The Orchids

No matter when you look during the year, you are bound to see an orchid or two in bloom out of Scotsman's collection of over four hundred. Here you see a line of orchids hanging outdoors along a pole that rests between two trees. The trees provide protection from wind and heavy rain, and also supply the orchids with the added humidity that they like. The keys to success of growing orchids are: providing enough light, a suitable compound to allow the aerial roots to breathe (like orchid bark), and a nice ventilating breeze. Orchids thrive on fresh air.

During the winter months, all orchids are brought into the greenhouse and garden room; with a few blooming specimens placed in focal areas throughout the house.

Vanda

(V Mahakkapongse)

Hanging from outside the front of the house, this Vanda spike graces us with the beauty of its bluish-purple flowers on a late-summer day. Keeping the orchids grouped together like this helps to increase the humidity, a necessity for healthy growth.

Grammatophylum

(scriptum variety citrinum)

Here you see a spike of yellow flowers from a Grammatophylum variety. This plant hung within a chain of orchids just outside the door of the greenhouse, and remained in bloom for several month. Though orchids can take several years before they will send out their first spikes, the longevity of the blooms makes it well worth the wait.

Phalaenopsis

(Phal. Fifi Stripe)

This Phalaenopsis orchid pokes its flowering head up through the myriad of immature plants at its base. Some orchids, like this one, are kept in the greenhouse year-round where they receive adequate sunlight from a protected southern exposure, and ventilation by way of a ceiling and miniature fans around it.

 
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