Some Orchids that Flower in March
March is the greatest time of blooming season for many orchids. Phalaenopsis are flowering in large quantities in homes and at Home Centers across the land. It’s a great time to bring your favorite orchids inside where you can enjoy their blooms. We present a dozen suggestions. Most are of easy culture and bloom in March, although relying on weather conditions in any given year, blooming season can be earlier or later for any species or hybrid.
This species from montane forests of Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador has been used to create a few brightly-colored Oncidium intergeneric hybrids.
Cattleya lueddemanniana. Although some growers suggest growing all labiate Cattleyas mounted, C. lueddemanniana also does well in well-ventilated pots of large bark or other coarse medium. Provide bright light and good air movement. Avoid watering too much during the winter.
Guarianthe aurantiaca. Some plants are cleistogamous (self-pollinating) so it is best to buy named clones or plants that are in flower. Guarianthe aurantiaca is not particularly fussy in cultivation and grows easily with the other Cattleyas in an intermediate or warm condition and moderate light.
Phalaenopsis amabilis. Phalaenopsis amabilis is a widespread species, exist in different parts from Java to Papua New Guinea, north to the Philippines and south to Queensland, Australia. It has been applied as a parent hundreds of times and is generally found in the background of any modern Phalaenopsis hybrid. Warm.
Ascocentrum ampullaceum. Compact species from the tropical Himalayas, Burma and Thailand. Like all ascocentrums it needs warm temperatures, bright light and 70%25 humidity to become very strong and healthy. Given these conditions, it is of easy culture.
Den. lindleyi a good candidate for growing on a mount, just ensure to provide sufficient water in spring and summer. A cool dry winter rest produces the most abundant flowering. usually easy to find in the trade. Still known as Den. aggregatum by many people. Intermediate.
Laelia jongheana ‘Bow’s Seagrove Birthday’, Seagrove Orchids. This beautiful Brazilian orchid needs perfect drainage and is best grown on a mount or in a basket under sunny indirect light. Buy only seed-raised plants; endangered species on CITES Appendix I. Cool-intermediate
Cattleya coccinea ‘Florence’. Cool-growing species from the coastal mountains of Southern Brazil. Used in large amount in creating red ‘Mini-Catts’. Formerly known as Sophronitis coccinea.
Epidendrum stamfordianum. Epidendrum stamfordianum makes many-flowered inflorescence from the base of the club-shaped pseudobulb in the spring. The flowers can be various in color ranging from yellow and white to pinkish tones, there is even an alba form. Found from Mexico to Venezuela at moderate elevations. Intermediate.
Maxillaria sanderiana ‘Rona’, Harold & Rona Goldstein
Trichopilia suavis ‘Bonita’,