TAMING YOUR ORCHIDS

Orchids grow all over the world, except Antarctica – but the most dazzling are in Asia and Australia.

IN THE WILD many orchids are epiphytes or lithophytes and grow a ached to trees or in rock crevices where they will absorb water and nutrients from the rain, air and plant li er. WHEN TAKING THEM OUT of their tropical or sub-tropical jungles, and especially if you want to grow them indoors, you become their source of food and water. TO GROW THEM INDOORS,

plant orchids in a free-draining growing medium that doesn’t offer much in the way of nutrients but gives the orchid support.

Don’t worry if the roots want to escape their pot. That’s what they do naturally. MOST ORCHIDS

THRIVE in warm, humid conditions. And, while indoors is generally warm enough for them, airconditioning and heating dry out the air. To combat this you need to create a humid miniclimate for them – add clean pebbles to a shallow tray, fill with water and put your po ed orchid on top . EXPOSE THEM

to bright but not direct sunlight when you grow them indoors. Outside, choose a warm, shady, sheltered spot. Different types of orchids have different watering and feeding needs, so check with your local nursery.