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Taste of the tropics: a guide to orchids
Dealing with roots
Old roots naturally die over time and new ones will form. Check carefully and you'll be able to see the difference between healthy, living roots and dead ones. Dead ones are soft to the touch. If you give them a tug you will pull back a skin-like cover to reveal a coarse fibre inside. Trim dead roots back to their base.
Don't worry about long roots growing out from the plant but missing the pot. There is no need to bend them down into the bark compost, as this will most likely snap or damage them. Aerial roots have adapted to absorb moisture from the air so they don't have to be buried in compost. If aerial root growth becomes unsightly or hard to handle, you can selectively remove or shorten a few of them.
How to feed and water
Water orchids about once a week or twice during hot weather in summer. This can be done one of two ways. The first involves pouring water over the bark compost and roots from above, letting water drain through, then discarding the excess. Don't leave pots sitting in deep water for more than a few minutes.The second method is to dunk the whole pot and all aerial roots in a bucket or sink of tepid water. Completely submerge it for a few minutes so that the bark absorbs the water. Splash water on to all the aerial roots to wet their surface. Now stand the pot on a draining board to let the excess water drain away, before returning it to its windowsill position. Take great care not to leave water standing in the crown of the plant among the leaves, or it will rot. If you spill water in the crown, just pour it into the sink and dab dry with a tissue.
Because bark compost is almost devoid of nutrients, you must feed the plants instead. Add orchid feed to every third or fourth watering. Several types of liquid feed are available.
Where to buy
You should be able to pick up a flowering moth orchid for around #20 (depending on how many stems it has and whether it comes in a pot) from any garden centre or florist. DIY and high street stores, for example B&Q and Marks & Spencer, also stock them for most of the year, along with many supermarkets. If you're looking for something a bit different, there are lots of specialist orchid nurseries that can help with your specific needs.
- Blooming Direct www.bloomingdirect.com 01534 857 160
- Burnham Nurseries www.orchids.uk.com 01626 352 233
- Deva Orchids www.devaorchids.co.uk 01978 762 454
- McBean's Orchids http://www.mcbeansorchids.co.uk 01273 400 228
- Ratcliffe Orchids www.ratcliffeorchids.co.uk 01962 777 372
Web orders only:
- Euro Orchid www.euroorchid.com
- Ivens Orchids (for orchid sundries) www.ivensorchids.co.uk
Discover more
There are many orchid-related books, societies and websites that offer excellent practical growing advice. Many sites list local orchid shows and events. To find out more, we recommend the following sources:
For a good read
101 Easy-to-Grow Orchids, RRP £14.99, by Wilma andBrian Rittershausen
Websites
All About Orchids, www.orchid.org.uk
Easy Orchids, www.easyorchids.co.uk
Orchid Answers, www.orchidanswers.co.uk
The Orchid Society of Great Britain, www.orchid-society-gb.org.uk
The Scottish Orchid Society, www.scottishorchid.info
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