Page 66 - Panama City Living Magazine

GARDENINGA PASSION FOR ORCHIDSvanillaWhen hanging orchids in pots or baskets on trees and other structures in a northwest Florida yard, direct sun should be avoid- ed. Particularly the afternoon sun can scorch their leaves, so a nice location with an eastern exposure and morning sun works well. Orchids need to be protected from temperatures below 50 degrees.Which Orchids to Grow?Jonnie’s favorite orchids are Cattleya orchids, and one particular orchid plant, a Blue Vanda, she has nurtured for 15 years. For a beginner, she suggests a Phalaenopsis orchid, commonly called a moth orchid. This variety is very popular as they come in a wide range of colors, are one of the easiest to grow inside, and can bloom more than once during the year with blooms lasting some- times up to six months. When selecting an orchid, check that the roots are rm within the potting medium. It is a good sign if there is an actively growing leaf.More than just a Flower: The Vanilla OrchidNorthwest Florida’s Native OrchidsAlmost 100 native orchid species can be found in Northwest Florida. While they are generally not as spectacular as the tropical ones found in stores, they can be very beautiful. Most of our na- tive orchids are terrestrial and you will nd them growing close to the ground. Look carefully while hiking in open areas along some of our nature trails such as those at conservation parks, and you may see them.Learning More about Growing OrchidsThere are many orchid societies around the world that o er in- formation on di erent species of orchids, their growth, and prop- agation. One site with good information is the American Orchid Society website at www.aos.org.ABOUT JONNIE SMALLMANJonnie Smallman, a native Floridian, grew up in Homestead. While in high school, she worked at a nursery where one of her co-workers showed her how to garden, and from there began her passion that influenced her education and career. She studied crop science at the University of Florida and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. After graduation, she returned to Homestead to work at an orchid nursery operated by fourth generation orchid growers. She developed a special love of orchids and her expertise in cross pol- lination and hybridization grew. She then became employed by a company that primarily sold bromeliads and expanded into the mass production of orchids.Moving to Panama City in 1992 as a Hurricane Andrew refugee, she worked in pollution prevention as an Environmental Protection Specialist and later worked in Natural Resources at the Panama City Navy Base. After retirement, she spends much of her time as a volunteer. She is Co-President for the local Sweetbay Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and is a UF/IFAS Bay County Extension Master Gardener.OrchidsThe Mayans and Aztecs used the seed pods of Vanilla Orchids to avor beverages long before the Spanish arrived in Central Amer- ica. Spanish explorers brought the seed pods back to Europe where vanilla gained popularity. Vanilla Orchids are generally hand pollinated. The seed pods are harvested by hand and undergo a lengthy curing and drying process before becoming the vanilla beans we buy in supermarkets. Because of labor intensity, it has become one of the most expensive spices in the world. In addi- tion to being used for tasty treats such as cookies and ice cream, vanilla is used in perfumes and aromatherapy. Because of the high cost of vanilla beans, most of the “vanilla” used today is arti cial.THE SEED PODS ARE HAVESTED BY HAND"Jonnie’s favorite orchids are Cattleya orchids, and one particular orchid plant, a Blue Vanda, she has nurtured for 15 years."66 • March - April 2018 • www.PanamaCityLiving.com