NICEORCHIDS

Vanda Orchids

2009-12-14T22:49:00.001+07:00

The Vanda are monopodial orchids from India and the Far East. The generic name comes from a Sanskrit word for orchid. In addition to the over 70 species of Vanda orchids, there are numerous hybrids. Many flower colors and color combinations, including pale blue, are available.

Vanda orchids are divided into two main groups based on the shape of their leaves. The majority are strap-leaved and will bloom indoors. The terete-leaved minority will grow foliage indoors but will not bloom.

Since Vandas often grow tall, they will need support. If they become too tall, they can be divided by air layering. Give Vandas warm temperatures and filtered to strong light. Keep the plants evenly moist and provide excellent drainage and good air circulation.

Pelatihan Kultur Jaringan Anggrek dan Tanaman Hias

2008-10-20T13:17:00.001+07:00

Pelatihan Kultur Jaringan Anggrek dan Tanaman Hias di Departemen Biologi FST Unair digelar 25 Oktober 2008, pukul 08.00 WIB.

Pelatihan yang terbuka untuk umum dan gratis ini bertempat di Laboratorium Biologi Reproduksi bagian Kultur Jaringan Tumbuhan Departemen Biologi FST UNAIR.

Informasi lebih lanjut dapat menghubungi :
• Dwi Kusuma Wahyuni, S.Si., M.Si.
08159932812/03191293714 kusumaanwar@yahoo.com
• Nenik 085736270050
• Sauqi 085646723673

Orchid Grower's Companion: Cultivation, Propagation, and Varieties

2008-09-22T15:37:00.002+07:00

From Booklist
Banks assures gardeners that most orchids are easy to grow as long as their housing, temperature, and moisture needs are met. There are more than 30,000 species and more than 100,000 hybrid strains. Bank's "companion" presents 400 color illustrations, and contains chapters on plant structures, pollination, orchid names, the history of the plant's cultivation, and its geography and conservation. Chapters on the flowers' care offer advice on growing orchids indoors, in the garden, in pots and baskets, and on mounts. Temperature requirements, watering, fertilizing, pests and diseases, and propagation are all discussed. A 126-page orchid directory lists 400 species, hybrids, and variants, and explains in detail their natural habitat and how to grow them. Banks' wealth of practical advice should help and encourage gardeners to grow these delicate flowers. George Cohen
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Orchid Grower's Companion
by:David Banks
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Best Price $21.00
or Buy New $26.37

Orchids For Dummies Book

2008-09-22T15:25:00.003+07:00

Orchids are beautiful, fragrant, wonderfully varied, and surprisingly affordable. But aren't they hard to grow at home? No! says orchid grower extraordinaire Steve Frowine. In this handy guide, he shows you step by step how to select the right orchids, keep them healthy, encourage blooms, and even propagate your own plants.

This Orchids For Dummies book Discover how to:
* Select orchids that will thrive in your home
* Water, fertilize, repot, and propagate orchids
* Decipher complicated orchid names
* Get familiar with favorite orchid varieties
* Create spectacular orchid displays

The fun and easy way to grow orchids As anyone who has read Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief or has seen the movie Adaptation knows, orchids inspire a passionate following. And their popularity is rising: according to the USDA, more than 12.7 million orchids were sold in the U.S. last year. Brimming with black-and-white illustrations and eight pages of color photos, this friendly guide introduces would-be orchid fanciers to today's most popular and intriguing orchid varieties; and shows step by step how to select healthy plants at a nursery or commercial grower, cultivate them successfully at home, promote blooms, create beautiful orchid displays, and even produce hybrids. Steven Frowine (New Hartford, CT) worked with orchids professionally as a horticulturist at Hawaii's National Tropical Botanical Garden and at the Missouri Botanical Garden, where he was chairman of indoor horticulture and oversaw over 10,000 plants.

This Book is Sell at Amazon:

List Price:	$16.99
Price:	$11.55 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25.

Understanding Orchids: An Uncomplicated Guide to Growing the World's Most Exotic Plants

2008-09-21T15:31:00.000+07:00

Understanding Orchids

From Publishers Weekly

Cullina has maintained a personal collection of orchids for decades, and still gets "that spine tingling, toe-tickling feeling of WOW" from an unfamiliar or outstanding specimen. It's a feeling he's eager to share with "orchid lovers at every level of expertise, from absolute beginner to experienced grower to expert." He succeeds in addressing such a broad audience by organizing his work into independent modules that can be consulted as needed. The first portion covers basic orchid information: detailed guides to growing them on a windowsill, under lights, in a greenhouse or outdoors, and practical advice on meeting their requirements for light, temperature, humidity and air movement in each of those settings. Cullina then systematically examines orchid culture, with in-depth discussions of watering, fertilization, potting and mounting, and pests and diseases. A brief but fascinating overview of orchid reproduction follows, with directions for hand pollinating, propagating and hybridizing. Finally, Cullina meticulously examines more than 100 of the most popular genera. Happily, a good number of these seductively described plants are rated for beginners (the other skill level ratings are experienced and expert). Cullina, who directs the New England Wild Flower Society, is extremely well versed in his subject and a skilled writer. His lively text, with its clear instructions, will make orchid growing as irresistible to readers as it is to Cullina. 300 color photos.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Understanding Orchids

William Cullina

Best Price $17.99
or Buy New $26.40

CATTLEYA CARE

2008-07-02T20:09:00.000+07:00

The majority of this orchids group grows as epiphytes fringes of the forest or high in the canopy of trees, where they can receive strong but dappled light.

Temperature:
Cattleya needs of 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit temperature difference between day and night. A day range from 75 to 85 degrees is optimal; Nights around 60 degrees.

Light:
Cattleya flower and grows best with strong, dappled sunlight.
At home, placing them in East, West or lightly shaded south of the exhibit can simulate that. The most common cause for failure to bloom is insufficient light. Growth and flower spikes should develop strong and straight in the right light. Foliage should be a medium olive green. If growth is weak and floppy, and the foliage is dark green, light is insufficient. Conversely, if the foliage is yellow on the side and hard enough, the plant receives too much light. Cattleya functioning properly under a wide range of conditions, in order to know your plant with a keen observation of the habits, and you will be able to tell if your plant is happy.

Humidity: The humidity ranged from 40% to 60% is generally recommended. At home, the plants can be placed on a gravel tray filled with water or saucer ensuring that the pot is not sitting directly in the water.

Water: In nature, these plants have exposed roots and enjoy a round of quick drying-wetting. This wet dry cycle must be duplicated by allowing plants to become nearly dry before watering. Most of the new producers tend to overwater. In case of doubt, not water. However, common sense is the watchword. Lift the pot. If it feels light, you probably need to water. Pseudobulbes should not be allowed to shrivel from lack of water.

Fertilizers: Feeding should be done on a regular schedule. Twice a month is appropriate at the request hot and humid. A high nitrogen fertilizer (30-10-10) can be applied during this period, if the plant is in fir bark media. A high phosphorous fertilizer (10-30-20) can be applied to promote flowers and good roots. During cool, dull conditions, fertilize less. Some growers apply to feed ¼ strength with every watering. This seems to work best for hot and humid. Some producers alternate for the high nitrogen and phosphorus high feed. In anycase, be careful not to eat too. Orchids are generally not heavy feeders. You can eat "weakly, weekly" or is "weekly low" ....

Why are my plant’s leaves wrinkled?

2008-07-01T01:01:00.000+07:00

Wrinkled or pleated leaves are caused by a lack of moisture reaching the vegetative part of the plant. This can be caused by not watering enough, or watering too much. If you can’t figure out what you’ve done, tip the plant out of the pot and examine the roots. If they are white or tan, firm, and spread throughout the mix, you need to increase the frequency of watering. If the roots appear brown and mushy, trim them off, repot into a new mix, and decrease the frequency of watering. Always remember, orchids should never stand in water!

source:orchidweb.com

Tips in selecting healthy orchids

2008-04-16T09:35:00.000+07:00

1. Check and see how firm the plant is in the pot, if it is shaky and not firm then chances are it is either been recently repotted or it has a bad root system. If it has been recently repotted check the mix, you may want to replace it for something more suitable for orchids, even thou the plant is in bloom. Sphagnum moss is often used to pot the orchids in for shipping and if it it packed to tightly in the pot it can cause problems. Some times the mix can rot your roots very quickly since it does not dry out.

2. The pseudobulbs should be fat and plump. Beware of the shriveled pseudobulbs

3. The leaves should be firm. Leaves that are limp or crinkled like an according are indications that the plant may have been exposed to excessively cold temperatures or lack of water due to no root system or just not being watered correctly. Are the leaves brown or have spots? This is an indication of exposure to excessive sunlight or high temperatures. On many of the orchids make sure the center leaf is still growing and there is not damage to the crown of the orchid. This damage can result in crown rot and the orchid will die.

4. Is the foliage damaged? Look under the paper wrapper if it is covering any part of the plant.

5. Are the plants water logged or swimming in water inside of the paper wrapper? The pretty paper does not have drainage holes. REMOVE this immediately after you get your orchid home.

6. Is there a sticky substance on the leaves? THE PLANT HAS BUGS! Avoid bug-infested plants.

7. Are the flowers limp or the buds turning yellow? Are there buds missing? The plant has been stressed too much and will most likely drop all its flowers and buds within a few days no matter what you do for the plant.

8. Does the plant have a correct label? The label should say more than just "ORCHID PLANT."

9. Ask how long the plants have been at the store?

10. Does the sales person know anything about the orchids and can they give you some information about caring for it?

source:http://www.beautifulorchids.com

Cabinets Product for Our home

2008-03-24T11:39:00.000+07:00

Making home clean and beauty we need to choose the right home interior inlclude arrange the house ware and all goods in home so that it’s will look great and all family still enjoy stay at home. One strategy is by put it at a cabinet whether custom cabinets or specific cabinet such us green bay kitchen cabinets, bedroom cabinet , bathroom cabinet and else. But of course you must choose a cabinets that suitable with your room and need.

You can search all kind cabinet you need whether it’s custom cabinets or specific cabinets at valleycabinetinc.com. They have so many great collection of cabinets that you must see and buy with competitive price of course.

REBLOOMING YOUR ORCHIDS

2008-03-08T20:16:00.002+07:00

Each genus of orchid has different requirements for reblooming. Most commercial varieties are very simple to rebloom. Phalaenopsis, Zygopetalum and Odontoglossum require only slight changes in temperature to initiate blooming. Others, such as Oncidium and Dendrobium, bloom on mature new growth and require a change of fertilizer to a phosphorus-rich, blossom-booster formula, such as 20-20-20.

Knowledge of watering, temperature and fertilizer requirements for each genus is necessary for successful reblooming year after year. To successfully rebloom your plant, identify the type of orchids you have and see our "INDIVIDUAL ORCHID CARE" section for details.

A. When the last flower drops, cut your flower spike halfway down the stem.
B. After cutting the stem with a clean, sharp blade, seal the cut with melted candle wax or cinnamon powder to prevent bacterial infection.
C. A rebloom will probably occur if you continue to care properly for your orchid. Simply follow orchid care guidelines.
D. This rebloom should flourish for up to 3 to 4 months in perfection.

Get Refinance

2008-03-08T09:40:00.005+07:00

If we have a home mortgage and because of any reason the payments seems hard to pay or we have any plan on it, we can try to refinance home mortgage. Refinance commonly used to take more advantage on it by getting lowest interest rate.
What can home mortgage refinance do to get lowest interest rate? First it can reduce interest cost if current interest was lower than before beside we can also have an option to extend the term of mortgage.Consequently our monthly payment will be lower. Second, if our refinance choice was to get shorter term loan, usually we can reduce the mortgage's interest. Third we can get a new ARM (adjustable rate mortgage)so that we can reduce the interest for that introductory period.

Another reason why we get mortgage refinance is that it can reduce monthly payment, reduce our risk and payoff our mortgage faster.

There still many reason why we used refinance beside above short explanation. You can explore it completely and also apply for it at Refinance.com. Here we can get all related refinance include get quote for refinance, get information and home equity loan and debt consolidation. The affordable here is we can use their Financial Calculator including Easy Refinance Calculator,Amortization Calculator and Bi-weekly Calculator.

Garden Marking

2008-02-28T04:18:00.006+07:00

Before, I never thinks to organize my plants in my garden. I just let and arrange its position so that it will looks beautiful garden except my orchids collection, I make plant label on each. But because of that, I often forget about the plants name, age or its caring activity.
But while surfing on internet, I found that we can organize our plants by give garden marking or plant stakes or plant label.

There is MetalGardenMarkers.com that offer many products to give garden marking including with marking labels products or unmarking products.

Marking labels products used by mark the labels of our metal Garden Markers whether using a permanent pen (also called a nursery marker) to write directly on the label or utilizes a common, large #2 lead pencil, using the uni-paint (formerly the Faber Paint Pen), using Dymo adhesive plastic marking tapes or other similar tape and sticker type material or permanently engraved using an electric engraving tool or , by put printed or engraved labels. All of this marked tools was design to be durable in most climate conditions.

Unmarking products is also still liked by some gardeners who wish to used replacement labels for every style of garden marker available. Replacement labels are an easy, inexpensive alternative to purchasing a new marker. They have Copper C series, C,D,G E and small series.

Their garden markers are 100% manufactured in the USA and we can buy it retail aor wholesale.

Online Payday Loan

2008-02-05T16:17:00.000+07:00

Where did you look for a help if you need fast money and you have no saving or your friends or family doesn't have enough money to lend you? Maybe you can try to apply payday loans and to keep your privacy, easy an fast procedure, you can choose the online one. It's has many advantage than the traditional payday loan.

It's offered to people with no credit, poor credit or bankruptcies AND they can be apply for loan just in front of the computer online. They do not require credit bureau reports but use information services provided by le-Track that do not check your credit history. It's simply verifies the applicant’s personal, employment, banking and lending information. That's way, although you apply it anonymously you still must to answer application questions truthfully and accurately.

Usually this online payday loan required the consumer to type out an online application providing personal information, employment information, current banking and financial information, and references. If you being employed and having valid checking account open for at least 3 months and have income at least 1000$/month, they often approve your loan application.But sometimes they will also ask about mandate current bank statements and paycheck stubs,the frequency of non sufficient fund charges an applicant has incurred in the past 30 days, and the number of current outstanding online payday loans.

This online payday loan usually between $100 and $1500 and how much you will get is dependent on several criteria full filled. If you still need many information regarding this online payday loan, the procedure, and which pay day loan company serve the best, you can find all of this at http://www.trustsource.org/cash-advance

rbs6nations.com

2008-02-02T11:29:00.000+07:00

If you like to play rugby and also really like to watch the match of Europe's premier international rugby tournament that was attended by the 6 nations in Europe (England, France, Ireland, Italy,Scotland and Wales), you must be know about this tournament official website. Yes right, it is www.rbs6nations.com that be this tournament official website. Whatever you need about the tournament you will get it here.You can get the latest rugby news, fixtures and tournament result, watch video highlight online through this site or by phone use O2 handphone. As official site, they also have and provide championship info,six nations council info,championship rules, tickets info,trophies and six nations press releases and online magazine.

Their online store sell the tournament leisure products and merchandise such us shirt/tee shirt for both man and lady, jacket, hat, tie, Beanie and backpack with RBS 6 Nations brand. For England, Scotland or Ireland rugby fans, they also sell jacket, beanie, scarf and backpack. At Fanzone you also can download picture of your favorite Rugby Player, wallpaper,and play exciting selection of RBS 6 Nations online rugby games.

Ecommerce Shopping Cart Article

2008-02-02T10:15:00.000+07:00

To grow up our business, sell our products on internet is the good way today. With the rapidly internet users, they are a niche market who will purchase our products. Consequently it not just increase the selling but also we can expand our business world wide as a character of internet that across territory limited.

To sell our products online we need online store and if we don't have enough money to hired engineers who will built and maintenance shopping cart software from Ashop. They offer completed service for these. Not just shopping cart software,24/7 online support,online store hosting at their server but also they have many Ecommerce shopping cart articles to support their costumer getting success with their online store. This articles exactly a free articles to anyone who come to and read their website. Their articles commonly discuss about online sales and marketing strategy, for examples article about How to Increase Holiday Sales,Incentives Can Increase Sales, Online Sales Strategies,Building Customer Service Websites, Improve Sales In A Recession Economy, Online Marketing Made Easy and other useful articles.

Make Online Survey With Easy-Poll

2008-01-31T12:25:00.000+07:00

Want to know your web reader opinion about your website/blog?One of the way to know about this is by placing an online survey to your website, so your reader can throughly fast write their opinion after read your post or see your website/blog. You must not have programming skill or additional software to make this myspace surveys . You just need to sign up to www.easy-poll.com. They offer an easy, effective and free online survey tools. Easy because after sign up that consuming 2 minutes, you can choose the survey models, get install code and install it on your website/blog. It's safe because the data save at their server. Everytime you want to see the result you can access it every time.

Cheaper Hotels in Portugal

2008-01-29T22:54:00.000+07:00

For many people,Portugal is a great place to visit. It may be one of the best value destinations in, possessing all the possible characteristics of a wonderful place: a blend of the past, the present and the future. Portugal offers outstanding landscape diversity, due to its North-South disposition along the western shore of the Iberian peninsula [ adjacent to Spain ] . The North have green mountains, with vines and all varieties of trees to the central rocky mountains, with spectacular slopes and waterfalls, to a near-desert and arid landscape of the Alentejo region. Beside they also have vibrant beach vacation destination of Algarve.

If you visit this country, don’t forget to play golf to because Golf is superb in Portugal. They have 14 of Portugal's golf courses are rated in the top 100 best in Europe.

After Amsterdam success to run out from prosperity and join to Europian Union in1986, Portugal prides itself for being one of the greatest vacation destination in the world, and with a wide choice of lodgings in the area perfect for a short vacation, it’s no wonder that many tourists from across the globe visit Portugal for business or vacation purposes.

Speaking of lodgings, it is worthy to note that Portugal offers a wide selection of cheap hotels that could provide you the best accommodation and complimentary dining possible. If you want to know even just a few names that top the list, then look no further. You can look up this cheap hotel list in Portugal at www.cheaperthanhotels.co.uk so that you can find Cheap Hotels in Portugal, Cheap Hotels in Lisbon , Cheap Hotels in Algarve , Cheap Hotels in Madeira and others.

