Maybe you remember your first orchid as part of the corsage you were given, or gave, before the prom back in high school. Since then, orchids have always been associated with romance and fond emotions. Perhaps you have wanted to grow your own orchids but decided against it because you thought it would be too difficult - or that they were too delicate for our environment. Valentine's Day is coming up - and what could be a more opportune time to give an orchid to help renew some of those fond emotions and learn that caring for an orchid is neither difficult nor a chore?

The corsage orchid was probably a cattleya. This is certainly not the easiest orchid to grow at home. You will need a greenhouse or a glassed in sunroom for your cattleya to bloom successfully and regularly. It needs quite a bit of light and cannot withstand temperatures much below 55°F.

It would be best if your first orchid were a cymbidium orchid. The flower on a cymbidium looks like a miniature cattleya, except the colors are not quite as dramatic. However, the cymbidium is almost 'bullet-proof' as far as its growth requirements and care are concerned. Cymbidiums grow and bloom best in a favorable outdoor environment and are hardy to temperatures as low as 25°F. In our hard frost during the winter of 1990, when temperatures dropped to 18°F, Mr. Ed covered some of his 40 or 50 Cymbidiums with a plastic cover and put the rest on a covered porch. Only two did not survive!

Cymbidiums grow best in a mixture of one half medium fir bark and one half orchid mix. You can fertilize monthly with special orchid fertilizers or sprinkle Osmocote (14-14-14) in the pot once every four months. Water once a week in the winter and about twice a week in warm weather. Water until it runs out the bottom of the pot.

Speaking of pots - cymbidiums grow equally well in terra cotta, plastic or wooden containers. They will be happy there for up to three or four years, when they should be put into a larger pot or divided. Cymbidiums bloom best if they get at least 4 or 5 hours of direct sun each day (east facing on the porch is good). Some of Mr. Ed's 40 plants have gotten full sun all day but that's too much; the leaves turn yellow and then brown on the edges. If the foliage is a nice glossy dark green, the plant is not getting enough sunlight. The foliage should have a slightly yellowish tinge.

Cymbidiums may be either standards with leaves up to four feet long, which generally bloom after Christmas, or miniatures with leaves about two feet long, which start to bloom before Christmas. The flowers of the miniatures are about three quarters of the size of the standards. Also, in order to bloom properly, cymbidiums need a night time temperature of 55°F or lower during October or early November. Thusly, raising them outdoors provides the perfect environment here in the Bay Area.

You can bring your cymbidiums indoors as they come into bloom. The flowers will last longer if the plant stays outdoors but may be more enjoyable indoors. The flowers on the potted orchid will last six or more weeks. If you cut the flowers and bring them indoors, they will last about three weeks.

So, if you want to grow an orchid, a cymbidium should be your first choice to guarantee success.

Valentine’s Day is Wednesday, February 14

It’s not too early to begin to think about what to get that special someone! News articles are reporting that the traditional Valentine’s gift of red roses is going to be very expensive this year because of the recent freeze. This year stop by Wegman’s for that special someone and choose the right little something that is the perfect way to say “I love you.” Wegman’s has basketfuls of ideas that will keep on blooming. Come in and choose from a wide variety of beautiful orchids, azaleas, European baskets, bromeliads, ferns and other interesting plants for your home.

Looking for something other than a plant? Could we suggest some other unique gift ideas?

Isabel Bloom Sculptures
For more than forty-five years the sculpture of Isabel Bloom has warmed the hearts and brightened the homes, gardens and offices of art lovers and collectors throughout the United States.

Isabel, a Native Iowa artist, who once studied under the watchful eye of American master Grant Wood, favored artistic subjects ranging from playful children to friendly creatures of the air, land and sea. Cast in concrete and hand-finished to resemble weathered bronze garden sculptures of the Victorian era, Isabel's artwork fits comfortably into virtually any home or office decor and is, of course, a beautiful addition to garden and patio settings.

Local Artist Stephanie Scott Botanical Print Note cards
The note cards are available in singles, with a variety of different flowers to create your own special Valentine’s card or in packs of 10 tied with ribbon to use as a gift. Need just a little something? How about a Stephanie Scott Botanical bookmark?


Metal Sculpture Hand carved by local artist David Chan
Garden art has become very popular in recent years. Wegman’s has a large selection of metal sculpture hand crafted by David Chan. The sculptures feature squirrels, raccoons, a family of quail or of ducks and other whimsical art to accent your garden.

Planting: Azaleas are shallow-rooted and should be planted in a well-drained acid soil mix. Dig a hole at least three times as wide and a few inches deeper than the size of container. Place azalea about 1 inch above ground level so that the roots may obtain air, fill peat mix around root ball of azalea firmly and water thoroughly.

Watering: Azaleas should be kept moist, but never soggy wet. Water well and deeply, but only as often as your own weather conditions demand.

Fertilizing: Azaleas are very light feeders, and three to four feedings spaced from April through September are sufficient. Use a good azalea acid food.

Pruning: Most varieties of azaleas require one good pinching or pruning of new spring growth in July, thus creating more branches and bushiness for fall bud setting. However, when azaleas are young and vigorous, especially with the southern indicas, pruning on new growth should continue through.

Grafting Wax and Grafting Tape

Wegman’s has special hard-to-find products for the home orchardist. This week we are featuring grafting wax and grafting tape both available in our hard goods area.

Trowbridge’s Grafting Wax

Seals grafts and prevents stem tissues from drying out. Helps reduce the possibility of disease organisms gaining access to interior of stem.

8 oz. cake available for $11.99.

Rolls of grafting tape are available for $15.99.