Magazine

With their majestic appeal, striking elegance and refined beauty, orchids are one of nature’s most magnificent works of art. Since Ancient Greece, these tall and exotic blooms have symbolized beauty, love, luxury, fertility and strength. With nearly 28,000 species, orchids come in many colors and sizes. Their stunning displays of alluring flowers evoke a sense of joy and serenity in anyone who lays their eyes on them, making them the perfect gift. As popular houseplants, orchids are pretty additions to most spaces, whether at home or at the office. However, once the delicate flowers have fallen and the plant stops growing, people often mistake it for being dead and are quick to toss it away. Looking after orchids is not as high maintenance as many may think, despite their reputation for being tough-to-grow plants. While their care may differ, once you take the time to learn their basic needs, you can enjoy beautiful blooming orchids for years, if not decades, to come. Let’s go over some essential tips to ensure you have happy, healthy and blossoming orchids:  For starters, orchids love brightness, so find a well-lit room to place them in, making sure they don’t get exposed to direct sunlight as that scorches the leaves, countering hopes for proper flowering. Moderate temperatures are necessary, preferably between 16 to 24 degrees Celsius. Also, position your orchids in a room where the night gets a few degrees colder than the daytime to guarantee sufficient blooming. You mustn’t overwater as that leads to roots rotting, which prevents the plant from absorbing water and nutrients, causing it to eventually die. To avoid this, water the plant once a week or, better yet, just before the potting medium dries out. You can follow a couple more instructions to ensure excess water effectively drains out - such as using pots with drainage holes and a porous potting medium (like bark or moss), not soil. While we’re not looking to overwater, we still need the orchid’s surrounding atmosphere to be humid. For that, we recommend placing the pot in a damp tray of pebbles or gravel, or misting the plant daily for adequate humidity that mimics the orchid’s tropical origins. For strong, vibrant orchids, feed with a specific fertilizer once the flowers have fallen - either weekly or monthly, depending on the variety - to supply the plant with extra nutrients to blossom back. Lastly, we advise cutting withered and spent stems whose flowers have fallen, as the same stem does not usually rebloom. Ultimately, consistency, not so much expertise, makes for successful orchid nurturing. Once you have created the above conditions, you will be able to enjoy these exquisite plants year after year.

Houseplants have a tremendous impact on the atmosphere thanks to their natural air purifying health benefits, not to mention their instant effect on the mood and feel of your personal space. So why not use lush plants and colorful flowers to make your home even more vibrant? Reflect on your space’s size, layout and decoration While it may be tempting to buy a bunch of plants without any thought as to where they might go, it’s best to look around your home and decide first on how big your plants should be. Do you have room for something large or would it be better to opt for small, easy-to-care-for plants? Do you prefer a consistent theme throughout your interior design or a contrasting display of plants and flowers? Consider placement There are many locations around the house where placing a plant or flower arrangement can invite fresh energy: Entryway - Greet visitors with an exquisite statement piece that reflects the style and ambience of your home, be it a single houseplant or an eye-catching flower arrangement that elevates the décor and creates a lasting first impression. Shelves - Plant shelves are all the rage now, and for good reason. They come in infinite styles, colors and sizes and create the perfect backdrop for displaying your collection of small-potted plants like cacti, succulents, ferns and more. Corners - If you have a bare-looking corner, add a pop of color with large plants like indoor dragon trees and coconut palms. Place them in big pots that don’t block the way but still allow the plant to grow nice and tall. Walls - Think of plants, especially the hanging variety, as artworks that jazz up a plain wall with their green hues and stylish pots. On a similar note, stay mindful of plants and flowers like Lily of the Valley, Wisteria, Daffodil and Hydrangea, which are harmful to children and pets if mistakenly ingested. Such pots should be kept well out of reach for safety. Switch up with the seasons Nature gifts us with an abundance of plants and flowers that change as the year goes by. This natural cycle is the perfect chance for you to refresh your décor and renew your interior design vibe based on the season. Let your own personal touch shine. With interior plant scaping, the choices for adding life and beauty to your home are boundless. Need help? Get in touch and we can arrange for our team to flower your home.