Orchid Care

Caring for Orchids

My father has recently taken up orchid growing and, being the curious sort of person that I am, I was interested to learn what makes them 'special'. What sets them a plant apart from the normal houseplants grown at home and why do they appear to be a challenge to even the most accomplished gardener? My father has always been able to look after plants, both indoors and out, so it was no surprise when, having been given his first orchid as a present, he got 'hooked' on how to look after them. Even now whenever he send flowers Monash the orchid is the first choice every time.

I have 'brown fingers' not green ones, so I am full of admiration of anybody that can keep houseplants alive for more than one season. After talking with dad and doing a bit of my own research here are some tips for orchid care:



Natural conditions

When you buy an orchid, make sure you can recreate the conditions the plant requires in its natural environment. There are all sorts of varieties, some hardier than others so look at the label to check. Your local Stratton florist would be more than happy to advise you in this area, so don't be shy, just ask.



Careful Watering

Watering them about every 4 - 7 days seems to be enough, but it does depend on the season. To check if the plant needs water, push a wooden stick or pencil into the medium, if it comes out darker, there is enough there. Orchids can require different amounts of water at different times of the year, so keep checking. If you get your flowers delivered Hornsby there should be some detailed watering instructions included with the order.



Feeding

Most orchids benefit from a specialist orchid fertilizer that is fed as a weak solution and applied once a week. To do this, use only half the amount mentioned on the packet. The type of fertilizer will depend on what your orchid is growing in, so it is wise to check that first.

Repotting.

Sooner or later, unfortunately, the orchid is going to need repotting. Remove the old mix from the pot, being careful not to damage the roots. Rinse the roots and trim off any hollow or mushy ones, as they are considered dead. Place the plant into a new pot, orchids apparently like being root-bound, so there should only be about 1' between the roots and the edge of the pot. Add the new mix/medium to the pot, tapping the sides to make sure it settles properly. Press gently to settle the plant but don't use too much force or the roots may break. Use a stick to support the plant in the pot so it is secure. If your plant is growing in sphagnum moss, make sure it is damp before wrapping it round the roots and repotting, that way you don't have to worry about pockets of air. After repotting, the plant should not be watered for 3 - 5 days to allow it to recover. A flower delivery Port Phillip from your local florist should have some instructions on how to do this correctly.



After it flowers.

Check whether your orchid flowers only once from the flower spike or will flower repeatedly from the same spike. Once the plant has finished flowering, the spike needs to be removed at the base with a sharp instrument to lessen damage to the plant itself. If you aren't certain, don't cut it off! Many people get confused as to what to do when the orchid has finished flowering, and it is a tricky one to get right. Whenever I send flowers Success I always follow up with a phone call to instruct the recipient on the best methods of caring for the orchid.

Caring for it.

An important part of orchid care is looking out for various fungi or parasites. Isolate any plant that has a problem, check it out, find the remedy and start treating as soon as possible. The old saying that one rotten apple can spoil the bunch applys equally well to orchids. Always keep a well stocked garden shed containing the correct chemicals to use. I always order mine through my local Hurstville Florist who usually has the best prices in town.

The blue rose Holy Grail

Blue Roses

The beautiful blue rose, in reality, does not exist. Natural roses lack the particular pigmentation that is needed to produce the colour blue. As such, alternative methods have been devised to “create” a blue rose. Due to this manipulation blue roses are available to order from your local Surfers Paradise florist if you are located on the Gold Coast in Queensland.

The usual way to produce a blue rose is to prematurely cut a white rose, and is then dipped into blue dye, thus gradually turning the petals blue. This manipulation of nature has a sense of frankenstein about it, but is avery common practice amongst florists and flower growers the world over. Most flower varieties are produced by artificially interfering with nature. If this were to occur in animals there would be public uproar, but it seems an accepted practice within the floral community.

For years, florists all over have searched for a true blue rose, but to no avail. The quest for the absolute blue rose has been compared to the Christian hunt for the Holy Grail. As such, the blue rose is considered to be the Holy Grail of the rose world. It might not carry enough significance for Indiana Jones to embark on a quest for it, but the blue rose remains elusive all the same. Although the artificial blue rose does allow for a flower delivery Maroochydore to distribute this wonderful flower to the public.

This association wraps the blue rose in an aura of mystery – which is the main significance of blue roses. Mystery on a par with the best Agatha Christie novel, or the unattainability of an Olympic gold medal.

Mystery

The very ‘existence' of blue roses is indeed a mystery in itself, because as mentioned earlier, they are not supposed to exist! The fact that their appearance (albeit through unnatural methods) defies the course of nature makes them mysterious and ambiguous. This makes them a good choice if you wish to send flowers Jindalee to signify some mysterious meaning.

This mysteriously vague quality of blue roses is accentuated by the fact that blue roses that we have today aren't real. Their existence is purely fabricated, and this makes them even more mysterious and even creates a sense of surrealism. In short, blue roses can symbolize an appreciation for all things enigmatic. If you have this kind of relationship with your partner then the blue rose is perhaps worth considering if you wish to send flowers through your local Caloundra Florist to your other half.

Impossible & unattainable

Blue roses do not exist in the natural world. A beautiful and perfect blue rose that is searched for by all, but it still remains a dream; a fantasy if you will. Therefore, blue roses symbolize something that is impossible to achieve; something that is unattainable that will only remain a dream that can never be realized. There are only certain circumstances when the sending of blue roses will be apt. If you wish to send flowers Coomera, I'm sure they can offer some advice on whether the blue rose is an appropriate choice for your flower arrangement.

In love, a blue rose can represent a hope for a love that is impossible or unrequited. In that way, it can also signify a hope for a miracle to happen. Maybe you have your eye on a super model, who is unlikely to want to look at you twice. This kind of impossibility would call for a blue rose gesture.

New opportunities & possibilities

Blue roses also signify new beginnings. The excitement for the untold beginnings of a new venture is often expressed with blue roses. In a way, blue roses can also represent caution; the need to tread carefully in new territories that is still much unknown. Whatever rose colour you decide upon, whether it be blue, white or the old favourite, red, then you could organise a flower delivery Logan for very little cost these days. The reward for sending flowers can be immense when you see the joy they can bring to your loved ones.