Mallorca Island

2008-01-25T22:23:00.000+07:00

Have you ever enjoy your holiday at Spain? If your answer is no, you should now a little bit about the best place at Spain.
One of beautiful place there is Mallorca Island. It is the largest island of Spain located in the Mediterranean Sea and part of the Balearic Islands archipelago. It’s known as an easy-to-reach mecca for friends of sunny beaches, with a coastline of more than 550km. In high season the island is flooded by millions of tourists from all Europe. This is both a blessing and a curse for the inhabitants, and they are well prepared for it and provide a very well-organized tourist infrastructure.

Nevertheless, Mallorca can show even other faces when you leave the coastline and take a look at the inner country.Geographically the island can be divided into three parts. The Serra de Tramuntana rocks extend from south-west to north-east, while the Serra de Llevant stretches along the eastern coast. Between them lies the central plain (Es pla).
For accomodation there are many choices best hotel such us : Mallorca Hotels , Palma de Mallorca, Ibiza Hotels , San Antonio Hotels and others.

Wu-Yui Weight loss Tea

2008-01-24T22:19:00.000+07:00

Tired using many weight loss methods and weightloss suplement that have no result? Now, this is the time to remove all your unworking diet products and use Wu-Yi. Wu-Yi is a premium Chinese Slimming Tea that provides the latest nutrition and activity guidelines for fast weight loss.

If you want to get healthy and lose weight without starvation, pills,without impossible diets,Without low energy,without gadgets or joining expensive "programs" and without leaving the privacy of your home, this Mu-Yie 400 year old diet secret from China is the way to do.

And best of all, you’ll lose weight without spending hardly any money and It is 100% natural. However, If you are truly serious about losing weight, you will be extremely pleased to took the time to read all information (even though some of it is kind of boring) scientific proof there.The function of this tea beside that are it may brighten skin while improving skin clarity,then It may fortify your immune system, enhance body-mind wellness, may promote stronger and whiter teeth.

Romantic Travelling to Italy

2008-01-23T09:43:00.000+07:00

Italy is identic with Romance. Fabulous food, scenic views and architectural beauty all contribute to the romantic ambiance. Whether you are planning a romantic vacation along the Amalfi Coast, to the island of Capri, Rome, Florence, or Venic, here some of Italy’s most popular districts for travelers.

Roma or Rome is the capital both of Italy and of the ancient Roman Empire is the center of the Roman Catholic Church (the Vatican). Rome has two airports Fiumicino (FCO - Leonardo Da Vinci) and Ciampino (CIA). Other big city is Milano or Milan as one of World’s fashion capital and main financial and business hub of Italy. Venezia city or Venice also have Famous for canals , history and art. The city is built on a lagoon, with canals, and no roads and it have famous Saint Mark's Square. The airport for Venice is (VCE – Marco Polo).
Firenze or Florence have attractive history, art, architecture with Uffizi gallery, David of Michelangelo Buonarroti.

For travelling there you can select your preferences hotel and the facilities from hotelsitaliano.com.
. They offer great selection of some of the finest Roma Hotel, Firenze Hotel,Milano Hotel , or Venezia hotels start from Grand De La Minerva Hotel Rome,Turner Hotel Rome,Residenza Canova Tadolini Hotel Rome,Dei Consoli Hotel Rome ,Eurogarden Hotel Rome,Castellino Palio Bianco Hotel Rome, Hotel Davanzati,Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo and others great hotel selection.

Buy Rose at 1-800-FLOWERS.COM

2008-01-14T20:38:00.001+07:00

Rose flower often use as a message or sign for something that difficult to say. Red Rose mean love and respect, deep pink show gratitude and appreciation, light pink express admiration and sympathy, white identical with reverence and humility, yellow mean joy and gladness, orange, red, yellow blend and pale blended tones also have their own. Not just because of that, because its beautiful shape, color and nice smell that’s why rose always be the perfect expression for many occasion.

Whatever the occasion or moment, you can purchase rose from 1-800-FLOWERS.COM Inc. – “Your Florist of Choice®”. They’ve been providing customers around the world with the freshest flowers and finest selection of plants, gift baskets, gourmet foods, confections and plush stuffed animals perfect for every occasion. They’ve sell flowers for more than 30 years.You can shop the flowers twenty four hours a day, 7 days a week at 1-800-356-9377 or www.1800flowers.com. The flowers are exquisite, unique and hand-delivered the flowers at the same day from their Fresh Growers.

The costumer can search the flower easily based on the occasion, kind of flower, plants, give baskets and foods and also prices. They have offers tracking so that, the costumer sure their flowers will come right in front of their home.

Online Cash Advance

2008-01-13T23:08:00.001+07:00

Need money fast but you don’t have much money now? You can apply for online Cash Advance or payday loan services. You can try the service from Oasis Payday Loans that offer fast solutions for those times when you need quick cash advance.
They make it incredibly easy for you to get the personal loan or payday advance that you need. Different with personal loan, payday loans require no credit checks, no collateral, and no co-signers. Getting approved for payday loans is much less time consuming, resulting in faster cash in your bank account. This online payday loans are available nationwide (In all fifty states and Washington D.C.
) and you can get the money directly deposited into your bank account very quickly. It’s available if you have a steady source of income of at least $900 per month and a valid checking or savings account.

Save yourself some time now, by applying for a payday loan online right here. It just simply click on the “apply online “and doesn't take long to complete the secure payday advance loan application and your cash request is processed immediately. No fax or phone, no Social Security Number and costs you nothing to apply online.
You can apply for payday loans from $100 - $1500+, and this approve payday loan are varies. Payday loans are available if you have a steady source of income of at least $900 per month and a valid checking or savings account. With 100% online pay day loan approval process there is no need to even leave to computer to obtain a cash advance because your payday loan request is instantly processed on a secure server, and your personal payday advance is wire transferred to your account quickly!

Going2Travel

2008-01-12T01:06:00.000+07:00

So you are thinking for a travel to certain beautiful place in the world such us Caribbean, Bahamas, Bali,Orlando or else? Well, before you opt for a travel and vacation, I guess it is nice for you to know first some of the basic facts about the city you want to visit also about the vacation rental. It is best that you know how to enjoy and get ultimate holiday vacation.

Just go to Goin2travel website, a directory that features some of the world's most unique vacation rentals, and you will find vacation rental that list by the property / accommodation owner such Caribbean vacations,Bahamas vacation rentals, Bali Vacation or Cayman Islands vacation rentals and else. It’s delivers online an array of unique, unusual vacation homes, homes that exude special characteristics such as charm, luxury, coziness, warmth, magnificence so this media can be alternatif beside a hotel. Here you can see the home / vacation rntal photo and read its description. By booking vacation rentals from owners in top resort areas, you will save up to 30% on rental rates.

Hosting Offer From Burtonhosting

2008-01-09T12:31:00.000+07:00

If you are looking for a quality low cost hosting solution whether for personal hosting or business hosting, you can explore its offer from www.burtonhosting.com. For personal hosting, the price start from $6,95/month with 2 years plan or $7,95/month for 1 year plan with facilities include 100 GB Bandwidth,100 Email Accounts,100 Subdomains and 100 MySQL Databases. For business hosting they have goBusiness plan that designed to meet the needs of your business . With plenty of disk space and nearly unlimited resources available, you have the freedom to create the perfect website for your business for price $21,95/month on quarterly plan or $22,95/month if billed monthly.

To served their costumer, they used powerful shared hosting10 GB Web Space
range servers located in Atlanta, GA,use leading hardware including QUAD Intel Xeon 5130 each with fast HDD's, RAM and Red Hat Linux operating systems, to bring outstanding performance and reliability.

They have additional services such us FTP Backup Solutions,Email Defense Service,DNS Management,Streaming Audio Hosting,Continuous Server Backups and also opportunity to join their affiliate program.And they also offer website templates, flash templates, and other products that can be used to quickly create a fast and high-quality website. All are completely customizable.

Buy Cheaper HDTV's

2008-01-05T09:51:00.000+07:00

Long time live with conventional TV make many people appreciated when HDTV’s come. It’s something bigger, flatter, sharper and brighter than normal television. Many people said that it have better picture than normally. These HDTV’s have many alternative choice and specification including Direct-view CRT (not flat), Flat-panel LCD, Flat Panel Plasma and Rear-projection (not flat). But with their incredibly cost, we must think again to buy it.
With limited budget exactly we still can buy HDTV’s at refurbished factory condition and we can find it at Second Act. Second Act is an online authorized retailer of HDTV’s and related products of Sharp, Samsung, Toshiba, Denon, Marantz, JVC, Hitachi and more. Beside product that is factory refurbished, you also will find products from factory closeouts and overstocks, end-of-life, open box and more. Of course, with these products you can make great deals with its lowest cost. To completely your HDTV’s performance, you can buy AV Receivers and Other Overstock, Closeout, refurbished and Open Box Home Theatre Equipment here too. For more detailed service , term and condition (include local pick up, returning produtcs, promotions,etc) you can go to their costumer service center page.

This company was founded in 2003 by catalog marketing veteran Mark A. Cohn, the original founder of Damark International and located in Edina, MN.

About Dyson Vacuum Cleaner

2008-01-05T07:34:00.000+07:00

At first sight, their website is so impression. It’s simple with black background but still keep informative. Although they used moved picture / film in some page, it doesn’t make it load slowly. At this site we can find about Dyson hisself (history, invention, school and foundation) and his vacuum cleaner products. Start from his frustration about his vacuum cleaner that quickly clogged with dust, destroying the suction, he began to make innovation with this and after 5000 prototypes he was able to launch the first DCO1 vacuum cleaner.

Now Dyson vacuum cleaner sells worldwide at 44 countries and have developed to many features again such us allergy sufferers, pet owner, all floors suitability, lightweight, upright and cylinders. It full vacuum cleaner range, will free delivery on order over £25,get easy official vacuum cleaner parts and accessories and get facility to recycled your old cleaner collected for free.

If you're interested you can buy it online or call Free phone 0800 954 0152 and they will satisfy you with award winning costumer service.

Orchid Pest

2008-01-04T00:08:00.000+07:00

When it comes to an orchid pest, some growers attribute the frequent appearance of dry or blackened flower sheaths, and the consequent loss of blooms, to a virus but there is no conclusive proof of this.

The consensus of opinion is that the condition is a result of a lack of air, or sudden chilling while damp.

The dry sheath may be removed by slitting both side 'seams' and pulling each half toward the leaf with a quick jerk.

This procedure may save the buds from orchid pests. Infrequently it will be found that buds have succumbed to wet rot inside an apparently healthy sheath.

It is likely that this condition results from steaming caused by the 'sweating' of an excessively heavy sheath that has been subjected to too much heat. Many growers make a practice of cutting off the tops of such very heavy sheaths as soon as the buds show at the base.

Cattleya Mossiae has a habit of forming the sheath months before the bud appears. This sheath very frequently dries up and turns black, but the buds usually survive.

In brief the rules for control of orchid pests and diseases are:

(1) absolute cleanliness;

(2) plenty of air and bench space, with no crowding of plants;

(3) immediate isolation of infected or suspected plants;

(4) proper control of humidity with no chilling while the house is wet;

(5) a routine system of spray with a noninjurious insecticide, perhaps alternated with fumigation by burning nico-fume;

(6) removal of armoured scale by brush or fine mist spray under pressure; and

(7) sponging fungus-infected spots with corrosive sublimate or copper sprays and dusting injured parts with sulphur to check the spread of rot.

When it comes to an orchid pest, the grower who keeps her plants in good health, providing the most favorable environment for vigorous growth and repotting at the proper time with fresh potting material, will cut to a minimum his troubles with pests and diseases. Plants with healthy bulbs, leaves, and roots are remarkably pest- and disease-resistant.

We again emphasize the necessity of handling all insecticides with extreme care. Exact attention should be paid to the precautions advised by the manufacturers, such as wearing a mask and rubber gloves when using the insecticide. The definite toxic effect of many of the new discoveries is still a mystery.

source:www.how-to-grow-orchid.com

Search My New Notebook at Mpire

2008-01-03T10:56:00.000+07:00

Because I must often go travelling and to support my online job, I need notebook that lighter and have smaller monitor screen than my 15,4” wide screen notebook. After search it online I found this Sony VAIO® VGN-UX280P PC Notebook that have 4.5” wide SVGA screen and Intel® Core™ Solo Ultra Low Voltage CPU and Microsoft® XP Professional operating system at Mpire.

Mpire is an online shopping site that provides shoppers with everything they need to find the best deals online. Here we can search a product with relevant selection of retail and eBay auctions, see products detail with the price (also pricing trend data) both retail and auctions. Mpire’s universal shopping experience offers the broadest category selection of both new and used items, from the Web's best shopping sites such as Yahoo, eBay, Amazon, Overstock, Shopping.com, and Craigslist -- all on one site.

The most interesting from them beside above feature is that while shopping our favorite online stores, the Mpire plug-in gives us automatic alerts if someone is selling the same product for less, real-time price trend graphs, coupons, and price promotions for free.
They also offer WidgetBucks, an ecommerce advertising network of shopping widgets for Web publishers, affiliates and bloggers.As blogger we can get revenue by join to widgetbucks payperclicks affiliate program .

SPOCK

2008-01-02T23:01:00.000+07:00

One of success key to get success for your business is by building a network. We can build a network by maintain our communication with our old or new friends.
If you don’t have or lost your friends contacts, you can search them at SPOCK, a free people and information search engine. Beside by name, people can be search by name or by a "tag" consisting of a personal piece of information (e.g. Real Estate Agent, blind, curly hair, scholl, email, etc). The people you are looking for must not be the member of SPOCK because they will search everyone on the internet whether on biography pages, social networks, news sites, blogs, directories or other sources.

To build trust search network at SPOCK you must register first and be their member for no cost for it. The advantage as a member are you can add tags, pictures, and web links or simply vote on existing information to increase its relevance. You can claim your search result and shape what information people see and when there is new information about you on the internet; SPOCK can send you an alert so you are always up to date. You can also build your search network based on your interest include artist, study, school, sports, and etc.

Although they were
Spock.com - A Great Place for Search , they will keep the members personal and confidential data such us birthday, address,etc.

LightInTheBox

2008-01-01T22:28:00.000+07:00

Buy minimum quantity product with wholesale price maybe really wanted by all costumer. Furthermore, at this online store, most of the products were sold itemized at wholesale price too. Of course, with same quality compared with normal price products, we can get advantage from its offer. Or if you are a businessman you can sell it again and multiply your profit with their big spread. More than 10 thousands of quality merchandises and big brand name products are available including video game (wii,Nintendo,PSP,Xbox), MP3 and MP4 player, auto (car audio, car GPS,accessories,etc),electronics, camera and computer, cell phone, home and garden, jewelry and other nice products. Here is www.lightinthebox.com, the website of company that has been in business in the Chinese market for about 5 years. Although this company from China, they sell all products online worldwide.

Commonly although www.lightinthebox.com had offer wholesale products, there is always discount price for certain brand and sometime free delivery too.
With this exciting offer they still keep the quality and offer many easy way and facility for its costumers. For example, you can use Google Checkout, PAYPAL and CREDIT CARD for payment, fast delivery, 24/7 costumer service support by MSN, email and by phone, they also have policy of refund, replace and repair. Wow, sound interesting, isn’t? Like their jargon , LightInTheBox.com is bound to satisfy your needs.

WILD-FLOWER GARDEN

2008-01-01T13:39:00.000+07:00

A wild-flower garden has a most attractive sound. One thinks of long tramps in the woods, collecting material, and then of the fun in fixing up a real for sure wild garden.

Many people say they have no luck at all with such a garden. It is not a question of luck, but a question of understanding, for wild flowers are like people and each has its personality. What a plant has been accustomed to in Nature it desires always. In fact, when removed from its own sort of living conditions, it sickens and dies. That is enough to tell us that we should copy Nature herself. Suppose you are hunting wild flowers. As you choose certain flowers from the woods, notice the soil they are in, the place, conditions, the surroundings, and the neighbours.

Suppose you find dog-tooth violets and wind-flowers growing near together. Then place them so in your own new garden. Suppose you find a certain violet enjoying an open situation; then it should always have the same. You see the point, do you not? If you wish wild flowers to grow in a tame garden make them feel at home. Cheat them into almost believing that they are still in their native haunts.

Wild flowers ought to be transplanted after blossoming time is over. Take a trowel and a basket into the woods with you. As you take up a few, a columbine, or a hepatica, be sure to take with the roots some of the plant's own soil, which must be packed about it when replanted.

The bed into which these plants are to go should be prepared carefully before this trip of yours. Surely you do not wish to bring those plants back to wait over a day or night before planting. They should go into new quarters at once. The bed needs soil from the woods, deep and rich and full of leaf mold. The under drainage system should be excellent. Then plants are not to go into water-logged ground. Some people think that all wood plants should have a soil saturated with water. But the woods themselves are not water-logged. It may be that you will need to dig your garden up very deeply and put some stone in the bottom. Over this the top soil should go. And on top, where the top soil once was, put a new layer of the rich soil you brought from the woods.

Before planting water the soil well. Then as you make places for the plants put into each hole some of the soil which belongs to the plant which is to be put there.

I think it would be a rather nice plan to have a wild-flower garden giving a succession of bloom from early spring to late fall; so let us start off with March, the hepatica, spring beauty and saxifrage. Then comes April bearing in its arms the beautiful columbine, the tiny bluets and wild geranium. For May there are the dog-tooth violet and the wood anemone, false Solomon's seal, Jack-in-the-pulpit, wake robin, bloodroot and violets. June will give the bellflower, mullein, bee balm and foxglove. I would choose the gay butterfly weed for July. Let turtle head, aster, Joe Pye weed, and Queen Anne's lace make the rest of the season brilliant until frost.

Let us have a bit about the likes and dislikes of these plants. After you are once started you'll keep on adding to this wild-flower list.

There is no one who doesn't love the hepatica. Before the spring has really decided to come, this little flower pokes its head up and puts all else to shame. Tucked under a covering of dry leaves the blossoms wait for a ray of warm sunshine to bring them out. These embryo flowers are further protected by a fuzzy covering. This reminds one of a similar protective covering which new fern leaves have. In the spring a hepatica plant wastes no time on getting a new suit of leaves. It makes its old ones do until the blossom has had its day. Then the new leaves, started to be sure before this, have a chance. These delayed, are ready to help out next season. You will find hepaticas growing in clusters, sort of family groups. They are likely to be found in rather open places in the woods. The soil is found to be rich and loose. So these should go only in partly shaded places and under good soil conditions. If planted with other woods specimens give them the benefit of a rather exposed position, that they may catch the early spring sunshine. I should cover hepaticas over with a light litter of leaves in the fall. During the last days of February, unless the weather is extreme take this leaf covering away. You'll find the hepatica blossoms all ready to poke up their heads.

