Dear Doc:

Please explain the two names on my orchid plant; it is like a multiplication sign in between the names, what exactly does that mean?

Poochie

Dear Poochie:

Let me see how best I can explain this. Let us say that a white man marries a black woman and they produce children, the children can look any shade between both parents. Against that background, you will see the both names separated by the x sign and that is called a hybrid. Now, if your DNA was used to produce an offspring, it would be a clone. In the orchid world that plant would be exactly like the original, and that would be meristem. You have a hybrid; the names you are seeing are the parentage.

Dear Doc:

I have been bitten by the orchid bug, and have been trying to grow dendrobiums, but I find that they grow slowly. This is discouraging. What do you suggest I do?

Bridget

Dear Bridget:

It seems like you might need to step up the humidity. There is a greenhouse plastic that will be able to help. As a matter of fact, you should be able to see an improvement within a month. It is a clear plastic made for greenhouse, and can be had at most garden stores.

Betty Ashley is an avid orchid enthusiast who has spent decades successfully cultivating orchids for herself, as well as for orchid lovers across the island, earning herself the title 'Orchid Doc'. Send your orchid questions and/or concerns to: bettymay@flowja.com.