The beauty of orchids

Cattleya Love Knot. Phalaenopis on a tree trunk.

Vanda Josephine van Brero. An all-time favourite – Phalaenopsis.

THE GLORIOUSNESS OF Orchids

ENJOY THE BEAUTY AND LUXURIOUSNESS OF ORCHIDS IN YOUR HOME ALL YEAR ROUND

They have adorned bridal bouquets, buttonholes, offered advice on how to keep orchids happy and healthy. boudoir’s – and in fact every room in the home. ¥ Water orchids mid-morning. They’re almost as happy indoors as they are out, ¥ Don’t over water. Watering once a week is fine. Flush them and have the ability to lift our spirits with their under a tap or soak them in a tub of water, but make sure they gorgeous presence. don’t have wet feet.

There are over 33 000 different ¥ Phalaenopsis do not like direct species in the world and new sunlight. They like high light (not varieties are being discovered deep shade). They also like a lot all the time. The luxuriousness of air movement and humidity of these amazing plants can (ceiling fan is fine). uplift the dullest setting and the ¥ Fertiliser is also important for a saddest of moods. They are, thriving plant. Feed them with a of course, orchids and they slow-release fertiliser. have been a passion of Durban ¥ Orchids prefer being in the resident, Melanie van Greunen, open air, so it’s a good idea to for most of her life. leave them outside when you

Melanie – a previous vice- go to work. president of the Natal Orchid ¥ When your orchid has finished Society (NOS) – said she fell in flowering, keep it outside. love with orchids when she was ¥ Orchids love being attached only five years old and has never to trees. If you want to go this lost her love for these amazing route, attach the orchid to a tree plants which she nurtures in her with an old stocking and hang it garden and home close to the upside down. This only applies beach in Durban North. to the Phalaenopsis.

Orchids are often the “go to” ¥ If you need to re-pot your gift if one is looking for a plant as  Melanie van Greunen with a Miltonia var Moreliana. orchid, do not use soil or a present, but it’s a sad fact of compost. Moss or small pieces life that the majority of orchid recipients have absolutely no idea of bark with a sprinkling of polystyrene balls (to aerate) is fine. how to take care of this precious, delicate flowering plant. Note: Melanie will be holding an open gardens orchid fair on

Melanie shared some tips with us on how to care for the most August 7. Email Melanie on reservation@fairwaydurban.co.za if readily available orchid in South Africa – the Phalaenopsis – and you would like to attend. H