Orchids - Care Tips

COLORS AND SHAPES OF THE ORCHID

The orchid fits almost every style, so this beauty deserves the title 'perfect flower'. There are more than 25,000 varieties, but at your florist you usually see the tropical beauties. The flower comes in many beautiful colors, from the almost powdery pastel shades to sweet candy pink or bright white. Even the tiger prints, cow spots and stripes have been thought of. Do you go for the butterfly-like Phalaenopsis, the vampy Vanda, the slender Cymbidium or more the 'Venus' slipper' Paphiopedilum. All as beautiful as they sound.

SYMBOLISM OF THE ORCHID

Pure friendship is what the Orchid symbolism stands for. So if you give her as a present, do like the Brazilians and give a kiss for every flower. It was also First Lady Jackie Kennedy's favorite flower. Speaking of stylish…

ORIGIN OF THE ORCHID

You never ask a lady her age. That is possibly the reason that no one can tell exactly how old the stylish orchids from the almost largest plant family in the world are. What we do know for sure about the orchid is that many of the orchid's beautiful colors and shapes originate in the tropical rainforest's.

ORCHID CARE

With the orchid you get a style icon into your home, but fortunately one without star allures. The flower doesn't need a lot of extras to steal the show for weeks:

• Cut 3 to 5 cm from the stems diagonally.
• Put the orchids in a clean vase or flower tube in tap water.
• Repeat every five days.
• Add cut flower food for a longer shelf life.
• Do not touch the delicate interior of the flower to prevent rapid wilting.
• Keep the flower away from direct sunlight, central heating and the fruit bowl.
• Regularly top up the vase with water.