Thread: Hanging Orchids
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Old 03-07-2005, 11:10 PM
Niek Hanckmann
 
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halgren schreef:
Richard Witt wrote:

I'm new to orchids and would like some in hanging baskets with the
flowers growing down two or three feet.

I'm sure that in the wild, no one goes around tying orchids to sticks
to keep them upright.

Will all orchids naturally droop or are there specific varieties that
are better at this?

Thanks for any info.


There are many varieties which have pendant infloresences. But many are
naturally erect. A Doritis pulcherrima for example, ramrod straight.
Probably most orchids bloom somewhat in between, with the inflorescence
bending based on the weight of the flowers. And of course longer spikes
will tend to droop more than flowers held close to the leaf.

Some things that would be very interesting and fairly easy to grow for
you might be Stanhopea or Gongora. Not all that common, and the flowers
don't last too long, but they make up for it with a lot of spikes. On
these, the spikes will come out of the bottom or the side of the basket.
Paphinia is another fun genus. But there are lots of other genera to
choose from, I'm sure somebody else will make some suggestions.


OK, some suggestions:

There are species of cymbidium (like devonianum and madidum) that flower
pendulous. I have also seen beautiful pendant cymbidium hybrids on a
show in Germany last year.

Other interesting and not to difficult species are Coelogyne massangeana
(intermediate temp.) and Coel. dayana (hot temp.). They both have very
long (until 3 or 4 feet!) inflorescences. Coelogyne cristata
(intermediate with a cool rest) is as well a nice plant for hanging
baskets. It will ramble over the brim of the basket and thus form a real
hanging bush.

So pick your choice!

Grtz. Niek