When is the flowering season for farm orchids? Do farmer's orchids differ in their care from normal orchids? We have the answer and will introduce you to the most beautiful varieties.
Botanically, farm orchids and orchids are unrelated. Visually, however, the decorative, symmetrical flowers of the farmer's orchids can definitely keep up with the flowers of their namesakes.
Farmhouse orchids: flowering time, properties and origin
Horse orchids (Schizanthus x wisetonensis) belong to the genus of fissures (Schizanthus) in the nightshade family ( Solanaceae). They were bred in Europe around 1900 as a hybrid by crossing two other filoflower species, Schizanthus grahamii and Schizanthus pinnatus. The wild ancestors of the farmer's orchids originally come from Chile. Peasant orchids grow up to 40 cm high and have a slightly pyramidal habit. Numerous small flowers form from May to September. Depending on the variety, they bloom in intense pink, red, white or multicolored, e.g. purple and white. The multicolored varieties have a yellow-black to yellow-red center. The five petals are arranged symmetrically, creating two mirror-like halves. The leaves are pinnate and have a roughly toothed leaf margin. Its intense green harmonises beautifully with the colorful blossoms.
Are farm orchids bee friendly?
The pretty flowers of the farmer's orchid are not only a feast for the eyes, they are also an attractive source of food for bees and other insects.
Are farm orchids hardy?
Peasant orchids are adapted to cold weather due to their origin and tolerate temperatures down to -7 °C as long as a frost period does not last too long. But even if they are considered conditionally hardy under the local climatic conditions and can survive the winter, farm orchids do not form new flowers in the following year. These are annual ornamental plants that need to be resown every year.
Farmhouse orchids: These are the most beautiful varieties
In the trade, the seeds of farmer's orchids are usually offered as a colorful mixture of different varieties. In nurseries and garden centers, however, pre-grown orchid plants are also offered. The monochrome white farmer's orchids, which are traded under the name 'Pure White', look particularly simple and elegant. Of the multicolored varieties, e.g. 'Scarlet bicolor' and 'Lilac bicolor' are convincing. Their flowers appear in intense red tones or in a bright violet in combination with white and the yellow center of the flower.
Planting farmer's orchids: when, where and how to proceed
Peasant orchids are quite insensitive to heat and cold due to their origin and can be planted in the flower bed or in a pot on the balcony. The plants can be placed in flower boxes as early as mid to late May; they should only be placed in the flower bed from mid-April. Since the farmer's orchids can withstand temperatures down to -7 °C without any problems, there is normally no risk of damage from late frosts. In terms of location, farm orchids are relatively undemanding. They prefer a protected, sunny to partially shaded spot, but also do well in the shade. A permeable, nutrient-rich substrate such as our peat-free Plantura organic potting soil is suitable for planting in planters. It is also important that the planter has a drainage hole so that excess water can drain off and there is no waterlogging. In the flower bed, the permeability of the soil can be increased by mixing some sand into the soil. There should be a distance of approx. 20 cm between the plants.
Tip: In the flower bed, there should be sufficient distance to neighboring plants so that the foliage is well ventilated. Dew and rain must dry quickly, otherwise damage from fungal diseases can occur.
Care for farmer's orchids: you should pay attention to this
Farmer orchids need a lot of water and have to be watered regularly. Make sure that the substrate never dries out completely. If the top 2 cm feel dry, you should reach for the watering can and give the plants some water. The flowers and leaves should remain as dry as possible. The nutrient requirements of farm orchids are also high. It should be topped up regularly to keep the plants growing throughout the growing seasonproduce new flowers again. A liquid flower fertilizer such as our purely organic Plantura organic flower and balcony fertilizer is ideal for this. It provides your flowers with a balanced nutrient ratio and thus offers the best conditions for lush blooms. Put the liquid fertilizer in a watering can every 1 to 2 weeks in a dosage of 3 to 5 ml per liter of water and then fertilize the farm orchids with the irrigation water.
It is advisable to cut back after the first flowering phase to encourage the plants to form new flowers again and again. To do this, remove the faded flowers around mid-June and shorten the plants to about a third of their height. The plants should also be trimmed a little on the sides. After the second flowering, you can cut back again. Applying fertilizer after pruning gives the farmer's orchids the strength to sprout again.
Propagating farmer orchids with seeds
Farmer orchids can be propagated generatively via seeds. Harvest the seeds in fall and store in a cool, dark, dry place. Next spring, the young plants can be grown indoors from March. To do this, fill seed trays or small pots with substrate and sow the farmer's orchid seeds at a sowing depth of approx. 0.5 cm. For example, our Plantura organic herb and seed soil is very suitable as a substrate. Place the jars in a sheltered, bright place out of direct sunlight. The seeds germinate at a temperature of approx. 15 °C and continuous moistening with a spray bottle. When the plants are a few centimeters high, they can be pricked out, i.e. carefully separated and replanted about 20 cm apart. Alternatively, the seeds can also be sown directly into a seedbed in the garden in April. They germinate within about 3 weeks. When the seedlings are strong enough, they can be pricked out and the young plants then planted in their designated places.
Tip: When the young plants have reached a height of approx. 10 cm, you should cut out their tips. In this way you encourage tillering and achieve bushier growth.
If you are looking for more bee-friendly plants for the balcony, we recommend our special article on bee-friendly balcony plants.