CityView Magazine

20 | March/April • 2014 While it seems as though Keith's gardening would more than take the place of full-time employment, it is anything but a chore. As his wife Kris, with whom he just celebrated a 43rd wedding anniversary, said affection- ately, "He has always liked to play in the dirt." Keith's Top Tips In his second career as a basic skills coordinator at Fayetteville Techni- cal Community College, Keith sup- ported adult learners in their quest to become literate or obtain their GED. As evidenced by his profession and popularity at Green Side Up, educat- ing a novice on the care of a seemingly intimidating plant comes naturally. In his spare time, he enlightens gar- den clubs around the Fayetteville area with his talk "ink Like an Orchid." In about an hour, Keith can demys- tify the successful proliferation of the most temperamental cultivar. With more than 25,000 naturally occurring species and more than 100,000 hybrids, orchids require spe- cialized care. However, no matter the grower's level of expertise or the fin- icky nature of the plant, there are a few "tried and true" hints for success: 1. Do not overwater. In the wild, most orchids grown in trees, with roots wrapped around branches, exposed to the elements so that they may take in nutrients from the air and rain. If the growing medium of a "houseplant" or- chid is too wet, the roots will rot. 2. Research the orchid and repli- cate their natural environment. ey grow on every continent except Ant- arctica, so growing medium, nutrition and sunlight requirements will vary greatly between species. Keith said, "I've had to move plants from one side of the greenhouse to the other, or even create microenvironments to mimic their natural growing conditions." 3. Have patience. Some species go from seed to bloom in as few as three years, with most common orchids flowering in five to seven years. Oth- er plants may take as long as 10 to 15 years to bloom. "I had a Dendrobium for 12 years before it bloomed. I was beginning to wonder if it ever would. When it finally did, I published it on my Facebook page!" expressed Keith. Varieties for the Novice With such a deep appreciation for so many species, can the expert have a favorite? Yes, and surprisingly, it's one of the three most commonly recog- nized and widely available orchids in the United States: the Cattleya. Cattleya (CAT-LAY-AH) "Boy, do they put on a show!" ex- claimed Keith. With flowers ranging from three to seven inches….two to six weeks, the Cattleya, also known as the Corsage Orchid, exist in every color ex- cept blue and black. ey bloom once LOCALLY OWNED & OPERATED By Steve Hopper Mention this ad and receive 10% off! How does your lawn look? Turf Fertilization/Weed Control • Tree & Shrub Insect Control • Tree & Shrub Disease Control • Turf Insect/Disease Control • Fire Ant Control • Core Aeration • Call for a FREE Estimate 910.426.2266 or visit us online at www.spring-green.com/shopper get 8 issues per year of CityView delivered to your door for ONLY $24 CALL ToDAy 910.423.6500 or visit us at www.CityViewNC.com CityView The Food and Wine Issue Chef Judy Chops Our Own Food Network Star Bon Appétit! Food and Drink Pairings Fayetteville's Lifestyle Magazine | www.CityViewNC.com October 2013 Citylicious A taste of what's happening around town Photography by Anna Lester

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