This Morning’s Article: Orchids are an addictive, exotic houseplant
Photo courtesy liza31337/Flickr
Orchids have always struck me as an intimidating plant. Although I admire their beauty, I’ve never taken the plunge and attempted to grow one myself.
I’m aware that there are some varieties that are easy to grow as houseplants and, judging from how often I see them for sale in grocery stores and home centers, those varieties are easy to find. However, my intellect wars with my emotions on this one plant, and I allow myself to be daunted at the idea of growing an orchid.
All that changed recently when I had the opportunity to have a conversation with Art Chadwick of Chadwick Orchids in Richmond. He has convinced me that every indoor gardener should consider an orchid for their home.
March 9, 2013 - 6:45 AM
KH – I have been growing orchids for about 10 years. I currently have 7. They are addictive! When I lived in NoVA, I was close to Gordonsville and went to the greenhouse there and picked up two different ones. One is called “Sharry Baby” and smells like chocolate when it blooms. Another one is “Nodosa” and when it blooms you only smell the flowers at night. I also have the Moth Orchids that I get on clearance at the big name hardware/garden center stores. The Phalenaopsis or Moth Orchids have done very well for me. Their blooms will last for months! I just have them in a southwest facing window and about once a week or every 10 days, I will put them in the sink and water them and let them drain. Then every other week, I mix up Orchid fertilizer and fertilize them. I really do enjoy my orchids! They do well for me – not like those amaryllis bulbs that I have.