Host an Event Volunteer Join Tickets

Support the plant database you love!

Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?

A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.

Help us grow by giving to the Plant Database Fund or by becoming a member

Did you know you can access the Native Plant Information Network with your web-enabled smartphone?

Share

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants

Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.

Search Smarty Plants
See a list of all Smarty Plants questions

Please forgive us, but Mr. Smarty Plants has been overwhelmed by a flood of mail and must take a break for awhile to catch up. We hope to be accepting new questions again soon. Thank you!

Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.

 
rate this answer
Not Yet Rated

Sunday - August 31, 2008

From: Spalding, NE
Region: Midwest
Topic: Herbs/Forbs
Title: Care for an orchid
Answered by: Barbara Medford

QUESTION:

I have another question. How do I care for an orchard. I have had it close to a year and it hasn't grown. How much water do they take.

ANSWER:

We are really hoping that you meant orchid, not orchard. We know about tree care, but caring for a whole orchard of trees might be a bit much. So, we'll give you information we can find on caring for an orchid. If that's not right, get back to us, and we'll try again.

There are literally thousands of orchids found around the world. We searched our own Native Plant Database on Family Orchidaceae, and then Narrow Your Search for Nebraska. This gave us the names of 20 orchids that are native to your state. Since we have no way of knowing what orchid you have, native or non-native, we are going to refer you to the American Orchid Society. On the home page of that site, follow the link to Orchid Information, and then to Orchid Basics. By hunting around on that website, we believe you'll get answers to your questions on orchids. 


Corallorhiza maculata

Corallorhiza odontorhiza

Cypripedium parviflorum

Dactylorhiza viridis

Galearis spectabilis

Platanthera hyperborea

Spiranthes lucida

Triphora trianthophora

 

 

 

 

 

More Herbs/Forbs Questions

Moving School House lilies in Austin
March 02, 2009 - I live here in Austin in zipcode 78729. I have a clump of School House lilies in the back of the garden. I would like to move them to another bed under a tree. Is this a good time to move them? Should...
view the full question and answer

Will Echinacea outgrow Spanish Needle?
July 07, 2016 - I'd like to plant some Echinacea in an area where Spanish Needle has been growing. I've pulled up the old plants, but I know there's seed there, actually everywhere in my yard! Is there any variety ...
view the full question and answer

Can non-native coleus grow in mulch from San Antonio
May 12, 2013 - Can Coleus plants grow in Mulch only?
view the full question and answer

Will several Penstemon species hybridize?
March 19, 2013 - I have Penstemon cobaea, Penstemon triflorus, Penstemon cardinalis, and Penstemon murrayanus in my landscape. Will they hybridize with each other?
view the full question and answer

Plants for a property near a conservation area in MD
July 18, 2011 - Can you tell me what native plants and the type of landscaping that would be good to plant in front of a forest conservation area that is on a steep hill behind our future house? It is located in Manc...
view the full question and answer

Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today.