Homegrown These beautiful and delicate ‘creatures’ get under your skin because one is never enough
Orchids make beautiful houseplants and their popularity has grown in recent years, thanks to the proliferation of easy-to-carefor Phalaenopsis orchids, whose beautiful flowers can last for months.
But these are just the tip of the iceberg, orchids are one of the largest plant families in the world and there are varieties suitable for almost every room of the house, from the warmest lounge to the steamiest bathroom. Glamorous and flamboyant Cattleya orchids come in sumptuous colours but they are no divas, growing quite happily in a warm and bright position. Feed them in summer and repot every two to three years and they will keep on performing.
Cymbidium orchids produce a multitude of small flowers and there are many varieties worth growing. These prefer cooler temperatures than many orchids and if kept too warm the flower buds will fail to form so it is best to keep them in a cool room, only bringing them into the living room once the flowers start to open.
Top-heavy Dendrobium orchids sometimes require staking in order to keep them upright, but it is worth making the effort for these beautiful flowers. They do best in the warmest, brightest room in the house and even though the plants themselves can grow to a reasonable size, they flower more profusely when their roots are kept slightly cramped in a small pot.
Alternatively you might prefer to grow Paphiopedliums, or Lady’s Slipper orchids, some of which have beautifullymottled foliage. They are not as common as some of the other orchids, but they also make elegant houseplants and are easy to care for, so long as they are given a warm and bright position and are not over-watered during the winter months.
All these orchids are reasonably simple to look after, but the danger with growing orchids is that it is very hard to stop at just one or two and before you know it you have a large collection and want to start growing some of the trickier kinds. The Orchid Society of Great Britain is a nationwide club where enthusiasts can gain a wealth of information.
And when its doors open again, the glasshouses at Glasgow Botanic Garden are home to one of the finest orchid collections in Scotland, making them worth a visit for anyone who is bitten by the orchid bud.