The Wanneroo Orchid Society

                        Orchids You Can Grow

There are any number of orchids that are easy to grow in Perth backyards. The most commonly grown, and certainly one of the most easy, is the Cymbidium. They

require plenty of sun light during the year to make sure that they flower well. Not full sun, of course, they will burn if fully exposed to our summer sun.  50% shadecloth should be adequate. This should ensure that the sunlight meets your orchid's

requirements.

Cattleyas are another easy growing orchid that will be happy growing alongside your Cymbidiums.

Many Oncidiums are so easy to grow that most folks claim that they grow

themselves.  They tend to form a large plant quite quickly and are a very showy

orchid. Brassias, which are closely related to Oncidiums, are in this same easy

growing group. They have very large, spidery flowers that form ranks behind each other on the flower spike, producing a very attractive sight. Miltonias are another

related genera that have large showy flowers

Zygopetalums, a genera from South America, have adapted to Perth backyards with a vengeance. Their leaves are much like Cymbidiums, but they have a blueish, purple lip and a fragrance that is unmistakable. Brassovolas are a group of orchids that grow best in a hanging pot or basket. They form an extensive root system that will

eventually grow all round it's container. They usually have a tubular shaped leaf with one or two flowers from each growth. And with their multiple growths, they form a specimen plant very easily. The flowers have a sweet perfume at night.

Paphiopedilums, or as they are better known, Slipper Orchids, are amongst the most popular orchids with growers all over the world. They are generally small, have a low light requirement and flowers that last for months at a time.

No list of easy to grow orchids would be complete without a mention of our

Australian native Dendrobiums and Sarcochilus, which grow wild in the eastern states from Northern Queensland to Tasmania.

These are but a few of the many orchids that can be grown, and are being grown, by Perth residents in their own backyards. Growing orchids can be an enjoyable and

rewarding pastime for gardeners of all ages.

                                                                                               Tony Watkinson