Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Wed, Dec 02, 2009
If you are looking for a reason to keep orchids in your home or office, we'd like to offer you the words of inspiring author Eckhart Tolle, from his book A New Earth.
"...Humans would increasingly be drawn to and fascinated by them [orchids]....They provided inspiration to countless artists, poets, and mystics."
"Flowers, more fleeting, more ethereal, and more delicate than the plants out of which they emerged, would become like messengers from another realm, like a bridge between the world of physical forms and the formless."
Everyone can agree on the beauty of orchid blooms, they can be small and delicate or can be large and showy. The blooms are long lasting and although not strongly fragrant are beautiful to the eye.
Although orchids typically will only bloom once a year but it is that blooming period that can take an orchid lover’s breath away. Although orchids are not hard to grow and are fairly hardy plants they do need moisture, humidity, and light. With the proper conditions, the orchid lover is rewarded for their patience with a beautiful flower spike.
Orchid lovers find the unflowered orchid plant unusual in color and appearance. Some plant lovers may consider an orchid out of flower unattractive, but when you look carefully at the color and texture of the stalk and leaves you will find an unusual beauty that when nurtured will explode with a flower spike and wonderful color rewarding the patient grower.
Orchids have long lasting blooms and require only a few ice cubes a week to keep them watered!
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Sat, Nov 28, 2009
Here's some of the interesting things that Wikipedia can teach us about orchids. Orchidaceae, the Orchid family, is the largest family of the flowering plants. The family includes the Vanilla (the genus of the vanilla plant), Orchis (type genus) and many commonly cultivated plants like some Phalaenopsis or Cattleya.
Here are some other wonderful trivia tidbits...
- There are nearly four times the number of orchid species than there are mammal species on our planet and more than twice the number of bird species.
- About 800 new orchid species are added each year by horticulturalists and orchid growers.
- Orchids are widely spread in many different climates, but they do not live in glacial environments or in the desert.
- The majority of orchids grow anchored to trees in subtropical and tropical climates. They are considered epiphytes meaning that they do not have to have their roots in soil to grow.
- We sell only the Phalaenopsis variety of orchids as we consider them easy to grow and of superior beauty for home decor.
- Vanilla comes from orchids. When you smell or taste Vanilla, remember that it is a wonderful gift to us from these beautiful flowers, orchids.