids are also attacked by snails and slugs. These are collected by hand, and traps are made to catch them. Greenhouse flies are killed with dichlorvos.
Diseases
All fungal diseases are treated with fungicides: Topaz, Fundazol, Maxim. Fungi appear due to frequent watering. Orchids can be susceptible to fusarium, anthracnose, root rot, late blight, gray mold, and spotting.
Tobacco mosaic virus is virtually incurable. If the plant's immune system is weakened, it may die and infect neighboring orchids. The flowers are dug up and burned.
Bacteria, like viruses, are incurable. With bacterial spot and bacterial rot, the entire leaf becomes covered in yellow and brown spots, dries out, and wrinkles.
To avoid problems, it's best to buy orchids from specialized nurseries. At spontaneous markets, you could end up with a diseased seedling. Before purchasing, consider where to plant the flowers, how to arrange them, and what color you want. Once you have a clear picture of the garden layout, you can confidently head to the store to buy a specific variety of garden orchid. If beautiful perennials take root in your garden, they will delight you with their blooms for many years. By dividing the bushes, you can obtain new seedlings and beautify not only your garden but also share orchids with neighbors and relatives.
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