Orchids are Easy - Honest!

Back in the Victorian days, the owning of orchids was something reserved for only the very rich who paid small fortunes to have rare specimens shipped over from far-away jungles and mountains. Because of this exclusivity, the orchid has gained an unjust reputation for being difficult to keep. Whilst this reputation is true for some more specialist orchids, of which there are estimated to be over 25,000 different species and another 50,000 of orchid hybrids, it would be unfair to accuse all orchids of this.

The most commonly available orchid nowadays is the Phalaenopsis Orchid, also known as 'Moth Orchid' due to the wing-shape that the beautiful petals make. As a result of their ease of hybridising it is impossible to know how many different varieties there are of Phalaenopsis Orchids and unfortunately very few are given their full variety names when sold in garden centres and nurseries which makes it a tad bit annoying for serious orchid growers.

However, not knowing the name of an orchid should not deter you from having a go at keeping one. From my days working at the local garden centre, I constantly heard customers oohing and aahing over the stunning flowers but following it with a "I couldn't possibly keep one of those. They're so exotic looking." Whilst the later of those sentences is true - they are indeed 'so exotic looking' - they are probably the easiest houseplant to grow and keep.

You don't need any fancy glasshouses or propagators to keep a Phalaenopsis happy. All it requires is a bright (but not in direct sunlight) position and to be watered about - and this is usually the bit that scares people - once every three to four weeks. To be honest mine are lucky if they get water once every six to eight weeks!

Most orchids sold in garden centres are grown in clear pots. This is to allow maximum light to reach the roots to enable faster growth. Some 'experts' exclaim that the clear pots must always be visible to ensure a healthy orchid but as far as I'm concerned, so long as the orchid has had a good start to life (and by that I mean if it's already flowering when you get it) then the root system is established enough and the clear pot can be disguised by a more attractive pot cover that fits with your decor more tastefully. Lets face it, the roots of an orchid aren't really it's most attractive attribute. Always make sure though that your orchid has excellent drainage as they HATE sitting in water.

Common concerns that orchid owners would approach me with were:

" the leaves are going yellow" =solution: you're giving it too much water. Allow it to dry out and new leaves should grow through lush and dark green. The existing yellow leaves won't recover so don't expect miracles.

"the roots are sticking out of the pot. Can I cut them off?" =solution: Phalaenopsis roots are aerial which means they do not need soil or growing medium in order to grow. In their natural habit of tropical rainforests, orchids grow high up in the branches of trees, clinging to mosses or other plant types. The roots can, and will, get moisture and nutrients from the air around them and so whilst roots sticking out of pots can be unsightly it is best to leave them to do their thing. If you really don't like them though, and there are enough healthy roots in the pot, then by all means, cut them off - you cruel, heartless person, you!

"there's sticky, cotton-wool-like stuff in the base of the leaves" =solution: What you have there, my friend, is an annoying pest referred to as 'woolly aphid' or 'mealy bug'. It particularly likes a warm, moist environment which means that if you're keeping your orchid in its most favourite conditions, you're most likely to come across these little fellas. Treatment is simple though as a mild infestation can be wiped off with a damp cloth, making certain to get deep into the base of the leaves or for more severe cases, a systemic insecticide can be used. If the orchid is in flower when you spray, trey not to get the insecticide onto the petals. It won't harm the plant but may mottle the flowers and ruin your lovely display.

"the flowers have finished. Now what do I do with it?" =solution: okay, this one is never easy to explain without an actual example to hand to show you but I'll give it a go anyway. If you look closely at the stem that has been flowering you will see 'nodes' (lumpy bits) at intervals up the stem. Got them? Right... now tracking from the top of the stem try to find the 'node' that is directly below where the very first flower was and cut the stem just above that. If you can't work that out, then you can also work up the stem and cut above either the 3rd or 4th 'node'. Once you've cut the stem you then have to practice some patience and, what should happen is, the stem will branch out with a new flower spike from the node below where you cut. Fantastic, huh? More flowers!

Alternatively, if all that care just seems like way too much hard work (and basically if it does -shame on you!) then you can buy a plant just as it is breaking into bloom for usually about £10-£15, depending on the number of branches it has, and just enjoy the flowers while they last. Normally the flowers will last for a minimum of eight weeks (given no care) and more often than not will last for several months at a time. Fantastic value for money if you ask me. Think about it...How much would you spend on a bunch of cut flowers only to have them last for about three weeks if you were lucky?

There's no competition for me. Phalaenopsis orchids everytime please.