Hey folks,
I just wanted to add my two cents to Tamsin's tips about the Wayside Kisses Orchids. We've just been offering Hardy (Terrestrial) Orchids lately here at Wayside, and I'm thinking that people may be confused when they first see this newsletter. Anyhoo, here are a few quick things that came to mind as I was reading the newsletter. Customers might ask:
Are these Orchids okay to plant in the garden?
No. They are for indoor use, in containers.
Are they annuals?
No. They are long-lived, but because they're houseplants, the hardiness zones don't apply. The ones we're shipping are all at least 2 years old, and they have many, many productive years ahead of them.
Do I need grow lights?
Nope! Just a bathroom with a window. Of course, if you have plant lights, they like those too, but there's no need for them.
Do I need to mist the leaves?
No. Resist the temptation, because if the crown of the plant stays wet for too long, it will rot.
Do they need high temperatures?
No. (Hey, my answer for everything is "no" today!) Room temperature is fine, and even a little cooler in fall to stimulate the growth of flower buds.
Why the bathroom?
The combination of diffuse light (most of us don't have big sunny windows over the commode) and periods of intense humidity from taking showers and baths is similar to these Orchids' native climate, and they love it.
What is the parentage of these Wayside Kisses?
Every Wayside Kiss Orchid will come with two tags -- one our usual kind, with the name and growth info, the other from the grower. The grower tag has code on it that contains the parentage of the plant. If a customer is interested in finding out exactly how their Wayside Kiss was bred, we can send them to the grower to decode their tag.
What should I do after the plant blooms?
Let the flowers drop and leave the plant be. It will continue to grow and prepare for another cycle of bloom next year. But don't think you're going to go months without flowers -- these blooms you'll be getting in a couple of weeks can last for months!
What is this bump on the stem of my plant?
That's the flower bud. Leave it alone and it will open, probably within a week or so. These Orchids are ready to pop!
Can I take my Orchid to the office or the hospital?
Not sure on this one, but my inclination is to say no. I don't think they'll mind the fluorescents so much as the heavily conditioned air. You might try it with a dish of moistened pebbles under the pot, but I'd be inclined to say keep them at home.
Will there be more Wayside Kisses?
NO IDEA here, but we'll see how these 4 do!
Hope this helps. I threw in the final photos as they appear on the site for quick reference.
Over and out,
Eb
EbbettMonroe@gmail.com