The spring beauty hardly allows the hepatica to get ahead of her. With a white flower which has dainty tracings of pink, a thin, wiry stem, and narrow, grass-like leaves, this spring flower cannot be mistaken. You will find spring beauties growing in great patches in rather open places. Plant a number of the roots and allow the sun good opportunity to get at them. For this plant loves the sun.

The other March flower mentioned is the saxifrage. This belongs in quite a different sort of environment. It is a plant which grows in dry and rocky places. Often one will find it in chinks of rock. There is an old tale to the effect that the saxifrage roots twine about rocks and work their way into them so that the rock itself splits. Anyway, it is a rock garden plant. I have found it in dry, sandy places right on the borders of a big rock. It has white flower clusters borne on hairy stems.

The columbine is another plant that is quite likely to be found in rocky places. Standing below a ledge and looking up, one sees nestled here and there in rocky crevices one plant or more of columbine. The nodding red heads bob on wiry, slender stems. The roots do not strike deeply into the soil; in fact, often the soil hardly covers them. Now, just because the columbine has little soil, it does not signify that it is indifferent to the soil conditions. For it always has lived, and always should live, under good drainage conditions. I wonder if it has struck you, how really hygienic plants are? Plenty of fresh air, proper drainage, and good food are fundamentals with plants.

It is evident from study of these plants how easy it is to find out what plants like. After studying their feelings, then do not make the mistake of huddling them all together under poor drainage conditions.

I always have a feeling of personal affection for the bluets. When they come I always feel that now things are beginning to settle down outdoors. They start with rich, lovely, little delicate blue blossoms. As June gets hotter and hotter their colour fades a bit, until at times they look quite worn and white. Some people call them Quaker ladies, others innocence. Under any name they are charming. They grow in colonies, sometimes in sunny fields, sometimes by the road-side. From this we learn that they are more particular about the open sunlight than about the soil.

If you desire a flower to pick and use for bouquets, then the wild geranium is not your flower. It droops very quickly after picking and almost immediately drops its petals. But the purplish flowers are showy, and the leaves, while rather coarse, are deeply cut. This latter effect gives a certain boldness to the plant that is rather attractive. The plant is found in rather moist, partly shaded portions of the woods. I like this plant in the garden. It adds good colour and permanent colour as long as blooming time lasts, since there is no object in picking it.

There are numbers and numbers of wild flowers I might have suggested. These I have mentioned were not given for the purpose of a flower guide, but with just one end in view your understanding of how to study soil conditions for the work of starting a wild-flower garden.

If you fear results, take but one or two flowers and study just what you select. Having mastered, or better, become acquainted with a few, add more another year to your garden. I think you will love your wild garden best of all before you are through with it. It is a real study, you see.

Disclosure and Privacy Policy

2008-01-01T09:40:00.000+07:00

This blog is a personal blog written by me. This blog accepts forms of cash advertising, sponsorship, paid insertions or other forms of compensation.

The compensation received will never influence the content, topics or posts made in this blog. All advertising is in the form of advertisements generated by a third party ad network. Those advertisements will be identified as paid advertisements.

The owner(s) of this blog is compensated to provide opinion on products, services, websites and various other topics. Even though the owner(s) of this blog receives compensation for our posts or advertisements, we always give our honest opinions, findings, beliefs, or experiences on those topics or products. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the bloggers' own. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer, provider or party in question.

If you require any more information or have any questions about our privacy policy, please feel free to contact us by email at yunitae@gmail.com.

At My blogs, the privacy of our visitors is of extreme importance to us. This privacy policy document outlines the types of personal information is received and collected by me and how it is used.

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FIGHTING PLANT ENEMIES.

2007-12-27T18:44:00.000+07:00

The devices and implements used for fighting plant enemies are of two sorts:
(1) those used to afford mechanical protection to the plants;
(2) those used to apply insecticides and fungicides.

Of the first the most useful is the covered frame. It consists usually of a wooden box, some eighteen inches to two feet square and about eight high, covered with glass, protecting cloth, mosquito netting or mosquito wire. The first two coverings have, of course, the additional advantage of retaining heat and protecting from cold, making it possible by their use to plant earlier than is otherwise safe. They are used extensively in getting an extra early and safe start with cucumbers, melons and the other vine vegetables.

Simpler devices for protecting newly-set plants, such as tomatoes or cabbage, from the cut-worm, are stiff, tin, cardboard or tar paper collars, which are made several inches high and large enough to be put around the stem and penetrate an inch or so into the soil.

For applying poison powders, the home gardener should supply himself with a powder gun. If one must be restricted to a single implement, however, it will be best to get one of the hand-power, compressed-air sprayers. These are used for applying wet sprays, and should be supplied with one of the several forms of mist-making nozzles, the non-cloggable automatic type being the best. For more extensive work a barrel pump, mounted on wheels, will be desirable, but one of the above will do a great deal of work in little time. Extension rods for use in spraying trees and vines may be obtained for either. For operations on a very small scale a good hand-syringe may be used, but as a general thing it will be best to invest a few dollars more and get a small tank sprayer, as this throws a continuous stream or spray and holds a much larger amount of the spraying solution. Whatever type is procured, get a brass machine it will out-wear three or four of those made of cheaper metal, which succumbs very quickly to the, corroding action of the strong poisons and chemicals used in them.

Of implements for harvesting, beside the spade, prong-hoe and spading- fork, very few are used in the small garden, as most of them need not only long rows to be economically used, but horse- power also. The onion harvester attachment for the double wheel hoe, may be used with advantage in loosening onions, beets, turnips, etc., from the soil or for cutting spinach. Running the hand- plow close on either side of carrots, parsnips and other deep-growing vegetables will aid materially in getting them out. For fruit picking, with tall trees, the wire-fingered fruit-picker, secured to the end of a long handle, will be of great assistance, but with the modern method of using low-headed trees it will not be needed.

Another class of garden implements are those used in pruning but where this is attended to properly from the start, a good sharp jack-knife and a pair of pruning shears will easily handle all the work of the kind necessary.

Still another sort of garden device is that used for supporting the plants; such as stakes, trellises, wires, etc. Altogether too little attention usually is given these, as with proper care in storing over winter they will not only last for years, but add greatly to the convenience of cultivation and to the neat appearance of the garden.

As a final word to the intending purchaser of garden tools, I would say: first thoroughly investigate the different sorts available, and when buying, do not forget that a good tool or a well-made machine will be giving you satisfactory use long, long after the price is forgotten, while a poor one is a constant source of discomfort. Get good tools, and take good care of them. And let me repeat that a few dollars a year, judiciously spent, for tools afterward well cared for, will soon give you a very complete set, and add to your garden profit and pleasure.

----------------------------------Want to cooking?looks the recipes and tips here

Unique Picture Blanket

2007-12-24T10:45:00.000+07:00

Have you ever personalize your blanket with your own pictures? Why you don’t have this. Everyones including you must be happy if their pictures keep memorizing at the unique placement, picture blanket. Not just one picture, you can use up to 16 special pictures on your blanket with unlimited border colors and 3 sizes. Personalized it more with adding unlimited amount of text. To suitable with your bed room color and design you can choose 13 colors option from Vision Bedding.

You also can give this Picture Blankets for your special person at special moment in your live. It will be unforgettable gift and make them happy I think. Make unique present, forgetting mass produced bedding and gives the personal touch with their special pictures. They will feel that you really have attention for them and really understand about them.

If you order this from VisionBedding, you will be guaranteed to get high quality picture and bedding that are extremely soft, breathable and durable.

Indonesian Orchids

2007-12-23T16:11:00.000+07:00

Indonesia was wellknown as a country with many natural orchids species.There more 5000 natural orchids species. Orchids that growth in Indonesia mostly including Vanda, Phalaenopsis,Paphiopedilum, endrobium, Coelogyne,Cymbidium and Bulbophyllum. The most wellknown orchids from Indonesia is Moon Orchids (Phalaenopsis) besides Paphiopedilum.
Here many orchids species orchids that growth in Indonesia:
a.Sumatera Orchids
With their swam and rocky mountain also variety forest, Sumatera Island have many beautifull orchids. One of these is Coelogyne Dayana
b.Java Orchids
Java island have 713 identified orchids species and the most favourit is Vanda Tricolor
c.Kalimantan Orchids
Kalimantan Island have popular black orchid (coelogyne Pandurata)
d.Papua Orchids
At Papua there are approximately have 2000 orchids, that grow from beach till at their high mountain with many different shape, colour and size. We will find Dendrobium Violaceum as the most growth species there.
e.Sulawesi Orchids
Sulawesi Island have Diplocaulobium Utile that flower in the morning and close their florwer at noon.
f.Maluku orchids
Phalaenopsis Amabilis is the amazing orchids from Maluku.
g.Nusa Tenggara Orchids
There are many orchids with thick leaves and small flower in Nusa Tenggaara becaused its dry season. The welknown orchids from this Island is Bulbophylllum Biflorum.

Summary from:Cara Tepat Merawat Anggrek Book

Orchids Watering

2007-12-15T17:36:00.000+07:00

To watering our orchids its better to use sprayer. Because the water from sprayer will not destroy flower, leaves or orchids media. It is better that we watering the orchids just at its roots so that the water will be quickly absorbed. The water must be clean and not polluted.
Watering quantity and frequency is depend on the jind of orchids. Orchids with pseudolp (simpodial orchids) such Coeligyne, oncidium and Dendrobium generally more resistent with dry condition than Monopodial Orchids such Phalaenopsis and Vanda. Monopodial Orchids must be watered 2-3 x /day and simpodial orchids can be watered 1-2 x/day.
The right time to watering is in the morning between 07.00-09.00 AM and between 02.00-06.00 PM.

Loan Services That Will Help You

2007-12-12T12:27:00.001+07:00

Has a bad credit loans history in the way of getting the loan you need? Don’t think to much again. Now you can search many loan services at BadCreditOffers.com that have many advantage features and different service. Wheter you look for new credit for personal, auto or home loan, or get cash out to refinance your past loan or look for lower interest rate or payment they will ready to help you.

Orchids Care (Photo)

2007-12-12T11:59:00.000+07:00

Here is how to care your orchids since its in the bottles (but sorry the explanation is in Indonesia)

Photo Courtesy of sanibusiness

Online Payday Loans Facilities

2007-12-12T09:48:00.000+07:00

If you now looking for payday loans, why you don’t try online payday loans facilities?
It has many advantage than offline such us approvement processed usually faster than offline, complete the application with full of our privacy, and we can surf all information we need related payday loan just from our computer. More easy and cheap isn’t it?
But we must carefully to choose the right one. There is Trustsource that make a payday loan online site rank that will help you to choose the right cash advance site. The rank start from one star till the best 5 stars. Not just that, they also ask the people who ever used payday loan online facilities to give review.

The payday loan online site that you can find here are Additional Earnings, Womens PayDay , Maximum Wages Cash Advance, Silent Cash Loan Cash Advance, Urgent Cash Relief Pay Day Advance. Which is each of these site has their own charasteristic and rules. For example Maximum Wages Cash Advance sites focus to maximize the amount of cash available to you through lenders. They will lend you up to $1,500 in cash assuming you meet certain criteria.
Differ from Urgent Cash Relief Pay Day Advance site, this site is a good for you who need immediate cash needs. If you need money for medical emergencies, car problems, past due bills or just a quick grocery run, UrgentCashRelief.net can help.

Killed Bug with Alcohol

2007-12-07T22:56:00.000+07:00

Many people use isopropyl alcohol as a bug killer. It acts as a killer of contact, which means it kills on contact. It has no residual effect (stays effective as any wet) and, in general, does not hurt the plant at all. People like him because he is cheap, accessible and relatively safe.

Just buy a spray bottle and screw the top on the mechanism of alcohol spray bottle. In this way, you remember what's in the bottle. When a critter is spotted, a few squirts of the spritzer covers the bug with alcohol which usually kills. If this fails, moisten a cotton ball with alcohol and wipe / squish the critters, and solve your infestations.

Keep an eye on plants infested to go further and look at the infestation. If this method is ineffective in controlling the problem, you can either discharges / or destruction of the plant by means of a "hard" chemical insecticide.

Care for Your Family

2007-12-06T23:01:00.000+07:00

If one of your family members need additional care, what will you do? I think you need to seek better care service that suit with our condition. The options for care are generally classified into three categories: care home, , residential care and finance. Each section contains records established with the assistance of the housing of the elderly and lawyers care.
If you want to remain and communicate with your love those who need care,the best choice is home care, but before deciding whether they should stay in your home, particularly in the area of care at home, Respite care, care and continence or move to a more suitable home including buying a retirement home or shelter, rental housing or retirement protection, housing with care and choosing a housing scheme.

Or if you want to take care with residential care programs, you must also think of the house alive. It's start with small family-type homes at home till five-star hotel standards. All are expected to provide accommodation, meals, assistance with personal care, such as dressing, monitoring of medications, a person on call at night and companionship.

Finally the financing of the matter is that important things to be prepared before we decided which category is appropriate.

PLANT NUTRITION

2007-12-04T16:41:00.000+07:00

Plants use inorganic minerals for nutrition, whether grown in the field or in a container. Complex interactions involving weathering of rock minerals, decaying organic matter, animals, and microbes take place to form inorganic minerals in soil. Roots absorb mineral nutrients as ions in soil water. Many factors influence nutrient uptake for plants. Ions can be readily available to roots or could be "tied up" by other elements or the soil itself. Soil too high in pH (alkaline) or too low (acid) makes minerals unavailable to plants.

FERTILITY OR NUTRITION
The term "fertility" refers to the inherent capacity of a soil to supply nutrients to plants in adequate amounts and in suitable proportions. The term "nutrition" refers to the interrelated steps by which a living organism assimilates food and uses it for growth and replacement of tissue. Previously, plant growth was thought of in terms of soil fertility or how much fertilizer should be added to increase soil levels of mineral elements. Most fertilizers were formulated to account for deficiencies of mineral elements in the soil. The use of soilless mixes and increased research in nutrient cultures and hydroponics as well as advances in plant tissue analysis have led to a broader understanding of plant nutrition. Plant nutrition is a term that takes into account the interrelationships of mineral elements in the soil or soilless solution as well as their role in plant growth. This interrelationship involves a complex balance of mineral elements essential and beneficial for optimum plant growth.

ESSENTIAL VERSUS BENEFICIAL
The term essential mineral element (or mineral nutrient) was proposed by Arnon and Stout (1939). They concluded three criteria must be met for an element to be considered essential. These criteria are: 1. A plant must be unable to complete its life cycle in the absence of the mineral element. 2. The function of the element must not be replaceable by another mineral element. 3. The element must be directly involved in plant metabolism. These criteria are important guidelines for plant nutrition but exclude beneficial mineral elements. Beneficial elements are those that can compensate for toxic effects of other elements or may replace mineral nutrients in some other less specific function such as the maintenance of osmotic pressure. The omission of beneficial nutrients in commercial production could mean that plants are not being grown to their optimum genetic potential but are merely produced at a subsistence level. This discussion of plant nutrition includes both the essential and beneficial mineral elements.

Written by Dorothy Morgan. Staff Horticulturist employed by Dyna-Gro Corporation. Dorothy holds a B. S. Degree in Horticulture from Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture and Penn State University. Her experience has included managing commercial greenhouses, nurseries, hydroponics, and teaching vocational agriculture - Reproduced with permission of the author.

source:retirees.uwaterloo.ca

Advertise on Blogs With Smorty

2007-12-02T12:10:00.000+07:00

Do you have Website or blog about orchids or something else and want to promote it? Beside promoted by blog/RSS submission, post to online resources or forums, now there is a new way to promote by advertise on blogs. Million people in the world now have a blog so its really good market to promote your website/blog so that you can get your website/blog goal. By make advertise on blog, you will get inbound links naturally from bloggers and consequently there will many visitors to your website/blog, its will increase your page rank and will make search engine familiar.
You can join to Smorty, a blog advertising company that connecting between advertisers and bloggers. First it free for you, both advertiser or blogger, to join. After that you must create your website/blog advertising campaign that consists of a description explaining to the bloggers what to write about, the price per post, your keywords, minimum page rank of blogs to distribute your campaign to, your URL and the number of blog posts you want written for each keyword. After it approved by Smorty, they will delivers it instantly to its vast blogger network. Each blog post is checked automatically by Smorty smart review. All approved posts appear on your admin panel for optional manual review,
How about the cost? The minimum recommended bid value per post is US$10. Just calculate it with how many posting do you want.

Orchids.com

2007-11-30T21:01:00.000+07:00

One of my favourit orchids blog is Orchids.com. Orchids.com grows exquisite orchids for each level of flowering orchid plant market: decorator, florist, pot retailer, orchid aficionado and, in particular, individual clients.They produced sophisticated healthy orchids in bloom, or in the process of flowering including Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Paphiopedilum [Lady Slippers] and the alliance Oncidium orchids. Their efforts in orchid culture and higher factory quality control displays achieve abundance of flowers in many luscious colors. This is achieved through prudent management of our environment greenhouse.

Orchids.com has laboriously orchids grow theirrselves. These plants are grown in the same place, in another flower, and finally delivered. A personal attention and special care is at the heart of our packaging methods. This ensures that the gift plants you arrive in order prerequisite. This allows each recipient with the highest level of quality.

You can Chat with their Orchid Experts and all of your questions will be Answered!Their nursery in Montclair, California or call (909) 627-9515

Retail hours :
Tue, Thur, and Sat 6am to 12:30 pm
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Whitehall Mailbox

2007-11-30T12:49:00.000+07:00

Do you see the pictures above? What do you think about this mailboxes? I think Its really nice mailboxes that will make our home in harmony . These products are from Mailboxixchange.com. They sold all kind of mailboxes from many manufacturers including Whitehall. Whitehall produced Ultimate Whitehall Mailboxes, Superior Whitehall Mailboxes, Premium Whitehall Mailboxes and Wall Mount Whitehall Mailboxes. Beside that they also offer exclusive Whitehall Mailbox packages such as the Monogram Whitehall mailbox, the Statesville Whitehall Mailbox Package, and the Liberty Whitehall Mailbox Package.
Beside they have nice and thousands design, Whitehall claims their products 100% resistant to rust, very dense material that will stand up to years of wear and high quality finish

Whatever your house designs, modern, classic, minimalist / simple or traditional, you can finish it with their mailboxes. You just order it online, pay with your credit card, and they will as soon as possible send your purchasing. They promised to give you the best costumer service, lower price & satisfaction guaranted with return and exchange facilities.

