Yes, The Frustrated Gardener is 40 today. Happy Birthday to me! Rather than indulging in a mid life crisis I am having something of a Maria Carey moment and have filled the house with white butterfly orchids ready for tonight’s party. I considered doves and puppies, but they make too much mess and won’t stay still. When this evening finally arrives, I hope my party guests appreciate the orchids’ Geisha-like beauty through the bubbles in their glasses. I am celebrating with Cornish fizz, the delicious Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rose, which is a real treat. For once I am happy we’re expecting a cold snap – it means we can keep things nicely chilled outside.
Needless to say butterfly orchids (Phalaenopsis) do not enjoy the cold. These once enigmatic flowers are now the UK’s favourite houseplant, and no wonder when Ikea are selling them for little more than £5 a pop. The popularity of orchids has come about as a result of advances in horicultural technology. This has meant that plants can be quickly cloned from clusters of cells, ensuring they are all a uniform size and colour. Just what retailers love.
Moth orchids are especially popular because their exotic flowers, borne on arching stems, last for up to six months. They are also little more expensive than a short lived bunch of flowers. The trick is to get them to re-flower, which can be encouraged by trimming the fading flower stem to the node (joint) just below the bottom flower. A new stem should emerge from this node and produce flowers within a few months. At £5-£10 for a small plant, it can be less hassle to buy a new one. I should really take this on board and get rid of all the flowerless plants I have floating around the house.
Whilst I especially love the whites and the whites with cerise centres, I was taken with a variety called “Moscow” when shopping the other day. It makes a pretty accent on top of a chest of drawers and will survive perfectly well in low winter lighting, away from a window.
I would love one day to have the right conditions to grow trickier orchids (too late to ask for a greenhouse for my birthday do you think?), but for now I’m happy to make do with a Phalaenopsis or two.
Top and bottom, Phalaenopsis “Moscow”.
Categories: Container gardening, Flowers
Happy Birthday, Dan! Welcome to the world of adults – but don’t let that force you to act your age. I too am taken with ‘Moscow’ although I tend to be a little suspicious of orchids ever since a good friend said in our youth “Isn’t nature marvelous – she can even make plastic flowers!” Over here orchids definitely still tend to premium prices, although that does seem to be slowly changing. But well grown pot roses, begonias, gerberas, etc. have also dropped in price. I’ve taken to buying pot roses and growing them on, just for the fun of seeing what becomes of them.
Thank you Jack. I agree about them looking a bit artificial, and I do prefer the slightly more delicate species generally. Have tried a couple of cambrias but they don’t seem to reflower very well. Not humid enough indoors. I guess they have almost become disposable. You can’t beat a good Begonia and Clivias seem to like me – I expect you can grow them outdoors?
happy birthday and I truly enjoy your postings….
Thank you so much. I’ll keep them coming…..
A big happy birthday from down under! Enjoy the celebrations this evening and don’t over do the bubbles too much.
Thanks Helen. Four hours until party time. Will try not to overdo it 😉 Have a safe journey to the UK.
Happy Birthday! I hope that you have a wonderful party! I, too, enjoy having orchids in the house. I have six or seven Phalaenopsis orchids that have been flowerless for about the last four months and I had to fight the temptation to throw them away. One finally has new buds, though, and all have signs of growth, so I am pretty excited.
Hi Laurie. I had a wonderful Birthday thank you. A party I shall remember for many many years. A few pictures coming tomorrow ….. including more orchids.
Happy birthday, The orchids are gorgeous. It is too cold in my house to have them so your photos are especially appreciated. Happy gardening, traveling, and blogging in this very special year.
Thank you Judy. Family celebrations planned for next weekend so I still have something to look forward to 🙂
[…] mentioned moth orchids in a previous post and here are more decorating one of our windowsills. The conditions here are pretty good for […]