ORCHIDS AT THE NIAGARA REGION ORCHID SHOW  PAGE 3
	BY BRUCE ZIMMERMAN

In November the Niagara Regional Orchid Society held it's Annual Orchid Show. These are some of my favourite shots of the Orchids. They are just some of the one hundred and ten pictures I took. The care of each is listed with them. Their care may vary slightly with each variety, inter-generic crosses and the environmental conditions they are grown in

	Masdevallia Elven Glen
	Shade; 500-1500 Foot candles (indirect low light, slight shadowing) Intermediate to Cool; 52°F min. to 80°F max. Moist; 2-3 waterings per week (let dry
	Masdevallia Matthew
	slightly between waterings Shade; 500-1500 Foot candles (indirect low light, slight shadowing) Intermediate to Cool; 52°F min. to 80°F max. Moist; 2-3
	Masdevallia Northern Envy
	waterings per week (let dry slightly between water in Shade; 500-1500 Foot candles (indirect low light, slight shadowing) Intermediate to Cool; 52°F
	Masdevallia Frosty Man "Icy Man"
	min. to 80°F max. Moist; 2-3 waterings per week (let dry slightly between waterings Shade; 500-1500 Foot candles (indirect low light,
	Masdevallia Pat Akehurst Lucious
	slight shadowing) Intermediate to Cool; 52°F min. to 80°F max. Moist; 2-3 waterings per week (let dry slightly between waterings

	Phalaenopsis Yu Pin Kin Kan Bedford Black Lava
	Mature plants need a 15 to 20F difference between night and day. Provide nights of 60-65 F; days of 75-85F. Higher humidity and air movement must accompany higher temperatures, the
	Phalaenopsis Chih Shangs Stripes Bedford Light
	recommended max. being 90-95 F An east window is ideal, shaded south or west windows are acceptable. In dull,
	Phalaenopsis Noggys Pink Lady
	northern winter climate, a full south exposure may be needed. Under lights, four 40 w flourescent tubes and two 40 w incandescent bulbs
	Phalaeopsis Tapie Gold
	directly over plants, 12 hours a day. Greenhouse, heavy 70% shade, or approx. 1000 to 1700 foot candles is optimum.  Humidity between 50-80%. Home, set plants on a tray or saucer of clean pebbles, filled with water so that the pots never sit in water. Mist plants in dry conditions. In hot conditions air movement to prevent fungal or bacterial disease. Leaves should be dry by nightfall
	Mature plants should  dry out between waterings. Seedlings need even moisture. Keep water out of the crown of the plant. Water in the morning, with tepid water.  Provide food on a regular schedule,  when plants are actively growing. Plants in fir bark, use (30-10-10). In the fall, high phosphorus feed promotes blooms. Feed weekly during summer, and less when cooler weather starts in the fall. Potting should be done before the media breaks
	Phalaenopsis Hawaiian Tradition
	down and starts holding too much moisture. Usually every 1 to 3 years in late spring after the main flowering season