Get Price Guide From Savebuckets

2007-11-29T03:28:00.000+07:00

As my hobby to growing orchids, I also like to take picture my orchids while it's blooming. Because my digital camera is too old, I plan to buy a new digital camera this month. With my limited budget I must look for it that suitable with my criterias. I want 5 Mega pixels, 8 x digital zoom, Built in flash, Self timer,USB port and 1 year warranty as the minimum criterias. Fortunally I found SaveBuckets that have thousands comparison prices from many products we need such us consumer-electronics, home and garden, clothing,jewelry,etc. They don’t sell anything because they just gift free simple guide to help us to search products we need. We can also send email about the products we want with the maximum budget and they will check the product we want and also contact us again if they meet suitable products. It's a nice site really. Now, before you buy something, you must go before to this site to get the best price and products.

Nice Phalaenopsis

2007-11-28T22:59:00.000+07:00

source:http://www.fotosearch.com

Blinds for Our Home

2007-11-22T23:48:00.000+07:00

2 Months ago we (My husband and Me) just bought a new home but we must wait until the developer finish the home on May, 2008. Since that month we prepare our home design interior. We have got the concept and decide to apply modern design, but we didn’t have any idea about the home’s blinds yet. We tried to looking for it in internet and found Terrys Site,a leading UK Fabric Warehouse. They sell thousands of item such as curtain, blinds, bedding, rugs,cushion&throws, Hooks&Holdbacks, Tiebacks&Tassels, and also Tapes& Haberdashery.They also offered give free shipping if we order over 100£,
In fact they established over 35 years ago and survived till now so they can expand their business and growth from small business to this giant modern market. I think based on this history they must be have best product and enough excellent costumer service.
Back to our home’s Blinds, at this site I get many choices of Roller Blinds, Roman Blinds ,venetian blinds,vertical and wooden blind. From among this choices, We really like their Roller Blind above.Its a simply chic and hope suitable with our home.To choose the right blinds they advise the costumer to consider different options before decorating the window to ensure that the costumers get the privacy, light, practicality and looks excellent.
If you still confused about your home’s interior design, just go to Terry's Home Interior Design Centre and you will find many articles and effective interior design ideas.

Sell Your Orchids Online!

2007-11-22T20:38:00.000+07:00

If you have an orchids garden and have a dream to sell your orchids through all around the world, don’t wait again. It is the right time to start. Why? Because there is Ashop, a shopping cart software company that offer interesting package to build your orchids online store/merchant. Not just orchids you can sell because these Ashop as the world-class provider of shopping cart software, internet programming and digital imaging have many theme design for many kinds of your products. You not must have big business because they will help you to expand your business by ecommerce and getting profit for your product.

They have built their ecommerce software for many years before, tested, and have given satisfaction to their customers. They hosted the customer’s store building for the implementation of the system with no software installation, so their costumer can create and manage an online store from any computer, anywhere in the world. Every people although they are not webmaster or not too understand with internet program can still manage and design Ashop online store. You can use all of their feature functionality (installation, inventory, layout & design, payment option, tax&shipping, database, affiliate, etc).
They provide secure hosting, 99.8% Uptime, free update, daily backups with SSL certificate, incorporated web optimization, give full statistic reports to analyze where the markets target and where visitors browse through your store. Choose your store design that you like, try its free for 10 days, if you are satisfied, calculate and prepare its budget for monthly fees and start your online store soon.

Sani Orchids

2007-11-21T21:27:00.000+07:00

Sani orchids is one of Indonesia orchid online Store that provide orchid flask and orchids species. They have hundred Orchid flask species or hybrid with competitive price. Especially Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, Cattleya and Vanda. Unfortunatelly they just can deliver to every regions in Indonesia with maximum service. But they also want to enlarge their market to every country, they hope they can cooperate with orchid whole seller worldwide.

Their contact/ address is:

Aditya Sani P, SP, MP.
Jl Danau Maninjau Barat D3-A5 Sawojajar Malang Indonesia
Telp 0341-6341982
Hp 08155558360 / 08170529664
Email : adityasani@yahoo.com

CYMBIDIUM CULTURE

2007-11-11T20:56:00.000+07:00

Cymbidiums are prized for their long sprays of flowers. There are two main types: standards and miniatures. Where summer nights are hot (above 70 F), only miniatures can be recommended because they are more tolerant to heat and flower in a position to thaw.

Temperature: During the summer, the standard cymbidiums are usually grown outside semishade, where daytime temperatures should be 75 to 85 F (or more), but the night temperatures in late summer until the autumn, we need 50-60 F to initiate flower spikes. Optimum winter temperatures are 45 to 55 F at night and from 65 to 75 F during the day. When plants are in bud, the temperature should be as constant as possible, between 55 and 75 F. Miniatures can withstand temperatures of five to 10 degrees higher than the standards and still flower.

Spotlight: From fresh and bright areas in Asia, they need high light, but cold temperatures. The maximum amount of light possible, in the short or burning, should be given to plants. In cool areas (such as coastal California), sunlight is tolerated. The leaves should be a golden green in color, not dark green.

Humidity: Keep in 40-60% with good air circulation to prevent fungi to identify flowers.

Water: These plants are terrestrial and semi need to stay moist. They produce all their vegetative growth during the spring and summer and need the most water during this period. Water heavily during the growing season, keeping the soil moist in hardware. Reduce consumption of water when full pseudobulbs growing end of the summer. Keep in barely moist during the winter.

Fertilizer: During the growing season (spring to late summer) high nitrogen fertilizer (30-10-10) is used. In the fall, use high phosphorus, blossom-booster Flux (10-30-20), to help promote flowering spikes. Full Feed every week to two weeks during the growing season, once a month in winter.

Potting
This is done in the spring after flowering, usually every two years or when the soil medium decomposes. Use a water retention soil mixture; medium fir bark amended with peat and perlite is a mixture. Choose a pot that will allow at least 2-3 years of growth before crowding the pot.

Cattleya Orchid Care

2007-10-28T00:58:00.000+07:00

Cattleyas are often also called the corsage Orchid, and were named after the Orchid grower William Cattley. They generally come from South America. Their flowers can be pretty large - up to about 8 inches. They are also often fragrant. The only downside to Cattleyas is that their flowers only last 2-3 weeks on average.

If possible, buy a Cattleya with either Laelia or another kind of orchid bred with it. You'll be able to tell these, because instead of it saying Catt. -name- it'll say BLC or SLC or LC. Flowers on these aren't as big, but you get more flowers and more bloom time!

SOURCE:http://www.imagine123.com/

2007-10-27T23:31:00.000+07:00

This photo courtesy of and You can get more these orchids photo from www.digitalphotoartistry.com

Feeding The Orchids

2007-10-26T00:14:00.000+07:00

There is lots of anecdotal evidence that seems to indicate that one feed brand is better than another. I for one don't believe there is much difference, if any, in growth rates, but look for a complete fertilizer, one with all 7 minor or trace elements. What is FAR MORE IMPORTANT is to feed correctly. Little and often, weakly, weekly are good watchwords. Note that a 20-20-20 feed compared to a 5-5-5 feed is 4x as concentrated, all other things being equal. This usually means it is 4x better value! I do find that most beginners are told to feed at low rates and this is a great way to start. I would recommend that you feed weakly, weekly for at least the first year of orchid growing. This will usually mean 1/4 tsp per gallon for most feed brands at every other watering, and every fourth watering in winter.

However, it has to be said that most commercial vendors and more proficient growers feed much more heavily than that. However, it also has to be said that these growers have state of the art facilities, with optimum temperature and light levels for each genera and loads of air movement and Reverse Osmosis (i.e. pure) water so they can feed at higher rates without burning the roots. The further away you are from this ideal environment, and the less experienced you are, the less you can push the plants with feed safely. There comes a point where the growth won't be any faster because you've burnt the roots and then the plant may die.

A great deal depends on the water quality. For example, in Seattle the water had a very low salt content (Total Dissolved Salts or TDS). Typically 40 parts per million (ppm) out the tap - this is lower than most bottled spring water! Back in the UK and further south in the US you may well find TDS levels of up to 500 ppm. Typically a maximum feed rate would be 1000 ppm alternating with plain water. What this all meant is that one could feed at 2x the feed rates of someone with poor water quality without burning the roots, i.e. you could add 960ppm of feed to this water to make a total TDS of 1000ppm, whereas a poor water quality grower may only be able to add 500ppm of feed. Half as much. Also, when you flush the pots every so often with pure water you'd get almost exactly that, pure water going through the pot. The poor water quality grower will have their tap water with lots of salts in it, so won't be able to achieve the same flushing effect with their 500ppm water. Water quality is very important but if you start feeding with a weak concentration of feed and flush well, you should be fine. Here in the UK now I feed relatively low amounts since my water quality is only around 500ppm TDS. Local utility companies usually give data on the web - look them up, it will give you an indication of what is possible, although the fine details are complicated and not discussed here. Several other orchid websites give more details of water quality issues.

I do also believe in using a couple of different feed formulations on a rotation basis just to make sure the plants get all the trace elements they require (and a balanced diet just in case). Current thinking is that bloom boosters (BB) do not actually increase flower size when applied to plants in spike - these BBs will increase the production of roots which might lead to better blooms later. I use BB to encourage roots in the spring, and to avoid the plants getting too lush and soft growth during the year. Note however that my opinion is that if you don't feed with enough nitrogen when plants are in spike, the spikes will be short. However, excessive nitrogen is known to wash out colours on Vandas. Many people claim that using high nitrogen feeds on Vandas will prevent them from spiking initially. I feel there is probably some truth in this, based on my experience.

Vitamin B1 additives do seem to encourage rooting and I do use them occasionally. Do not use too frequently, several people have reported these causing flower distortion if applied too often or in big doses and I have seen this on my plants when I've overdosed the water. The result was some flower crippling and strange features in the flowers. These were not present in subsequent flowerings.

Some people also report vast differences when switching from one feed brand to another, this probably means that they weren't feeding at the correct dose with their previous feeds, although some feeds may be somewhat more suited to certain potting mixes and water qualities and pH than others. For example it has been noted that with pure bark mixes and urea feeds, growth is poor but adding 20% peat to the mix corrects this problem. Alternatively use a feed with low urea (actually you want more nitrate and ammoniacal nitrogen) with pure bark potting mix.

source:www.btinternet.com

Orchid Growing Tip

2007-10-04T21:39:00.000+07:00

The orchid grower's task is not easy. It is to set in motion the complex process of plant growth orchid, and, through the maintenance of a balanced, to ensure the continuation of this process.

Using the energy from sunlight, green leaf chlorophyll converts carbon dioxide from the air and minerals from moisture in sugar and other carbohydrates.These energy carbohydrates are stored until needed for the reconstruction of plant tissue or flowering. The pseudobulbs of certain types, the large leathery leaves of others, and the grass as thin sheets of orchid pseudobulbs are missing storage tanks.

The cycle will continue only if the farmer spends the greatest attention to the needs of the orchid. The reward for his dedication during the just brilliant flowering and the beauty of the tropics is reproduced in the greenhouse.No rigid rules can be set for beginners to follow. It was said that each farmer in his own greenhouse, within limits set by plants, is a law until itself.

The amount of each element in the light of the heat, humidity of the air formula varies depending on the season, experience, and variety. One of the things that make the growth of orchids unique and stimulate the mind is the controversy that arose on all aspects of culture.One of the many points on which there is no incontroversial procedure is the question of the amount of light should be admitted. It must be decided whether to push plants "soft" or "hard", to use the jargon of experienced producers.Fans must make your own choices. To grow "soft" means plants in the shade from the sun so that the leaves are a beautiful dark green.

There is no doubt that this method produces the most beautiful plants, but the quality of flowering is a question that can not be answered in a definitive manner. In soft conditions of care must be exercised without a shadow to the point that the growth of flowers will be hindered.

To grow "hard" means to allow as much light as the leaves have yellow tones. This method, while marring the appearance of the plant, is said by his supporters to give more to hatch.Too much light should be avoided because it will burn the plant and growth will be interrupted. Dry, yellow flower sheaths will sometimes result from these sunburned buds and emerging steam and become subject to the destruction of wet rot. Cut the top of such a sheath of a knife, where the air can reach the bud and can save him.

The claim that growing orchids hard increases flower growth seems logical, if the conditions under which the orchids grow in its natural state are taken into account: the natural environment was' difficult '. We must not forget, however, that the nature of the checks sunlight in a way difficult Rapprochant in the greenhouse.Even in regions where certain varieties grow in what is called the "full sun, it will be found that the drift of clouds provide protection that is absent under intensely directed light in the greenhouse. Once the fan has done the choice between the "soft" and "hard" methods, the treatment must be consistent.

If plenty of sunshine is provided, and more moisture in the air will be necessary. If the plants are grown with a minimum amount of sun, they require less moisture, but an increase in ventilation may be necessary to keep the air sweet.Too much increase in the heat during the winter is a common mistake of growing orchids. Plants store energy during the day and release of energy or spend the night. Increase in the night, the heat increases transpiration.

The shorter periods of daylight decrease the production of energy. If the plant loses more energy than in the night, it is able to store during the day, obviously, it will suffer. Orchids are very sensitive to any kind of shock, and they take a long time to recover, if they ever do. This danger must be taken into account with regard to sunburn, refrigeration, energy or deficit.

There is also the difficulty of each species with its own requirements of the light. Quick reference to the situation in the homes of the case that the fan is likely to acquire to illustrate this point. Cattleyas, native to Central and South America, can be found hanging on trees in the tropical rainforest.The midday sun is generally kept out of the plant through the leaves directly overhead. The producer, guided by this knowledge, allows Cattleyas be exposed to the sun, but provides in the shadows during the summer the hottest of the day, sunburn should be avoided.Increased exposure to the sun requires a corresponding increase in moisture to prevent pseudobulbs of shriveling.

DENDROBIUM

2007-09-24T23:57:00.000+07:00

source:wikipedia

Phalaenopsis hybrid

2007-09-24T01:50:00.000+07:00

One orchid genus, Vanilla, is commercially important, used as a foodstuff flavoring, the source of vanilla. The underground tubers of terrestrial orchids are ground to a powder and used for cooking, such as in the hot beverage salep or the so-called "fox-testicle ice cream" salepi dondurma. The scent of orchids is frequently used by perfumists (using Gas-liquid chromatography) to identify potential fragrance chemicals. With these exceptions, orchids have virtually no commercial value other than for the enjoyment of the flowers (see also Botanical orchids).
There are a great number of tropical and subtropical orchids, and these are the most commonly known, as they are available at nurseries and through orchid clubs across the world. There are also quite a few orchids which grow in colder climates, although these are less often seen on the market. Temperate species available at nurseries include Ophrys apifera (bee orchid), Gymnadenia conopsea (fragrant orchid), Anacamptis pyramidalis (pyramidal orchid) and Dactylorhiza fuchsii (common spotted orchid).
The family of orchids is remarkably diverse. The plants found in "casual" culture, such as Phalaenopsis, Cattleya, Dendrobium, and so forth, represent a tiny fraction of the thousands of species of orchids. Also within the Orchidaceae are "leafless" orchids, which often appear as nothing more than masses of roots, achlorophyllous orchids that are entirely reliant upon their mycorrhizal symbiont for their nutrition, "jewel" orchids with foliage that is as pretty as their flowers, and so many others that are capable of affecting the most dedicated of growers very deeply. Ranging in size from tiny moss-like Pleurothallis species to massive (7 m) Grammatophyllum species in New Guinea, their beauty and sophistication have captivated many.
The National Orchid Garden in the Singapore Botanic Gardens is considered by some to be among the finest collections of orchids in cultivation open to the public. In 2004, Taiwan established the Taiwan Orchid Plantation, a science-based industrial park, to develop its commercial orchid exports in the future. See also botanical orchids.
Orchids, like tulips, have become a major market throughout the world. Buyers now bid hundreds of dollars on new hybrids or improved ones. Because of their apparent ease in hybridization, they are now becoming one of the most popular cut-flowers on the market. Though orchid hybridization has been happening for many years, only recently has new technology made it into what it is.

SOURCE:WIKIPEDIA

FRUITS AND SEEDS

2007-09-21T22:27:00.000+07:00

cross-section of an orchid capsule, showing 3 or 6 longitudinal slits
The orchid ovary is always inferior (located behind the flower), three-carpelate and one or three-partitioned, with parietal placentation (but axile in the Apostasioideae).
If pollination was successful, the sepals and petals fade and wilt but they remain attached to the ovary. The epigynous ovary typically develops into a capsule that is dehiscent by 3 or 6 longitudinal slits, while remaining closed at both ends. The ripening of a capsule can take 2–18 months. The microscopic seeds are very numerous (over a million per capsule in most species). They blow off after ripening like dust particles or spores, barely visible to the human eye. Since they lack endosperm, they must enter symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi to germinate. These fungi provide the necessary nutrients to the seeds.

An orchid seed capsule
All orchid species are reliant upon mycorrhizal associations with various basidiomyceteous fungi to complete their lifecycle. Although all orchids are mycoheterotrophic during germination, some achlorophyllous (lacking chlorophyll) species are entirely dependent upon these fungi for nutrients. In general, orchid mycorrhizal fungi decompose organic matter and subsequently translocate the obtained nutrients via their hyphae to the orchid. Because most orchid seeds are extremely tiny with no food reserves (endosperm lacking), they will not germinate without such a symbiont to supply nutrients in the wild. Some fungi continue to live in the roots of the adult orchid. This enables an orchid such as Neottia nidus-avis to function without chlorophyll. The chance for a seed to meet a fitting fungus is very small. Of all the seeds released, only a minute fraction grow into new orchids. This process can take years; in some cases up to fifteen years.
Horticultural techniques have been devised for germinating seeds on a nutrient-containing gel, eliminating the requirement of the fungus for germination, and greatly aiding the propagation of rare and endangered species.

