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McHatton advised club members to forget about fertilizer and ensure orchids receive enough water and sunlight, and sufficient air circulation.

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Guest speaker Ron McHatton, chief operating officer of the American Orchid Society, opened the Boca Grande Garden Club's season Nov. 4 by offering what he called the "cardinal rules or sins" of orchid growing.

Orchids naturally grow best in areas ranging from the Tropic of Cancer the Tropic of Capricorn at elevations between 2,500 and 9,000 feet, he said. Outside that range the variety of species is limited.

Orchids grow best whenever there are dramatic changes in elevation such as the western slopes of the Andes and in the Philippines'. In Florida, orchids thrive primarily because of the high humidity and temperate climate in addition to prevailing winds and rain.

McHatton said orchids, which are epiphytes or air plants, grow well in trees because there they receive filtered sunlight and air movement, two of three ingredients needed for them to bloom. Orchids are adaptive and efficient plants, which can adapt to many environments.

McHatton advised club members to forget about fertilizer and ensure orchids receive enough water and sunlight, and sufficient air circulation.

If an orchid receives too much water the roots rot. All orchids need a thorough watering followed by being left alone until nearly dry.

Orchids in clay pots dry out faster than plastic pots, McHatton said, and the best way to determine the right time to water is by testing the soil with your finger or lifting the planter to determine how heavy it feels.

Growers who use a set amount of time to water plants are following a "recipe" instead of a rule.

Orchids are sensitive to salt buildup so they require copious amounts of water to eliminate it in Florida. Water orchids at least 10 to 15 minutes at minimum, If orchids are soaked in a pot, change the water for each orchid.

McHatton said tou can soak your orchids overnight but you must then allow them to dry out. The orchid will take what it needs. When watering and draining it helps to water twice, giving the plant time to absorb the first watering before proceeding with the second soaking.

A watering tip: Wet roots are solid green while dry ones are gray, McHatton said.

McHatton recommends using clear plastic pots so you know when to water by watching root color. If there is no condensation on the inside of the pot, it is time to water. McHatton also said it is impossible to over-water in wooden slotted baskets as orchids tend to dry out sooner in them.

Proper orchid temperature can be found by the touch of a hand. The palm of the hand is normally about 93 degrees, McHatton said, so if an orchid's leaves feel cool, the plant is probably between 93 and 85 degrees. If it feels cold, it is probably under 85 degrees. An orchid warmer than the palm it is probably 97 or 98 degrees and on the edge of physical damage.

McHatton displayed a variety of orchids demonstrating how sunlight requirements vary from low to very high full sun. Vandas require the least care and most light, he said, showing off a beautiful specimen. Phalaenopsis are the most common orchid because it usually flowers best inside a house.

McHatton said a plant casting no shadow will not flower and is not getting enough light. He advised avoiding high nitrogen plant food and suggested diluting most commercial fertilizers to half-strength to achieve best results.

His last tip: Re-pot after the flower dies off just as the plant is producing new roots. You do not have to cut the bloom spike out but doing so reduces the stress on the plant making it healthier.

Following the talk, President Sharon Rankin said the club now has a long wait list. As of Jan. 1, people on the wait list can join ahead of non-paying members, and renewing members will then be accepted on a space available first-come first-served basis.

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