Dear Orchid Doc:

Please explain the two names on my orchid plant; theres a multiplication sign between the names. What exactly does that mean? — Sybil

Dear Sybil:

Let me see how best I can explain this.

Let us say that a white person and a black person marry and have children.

The children can look any shade between both parents.

Apply the same principle here. You will see both names separated by the x sign, and that is called a hybrid.

Now if your DNA was used to produce a youngster, that would be a clone. In the orchid world that plant would be exactly like the original and that would be a meristem.

Your orchid is a hybrid; the names you are seeing denote the parentage.

Dear Orchid Doc:

My shade Vanda’s roots are extremely long. Can I trim them?

— Dimples

Dear Dimples:

If your Shade Vanda’s (strap leaf) roots are extremely long, try to trim just the older deadend roots instead of cutting off the healthier ones. Most people I have come across prefer the plant for its ability to grow long roots. Just hang it a little higher.

Betty Stephenson Ashley Betty’s Landscaping, Farm Garden Supplies

161 Constant Spring Road, Kingston 8, Jamaica

Telephone: 1 (876) 322-4585, 870-0191, 931-8804, 755-2204

Fax: 1 (876) 931-8805 betty-may2@ hotmail.com