New Hampshire Home January-February 2023 - 52

GARDEN Rx
Left: Cattleya aclandiae is a small growing Brazilian Cattleya species that can be grown on a bright windowsill.
Right: Masdevallia ignea 'Monica' is a very bright selection of this species that grows in the high cloud forests of the Colombian Andes.
plants in the expert category, " Usseglio
says. " They were so unique and grown
exceptionally well. " She became friendly
with some of the growers and sought their
help to determine what was right for her
environment. " I was growing on a windowsill, "
she explains. " Paphiopedilums
caught my eye and one of our members,
Bob Cleveland, was very successful with
them. After picking his brain and taking
his advice, I was able to get them to
flower. Then I was really hooked. "
Later she started noticing dendrobiums
and masdevallias. " I really liked the
cool growers but was not set up to grow
them, " she says. " I asked Chuck Andersen
to tutor me on the basics as well as the
intricacies of growing different types of
orchids. " He showed her the kinds of medium,
how to water and fertilize and the
different culture requirements. He also
suggested the plants he felt were a good
fit for her situation.
It was at this point that she began
experimenting with terrariums. " It was
the closest I could get to a greenhouse
environment. The terrariums allowed
me to have a good light source, keep the
humidity up, and prevented me from
overwatering. I now have a total of five
Show Time: " Celebrating Orchids "
Susan Usseglio has been the secretary of NHOS for 10
years and is co-vice chair of the show committee, ribbon
judging chair, member/vendor auction chair and
helps with a lot of behind-the-scenes duties that are
needed to accomplish a successful show. This year's
theme for their 30th anniversary show is " Celebrating
Orchids. " The show will be held February 10-12 at the
Courtyard by Marriott on Southwood Drive in Nashua.
Admission price is $10 for adults, $8 for seniors, a
three-day pass for $20 and children get in for free.
Additional information can be found on their website,
nhorchids.org.
Take a break from winter! Make plans to attend the
Appendicula malindangensis 'Susan' hails
from Mt. Malindang in the Philippines.
show and enjoy the floral displays, but beware, you
too may become hooked on these seductive plants.
50 New Hampshire Home | January / February 2023
tanks, " she says. " I will be forever grateful
for the help and kindness Chuck and
Sue Andersen showed me and continue to
show me. "
Usseglio's advice to beginners is to take
a look at their growing situation and get
plants that will fit that environment. Then
they can branch out, experimenting with
different kinds of growing habitats. " Try
not to make the mistake of 'go big or go
home.' Gradually expand your collection
to your comfort level and experience. The
funny thing about orchid collections is
that they do change over time, " she says.
Today her collection is a combination of
hybrids and species. " Dendrobiums are
a favorite of mine as well as paphiopedilums
and mini-cattleyas, but I am always
open to anything new and interesting. If
I think I can grow it and get it to flower,
then I will try, " she says. " I have had
more successes than failures lately, but
as any orchid grower will tell you, if you
don't have a collection of tags from your
dead soldiers then you are not an orchid
grower, " she says with a laugh. NHH
RESOURCES
Mason Hollow Nursery * (603) 878-4347
masonhollow.com
New Hampshire Orchid Society * nhorchids.org

http://www.nhorchids.org http://www.masonhollow.com http://www.nhorchids.org

New Hampshire Home January-February 2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of New Hampshire Home January-February 2023