SOURCE:WIKIPEDIA

ORCHID'S REPRODUCTION

2007-09-21T22:24:00.000+07:00

Reproduction

Bumblebee Orchid (Ophrys bombyliflora)
It is in the variety and the refinement of their reproductive methods that orchids truly amaze. On many orchids, the lip (labellum) serves as a landing pad for flying insects. The labellum is sometimes adapted to have a color and shape which attracts particular male insects via mimicry of a receptive female insect. Some orchids are reliant solely on this deception for pollination. After pollination, the epigynous ovary starts developing and produces a many-seeded capsule.
•The Lady's Slipper (Paphiopedilum) has a deep pocket that traps visiting insects, with just one exit. Passage through this exit leads to pollinia being deposited on the insect.
•Many neotropical orchids are pollinated by male orchid bees, which visit the flowers to gather volatile chemicals they require to synthesize pheromonal attractants. Each type of orchid places the pollinia on a different body part of a different species of bee, so as to enforce proper cross-pollination.
•A Eurasian genus Ophrys has some species that look and smell so much like female bumblebees that male bees flying nearby are irresistibly drawn in and attempt to mate with the flower, such as with the Bumblebee Orchid (Ophrys bombyliflora). The viscidium, and thus pollinia, stick to the head or the abdomen of the bumblebee. On visiting another orchid of the same species, the bumblebee pollinates the sticky stigma with the pollinia. The filaments of the pollinia have, during transport, taken such position that the waxy pollen are able to stick in the second orchid to the stigma, just below the rostellum. Such is the refinement of the reproduction. If the filaments had not taken the new position on the bee, the pollinia could not have pollinated the original orchid. Other species of Ophrys are mimics of different bees or wasps, and are also pollinated by males attempting to mate with the flowers, and other orchid genera practice similar deception.
•An underground orchid in Australia, Rhizanthella slateri, never sees the light of day, but depends on ants and other terrestrial insects to pollinate it.
•Many Bulbophyllum species stink like rotting carcasses, and the flies they attract assist their reproduction.
•Catasetum saccatum, a species discussed briefly by Darwin actually launches its viscid pollen sacs with explosive force, when an insect touches a seta. He was ridiculed for reporting this by the naturalist Thomas Huxley.
•Some Phalaenopsis species in Malaysia are known to use subtle weather cues to coordinate mass flowering.
•Some Phalaenopsis, Dendrobium and Vanda species produce keiki, offshoots or plantlets formed from one of the nodes along the stem, through the accumulation of growth hormones at that point.
The filaments of the pollinia of some orchids dry up if they haven’t been visited by an insect. This way, the waxy pollen falls on the stigma causing the orchid to self-fertilize.
•Holcoglossum amesianum, native to China's Yunnan province, reproduces in a hermaphroditic manner, fertilizing itself by rotating its anther and insert it into the flower's stigma cavity. This mode of pollination is likely due to the lack of wind and insects in the region where this species grows. The Bee orchid uses a similar method of selfpollination.

SOURCE:WIKIPEDIA

REPOTTING

2007-09-16T11:05:00.000+07:00

Orchid roots often creep over the edge of the pot before the body of the plant makes it to the edge of the pot. This is not necessarily an indication that you need to repot the plant. Repotting is only necessary when the body of the plant has grown over the pot edge or the media itself breaks down and will no longer allow the roots to dry between waterings. Under ideal growing conditions (and if you didn't overpot the plant to begin with), most commonly cultivated orchids outgrow their pot before the media breaks down.

The best time to repot is at the beginning of the growing season. This gives the plant the best chance to grow into the new pot and secure itself.

Follow these basic steps to repot your orchid:

Assemble all your supplies:
Cutting tool(s)
Plant(s) to be repotted
New pot (select the next size up... don't overpot!)
New media
Sterilize your cutting tool (an open flame passed along the blade for a few seconds is ideal). You should resterilize the tool between each plant you cut. At OrchidMania we also use latex gloves and change them with some degree of frequency, especially after handling a plant with an insect infestation or other problem.
Gently ease the plant out of its old pot. Don't be afraid to destroy the old pot if it will help keep the roots of the plant intact.
Gently remove as much of the old media as will come off the roots.
Remove any bad (overly dried or soggy brown) roots.
Put drainage material and a little media in the bottom of the pot.
Place the plant in the pot. The rhizome or crown should be slightly below the rim of the pot.
Sprinkle new media into the pot, allowing it to work down among the roots of the plant. Push it in gently, but do not force the media in and do not compact the media. You want an airy mix that allows good circulation. Do not bury the plant's rhizome or crown.
If necessary, stake the plant to steady it.
Water lightly until the plant adjusts to its new pot.

sources:orchids.org
photo courtesy of aka fortex

HUMIDITY

2007-09-16T10:58:00.000+07:00

Most plants do best with humidity in the range of 60% to 80%, but the average home registers only about 30% to 40%. A heated home with lots of carpets and draperies may have as little as 5% ambient humidity.... far too low for orchids to thrive (or people, for that matter -- which is why humidifiers are so commonly employed for people with respiratory ailments).

If you have adequate humidity to raise other houseplants, you have enough to raise orchids. But if humidity is a problem for your other plants, then it will definitely be a concern for your orchids. No expensive equipment is necessary to provide more humidity for your orchids. Commercially available purpose-built humidity trays are very nice, but really any tray large enough to hold your plants -- and deep enough to hold some water -- will suffice.

To create a humidity tray, fill the tray with gravel or place a rack across the tray. Next, put water in the tray. The evaporating water will help the plants thrive in a dry environment. Be sure the plants are not actually sitting in the water. Never place orchids in standing water (having said that, there are many people who use a system called "semi-hydro"... but that is beyond this page's scope).

source:orchids.org
photo courtesy of aka fortex

TEN TIPS IN SELECTING YOUR NEW ORCHID

2007-09-04T01:54:00.000+07:00

If you happen to be one of those people that just have to buy the "orphans" at bargain sales that are laying around half dead, please understand what you are doing.
The plant has undergone a lot: over-watering, under-watering, too much heat, too much cold, and heavens knows what else. Saving these "orphans" can sometimes be done, but taking them to a dry home and expecting miracles is not reality. Most often it will require the intensive care environment of a well-controlled greenhouse to save the plant.
It can take years for a plant to recover to the point of producing new flowers or even new growth.
1.Check and see how firm the plant is in the pot, if it is shaky and not firm then chances are it is either been recently repotted or it has a bad root system. If it has been recently repotted check the mix, you may want to replace it for something more suitable for orchids, even if the plant is in bloom. Sphagnum moss is often used to pot the orchids in for shipping and if it it packed to tightly in the pot it can cause problems. Sometimes the mix can rot your roots very quickly since it does not dry out.
2.The pseudobulbs should be fat and plump. Beware of the shriveled pseudobulbs.
The leaves should be firm. Leaves that are limp or crinkled like an according are indications that the plant may have been exposed to excessively cold temperatures or lack of water due to no root system or just not being watered correctly.
3.Are the leaves brown or have spots? This is an indication of exposure to excessive sunlight or high temperatures. On many of the orchids make sure the center leaf is still growing and there is not damage to the crown of the orchid. This damage can result in crown rot and the orchid will die.
4.Is the foliage damaged? Look under the paper wrapper if it is covering any part of the plant.
5.Are the plants water logged or swimming in water inside of the paper wrapper? The pretty paper does not have drainage holes. Remove this immediately after you get your orchid home.
6.Is there a sticky substance on the leaves? The plant has bugs! Avoid bug-infested plants.
7.Are the flowers limp or the buds turning yellow? Are there buds missing? The plant has been stressed too much and will most likely drop all its flowers and buds within a few days no matter what you do for the plant.
8.Does the plant have a correct label? The label should say more than just "ORCHID PLANT."
9.Ask how long the plants have been at the store?
10.Does the sales person know anything about the orchids and can they give you some information about caring for it?

Now don't get me wrong, there are some beautiful plants available and if you are careful, and know what to look for, you can find good prices and plants. But you need to be aware of what to look for.
-Oncidiums: Gower Ramsey and Sharry Baby with its reddish brown flowers and strong fragrance.
-Phalaenopsis: Also known as "Moth orchids" with their graceful arches of blooms.
-Dendrobium nobile and Dendrobium phalaenopsis type hybrids: the nobiles will have flowers growing right out of the pseudobulb (stock) and D. phalaenopsis (D. bigibbum Lindley (1852.))have long, in certain cases even branching inflorescences.
-Colmanara Wildcat hybrids:
This newcomer has beautiful exotic patterns on the flowers of red, browns, white and yellows.
-Cattleya, and Cymbidums: Seen at different times of the year.
-Vandas and Ascofinetia: These hybrids are the orchids with the bright purple, red, and orange blooms

SOURCE: OCHIDLADY.COM

Orchid growth life cycle

2007-08-28T08:40:00.000+07:00

The life cycle of an orchid can be divided into two distinct cycles - the growth period and the rest period. The orchid requires certain amounts of temperature, water and light in each period.

The rest phase
This occurs during the drought season in tropical sites and in the winter in temperate areas. Most orchids flower at the start of or soon after the rest period. The orchids should not be kept moist in the rest phase as this makes them produce weak new shoots. However do not keep them dry completely especially if they have tough leaves and small bulbs.

Temperature
Different orchids flourish in different temperature zones. Some thrive in moist warm, areas others in partly moist, warm regions while other flourishes in dry, hot regions. You have to pin-point what type of orchid you have as this will directly influence its requirements. Orchids generally belong to three different categories cool, temperate or warm.

Measuring temperature
One can use a simple apparatus such as an indoor thermometer to measure temperature. A mini-max thermometer will provide more useful information as it calculates the temperature range. The thermometer should be placed close to the plant as much as possible.

Orchids do not flourish in the following conditions
1. Direct sunlight - Direct sunlight quickly raises the temperature even if there is shade.
2. When they are placed to close to the window pane the heat will damage the leaves.
3. On cold stone window ledges.
4. Draughts close to window which is inadequately insulated.

TIP: In winter perform a candle test to determine if your window is insulated enough. If the candle flame stays still and straight then the window is perfectly insulated. It should not flicker or dance around.

An electric heater can be added underneath a cold stone windowsill

source:gardenjoy.co.uk

WHY WON'T MY ORCHIDS FLOWER?

2007-08-20T00:00:00.000+07:00

Beginners are often frustrated by a seemingly healthy plant that refuses to flower. This section is intended primarily for growers who wish to re-bloom their orchids, especially paphiopedilums (tropical slippers), phalaenopsis (moth orchids), oncidiums (dancing dolls) and dendrobiums (phalenopsis types) and related orchids. Don't worry if you don't recognize the names-these cover the majority of orchids easily available.

Its assume that your plants are healthy with lots of new leafy green growths and good roots. If you don't have a healthy plant, don't expect it to flower! Sometimes weakened plants, such as moth orchids will bloom prolifically, but this will be their swan song and they will die soon after. Grow plants right well and blooms will follow. If you're not getting blooms AND your plants are healthy, read on..

Here are the main reasons orchid will not bloom and what you can do about it. One or more reasons may apply to you:

#1. GIVE YOUR ORCHIDS ENOUGH LIGHT Most flowering houseplants, orchids included, will not bloom if they are not getting enough light. This is generally the main reason that orchids do not bloom. Northern exposure is usually not sufficient. A bright western, slightly shaded in the hottest months, or eastern exposure work well. A southern exposure gives you the greatest flexibility. If your window is heavily shaded by trees or adjacent buildings, this will reduce light to your plants and you will have to make adjustments accordingly. If you have bright indirect light, your phals and paphs should do fine. Oncidiums generally need slightly brighter light. Dendrobiums and Cattleyas need the brightest light of alll, and do best in a Southern exposure. Skylights, unless you live in Arizona, or unless they are about five feet above the plants generally do not provide sufficient light, for all but the most shade-loving of orchids. Please don't email me and tell me your orchids do fine under your skylight-perhaps they do but I need to make some broad generalizations here. And besides, if your orchids are blooming, you shouldn't be reading this section! Remember also that while a few paltry blooms on an orchid may be nice, our goal here is to get our orchids to put on a good show, and to make your investment of time and money worthwhile.

SOURCE:ARGUSORCHIDS.NET

WANT TO GROW ORCHID AT YOUR HOME?

2007-08-09T17:50:00.000+07:00

NORTHERN & EASTERN EXPOSURE
Many orchids can be grown and flowered on a windowsill. Choose the brightest windows in your house that are not shaded by nearby trees and buildings. If you only have clear northern exposure, or even partially obstructed Eastern exposure, you should still be able to grow some orchids. If you have some outdoor space, even a small balcony, your orchids will enjoy a summer vacation outdoors in bright indirect light.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What You’ll Need
Windowsill growing requires no special fixtures, other than a humidity tray on which to place your potted plants, and a nearby spray bottle to mist your plants occasionally. Supplemental artificial light, especially in winter, may be needed in northern exposures.

Growing Guide
Keep your plants as close to the glass as possible. Light intensity falls off rapidly even a foot away for a window. After light, maintaining adequate humidity is probably the biggest problem in windowsill growing, especially in the winter months. Group plants, and spray them often with a water mister to help increase humidity. Be sure to keep moisture-loving orchids well watered at all times. Watering and fertilizer will also need to follow a more natural seasonal schedule with greatest frequency during the brighter warmer summer months and less during winter.

Insect pests can be gently washed or scraped off your plant, or treated with a natural insecticidal soap or horticultural fine oil. Isopropyl alcohol, which is available at drug stores, can also be used to spot treat plants. Be sure to carefully read all instruction labels on insecticides and only use those recommended for indoor use.

Suggested Orchids to Grow
Low light orchids:
-Paphiopedilum(Slipper Orchids)
-Phalaenopsis(moth orchids),
-Ludisia and other jewel orchids (grown for the beautiful foliage

With brighter eastern exposure:
- Oncidinae intergenerics such as Colmanara Wildcat
-Miltonia (Pansy orchids)

source:argusorchids

VANDA CARE

2007-08-01T18:19:00.000+07:00

Vanda has become one of the privileged of the orchid world. . The foliage royally symmetrical and sculptural, offers the perfect setting for the compact, upright peak, which is densely series with richly colored, 2-inch flowers. Moreover, the spectacle of a peak can last eight weeks or more, and vigorous plants, if properly fertilized, can be expected to bloom twice a year.

Temperature: By day, the ideal temperature is 75-85 degrees F., while at night, the ideal temperature is 65-75 degrees F. Occasional extreme temperatures are tolerated by prolonged exposure.

Light: Vandas and their families require a good amount of light. They are in full sun in the morning, but will require the shade on 11am-3pm; Less will be needed shade in the late afternoon. Their leaves should be a light green, dark green color indicates too little sun.

Water: Basically, Vandas grow best when their soil is dry on average between watering. These plants are epiphytes in nature (ie growing at the top of the trees), and are used for drying wet between their natural habitat.

Repott: Vandas should not be repotted unless the plant exceeded the pot (every 2 or 3 years) or when the soil medium is beginning to deteriorate. Or when the mixture became sour, does not drain quickly and it is invaded by snow or green mold shows mold on the surface. A big medium such as medium-grade Fir bark or coarse-grade Fir bark work well.

Food: High nitrogen fertilizers (25-9-9) can be used throughout the year at a teaspoon per gallon of water. Feed once a month

source: www.beautifulorchids.com

GROWING FROM YOUR BOTTLE BABIES

2007-07-24T02:04:00.000+07:00

What to do with the babies we have been growing in our bottles for the past few months? If you missed my articles, Growing Orchids From Seed and Stem Propagation, you may want to first read them to learn how the orchids got into the bottles in the first place.
Orchid seedlings will need to spend close to a year in their bottle nursery before they are ready to be removed. When the leaves are at least three cm long and are touching the top of the flask or the roots have consumed the medium, it will be time to move them to a community tray which brings us to the purpose of this article.
Deflasking Seedlings
Cleanliness is very important!
Waterborn pathogens (fungus, bacteria, etc.) is one of the main causes for seedling death. Using distilled or boiled water at the same temperature as the flask, fill the flask and gently swish the water around to loosen the babies from the agar mixture.
Then, using a spatula or plastic knitting needle, untangle the roots and separate the seedlings. Carefully pour the seedlings into in a bowl of water. Wash as much of the agar off the leaves and roots as you can.
Be very gentle, because the babies are very fragile at this stage. After cleansing, soak the little plants in a diluted fungicide solution such as Physan, RD 20 or Captan Powder. Remove the seedlings and place them on a clean paper towel or clean newspaper. At this point you can decide if you want to plant all of them or just the strongest ones.
You can use pots, but I have found shallow trays work much better for the little orchids first home. The seedlings will grow much better if they are kept together rather than trying to pot each seedling in an individual pot.
Make sure the tray or pot is sterile. Fill it with a medium that will stay moist such as shredded sphagnum moss, fine bark, or small coconut chips. Gently wrap some wetted sphagnum moss around each seedling root system and place in the tray. When your tray is full, fill in around the little plants with whatever medium you have chosen to use.
Do not overplant. Leave room for air and water to easily access each one of the plants root system.

Growing your babies
Keep your trays out of direct sunlight! Moderate light intensity is needed to encourage good growth. The
same lighting conditions you used when growing the flasked seedlings is perfect.
Watering is the hardest part of growing seedlings. Too wet, they will die. Too dry, they will die. Never allow the tray to dry out! You also do not keep them sopping wet either because your little plants will develop rot and die.
There are no set rules, because each individual setup is different. Humidity needs to be 100% for the first week, and then adjusted to 60% to 70% thereafter.
You can control the humidity by placing a plastic dome over the seed tray. Adjust the humidity by lifting the dome as needed. Feed the babies using a very dilute fertilizer ONLY after watering. To prevent burning, never fertilize when the roots are dry.
You will notice the larger plants will keep out-growing the smaller ones, so you may want to concentrate on the care of only the largest seedlings. Pick out and discard the weaker smaller ones.
Choose a pot size no larger than what will accommodate a year's growth. The time to the blooming stage is now much closer and your little seedlings should be looking like mature orchids.
If you have succeeded to raise your babies to this stage, congratulations! If not, well, you can always try again taking note of your errors to improve on your process. You may consider first trying to raise purchased pre-flasked or young seedlings before attempting to grow orchids from seed.

Orchids are not your average plant so don't expect them to grow from seed like an ordinary house plant.

SOURCE:ORCHIDLADY.COM

ORHIDS NURSERY, AUSTRALIA

2007-07-18T03:56:00.000+07:00

BURLEIGH PARK ORCHID
54 Hammond Way,Thuringowa, Townsville,
Queensland, Australia, 4815
Phone/Fax 07 47 740 008 International 61 747 740 008
Email ian@speciesorchids.com

COLLECTORCORNER
Nursery Address Garden World 810 Springvale Road, Keysborough, Victoria 3173, Australia
Telephone 61 3 9798 5845 Fax 61 3 9706 3339
Electronic Mail webmaster@collectorscorner.com.au

LIGHT

2007-07-16T10:15:00.000+07:00

This is probably the single most crucial factor in determining whether or not your plants will bloom. The appropriate amount of light is necessary for proper plant growth and nutrient storage. Without the right light levels, your plant either cannot produce enough food stores to power a blooming cycle (if it gets too little light) or it may get sunburned and scorched or dessicated due to rapid transpiration (it if gets too much light).

