JUNGLE IN A BOX

I got very excited when I heard a friend had decided to build a hothouse, and what better gift to take along for its opening than this box of treats? Its contents are all tried-and-tested indoor plants, some of which I grow in my cottage. All prefer a light position, without direct sunlight, and, with a little care, will become remarkable specimens. The plants will need to be potted on into individual pots, to give them the best possible growing conditions.

How to achieve the look

x Oncidopsis ‘Nelly Isler’ is one of my favourite orchids, so I was happy to find some flowering plants. Nepenthes, the pitcher plant, has fascinated me from an early age. Everything about it is exotic, and together with the staghorn fern conveys a feeling of the tropics and adventure. The brake fern plays an important role in linking the planting, providing additional interest and depth to the arrangement. Wine crates make good and inexpensive containers in which to grow plants. In this case, I have used an older box covered in lichen and moss to give the display an even more verdant look. The crate is lined with plastic and half filled with hydroleca. I have kept the orchids in their pots, but all other plants have been taken out to give me more flexibility. The key is to make the arrangement look natural and to avoid leaves and flowers facing in the wrong direction. Ideally, the crate should be planted up a few days in advance of display. The gaps between the plants are filled with orchid compost, which can be used later to pot on the ferns and Nepenthes. All the plants should be potted on a week or two later, and the staghorn fern should be mounted on a frame. Direct sunlight and drafts should be avoided, high humidity encouraged, and the plants never allowed to dry out.