Moth orchids – and how to keep them happy
Phalaenopsis (moth orchid) is the easiest and most successful indoor orchid. It is a handsome plant with moth-shaped flowers in pink, white or creamy yellow. Expect to pay £10-£15 for a good specimen, but they are great value. Flowers should last three months or more.
They do eventually shed, so remove them to keep the plant tidy, but don’t remove the spent stem because a new shoot will often grow and flower again. Also a happy plant will send out a new one from the base so, with care, your plant should flower for years.
Stand orchids where air
can circulate and where they get plenty of light, but not direct sunlight.
Never water with tap water – use rainwater or cooled, boiled water left over after your cup of tea.
And don’t over water. Let them nearly dry then give them a drenching.