Generally, you can tell how much light an orchid needs by observing the foliage. For most plants, you want the leaves to be a light green color. When exposed to sufficient light, many plants darken their foliage with plum-colored pigments. Essentially, this is the plant's "suntan." It may take the form of spotting or the whole leaf may darken. This shows that the plant has as much light as it can stand and is trying to protect itself from burning. This is the ideal situation for good blooming. See the individual culture sheets for more detail on the light needs of specific genera.

Too much light: If the leaves become very yellow, move the plant to a shadier location. The same goes if you see sudden brown splotches or orange patches, particularly at the apexes of leaves or at folds where long leaves reflex. Light that is too intense can cause sun scalding. This is indicated by the large, bleached spots that eventually turn black, crispy, and dry, looking charred.

Not enough light: If the leaves become dark emerald green, move the plant to more light. This coloration shows that the plant wants more light to grow well. The plant will live indefinitely with light that is lower than ideal, but you probably won't see any flowers. The good news is that a large and otherwise healthy plant that has been grown for a long time without adequate light will often put on a dazzlingly impressive display once given desirable light conditions.

*Photo courtesy of aka fortex

Good Shape of Orchids Flower

2007-07-10T01:34:00.000+07:00

Gently feel the petals and leaves of the Orchid between your thumb and forefinger - if they are slightly hard, the orchid flowers are opening. When opening, flower color is brighter and the flower has a distinct look. If the flower is too old, and starting to wilt, don't buy the Orchid. The only time I would buy an Orchid like this to the left is if I don't mind waiting until it blooms again.

AMERICAN ORCHIDS NURSERY (5)

2007-07-04T01:26:00.000+07:00

OHIO
Krohn Conservatory
1501 Eden Park Drive
Cincinnati, Ohio
Telephone: (513) 421-5707
Contact: Andrea Schepmann
E-Mail: AndreaSchepmann@cinparks.rec.org
Public Hours: 8 am – 5 pm, daily

OKLAHOMA
Myriad Botanical Garden
100 Myriad Gardens
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73102
Telephone: (405) 297-3395
Contact: Allan Storjohann
Public Hours: 9 am – 6 pm, Monday through Saturday
12 pm – 6 pm, Sunday

PENNSYLVANIA
Longwood Gardens
Kennett Square
Pennsylvania 19348
Telephone: (610) 388-1000, ext. 557
Contact: Lee Alyanakian
E-Mail: lalyanakian@longwoodgardens.org
Public Hours: Opens 10 am daily, Closing hours vary seasonally

Phipps Conservatory
1 Schlenley Place
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213
Telephone: (412) 622-5914
Contact: Georgia Wahl
E-Mail: Horticulture@Phipps.pgh.pa.us
Public Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday

TENNESSEE
Cheekwood Botanical Gardens and Fine Arts
Forrest Park Drive
Nashville, Tennessee 37205
Telephone: (615) 353-2148
Contact: Teri Rice
E-Mail: TRICE@CHEEKWOOD.org
Public Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Monday through Saturday
11 am – 5 pm, Sunday

TEXAS
Corpus Christi Botanical Gardens
8545 South Staples Street
Corpus Christi, Texas 78413
Telephone: (361) 852-7875
Contact: Samuel A. Jones
Public Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, daily; closed on Mondays

San Antonio Botanical Garden
555 Funston Place
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Telephone: (210) 207-3263
Contact: Don Pylant
E-Mail: donpylant@sabot.org
Public Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, daily

WASHINGTON
University of Washington Department of Botany
Box 355325
Seattle, Washington 98195
Telephone: (206) 543-0436
Contact: Doug Ewing
E-Mail: dewing@u.washington.edu
Public Hours: Call for an appointment

Volunteer Park Conservatory
1400 East Galer
Seattle, Washington 98112
Telephone: (206) 684-4745
Contact: Stephanie Johnson-Tolliver
E-Mail: Stephanie.Johnson-tolliver@ci.seattle.wa.us
Public Hours: 10 am – 4 pm, daily
10 am – 7 pm, Memorial Day through Labor Day

Ssource:orchid.com

Why are my buds turning yellow and falling off?

2007-07-01T01:03:00.000+07:00

This is referred to as bud blast, and can be caused by the following conditions:
The plant has been too dry between watering, causing it to withdraw moisture from the buds.
There may be some wide swings in temperature, where it may be too hot in direct sun, or the plant may be too close to an air conditioning or heating vent.
There may be some fumes in the air caused by paint, natural gas leaks, or other chemicals. Flowers naturally create their own methane and collapse after pollination to save energy for seed production. Certain forms of methane or ethylene may trigger bud or flower collapse.
Cattleyas in particular are sensitive while in bud to overwatering, causing the buds to actually turn black in the sheath.
All plants need an adequate amount of light in order to flower correctly. Placing a plant in the center of a room, on a coffee table for example, is fine for display during an evening of entertaining, but to maintain proper growth and flower development it is best to keep the plant in its growing area (near a window or under lights).

source:orchidweb.com

AMERICAN ORCHID NURSERY (4)

2007-06-29T01:30:00.000+07:00

MINNESOTA
Como Park Conservatory
1325 Aida Place
St. Paul, Minnesota 55103
Telephone: (651) 487-8201
Contact: Bob Martin
E-Mail: robertmartin@cistpaul.MN.U
Public Hours: 10 am – 4 pm, daily

MISSOURI
Missouri Botanical Garden
4344 Shaw Boulevard
St. Louis, Missouri 63166
Telephone: (314) 577-1234, ext. 6
Contact: Babs Wagner
E-Mail: blanche.wagner@mobot.org
Public Hours: Tours must be arranged.

NORTH CAROLINA
Duke University Botany Greenhouse
139 Bio Science Building
Durham, North Carolina 27706
Telephone: (919) 660-7334
Contact: Beverly Calhoun
E-Mail: bcalhoun@acpub.duke.edu
Public Hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm, Monday through Thursday

University of North Carolina at Charlotte Botanical Garden
University of North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina 28223
Telephone: (704) 547-4055
Contact: Dr. T. Lawrence Mellichamp
E-Mail: tlmellic@email.uncc.edu
Public Hours: 10 am – 3 pm, Monday through Saturday

NEW YORK
Brooklyn Botanical Garden
1000 Washington Avenue
Brooklyn, New York 11225-1099
Telephone: (718) 623-7242
Contact: Jackie Fazio
Public Hours: 8 am – 4 pm (Tuesday through Thursday), 10 am – 4:30 pm (Saturday & Sunday)

Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens
2655 South Park Avenue
Lackawanna, New York 14218
Telephone: (716) 827-1584
Contact: Dr. David Headley
E-Mail: gardens@bufnet.net
Public Hours: 9 am – 4 pm, daily

Highland Botanical Par Lamberton Conservatory
Monroe County Park Department
180 Reservoir Avenue
Rochester, New York 14620
Telephone: (716) 271-5391
Contact: Kent A. Millham
Public Hours: 10 am – 4 pm, daily during the winter
10 am – 6 pm, daily during the summer

New York Botanical Garden
200th Street and Southern Boulevard
Bronx, New York 10458
Telephone: (718) 817-8700
Contact: Keith Lloyd
Public Hours: 10 am – 4 pm, November 1 through March 31
10 am – 6 pm, April 1 through October 31

Planting Field Arboretum Historical State Park
P.O. Box 58
Oyster Bay, New York 11771
Telephone: (516) 922-9200
Contact: Paul W. Dose
Public Hours: 10 am – 4:30 pm, daily

source:orchid.com

AMERICAN ORCHID NURSERY (3)

2007-06-28T01:35:00.000+07:00

2007-06-27T23:40:00.000+07:00

Courtesy of and you can get more photo from www.worldfulloforchids.nl

AMERICAN ORCHID NURSERY (1)

2007-06-27T01:40:00.000+07:00

CALIFORNIA
Golden Gate Park Conservatory
McLaren Lodge, Fell and Stanyan Streets,
San Francisco, California 94117
Telephone: (415) 666-7077
Contact: George Marcopulous
E-Mail: gmarcopulos@compuserve.com
Public Hours: Please call for current hours

Los Angeles State and County Arboretum
301 North Baldwin Avenue
Arcadia, California 91006-2697
Telephone: (626) 821-3221
Contact: Julie Norman
Public Hours: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm, daily

San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Drive
San Diego, California 92112-1515
Telephone: (619) 231-1515
Contact: Janette Gerrity
E-Mail: mbostwick@sandiegozoo.org
Public Hours: The orchid facility is open on the third Friday of every month from 10 am to 2 pm. Special tours outside the normal hours can be arranged in advance with the approval of Michael Bostwick.

COLORADO
Denver Botanical Gardens
909 York Street
Denver, Colorado 80206
Telephone: (720) 865-3500
Contact: Nicholas Snakenberg
E-Mail: snakenbn@botanicgardens.org
Public Hours: 9:00 am – 5 pm, daily

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
United States Botanical Gardens
245 First Street
Washington, D.C. 20024
Telephone: (202) 225-6647
Contact: Robert Pennington
E-Mail: rpenning@aoc.gov
Public Hours: Please call for current hours.

source:orchid.com

AMERICAN ORCHID NURSERY (2)

2007-06-27T01:37:00.000+07:00

FLORIDA
American Orchid Society-International Orchid Center
16700 AOS Lane
Delray Beach, Florida 33446-4351
Telephone:(561)404-2000
Contact:Lee Cooke
Public Hours: 10 am to 4 pm, Monday to Saturday

Fairchild Tropical Garden
10901 Old Cutler Road
Miami, Florida 33156-4299
Telephone: (305) 667-1651
Contact: Craig M. Allen
Public Hours: 9:30 am – 4:30 pm, daily

Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
811 South Palm Avenue
Sarasota, Florida 34236
Telephone: (941) 366-5731
Contact: Nancy Edmondson
Public Hours: 10 am – 5 pm, daily

GEORGIA
Atlanta Botanical Gardens
Dorothy Fuqua Conservatory
1345 Piedmont Avenue
Atlanta, Georgia 30309
Telephone: (404) 876-5859
Contact: Becky Brinkman
E-Mail: m.groves@mindspring.com
Public Hours: 9 am – 6 pm, Tuesday through Sunday

HAWAII
Foster Botanic Gardens
180 North Vineyard Boulevard
Honolulu, Hawaii 96817
Telephone: (808) 522-7066
Contact: Scott Mitamura
Public Hours: 9 am – 4 pm, daily

Wahaiwa Botanical Garden
1396 California Avenue
Wahiawa, Hawaii 96786
Telephone: (808) 621-7321
Contact: Scott Mitamura
Public Hours: 9 am – 4 pm daily

Waimea Arboretum and Botanical Garden
59-864 Kamehameha Highway
Haleiwa, Hawaii 96712
Telephone: (808) 638-8655
Contact: David Orr
E-Mail: walmeaf@aloha.net
Public Hours: 10 am – 5:30 pm, daily

source:orchid.com

Definitions (2)

2007-06-24T23:49:00.000+07:00

-mature size (M.S.)
Plants reach maturity and capable to flower within a year.
-medium
The material in which an orchid is container-grown; it may be organic, such as fir bark, or inorganic, such as lava rock.
-mericlone
A plant derived from tissue culture and that is identical to its parent.
-monopodial
Orchids that grow upward from a single stem, producing both leaves and flowers along that stem.
-near mature size (N.M.S.)
Plants almost reach maturity, but require 12-18 months to flower.
-node
A joint on a stem or pseudobulb from which a leaf or growth originates.
-panicle
An inflorescence with a main stem and branches, the flowers on the lower branches open earlier than the upper ones.
-photosynthesis
The process a plant uses to produce carbohydrates and sugar from water and carbon dioxide in the air using chlorophyl-containing cells exposed to light.
-pseudobulb
A thickened portion of the stem of many orchids functioning as a water and food storage device.
-raceme
An unbranched inflorescence of stalked flowers.
-rhizome
A root-bearing stem of sympodial orchids that progressively sends up leafy shoots.
-scape
An unbranched inflorescence with one flower.
-seedling size (S.S.)
Young plants, need at least 24 months or more to reach maturity.
-sheath
A modified leaf that encloses an emerging inflorescence or leaf.
-species
A kind of plant that is distinct from other plants.
-spike
An unbranched inflorescence of unstalked flowers.
-stolon
A branch that grows horizontally above the medium and produces roots and shoots at the nodes.
-stomata
The breathing pores on the surface of a plant's leaves.
-sympodial
Orchids which grow laterally and produce leafy growths along a rhizome.
-terrestrial
Growing on the ground and supported by soil.
-unifoliate
Having one leaf.
-velamen
The thick sponge-like covering of the roots of epiphytic orchids that helps prevent water loss and aids in absorption.
-virus
A type of infectious agent, much smaller than common microorganisms, several forms of which affect certain kinds of orchids.

sources: orchids.com

Definitions (1)

2007-06-24T23:47:00.000+07:00

-aerial root
Any root produced above the growing medium.
-anther
The part of the stamen containing the pollen; the end of the column.
-backbulb
An old pseudobulb behind the part of a sympodial orchid that is actively growing. Although there may be no leaves, the presence of undamaged "eyes" is a sign that growth is possible.
-bifoliate
Having two leaves on the same bulb.
-cane
An elongated psuedobulb, usually used when describing Dendrobiums.
-crock
Small pieces of broken earthenware or flower pots placed in the bottom of a pot when repotting to aid in drainage.
-cultivar
An individual plant or its vegetative propagations, a horticultural variety.
-epiphyte, epiphytic
A plant which naturally grows upon another plant but does not derive any nourishment from it. Many of the orchids in cultivation are epiphytic.
-eye
The bud of a sympodial orchid that will eventually develop into a new lead.
-foliar spray
Many minor nutrients and trace elements beneficial to growth are best absorbed through the stomata of an orchids leaves when mixed with water and sprayed on the plant.
-genus
(pl. genera) A natural grouping of closely related species.
-habitat
The type of geographic location where a plant normally grows.
-hybrid
The offspring of a cross between either species or hybrids.
-inflorescence
The flowering portion of a plant.
-intergeneric hybrid
A hybrid between members of two or more genera.
-keiki
A Hawaiian word referring to a baby plant produced asexually by an orchid plant, usually used when referring to Dendrobiums or Vandaceous orchids.
-lead
An immature vegetative growth on a sympodial orchid that will develop into a flower-producing structure.
-lip
A modified petal of the orchid flower specialized to aid in pollination and different from the other petals.
-lithophyte
An orchid that grows on rocks.

source:orchids.com

ORCHIDS FLOWER

2007-06-21T22:21:00.000+07:00

There are many types of specializations within the Orchidaceae. Best known are the seemingly endless structural variations in the flowers that encourage pollination by particular species of insects, bats, or birds.
Most African orchids are white, while Asian orchids are often multicolored. Some orchids only grow one flower on each stem, others sometimes more than a hundred together on a single spike.
The typical orchid flower is zygomorphic, i.e. bilaterally symmetric. Notable exceptions are the genera Mormodes, Ludisia and Macodes.
The flowers grow on racemes or panicles. These can be :
• basal (i.e. produced from the base of the pseudobulb, as in Cymbidium)
• apical (i.e. produced from the apex of the orchid, as in Cattleya)
• or axillary (i.e. coming from a node between the leaf axil and the plant axis, as in Vanda).
The basic orchid flower is composed of three sepals in the outer whorl, and three petals in the inner whorl. The medial petal is usually modified and enlarged (then called the labellum or lip), forming a platform for pollinators near the center of the corolla. Together, except the lip, they are called tepals.
Sepals form the exterior of the bud. They are green in this stage, but sometimes, if the orchid blossom is, for example, purple, the buds can show a purple tint. When the flower opens, the sepals become intensely colored. Sepals may mimic petals such as in some phalaenopsis or be completely distinct. In many orchids, the sepals are mutually different and generally resemble the petals. It is not always easy to distinguish sepals and petals. The normal form can be found in Cattleya, with three sepals forming a triangle. But in Venus Slippers (Paphiopedilum) the lower two sepals are concrescent (fused together into a synsepal), while the lip has taken the form of a slipper. In Masdevallia all the sepals are fused into a calyx. In an example like this the sepals are very prominent, especially in lycaste orchids, the actual petals become diminished and inconspicuous.
The reproductive organs in the center (stamens and pistil) have adapted to become a cylindrical structure called the column or gynandrium. On top of the column lies the stigma, the vestiges of stamens and the pollinia, a mass of waxy pollen on filaments. These filaments can be a caudicle (as in Habenaria) or a stipe (as in Vanda). These filaments hold the pollinia to the viscidium (sticky pad). The pollen are held together by the alkaloid viscine. This viscidium adheres to the body of a visiting insect. The type of pollinia is useful in determining the genus. On top of the pollinia is the anther cap, preventing self-pollination. At the upper edge of the stigma of single-anthered orchids, in front of the anther cap, is the rostellum, a slender beaklike extension.

