A Visit to White Plains Orchids
It's no secret that I love gardening, and I love plants of all kinds - in particular, potted plants. I keep many in my greenhouses, including a wide-ranging group of orchids - all the vibrant colors and variations in shape and size make me so happy.
Last week, I visited White Plains Orchids, a family-operated nursery not far from my Bedford, New York farm. There, I found some beautiful orchids and a few other container specimens to add to my collection.
Enjoy these photos.
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- Whenever I get the opportunity, I always try to visit and support the businesses in my neighborhood. White Plains Orchids is the only orchids nursery in Westchester County.
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- Its main greenhouse is filled with orchids, those flowering and often fragrant plants that bloom indoors from late winter to spring.
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- Orchids grow on every continent except Antarctica. They are native to the tropical regions of Asia, Australia, the Himalayas, and the Philippines. The orchid forms one of the largest families in the plant kingdom, with more than 25,000 species worldwide.
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- The size of orchids depends on the species. They can be quite small or very large. However, every orchid flower is bilaterally symmetrical, which means it can be divided into two equal parts.
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- Rule of thumb – orchids that receive a proper balance of light, humidity and temperature will have healthy bright green leaves. Too little light would make the leaves very dark. The size, shape, and texture of leaves depend on the habitat. Orchids that live in dry climate have large, thick leaves covered with wax, while species that live in warm and humid areas have thin, elongated leaves. And certain species of orchids do not have leaves at all.
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- Optimum temperatures for orchids in winter are 45 to 55-degrees Fahrenheit at night and 65 to 75-degrees Fahrenheit during the day. When plants are in bud, temperatures must be as constant as possible.
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- Most orchid genera are epiphytic, meaning they grow on trees and rocks rather than in soil. Orchid roots need to breathe and therefore cannot live buried in dirt.
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- This is Eric Wang, senior sales associate at White Plains Orchids. His parents are also orchid experts and have more than 30-years experience in selling all different varieties here in New York and in the Dominican Republic.
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- Dendrobium is a large orchid genus, with more than a thousand species. The evergreen canes are topped by a single three to five-inch long inflorescence, each one producing four to eight flowers.
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- Dendrobiums need lots of light, but not direct sun. A lightly shaded south window is best. This is Dendrobium Roy Tokunaga. Its main feature is an incredibly long bloom time – it begins to flower in November, and continues blooming for close to six months.
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- Paphiopedilum orchids are often called ‘lady slippers’ or ‘slipper orchids’ because of their unique pouch-like flowers.
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- Here’s another view. This is Paphiopedilum gratrixinum. The pouch of a slipper orchid traps insects so they are forced to climb up, collect or deposit pollen, and fertilize the flower. Slipper orchids have two fertile anthers — meaning they are diandrous.
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- This orchid is called Paphiopedilum ‘Ernie Barnham.’
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- This stand is filled with miniature orchids. These plants have the same requirements as full-sized orchids. They need the proper amount of water, indirect sunlight, regulated temperature and a fairly high humidity level between 55 and 75 percent.
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- This is Phalaenopsis Sogo Yukidian ‘V3 White Dream’. Phalaenopsis, the moth orchid, is perhaps the best orchid for growing in the home and is also a favorite with greenhouse growers. Well-grown plants can flower often, sometimes with a few flowers throughout the year, though the main season is late winter into spring.
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- This is a Cattleya quadricolor orchid with its purple, white, lavender and yellow bell-shaped half-open flowers.
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- And this is a hybrid, Laeliocattleya Purple Cascade ‘Fragrant Beauty.’
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- There were also some other plants at the nursery. These are potted Philodendron Thai Sunrise – known for their long lime green leaves. They are all packaged and ready for transport.
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- Anthurium is an epiphytic species of flowering plant native to Colombia. It is grown in more temperate climates as a greenhouse or houseplant for its large, pendulous leaves that can be several feet long. This will be a nice addition to my greenhouse.
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- If you love orchids as much as I do, try to visit a nursery that specializes in these beautiful plants, or of you’re in the New York City area from the end of February through April, visit the New York Botanical Garden. Look out for more on orchids from the NYBG in an upcoming episode of “Martha Gardens” on Roku.
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