Garden Centre

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Houseplants with attitude

Okay, I admitted defeat. While I find it almost impossible to keep houseplants alive (two small dogs, one acrobatic cat and a very draughty house all combine to destroy anything green in a pot) I saw this and succumbed to temptation. For the same price as a single bouquet I obtained this wonderful orchid. It’s a moth orchid, botanically known as Phalaenopsis.

Research tells me that it likes bright but not pure sunlight, which can scorch it and that the key to success is to water it properly – when the compost starts to feel dry I should pour tepid water through the pot until it comes out of the bottom. Hmmmm – rainwater is its preferred tipple, so I shall have to get a jug of same from the water butt and bring it indoors. Suddenly my orchid is seeming like a lot of work!

Apparently it also requires liquid orchid feed about every four times its watered between March and September and should be standing on a bed of damp pebbles.

Those glorious flower spikes may remain in bloom for three months and when they fade I cut them to just above the second node and hope a sideshoot will appear. Phew – I really hope I can keep this demanding beast going!

Labels: houseplants, moth orchid, Phalaenopsis

The All Seasons Gardener at 1:17 PM

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