Plant thallus and roots

2007-06-21T22:18:00.000+07:00

Pseudobulbs of an epiphytic orchid
All orchids are perennial herbs, lacking any permanent woody structure.
•Some orchids are terrestrial, growing rooted in the soil. Terrestrial orchids may be rhizomatous, forming corms or tubers. These act as storage organs for food and water. The root caps of terrestrials are smooth and white. Terrestrials are mostly found in colder climates.
•A great many orchids are epiphytes, which do not require soil and use trees for support. They occur in warmer regions. Epiphytic orchids have modified aerial roots and, in the older parts of the root, an epidermis modified into a spongy, water-absorbing velamen, which can have a silvery-gray, white or brown appearance. The cells of the root epidermis grow at a right angle to the axis of the root. This allows them to get a firm grasp on their support. These roots can sometimes be a few meters long, in order to take up as much moisture as possible. Nutrients mainly come from animal droppings on their supporting tree that are washed down when it rains. The aerial roots of epiphytes that lack leaves have an additional function. They contain chlorophyll and take up carbon dioxide.
•Several species are lithophytes, especially in rocky mountain ranges in Australia and Tasmania, central Brazil and Africa.
The base of the stem of sympodial epiphytes, or in some species essentially the entire stem, may be thickened to form what is called a pseudobulb. These contain nutrients and water for drier periods. Pseudobulbs have a smooth surface with lengthwise grooves. They typically stay alive for five or six years. They look on the inside more like a corm than the embryonal stage of leaf sheaths. They have different sizes and shapes. They can be conical or oblong. In the Black Orchids (Bulbophyllum), the pseudobulbs are no longer than 2 mm. The largest orchid in the world, the Giant Orchid (Grammatophyllum speciosum), has pseudobulbs with lengths of 2–3 m. When the orchid has aged and the pseudobulb has shed its leaves, the pseudobulb becomes dormant and is called a backbulb. The next year's pseudobulb then takes over, exploiting the last reserves of the backbulb. Eventually, the backbulb also dies off, having given life to newer growths. At the end of the pseudobulb typically appear one or two leaves, though there may be up to a dozen or more. Some Dendrobium have long, canelike pseudobulbs with short, rounded leaves over the whole length. Some orchids have hidden or extremely small pseudobulbs hidden completely inside leaves.
Some sympodial terrestrials, such as Orchis and Ophrys, have two subterranean tubers (more like tuberous roots) between the roots. One is used as a food reserve for wintery periods, and provides for the development of the other pseudobulb, from which visible growth develops.
In warm and humid climates, many terrestrial orchids do not need pseudobulbs

source:wikipedia

Orchid's Leaves

2007-06-21T22:13:00.000+07:00

This small orchid demonstrates a typical zygomorphic flower with three petal-like sepals (top, lower right, lower left), two normal petals on either side of the dorsal (upper) sepal, and the labellum, a modified lower petal in three parts surrounding and below the shiny column.
Orchids have simple leaves with parallel veins. Their shape is highly variable between species; ovate, lanceolate, or orbiculate. Their size and shape can be an aid in identifying the orchid, since it reflects the taxonomic position. The leaves can be enormous or minute, or they can even be lacking (as in the Ghost Orchid (Polyrrhiza lindenii), a mycoheterotrophic species, and Aphyllorchis and Taeniophyllum, which depend on their roots, which contain chlorophyll for photosynthesis).
The structure of the leaves corresponds to the specific habitat of the orchid. Species that typically bask in sunlight, or grow on sites which can be occasionally very dry, have thick, leathery leaves. The laminas are covered by a waxy cuticle. These retain their necessary water supply. Shade species, on the other hand, have tall, thin leaves. They cannot tolerate a drop in atmospheric humidity or exposure to direct sunlight. Between these two extremes, there is a whole range of intermediate forms.
The leaves of most orchids live on, attached to their pseudobulbs, for several years. Some species, especially those with plicate leaves, shed their aged leaves annually, through an articulation between the lamina and the petiole sheath, and develop new leaves together with new pseudobulbs (as in the genus Catasetum).
The leaves of some species can be most beautiful. The leaves of the Macodes sanderiana, a semiterrestrial or lithophyte, show a sparkling silver and gold veining on a light green background. The cordate leaves of Psychopsiella limminghei are light brownish green with maroon-puce markings, created by flower pigments. The attractive mottle of the leaves of Lady's Slippers from temperate zones (Paphiopedilum) is caused by uneven distribution of chlorophyll. Also Phalaenopsis schilleriana is a lovely pastel pink orchid with leaves spotted dark green and light green. The Jewel Orchid (Ludisia discolor) is grown more for its colorful leaves than its fairly inconspicuous white flowers.

source:wikipedia

WHY WON'T MY ORCHIDS FLOWER (2)

2007-06-20T00:04:00.000+07:00

How do you know if your plants are getting enough light? As a general rule look at the foliage. It should be a light grassy green. Lush dark green foliage is nice to look at, but it means your plants are not getting enough light. Leaves should also be turgid and firm on phals, cattleyas, and dendrobiums. Mottled leaved paphs should show good color contrast on the leaves- see our paph culture page for more details. If your plants are not getting enough light move them closer to the window. Yes, even a foot can make a huge difference as light falls off very rapidly within increasing distance from a window. During the summer months place plants outdoors in dappled shade if you can. Whenever you move plants into brighter conditions always do so very gradually as you risk burning the leaves. Lastly, remember to only grow plants suited to your conditions to avoid disappointment. I just saw some beautiful vandas in bloom at the grocery store! Vandas are very difficult to grow in the home and sadly most will end up in the trash heap.

#2 FEED YOUR PLANTS Most of the orchids we grow are epiphytes. Basically this means that they grow on other trees but are not parasites-they get all their nutrients from rain and wind-blow debris that lodges among their roots. When we grow these plants on our windowsill they tend to be grown in fir-bark or sphagnum peat moss. Neither of these mixes provide any nutrients. Without extra plant food or fertilizers, orchids will not grow or bloom well. The secret is to fertilize your plants regularly using a WEAK fertilizer or plant-food solution. You are more likely to kill your orchids by over than under feeding, hence the emphasis on weak. If you use a regular flowering house plant fertilizer, apply it at half the strength recommended. If you buy a special orchid fertilizer, follow the package directions. Try fertilizing your plants about twice a month. Increase feeding during the spring and summer months when orchids are growing rapidly, and reduce feeding to once a month during the winter. Be sure to rotate in a blossom-booster or flowering plant fertilizer as well. Every month, leach your plants thoroughly-water them with plain water several times and allow them to drain. This helps flush out the fertilizer salts that will build up over time. Most garden supply firms carry a variety of houseplant or orchid fertilizers-you may wish try one or two different brands to see what works best.

Phalaenopsis or moth orchids are very responsive to cooler fall temperatures. Learn How to Grow Phals

#3 COOLER NIGHTS. Most orchids like a day and night temperature variation of about 8 to 10 degrees year 'round, especially to stimulate them to bloom. As night temperatures drop in the fall, or spring, place plants next to a window that is cracked at night to let in a little cool air. Give your plants this treatment for about 3 to 4 weeks and you should begin to see flower stalks emerging soon after. How low should you let the night temperature drop? For paphs and phals, temperatures of about 55 to 60 degrees should suffice. Make sure your plants are not in a cold draft, or protect them with a light curtain. Placing them in an unheated room at night will also do the trick. Remember that day temperatures need to be about ten degrees higher. A Wireless Min/Max Thermometer make this easy to track. If your orchid plants have been growing outside this summer, you can simply leave them out for a few more weeks. If temperatures threaten to fall below 55, all but the coolest growing of orchids, such as cymbidiums, should be brought in. This method generally works best with orchids that have their natural flowering season in the fall through spring months, including most phalaenopsis (moth orchids), paphiopedilum/paphs (slipper orchids) and cattleyas

sources:argusorchids.net

Appearance and Orchids Structure

2007-06-18T12:54:00.000+07:00

Orchids, like the grasses and the palms, which they resemble in some ways—for instance the form of their leaves—are monocotyledons. They have one cotyledon, or embryonic leaf, in contrast to the two of most flowering plants.
Orchids are cosmopolitan in distribution, occurring in every habitat, except Antarctica and deserts. The great majority are to be found in the tropics, mostly Asia, South America and Central America. They are found above the Arctic Circle, in southern Patagonia and even on Macquarie Island, close to Antarctica.

Longitudinal view of a vanilla flower, showing the column.

The following list gives a rough overview of their distribution:
•Eurasia: 40–60 genera
•North America: 20–30 genera
•tropical America: 300–350 genera
•tropical Africa: 125–150 genera
•tropical Asia: 250–300 genera
•Oceania: 50–70 genera
Orchids can be grouped according to the way they retrieve nutrients:
•A majority of species are perennial epiphytes; they are found in tropical moist broadleaf forests or mountains and subtropics. These are anchored on other plants, mostly trees, sometimes shrubs. However, they are not parasites.
•A few are lithophytes, similar to epiphytes but growing naturally on rocks or on very rocky soil. They derive their nutrients from the atmosphere, rain water, litter, humus, and even their own dead tissue.
•Others are terrestrial plants. They grow in the soil or in the loose substrate atop the ground and obtain their nutrients from the soil or the substrate. This group includes nearly all temperate orchids.
•Some lack chlorophyll and are myco-heterotrophs (formerly incorrectly called saprophytes). These achlorophyllous orchids have an ectomycorrhizal relationship, i.e. they are completely dependent on soil fungi feeding on decaying plant matter (usually fallen leaves) to provide them with nutrients. Typical examples include the Bird's-nest Orchid (Neottia nidus-avis) and Spotted Coral-root (Corallorrhiza maculata).
Most advanced orchids have these five basic features:
•The presence of a column, also called gynostemium
•The flower is bilaterally symmetric (zygomorphic)
•The pollen are glued together into the pollinia, a mass of waxy pollen on filaments.
•The seeds are microscopically small, lacking endosperm (food reserves) in the overall majority of the species. There are notable exceptions, such as Disa cardinalis, whose seeds may grow to a length of 1.1 mm. Seeds of Vanilla may weigh 20 times or more than that of other orchids.
•The seeds can, under natural circumstances, only germinate in symbiosis with specialized fungi. Under artificial circumstances, however, germination is possible "in vitro" on sterile substrates of agar in specialized laboratories. Germinating seeds in agar, usually done in flasks, is an advanced technique, requiring sterility at all costs. It takes anywhere from one–up to five to ten years for an orchid seedling to mature. An alternative type artificial germination, however, is done by cultivating the fungus and sowing the seeds on them. This is called in-vitro symbiotic culture and is used most commonly for terrestrial orchids.

ORCHIDS, introduction

2007-06-18T12:49:00.000+07:00

Orchids (Orchidaceae family) are the largest and most diverse of the flowering plant (Angiospermae) families, with over 800 described genera and 25,000 species. Some sources give 30,000 species, but the exact number is unknown since classification differs greatly in the academic world. There are another 100,000+ hybrids and cultivars produced by horticulturists, created since the introduction of tropical species in the 19th century. The Kew World Checklist of Orchids includes about 24,000 accepted species. About 800 new species are added each year. Orchids, through their interactions with pollinators and their symbiosis with orchid mycorrhizal fungi, are considered by some, along with the grasses, to be examples of the most advanced (derived) floral evolution known.
All orchid species are protected for the purposes of international commerce under CITES as potentially threatened or endangered in their natural habitat, with most species listed under Appendix II. A number of species and genera are afforded protection under Appendix I, including all Cypripedium, Mexipedium, Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium, and Selenipedium species. Many other species are protected by both international and national legislation, and while hybrids are supposed to be specifically exempted, hybrid orchids are not allowed into the United States without a CITES permit. The reason that is given is that the authorities cannot distinguish the difference between hybrids and species.[citation needed]

source: wikipedia

2007-06-16T11:03:00.000+07:00

FERTILIZING
No plant will live on air and water alone. Most orchid potting media provide support only, and have little or no food value. When the plants are in bark they need a high nitrogen food (30-10-10 ETC.). Plants in most other media need a balanced food (18-18-18 ETC.). Use a water soluble fertilizer at the dilutions recommended on the label. Plants in lower light need less fertilizer or the tips of leaves start to shrivel. Flush the pots with plain water occasionally to prevent deadly salt buildup.
Many orchids aren't heavy feeders, so feeding every couple of weeks is enough. They have an indefinite life span, so fertilizer isn't critical as it is with an annual. One months missed fertilizer won't stop blooming or mortally wound a plant that can live a century or more, given good care. Proper light is more important for good blooming than a rigorous fertilizer regimen.

sources:orchids.org
photo courtesy of aka fortex

POTTING MEDIA

2007-06-16T11:02:00.000+07:00

Most orchids are epiphytes. ORCHIDS WILL NOT GROW IN REGULAR POTTING SOIL!

I offer this warning because years ago, when I was first learning about orchids, I nearly killed a beautiful and large plant given to my wife (then girlfriend) as a gift by a friend. Fortunately, she still married me, even though I repotted her giant Oncidium into a dense pot of garden soil... and consequently reduced it from a couple dozen large and healthy psuedobulbs to two spindly little new growths that barely managed to survive solely because they weren't in contact with the dirt. I was trying to be helpful, but in my ignorance doomed the plant to a miserable setback (it has since recovered, after pouting for several years, but still has not yet returned to its former glory).

Epiphytes (which literally means "upon the leaf") are sometimes commonly known as "air plants." They grow on the branches of trees in the rainforest. The only real purpose of putting any kind of media in their pot is to hold the plant upright, and possibly also to aid a bit in moisture retention between waterings. The main function of the medium, though, is to provide support. Anything that does this and allows good air circulation around the roots is acceptable as a potting media.

Each type of media has its own advantages and disadvantages, and some of these are exacerbated by local growing conditions. The best way to choose a suitable media for your growing area is to speak with local growers and breeders to see what they are using. Common media include the following:

New Zealand sphagnum moss: most often used for orchids that need to stay moist, such as pleurothallids.
peat moss: Used for the same reason as sphagnum.
fir bark chips
redwood bark chips
osmunda fiber
tree fern fiber
coconut fiber
coconut chips
sifted perlite
granular charcoal
expanded clay pellets
cork (usually used as a slab to mount orchids)
rockwool
The size of individual particles in the media affects its water retention character. Small chips of a medium retain more moister than will large chunks of the same medium. All the media listed above dry at different rates. The media at the top of the list retain the most moisture, while those toward the bottom of the list dry out much quicker. If you tend to overwater, think about using the faster drying media. If you prefer to water less, use the media that hold moisture. Many people combine media (at OrchidMania, we typically use a mixture of fir bark, perlite, and charcoal) to suit their watering habits and preferences.

source:orchids.org
photo courtesy of aka fortex

AIR MOVEMENT

2007-06-16T10:55:00.000+07:00

Speaking of air movement... it is crucially important to most orchids. In their native environments, nearly all orchids are exposed to constant breezes. Moving air is very beneficial to the overall health of orchids. It helps cut down on disease problems, and also helps prevent cold or hot spots that can form on the leaves under adverse temperature conditions. A small fan mounted in the growing area will give you noticably better growing conditions and your plants will thank you by responding with more vigorous growth.

sources:orchidmania.com
photo courtesy of aka fortex

TEMPERATURE

2007-06-16T10:53:00.001+07:00

Most in-home temperatures are acceptable for growing the most common types of orchids. Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum, Oncidium, Miltonia, etc. can all be grown with great success under normal home temperatures. In general, if it feels comfortable to you, these plants will feel fine, too. Diurnal temperatures between 65ºF and 80ºF are usually best, with noctural temperatures between 55ºF and 75ºF. Some plants, such as Phalaenopsis, actually require a period of marked difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures in order to initiate blooming; so if your home is utterly climate controlled and the temperature never fluctuates from day to night, you can actually have trouble blooming some kinds of orchids.

Most orchids are tough enough to grow outside their "ideal" temperature range. If for some reason you need to "stretch" an orchid's tolerance zone, one way to do so is by reducing the watering. This is particularly true for warmer-growing orchids forced to spend a little time under cooler conditions... they'll usually weather the cool period OK, as long as they aren't wet and cold. For cooler-growing orchids forced to endure hot weather, the key is lots of additional water and lots of good air movement. A cool grower exposed to hot temperature will bake in stagnant air, but would be fine under the same conditions if there is a fan blowing across the foliage (don't forget that increased air movement means increased transpiration... so adjust the watering schedule accordingly).

sources:orchidmania.com
photo courtesy of aka fortex

WATERING

2007-06-16T10:50:00.000+07:00

Watering is another important thing to get right. Most orchids are epiphytic. They grow on trees or other plants, and obtain their moisture from the air. Nutrients are obtained from rain carrying decaying matter over the roots. This means that they never stand in water in nature (Disas and Phragmipediums being noteworthy exceptions... but if you're getting into growing those, you need a lot more detailed information than this page is designed to provide). Accordingly, your orchids should not be allowed to stand in water in your home.

Orchids must be watered somewhat differently from most other plants, the most noticable difference being orchids' intolerance of dissolved salts.

How much water you need to provide, and how often, depends on several things:

How dry your conditions are.
The size of the pot.
The material the plant is potted in.
The type of plant.
How hot the weather is.
How actively the plant is growing.
How much wind the plant is expose to.
There really is no hard rule for watering that can be applied across all orchids, particularly bearing in mind that some homes are drier than others, small pots dry out faster than large ones, and some plants prefer more water than others.

In general, watch the plants -- they let you know when they need water. Crinkled leaves and shruken pseudobulbs are signs that more water is needed. The roots will tell you if you have good watering habits, too. Healthy roots are white, firm, and fleshy, with green tips, in plants that are not being overwatered (this is for genera that have velamen... Paphs, Phrags, and terrestrials are not included in this description). Overwatered plants have few good roots, and many soggy, mushy, brown, dead and otherwise rotting roots.

One watering rule you can live by is that most orchids tolerate being too dry much better than they tolerate being too wet.

