Yes, I lost quite a few of my orchids (over 500) but many did survive and months later, many were once again cheerily blooming. My Sarcoglottis did put on new growth and has started to recover. I am also seeing new growth again on many of the orchids. It will take some of them another year to bloom, but at least they survived.
Why did I write this story? Because I don't want this to happen to YOU! Are orchids fragile? Some yes, but many are not. How many house plants could have survived temperatures below freezing? Please remember to add an alarm to your greenhouse and, more importantly, to CHECK the alarm weekly to ensure it is working properly. Remember it is not just the extreme cold that can hurt your orchids. Extreme heat also can damage or even kill them. If you are growing your orchids outdoors, listen to the weather and protect them if the temperatures turn cold. The loss I occurred was from just one night. I am sure if I had not discovered the loss of heat until later, none of my plants would have survived.
As you visit the nurseries and stores looking at orchids and wondering if you can grow them, look around. You just might see "The Orchid Lady" buying more orchids to fill up her greenhouse.
This is my greenhouse now full of beautiful blooms and many new orchids.
Next month in The Orchid Garden, Part four: Fertilizing your Orchids.
Happy Orchid Growing
Since you love orchids don't miss my NEW Orchid Screen Saver!!!
Got a question relating to your orchids? Here's where to ask!
The Orchid Garden is just one of the 28 different gardening topics you can visit here on Suite 101, covering everything from annuals to zucchini.
