This is a hybid Oncidium, Sherry Baby. It smells like chocolate when it blooms, although the scent takes a couple of days to develop, after a flower opens. The flowers last for a couple of months, and the plant blooms whenever the hell it feels like it, which could be three times a year, if it gets enough light, or less often if it’s not that happy. Most Oncidiums need bright, but indirect light. My Tolumnias (another type of oncid) are much more demanding of light — as in full sun, like Vandas, but that’s another story.
Give them what they like, and they will reward you . . .
Wow. *sings “Chocolate Orchid” to the tune of “Chocolate Rain”*
Methinks Karen is going to get in a few orchids. I have four favorite dealers. They’re in HI, CA, IL, and, believe it or not, southern NJ. There’s an excellent dealer in Minneapolis, as well, but he charges way too much.
You’ll have to hook me up with your dealer. 😉
Wow. Orchids intimidate me. They seem too difficult, but so gorgeous.
Chocolate scented? Hmmm, I wonder if we could give those a try? Mom-in-law could probably get one to grow. She’s quite the gifted green thumb. Me? It would never poke up its lovely little head, after the touch of my black thumb.
Oak Hill Gardens | 37W550 Binnie Road | Dundee | IL | 60118
You can order online at http://www.oakhillgardens.com.
Greg and Liese run the joint. They inherited it from her dad, Hermann. Greg can be a bit prickly, but Liese’s a doll. So’s their dog, who rolled over for me to demand a belly rub, in the lobby, checking out, while Liese took a call.
The main thing is that their orchids are top-notch, and not expensive.
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Oak Hill Gardens
September Newsletter
Fall 2008 New Plant Offerings!
Chicagoland Orchid Festival
Sept 26-27-28th!
In This Issue
New Plant Offerings
Free Bottle of Wine!
Monthly Special
Growing Tip of the Month
Quick Links
Oak Hill Guest Growers
Chicagofest Lectures
Chicagofest Map
Grand Prize Entry Form
Issue: # 17 September 2008
Chicagoland Orchid Festival
(16th Annual!)
Hello!
We hope that summer has treated you well! Now that it is winding down….. Here at Oak Hill Gardens we are already gearing up for the 16th annual Chicagoland Orchid Festival.
This event takes place simultaneously at Oak Hill Gardens and at three other nurseries in the Chicago suburbs over the three day weekend of September 26-27-28, 2008 (Friday-Saturday-Sunday).
orchid festival lodge
Guest growers from all over the US, South America and Asia will be selling their wares at the festival. There will be eight guest growers at Oak Hill Gardens alone this year!
Free plants are available with every purchase at Oak Hill. Visit all four greenhouses over the four day weekend and become eligible for one of seven gift certificate prizes worth at total of $1000.00! See the festival website for a grand prize application!
For all the details on the festival visit the dedicated website at the homepage linked below:
Chicagoland Orchid Festival Website
See more details below for a special bonus for pre-orders for the festival!
Our list of New Plant Varieties for sale has been uploaded to the website. See the article below for the details on our New Orchid Offerings.
Also, we have a new “monthly special” for September involving Bulbophyllums and Cirrhopetalums. Scroll down to see the article below…..
Finally, Liese is back again with some tips on what type of pots to use in various situations. See it all below!
See you at the festival!
Best wishes,
Greg
New Plant Offerings!
139 New Orchid Varieties for Sale!
Phal lindeniiThis time of year we list new orchid varieties for sale on our website. These are plants imported in the early spring which have grown and rooted-in over the summer. The varieties have been integrated into the appropriate sections of the website, but can be also be seen in their entirety in a separate “New Offerings” section at the link below:Lc. Sagarik Wax ‘African Beauty’
NEW OFFERINGS
We hope that you enjoy the selection!
Photo above is Phalaenopsis lindenii and the red Catt is Lc. Sagarik Wax ‘African Beauty’
Free Bottle of Oak Hill Gardens Wine!
wine bottle Old Vine Zinfandel
Do you like wine? Liese and I do! We thought that we would celebrate Oak Hill Gardens 35th year in business by whipping up a batch of Old Vine Zin! You can receive your own 375ml commemorative bottle, complete with our anniversary label/logo, as a gift from us by placing a pre-order for pickup at the festival worth at least $200.00.