When you water, let the water run freely through the pot. This helps to wash away mineral deposits and avoid salt buildup.

sources:orchidmania.com
photo courtesy of aka fortex

INDONESIAN ORCHIDS NURSERY (4)

2007-06-15T13:21:00.000+07:00

Ikha ◊ Samarinda
0Alamat : Jl. Muh.Said gg.6 No.32 Samarinda Kalimantan Timur
Telepon : 0541 270066 0541 7079360
Email : ikha64 at telkom dot net

◊ NEPTUNUS ORCHID ( DENPASAR - BALI ) ◊ Denpasar
Deskripsi : Menjual Anggrek Hybrid dengan harga sangat terjangkau (grosir atau ecer)
Spesialisasi : Dendrobium, Vanda, Phalaenopsis, seting anggrek
Alamat : Jl. Neptunus G.II/No. 3 Sanglah Denpasar Bali Denpasar 80114
Bali
Telepon : 0361-7836503 0361-228707
Fax : 0361-228707
Email : normanlatra at yahoo dot com

◊ Nuansa Flora ◊ JAKARTA SELATAN
Deskripsi : NP bergerak dibidang usaha berbagai macam bunga hias seperti adenium,euphorbia, aglaonema, sansievera, caladium dan orchid species.
Spesialisasi : Adenium and orchids species
Alamat : Jln. M.Saidi Raya No.74 Perum Nuansa Pesanggrahan Kav. D.10 Petukangan Selatan - Jakarta Selatan
Telepon : 021-73882762 hp.08128250702
Fax : 021-72794274
Email : eddyhars at yahoo dot com
Website : http://Nuansaflora.com
Catatan : hobbies and business

◊ pesona orchid ◊ bogor
Spesialisasi : dendrobium hybrid
Alamat : jl. lurah ipeng desa cibeteung udik kec. parung bogor Jawa Barat
Telepon : 081389688333 081389569797

◊ Sani Orchid ◊ malang
Deskripsi : Menjual Bibit Anggrek Botol (Orchid flask)
Spesialisasi : dendro, bulan
Alamat : danau maninjau sawojajar malang 65139 Jawa Timur
Telepon : 08155558360 081808739639
Email : adityasani at yahoo dot com
Website : http://www.sanibusiness.com

◊ SARAH NURSERY ◊ Medan
Deskripsi : Koleksi, budidaya, dan menjual anggrek
Alamat : Jl. Ekarasmi Gg. Ekarosa 2 No.4 Medan 20143Sumatera Utara
Telepon : 061 7882736 081362305699
Fax : 061 7882736
Email : sarahnursery at yahoo dot co dot id
Catatan : menerima pesanan benih anggrek khusus dalam jumlah terbatas ketika saya keluar negeri

◊ Tiara Orchid ◊ Palembang
Alamat : Jl. Cempaka 3 Komp. Perhubungan No. 13 Rt. 38 Talang Betutu Palembang
Sumatera Selatan
Telepon : 0711-430271 081532728485

◊ Vonny Orchid ◊ Semarang
Deskripsi : Jual Anggrek Vanda
Spesialisasi : Vanda
Alamat : Jl. Tembalang no. 21 Semarang Semarang Jawa Tengah

◊ wiradipoorchids ◊ jakarta timur
Deskripsi : hybrid,species,dll
Alamat : menteng metropolitan blok k3 no.16 cakung jakarta timur 13960
Telepon : 021-46821791 081310492586
Email : wiradipoorchids at yahoo dot com

◊ YONATHAN'S GARDEN ◊ Surabaya
Spesialisasi : DENDROBIUM
Alamat : Kedinding Tengah Jaya I/107 Surabaya Jawa Timur
Telepon : 031.389.9179 081.230.56563
Email : hoya at sby dot dnet dot net dot id

*photo courtesy of aka fortex

INDONESIAN ORCHIDS NURSERY (3)

2007-06-15T13:13:00.000+07:00

Pak Kelik ◊ Yogyakarta
Spesialisasi : Species
Alamat : Perumahan pilahan asri, Kotagede Yogyakarta

◊ Simanis Orchids ◊ Lawang
Alamat : Pungkur Argo 1 Lawang Jawa Timur
Telepon : (0341) 426-181 (0341) 426-687
Website : http://www.simanis2000.com

◊ Devida Orchids ◊ Surabaya
Deskripsi : Pusat budidaya anggrek botolan, remaja dan dewasa
Spesialisasi : Dendrobium hasil silangan (hibrida)
Alamat : Jl. Wisma kedung Asem Blok J-54 Surabaya --Jawa Timur
Telepon : 031-60499157 --
Email : tjipto2003 at yahoo dot com

◊ Edward and Frans Orchids ◊ Pasuruan
Alamat : Jl. Bromo no 15A Prigen Pasuruan Jawa Timur
Telepon : 081-6522325

◊ Foresta Orchids ◊ Mojokerto
Alamat : Jl. Raya Pacet KM 3 Desa Petak, Pacet Mojokerto Jawa Timur

◊ Anis Orchid Nursery ◊ Yogyakarta
Deskripsi : Menyediakan aneka hybrid anggrek dendrodium, phalaepnosis, dan vanda.
Spesialisasi : Hybrid Dendrobium, Phalaepnosis, dan Vanda
Alamat : Kweni RT-01, Bantul Yogyakarta
Telepon : +62-274-7145961 -
email : orchid at anisorchid dot com
Website : http://www.anisorchid.com
Catatan : Mengkoleksi beberapa spesies anggrek

◊ Josep;s Orchids ◊ Palembang
Deskripsi : menyediakan berbagai macam anggrek spesies, hybrid dan tanaman hias lainnya
Alamat : komplek musi palem indah blok E no. 11 Jln. MP. Mangkunegara (kenten)
Sumatera Selatan
Telepon : 0711-813939 081367658370

◊ anggrekManna ◊ Serang
Deskripsi : khusus dendro
Spesialisasi : dendro
Alamat : kampung kadu koneng kecamatan Gunung Sari Serang Banten
Telepon : 081777 9019 0818 738726
Fax : 021 5696 3162
Website : http://www.mannaanggrek.com

◊ BAMBOO Orchids Nursery ◊ Bandung
Deskripsi : Pembudi Daya Anggrek Spesies
Spesialisasi : Phalaenopsis , Dendrobium Spesies
Alamat : Jl. Saturnus Ujung VI Blok S-134 , Margahayu Raya Bandung 40286 Jawa Barat
Telepon : +62 22 7509064 +62 81586211779
Fax : +62 22 7509064
Email : bamboo_nursery at yahoo dot com

◊ Botanica Orchids ◊ Malang
Deskripsi : Menjual bibit botol spesi dan hybrid dengan induk terbaik
Spesialisasi : phalaenopsis dan dendrobium
Alamat : Depot Kelinci Jl. Raya Pakisaji Km 12, Kab Malang Malang 65149
Jawa Timur
Telepon : 085234179997 08563521952
Email : orchids at telkom dot net
Catatan : orchids with high quality and low price

INDONESIAN NURSERY (2)

2007-06-10T18:41:00.000+07:00

◊ Ayub S. Parnata ◊ Bandung
Alamat : Jl. Tangkuban Perahu 157 RT 06/07 Gamblok Cikole
Lembang Bandung
Telepon : (022) 278-9286 (022) 278-5338

◊ Mamang ? ◊ Bandung
Alamat : Cibeunying(dekat pompa bensin dan mesjid)Bandung
Telepon : -

◊ Pak Oman ◊ Bandung
Alamat : Lembang
(dekat Lembang Asri, masuk dari sebelah pompa bensin Jl. Kol Masturi Lembang)Bandung
Telepon : -

◊ Rizal Orchids ◊ Bandung
Spesialisasi : Phalaenopsis
Alamat : Jalan ke Maribaya
Kp. Sukamulya RT 01/10 Desa Langensari, Lembang
Bandung 40391
Telepon : (022) 278-5566 (022) 278-6321
Website : http://www.rizalorchids.com

◊ Setrasari Orchids ◊ Bandung
Alamat : Jl. Prof. Drg. Suria Sumantri No. 120B
Jl. Perintis kav 26,27,28 Bandung
Telepon : (022) 201-2706
Fax : (021) 201-6459

◊ Pak Memen ◊ Cianjur
Spesialisasi : Anggrek species
Alamat : Desa Sukanegara
arah ke Sindang Barang Cianjur, melewati Desa Cibeber, 2 km sebelum Sukanegara)cianjur
Telepon : (0263) 340-418

◊ Pak Slamet ◊ Puncak
Spesialisasi : Anggrek species
Alamat : Puncak Pass
(dari arah Bogor, persis setelah Mesjid At Ta`awun Puncak, sebelah kiri jalan di samping parkir mobil-mobil derek)Puncak Jawa Barat
Telepon : 0818-102-414

◊ Neng Anggrek ◊ Bogor
Deskripsi : Neng Anggrek adalah sebuah nursery yang bukan hanya menjual anggrek tetapi juga turut serta mempertahankan, mempromosikan, dan mempopulerkan, menyuburkan, dan mengkultivikasi segala jenis koleksi spesies dan hibrida. Anggrek-anggrek kami berasal dari pemb
Alamat : Jl. Raya Parung Bogor, Kampung Lebak Wangi Tsanawiyah - Villa Anggrek
Bogor Jawa Barat
Telepon : (62) 0251 - 614052 0811941615 - Ibu Nes
Email : nessy at nenganggrek dot com
Website : http://www.nenganggrek.com

◊ Candi Orchids ◊ Semarang
Alamat : Jl. Dr Wahidin - Candi Persil No. 23 Semarang 50253
Telepon : (024) 850-6665
Website : http://www.candiorchid.com

◊ Mas Rahmat ◊ Yogyakarta
Spesialisasi : Species
Alamat : Jl. Tohpati, gang rukun no 8 Yogyakarta

INDONESIAN NURSERY (1)

2007-06-10T17:46:00.000+07:00

Taman Anggrek Indonesia Permai (TAIP) ◊ Jakarta Timur
Deskripsi : Pusat penelitian, pengembangan, peragaan, informasi dan pemasaran anggrek.
Alamat : Jln. Raya TMII, Pinang Ranti
Jakarta Timur
Telepon : (021) 840-4111 (021) 840-4141

◊ Taman Anggrek Ragunan ◊ Jakarta Selatan
Deskripsi : Pusat penelitian, pengembangan, peragaan, informasi dan pemasaran anggrek.
Alamat : Jl. Harsono RM, Ragunan
Jakarta Selatan
Telepon : (021) 782-4061

◊ Trubus ◊ Jakarta Pusat
Spesialisasi : Sarana pertanian seperti : pupuk, obat-obatan, buku pertanian, dll.
Alamat : Jl. Gunung Sahari III no. 7
Jakarta Pusat 10610
DKI Jakarta
Telepon : (021) 420-4402
Fax : (021) 421-4821
Website : http://www.trubus-online.com

◊ Diana Utama Orchids ◊ Jakarta Timur
Spesialisasi : Anggrek dendrobium
Alamat : Jl. Palem No. 65 Rt 09/010, cibubur
Jakarta Timur 13720
DKI Jakarta
Telepon : 021-8728721 0818990403
Fax : 021-8728721
Email : bubleloo at yahoo dot com

◊ Fragrant Orchids ◊ Jakarta Timur
Spesialisasi : Anggrek species
Alamat : Taman Anggrek Indonesia Permai, Kav. 3
Jakarta Timur
Telepon : (021) 840-4111 (021) 840-4141
Email : frankie at orchidindonesia dot com
Website : http://www.orchidindonesia.com

◊ Maya Orchids ◊ Jakarta Timur
Alamat : Taman Anggrek Indonesia Permai, Kav. 11
Jl. Raya Taman Mini
Jakarta Timur
Telepon : (021) 840-4111 (021) 840-4141

◊ Melrimba ◊ Jakarta - Puncak Bogor
Deskripsi : Produsen Phalaenopsis
Spesialisasi : Phalaenopsis
Alamat : (Show Room) Jl Ametis III Blok F3 No. 56 Permata Hijau Jak Sel
(Melrimba Garden) Jl Raya Puncak KM 87 Cisarua Bogor ( Sebelah telaga warna)
Jakarta - Puncak Bogor
DKI Jakarta
Telepon : 021-548 0745 0263-523 205
Fax : 021-548 5345
Website : http://www.melrimba.com
Catatan : Ditempat ini anda bukan saja mendapatkan anggrek tapi tanaman hias lainnya ....

◊ Santi Orchids (Ibu Tarti) ◊ Jakarta Selatan
Alamat : Taman Anggrek Ragunan, Kav. 6
Jl. Harsono RM, Ragunan
Jakarta Selatan
Telepon : (021) 788-37164

◊ Estie`s Orchids ◊ Depok
Alamat : Jl. Mesjid Mujahidin, Kamp. Bojong
Maruyung, Limo
Depok
Telepon : (021) 754-8174

◊ Royal Orchids ◊ Tangerang
Alamat : Kavling Tanaman Hias Jl. Letnan Sutopo
(menuju tol Bintaro-BSD)
Tangerang
Telepon : (021) 538-8812

FAQ: GENERAL ABOUT ORCHIDS (3)

2007-06-09T18:23:00.000+07:00

PLANT
There is not apparent sign of new growth. What am I doing wrong?
This may not be the right time in the plant's growth cycle for new growth. Do not attempt to force the plant with extra fertilizer or watering. This will not help the situation. In fact, such actions will have adverse effects on the plant. Be patient.
The plant refuses to flower. What is wrong with the plant?
Several possibilities may have occurred:
1) The plant may not be getting enough light. If this is the case, simply move the plant to a slightly brighter location, 2) The proper growth cycle is not being observed. Find out what time of year is the blooming period in the plant's natural growth cycle. This may simply be the wrong time of year to expect the plant to bloom, 3) Sometimes, if the plant was purchased as a first time blooming plant, it may not bloom the following year. Be patient. Once the plant is older it will bloom regularly.

There is sap on my orchid. Should I be concerned?
No. It's normal for orchids such as Dendrobiums, Oncidiums and Cattleyas to produce honey on the flower stem. Mother nature built in the sap producing process to help the orchid attract insects for pollination. Orchids rely on insects to pollinate the flowers for the continuation of the species.

FAQ: GENERAL ABOUT ORCHIDS (2)

2007-06-09T18:18:00.000+07:00

How often should I water my orchids?
Depending upon the temperature, orchids potted in bark should be watered about once or twice a week. During the summer, the plants may need to be watered every 4 to 5 days. You should follow this rule of thumb for watering : More heat more water, less heat less water.

Plants potted in New Zealand sphagnum moss should be water less often. Water plants once every 7 to 10 days.

Some orchids prefer to be kept on the moist side. This does not mean that the orchid like to be left in standing water. Try to water the plants early in the day, so that the foliage will be dry by nightfall. To prevent bacterial and fungal disease, use Physan 20 once a month.

How often do I need to fertilize my orchids?
Orchids must be fertilized on a regular basis! For best results, use Norman~s Optimal Orchid Nutrients every other week. It is recommended to pre-water plants before applying the diluted nutrient solution if the potting media is dry.

What kind of soil do I need to grow orchids?
None. Orchids do not grow in soil. In the wild, most orchids are found high above the jungle floor, in the tree canopy. For best results, orchids should be grown either in New Zealand sphagnum moss, fine orchid bark mix or medium orchid bark Mix. Orchids must be grown in pots with good drainage. Soil is bad for the plants because it cuts off air circulation at the roots and blocks the drainage of water.

sources:orchids.com

FAQ: GENERAL ABOUT ORCHIDS (1)

2007-06-04T00:39:00.000+07:00

Are orchids hard to grow?
No. Contrary to popular belief, orchids are not difficult to grow. Orchids just have a different set of cultural needs. Like any other type of plants, orchids need water, fertilizer, light and air. Orchids adapt well to the environment of the average home.

Do I need a greenhouse to grow orchids?
No. Many orchids thrive under normal household temperatures. For best results, provide nighttime temperatures of 60 to 65°F and daytime temperatures 75 to 85°F.

Other orchids, such as Cymbidiums, Miltonias and Odontoglossums, tend to prefer cool temperatures. For best results, provide nighttime temperatures of 50 to 55oF and daytime temperatures of 60 to 80oF. Place the plants near a cool window in the home. In temperate regions, the plants may be grown outside under a protected patio.

What is the easiest orchid to grow?
The answer to that question depends on whether you are looking for something to grow indoors or outdoors.

Phalaenopsis are among the easiest and most rewarding orchids to grow. An American Orchid Society demographic survey showed that Phalaenopsis have become America~s favorite orchid. The plants adapt well to the environment of the home or office. From the time that the first flower bud opens, the sprays will remain in bloom for the next 2 tp 3 months.

Odontoglossum and Oncidium intergeneric hybrids are comprised of a large group of orchids from many different genera. The Odontoglossum/Oncidium alliance is very popular among orchid growers due to their cultural flexibility and striking sprays of long-lasting flowers. The plants may be grown with relative ease in the home or on a sheltered patio.

How long do the blooms on an orchid last?
The answer to this question depends upon the type of orchid in bloom. Flowers on Cattleyas may last up to a month in bloom from the time that the bud opens. Whereas, Phalaenopsis and Cymbidium sprays will remain in bloom for 2 to 3 months longer.

How often do orchids bloom?
The answer to this question depends upon the type of orchid. Some bloom once a year, others bloom several times a year and some even bloom continuously.

Are orchids fragrant?
Some orchids are fragrant. The scents from fragrant orchid flowers are highly variable. Some are subtle and others are extremely strong. And range from fruity to flowery. Many of the orchids have familiar aromas such as chocolate, raspberry, coconut, lilac or citrus.

from:orchids.com

2007-06-04T00:14:00.000+07:00

from:orchidsasia.com

2007-06-04T00:05:00.000+07:00

from:orchidsasia.com

about orchids

2007-06-03T23:49:00.000+07:00

ORCHIDS, the most beautiful flowers in god's creation, comprise a unique group of plants. Taxonomically, they represent the most highly evolved family among monocotyledons with 600-800 genera and 25,000-35,000 species . Orchids exhibit an incredible range of diversity in size, shape and colour of their flowers. They are most pampered of the plants and occupy top position among all the flowering plants valued for cut flower production and as potted plants. They are known for their longer lasting and bewitchingly beautiful flowers which fetch a very high price in the international market.

Theophrastus, who is also called the father of botany (370-285 BC), gave the name "ORCHIDS" to the group of bizarre plants on the basis of the resemblance of paired underground tubers of these plants to masculine anatomy (the testes). This resemblance was also responsible for the mistaken belief that the orchids posses aphrodisiac properties and eating of underground tubers might "provoke venus" and they may beget male children.

In the Indian Vedic scriptures there is a mention of the plants under the name "VANDA", which has been adapted as a generic name in one of the most beautiful group of orchids. Most of the orchids are perennial herbs with simple leaves. Although the specialized flower structure conforms to a standard plan, the vegetative parts are shown great variation, a large number of them being epiphytes, or terrestrial and a few saprophytes and leafless in nature. Majority of the cultivated orchids are native of tropical countries and occur in their greatest diversity in humid tropical forest of South and Central America, Mexico, India, Ceylon, Burma, South China, Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, New Guinea and Australia. Brazilian cattleyas, Mexican laelias and Indian dendrobiums, cymbidiums and vandas have played a major role in the development of modern orchid industry in the world.

The evolution of orchid culture from hobbyist to commercial grower was very slow as most of the orchids collected from different regions did not adapt to local conditions and died. The methods of propagation were not known and most of the orchids which flowered under utmost care were found to be self sterile. Further, it was difficult to germinate the seeds, which lacks any functional endosperm. The seeds sown in the nursery beds required long period of germination and any disturbance to the soil or physical environment destroyed the whole population.

It was only in 1821 when Conrad Loddiges and sons started growing orchid plants commercially at their nursery in Hackney, followed by John Daminy of M/s Veitch & Sons who produced the first orchid hybrid between two Calanthe species in 1852, which flowered in 1856 in Veitch Nursery Exeter, England . This was followed by a large number of man made hybrids produced by hobbyists and small growers. In 1913, Sun Kee Nursery, Singapore, started the first cut-flower production of Arachnis type hybrids.

The major developments in cultivation of orchids in the world have been due to modern scientific technology which has been suitably used in case of orchid seed germination and meristem culture. Today orchids are grown on assembly-line method in extensive glasshouses with controlled environment and the sale of orchid flowers runs in millions of dollars. The modern methods of propagation have bought orchid cultivation on par with other commercial crops.

soyrce:http://www.orchidsasia.com/