Getting to grips with orchids

A few years ago, a local orchid grower advertised a closing-down sale at $5 a plant. Never an orchid fan - but also never one to pass up a bargain - I rounded up a gang of mates and we headed for the nursery.
All the stock was in flower and we were all immediately besotted.
We lightened our pockets to the tune of about $50 each and drove home surrounded by hot pinks, pale pinks, bright yellows, buttery creams, whites and lavender.
It was interesting that one of our number, a native plant fanatic, chose several specimens in the most garish colours he could find.
I suspect he was showing off and went home and surreptitiously killed them all behind the garage. Certainly, I've never seen them blooming in his beautiful but totally native garden.
I splashed mine around the courtyard where they did fine service for a season, and then, as directed, I dumped them, still in their pots, under trees around the perimeter of the garden where they lived to flower another day but finally succumbed to a 150-year flood and were carried off by our river to parts unknown.
I hadn't thought about orchids from then until now, but I've just seen a cluster of them blooming down the road and I'm in love again.
This time, of course, I'm going to be a bit more scientific about it.
Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are tropical plants so their first requirement is a warm environment.
If you're in the Far North, you'll probably be able to grow them outside; in the deep south, you'll have to keep them inside and have the pleasure of their company all the time.
When in flower, temperatures should remain above 16C. The occasional night that gets down to 10C will not harm your plant but anything below that may damage young leaves.
However, about three weeks of night temperatures of about 11C or 12C will ensure good bud initiation.
Moth orchids like humidity so make them happy by sitting them on a saucer of water filled with stones so they're not actually in the water.
Water thoroughly in the morning with tepid water.
With such beautiful, delicate, flawless blooms, it's not surprising to learn that orchids are not big on sunbathing - in their natural habitat they grow in the shade of the forest canopy, so you need to get the light right. Too much and their dark green leaves might fade; too little light and the plant may not flower - a tragedy.
Feed them little and often using a specific orchid food, and obey the instructions on the pack. Bear in mind too little is better than too much.
If it all seems a bit of a pain, just wait till winter. Flowers appear mostly in winter and spring, but just to keep you on your toes, spikes can appear at any time of the year.
It takes about three months from the time the spike develops to the time of flowering. After flowering, leave the spike and more flowers may develop. Or cut off the spike just above the second node from the base and another spike may emerge.
Mature plants may need the potting medium replaced every couple of years, so lift the plant, replace the potting mix and work it carefully around the roots. Garden soil won't do - buy a specific orchid mix.
If you think you could become an enthusiast, the Orchid Council's next national show is in Palmerston North from September 6-13.
Going native subtly
For those who are totally native, there's no need to deny yourself an orchid or two. New Zealand's native orchids have much smaller flowers and, in some species, the blooms blend in with their surroundings.
But they're subtly, self-effacingly beautiful and provide the element of surprise when you do, indeed, surprise them.
Because many are self-pollinating, they have no need to be flashy.
They're either ground-dwelling or they grow on trees.
Best known of the ground-dwelling orchids in the bush are green hooded orchids and spider orchids, and you'll only notice them during their flowering seasons. The tree dweller (epiphytic) varieties have foliage you can see all year round.
These quiet little orchids dwell in many places - in open shrub land, the bush, in swamps, on rocks and in pasture. And they've captured the attention - and affection - of many who have put pen to paper and written books about them, so there's no lack of information available on them.