Taking Root Seasonal gardening advice

May is for Mom. Instead of buying her cut flowers that only last a week, why not get her something that will live for years to come?
Choose an orchid, and the memory of Mother’s Day will come back to her every time it blooms.
Here are two types of long-living orchids that are easy to care for.
Phalaenopsis, shown in the photo above, is perhaps the easiest orchid to grow indoors.
Well-grown plants can produce flowers that last for months and will provide
brilliant color year ‘round.
They grow well in a bright window, with little to no direct sun.
Temperatures should be above 60 degrees at night and 75 to 85 degrees during the day.
When temperatures rise, air movement and humidity are required to keep it from drying out.
Water is critical, as the plant doesn’t have any way to store it. The roots should be watered thoroughly and then not again until the planting medium is nearly dry.
The recommended range of humidity is 50-80 percent. An easy trick is to set the pot on gravel in a tray that is partially filled with water. The pot never sits in water and you’ll avoid root rot.
Feed it twice a month with a liquid orchid fertilizer of 30-10-10 at quarter strength if your plant is in bark planting medium; use 10-30-20 to promote blooms.
The Vanda orchid -- shown in the remaining photos, including a display during a recent show at Mount
Botanical Garden of Palm Beach County in West Palm Beach -- has leaves that form a v-shaped fan.
It is easily cultivated outdoors in light shade and in a warm climate like ours.
Nighttime temperatures should be a low of 55 degrees and a daytime high of 95 degrees.
Warmer temperatures mean faster growth, which must be accompanied with higher humidity, air movement and increased watering and fertilizer.
Watering of the extensive root system should happen frequently but this orchid also should dry completely before it gets wet again.
Humidity of 80 percent is ideal for this plant.
Fertilizer should be 20-20-20 applied at full strength once a week during the warm season, or use a quarter strength solution for watering every other day.
I have enjoyed owning these orchids for decades.
Both are extremely beautiful and easy to find at supermarkets, big box stores and nurseries.
I enjoy Phalaenopsis indoors, and find the Vandas are great for hanging outside in a tree.
Mom will love them, too.

Photos by Steve Poulson.