It’s delicious!
Special thanks to webmaster Kevin Hanley of Cheddarhead Design for the “Wine and Orchids” montage. He’s brilliant!
Monthly Special for September
Bulbophyllums/Cirrhopetalums
Bulb cupreum
This month we are offering 12 different varieties from this fascinating group for sale at great prices. Normally priced in the $15.00 range, they can
be purchased at a discount when multiple
varieties are ordered. (only $10.00 each if 6 or more plants are purchased.) See the link below for details!
Bulbo/Cirrho September Special
Photo above is Bulbophyllum cupreum
Growing Tip of the Month – by Liese
Liese Head Shot Pots
Clay pots, plastic pots, pots with slits, clear pots, net pots, wood slat baskets………
Knowing exactly what to pot your plants into can become very confusing! When deciding what pot to choose, you really must consider your growing area, humidity level, watering schedules and specific plant requirements.
If your growing area is dry (low humidity) and you have time to water only once a week, you will want to choose a pot that holds moisture (usually plastic). If you like to water frequently and/or have a humid growing area, pots that breath (clay or “slit pots”) might be your best choice.
Clay pots are porous and dry out faster than plastic. These are perfect for Cattleyas, Dendrobiums and other varieties with pseudobulbs that like to dry out thoroughly between watering.
Plastic pots hold more moisture. These work well for Phalaenopsis, Paphs, Miltonias, and varieties that require a bit more moisture. They also work well in homes during the winter months when the heat kicks on and dries out the air.
Pots with slits, net pots and baskets dry out very quickly. Air is allowed to get to the roots from all angles. Orchids love this, however they usually need watering more often when potted in these types of containers. They are good for use in high humidity areas where additional exposure to air is needed to dry out plants.
Clear plastic pots are nice because one can monitor the root growth of one’s plants. They also make it easier to determine when the media is dry and in need of water. One thing to watch, however, is the green moss and algae which sometimes grows quickly in clear pots because light is exposed to the media below. This moss/algae can fill up the pot and block air flow to the roots. It can also hold moisture, which can lead to root rot.
In order to choose the correct pot for an orchid, one must simply ascertain the growing conditions, personal watering habits and the specific plant’s needs before selecting the vessel.
If you are confused, ask a fellow orchid society member or a commercial orchid grower for advice and guidance. Let us know if Oak Hill Gardens can help.
Happy Growing!
Liese
We hope to see you at the festival. Best wishes for the fall!
Sincerely,
Greg, Liese and Hermann
Oak Hill Gardens
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Oak Hill Gardens | 37W550 Binnie Road | Dundee | IL | 60118
Ohh, thank you for the info, R. 🙂 I’ll have to print this out and show mil.
Also check out http://www.andysorchids.com. Andy and his brother run the place. Their prices are fine, for stellar plants. Both guys are very nice . . . even at a big orchid show, Andy will take the time to show you shots of flowers from plants you’re thinking of buying from him. His brother sometimes makes a follow-up call to be sure you’re happy with your purchase.
Andy’s is a little more expensive than Oak Hill, but you won’t be sorry buying anything from Andy.
Thankee for the info. These are basically indoor plants, correct? I must do research on how pet-safe they are. My cats eat everything! Argh.
Yes, they’re basically indoor plants, except during summer, as far north as we are. Most Cymbidiums can take a light frost, and won’t bloom without a bit of Fall chill, so I leave those outside until around Thanksgiving, but the rest of my orchids come back indoors by the end of September (USDA zone 6A), or stay inside all year.
I don’t know of any orchid that is poisonous. Of the three cats I’ve owned, the only one who liked to chew plants got over the habit when I took to nailing him in the face with water from a mister. He mostly went after my palm and Boston fern.
My Euphorbias are poisonous, but they’re cacti, so most critters leave them alone. The chipmunks that nibble them deserve what they get, which is mostly an upset tummy and a lingering bad taste.