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Catch Orchid
Fever
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(ARA) - From corsages pinned
to prom dresses to exotic specimens in greenhouses, orchids are
the most glamorous flowering plants in the world, but few know
just how easy orchids are to grow and how affordable they've
become.
"Believe me, orchids are
easy to grow," says orchid grower Steven Frowine in his
book "Orchids for Dummies."
"Phalaenopsis or 'moth orchids'
are among the most popular plants in the world," he says.
"They're the perfect choice for first-time orchid fanciers
because they are so easy to grow, the colors are spectacular
and the flowers last for months."
Plus orchids are a great gift
for today's budget-conscious shoppers and they keep blooming
for months with little to no effort. This spring, look for new
phalaenopsis mini-orchids that are only 12 inches tall and come
in decorative pots with gift tags for under $15. |
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These affordable mini-blooming
machines make perfect "living gifts" for Mother's Day,
birthdays, housewarming and teacher gifts, college students,
and your boss and colleagues. In other words, give an orchid
to someone -- even if it's to yourself.
"What attracts most people
to orchids are the exotic colors," says Alex Calzadillia,
orchid expert with Costa Farms. From sublime pear and lime yellows
to passionate orangey reds and rich purples, orchids surprise
with colors and patterns like individual snowflakes.
Orchids are a great way to spruce
up your interior in delicious shades of red and yellow without
breaking the budget on expensive redecorating.
But orchids are more than just
a pretty face. They provide oxygen and are great natural air
filters that clean indoor air of carbon dioxide and many indoor
toxins. And since orchids do their "heavy breathing"
at night, they are perfect bedroom buddies. Learn more about
the fascinating world of indoor plants at www.O2foryou.org.
How to choose and care for your
mini-orchids
Years ago, the methods of orchid
growing were well-guarded secrets, hoarded by commercial growers
and private estate gardeners, but now the secret is out. Calzadillia
offers these tips to help you have success with orchids:
* Water your mini-orchids thoroughly
by drenching them in a sink or watering container until the pot
feels weighted. After a few days when the orchid becomes very
light in weight, it's time to re-water. Remember never to leave
your orchid in standing water.
* Feed your orchids with a good high-nitrogen fertilizer weekly,
but remember to dilute the fertilizer as instructed. This will
help to bring blooms back the following year.
* Orchids enjoy indoor temperatures between 60 to 75 F during
the day and above 55 F at night.
* Remember to place them in a well-lit area, but not in direct
sunlight.
* Depending on the growth of the orchid, you may consider repotting
every one to two years. When repotting, use a medium of large
bark and/or moss-like mix, which you can purchase at your local
garden center.
Available at your neighborhood
retailer, these mini-orchids come in a wide variety of colors
in both 3-inch and 6-inch pots with eight to 10 blooms on every
plant. |
