And on this special weekend I want to tell you about a most special plant, a breathtaking
orchid that has delighted royalty for centuries.Don''t assume, as many people do, that all
orchids are finicky and demanding plants grown only by a privileged few blue-blood gardeners. Many orchids are temperamental and
tough to grow in a
home or
office environment. But there is a very special orchid that anyone can successfully grow.It''s the Phalaenopsis orchid, a fancy name for moths coined by Carl Linnaeus, the great botanist of the 1700s. " Over time this endearing orchid came to be known as "Moth Orchid." And when it blooms its beautiful
flowers indeed bear a striking resemblance to a large
moth in flight.But this horticulturist is hard on house plants, often forgetting to water and care for them properly. But I''ve never lost a moth orchid, which says more about their tough constitution than my horticultural prowess. How tough are moth orchids?So I broke off a big stalk of radiant moth orchid flowers from a plant in my office, stuck it in a pretty vase and, with great humility of spirit, presented the flowers (on bent knees) to my better half. The orchids, and the bent knees, instantly restored the peace.Moth orchids serve me well.Simply water them once a week and pour off any excess water. Standing in water will often root their roots. To keep moth orchids growing and blooming, add a small amount of Miracle-Gro or Rapid-Gro to the water every third or fourth watering. But don''t over fertilize. About -1/4 teaspoon in a quart of water is all that''s needed. Moth orchids come in a marvelous array of flower colors: pure white, yellow, lavender and shades of deep reddish-purple. They also come with exotic stripped patterns. With minimal care moth orchids will live and flower for years in a home or office environment. An Easter lily makes a fine gift. A moth orchid makes an incredible gift. Southwood Nursery is a good local source. Happy Easter.
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