The range of orchids on offer is constantly growing. The focus this month is on six undiscovered treasures which push the envelope and offer supernatural beauty.
Exciting peepholes
Fairy tale shapes and supernaturally beautiful flowers: orchids are perfect natural elements for creating an otherworldly atmosphere. You can use them to create an indoor space which gives the feeling that anything is possible. The unusual semi-transparent structure of these houseplants – slim stem, heavy crown, bizarre tendrils – help to create exciting peepholes. If you play around with mirrors and perspectives, the flowers can appear to float through the room.
Beautiful alienation
This style trend includes watery patterns with spots and splashes, but also semiprecious stones, crystals and a starry sky. Combine the spectacular shapes of these remarkable orchids with shiny porcelain, iridescent glaze, pots with graduated colour and batik motifs for an extra-dreamy effect. Unusual colours such as dark green, dark red, lilac and grey-green contribute to the fantasy mood. The alienation is complete if the slender shapes of the houseplants contrast with twisted branches nearby.
Orchids and care
If the air indoors is very dry, e.g. as result of central heating, it’s best to mist orchid buds every day. That prevents them from drying out and not opening. All orchids look best with ‘loving neglect’. You only need to immerse the pot in water with orchid food for half an hour every 10-14 days, then allow to drain thoroughly. Remove wilted flowers and otherwise leave the plant alone.
Full & rich
Cymbidium does not resemble a classic orchid at all, thanks to the lavish quantity of grassy foliage. That makes it a beautiful full houseplant from which one or more branches emerge, on which a long series of beautiful cup-shaped flowers appear which can continue to bloom for two to three months. The flowers can be yellow, green, orange or cream. Place Cymbidium in a light spot but keep it out of direct sunlight..
- In the wild Cymbidium grows from the tropical rainforest to the Himalayas, including places with winter frosts. Around 70 species are known.
- Repotting the plant after flowering and placing it in the garden (it can cope with a touch of frost) increases the likelihood of a new wave of flowers.
- The name Cymbidium comes from the Greek ‘kymbe’ which means ‘boat’, and refers to the hollow in the flower’s lip.
- The orchid symbolises ethics and virtue; in Asia it is an honour and a sign of respect to receive or be allowed to give a Cymbidium.
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