	Phragmipedium Cardinal
	Bright; 2500-3500 Foot candles (very bright indirect light) Intermediate to Warm; 58°F min. to 88°F max. Moist / Daily Watering; 3-5 waterings per week
	Phragmipedium Hanne Popow Longifolium
	Bright; 2500-3500 Foot candles (very bright indirect light) Intermediate to Warm; 58°F min. to 88°F max. Moist / Daily Watering; 3-5 waterings per week
	Phragmipedium Schroderae
	Bright; 2500-3500 Foot candles (very bright indirect light) Intermediate to Warm; 58°F min. to 88°F max. Moist / Daily Watering; 3-5 waterings per week
	Phragmipedium Besseac
	Bright; 2500-3500 Foot candles (very bright indirect light) Intermediate to Warm; 58°F min. to 88°F max. Moist / Daily Watering; 3-5 waterings per week
	Phragmipedium Sedenii Wilcox
	Bright; 2500-3500 Foot candles (very bright indirect light) Intermediate to Warm; 58°F min. to 88°F max. Moist / Daily Watering; 3-5 waterings per week
	Phragmipedium Caricinum x Petit Point
	Bright; 2500-3500 Foot candles (very bright indirect light) Intermediate to Warm; 58°F min. to 88°F max. Moist / Daily Watering; 3-5 waterings per week
	Potinara Little Toshe Pizzaz
	Everything I can find indicates that you treat this genus just like Cattleya
	Restrepia Sanguinea
	Shade; 500-1500 Foot candles (indirect low light, slight shadowing) Intermediate; 55°F min. to 85°F max. Moist / Daily Watering; 3-5 waterings per week
	Sophrolaeliocattleya Sierra Doll
	Needs strong filtered light. Direct morning light is ideal.  Northern exposures will not be sufficient to induce flowering. Temps 60 F to 85 F. Will tolerate (may enjoy) temp. fluctuations. Enjoys high humidity. Mist and use humidity trays.  Water thoroughly and freely when you do water. This cross may require a little more water volume at each watering than your other cattleyas.  Water well and flush the salts throughly. Do let them dry out between watering. Pot in a good, porous mixture and  clay pots.
	Vanda Roberts Reward Crownfot Big Red
	Bright to Full Sun; 2750-3750 Foot candles (midday shade required) Intermediate; 55°F min. to 85°F max. Moist; 3-5 waterings per week (let dry lightly between waterings) A well grown
	Vanda Charmanan x Vanda Coerulea
	plant may flower two or three times a year and produce up to 3 or 4 spikes of 10 3 to 5 inch flowers which can last for over a month. Vandas can take full sun but prefer the light to be intense but dispersed so
	Vanda Lamellata var Boxalli
	as not to burn the evergreen foliage which surrounds the central stem. Vandas like plenty of water during the growing season and if your plants are grown in baskets or on cork bark they should be watered every day from June through September. During the remainder of the year Vandas should not be allowed to dry out
	Vanda Ang Hee Sang
	but kept evenly moist at all times. Once Vandas have flowered it is best to give them a mini rest of 2 to 3 weeks, during this period allow the plants to dry before watering them again  Don't over do it though. Plant food should be applied every two weeks at half strength
	from June through September use a high potash food  At half strength from September through Mid October. This will help harden the new growth.  November through to the following June feed at quarter strength but only feed once a month. These plants do not like to be disturbed once they have established themselves. Plants may look untidy after a couple of years due to the aerial roots but it is at this time that the are at their most likely to become highly floriferous. Re pot these plants sparingly otherwise you take the risk of no flowers
	Zygopetalum Mackayii A+R
	Fall and Winter Blooming Bright; 2500-3500 Foot candles (very bright indirect light)55°F min. to 85°F max. Moist; 2-3 waterings per week (let dry slightly between waterings) Same growing conditions as Cymbidiums

Temperature:  The country or region of origin for each plant gives a guide to the plant's temperature needs. If your orchid originates from equatorial areas it experiences relatively constant temperatures; whether they live in the colder mountains or in the tropical jungles, there is little variability in temperature year round. Those that orginate from the area of the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn experience broader fluctuations in the seasonal temperature.  If you are a beginner or don't have a controlled environment you should pick plants that have broader temperature range.  In northern climates you should choose Orchids that have require intermediate temperatures in the winter time. You may need extra light as well. 

Light: The terms "Shaded", "Bright", and "Full-Sun", are self explanatory. You may have to experiment a bit with a plant's location to get the right light and temperature combination. Most bright growing plants can handle early morning or late afternoon direct sunlight. The cooler your growing area, the more intense light your plants can handle without damage. Shady Orchids will still require a bright environment. A healthy looking plant that does not bloom is usually  getting too little light if all the other environmental conditions are correct. When growing under full sun remember that orchids like air movement which keep their leaves cool. Indoors, don't hesitate to supplement with growing lights. The lights will raise the air temperature and reduce the humidity.

Watering:  Water quality, frequency and duration are all vitally important in raising healthy orchids.
Orchids, especially those from high-elevations, are easily damaged by mineral salts (which are almost non-existent in their natural habitat). Always use good quality, clean water. Rainwater can be used but the best is the water though a filter system that use water purified by reverse osmosis, de-ionization, or distillation. Every time you water or mist you must use these types or purified water. Hard water contains  dissolved salts which is left behind on the growing medium, container and foliage. It appears as a white, chalky deposit that can kill  roots and burn leaves. Never ever use softened water because it is high in sodium (salt). It kills plants.

Watering frequency: It is almost impossible to over-water a bark mounted orchid, but easy to over-water one in a pot. Pay close attention to the texture and shape of the roots, leaves, and pseudobulbs to gauge how often your plants need water. In between watering you can mist them occasionally to provide humidity Grouping plants together, placing your potted orchids on trays filled with gravel and water improves humidity.

Water duration:  A quick splash on a warm  day will evaporate before the roots can soak up what they need. Remember when it rains in the tropics, it rains in heavily. Water in the late afternoon or evenings during warm months and in the winter switch to a morning watering. When you water, soak the plant completely. The root ball in both potted and mounted plants needs to be thoroughly moistened. Some plants require a rest period (usually in the winter) during which watering is reduced or even suspended completely. 

Air Movement: All plants grow better with air movement. This keeps them cool and the movement strengthens the plant and builds stronger flower spikes. Indoors put a small fan in the area to ensure air movement.

I like to grow Phalaenopsis varieties because I find them the easiest for my growing conditions