Retirees learn about growing orchids

Patience is a virtue, especially in regard to gardening. Just ask Lillian Bertram.

//

Her white moth orchid hasn't yet bloomed, so she decided to do something about it and sought help by attending a recent presentation on orchids at Brandon Wilde retirement community.

"I think orchids are so interesting in that not everyone can grow them," said Bertram, a resident of Brandon Wilde. "They're different."

Sharyn Altman, a member of the Orchid Society in Augusta and president of the Georgia Master Gardener Association, offered tips and tricks for growing orchids at the Evans retirement community.

Orchids don't require a lot of attention, she said, but water is crucial.

"The main thing is you don't want to over-water orchids," Altman said. "You can kill them by over-watering them."

With more than 30,000 species of orchids, Altman said people have a wide selection of the flowers to choose from.

"If you're not dedicated to it, just pick which ones that are easiest to grow," Altman said. "Some are very tough to grow and some aren't."

Altman said fertilizer is important for the orchids, but people should only use a quarter of the package's recommended dosage.

She added that the leaves of orchids should never be in direct sunlight.

In addition to sharing suggestions with the group, Altman said orchids are easy to find.

"A lot of places will get orchids in now for Easter and Masters," Altman said. "You can find them everywhere. The hardware stores even have them."

She recommends that those interested in orchids purchase a white Phalaenopsis, commonly called the moth orchids.