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In a Vase on Monday: Orchid you not!

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Over the last few weeks we’ve been lucky enough to watch our orchid boast a number of large, full blooms. It really is a spectacular display

Over the last few weeks we’ve been lucky enough to watch our orchid boast a number of large, full blooms. It really is a spectacular display given we’ve not given this orchid much attention other than watering.

I was reading Ciar’s In a Vase on a Monday post in Carrots and Calendula and I thought to myself, what a great way to show off our lovely orchid!

The In a vase on a Monday posts were started by Cathy at Rambling in the Garden, and so this is my contribution.

This orchid is a phalaenopsis orchid, or more commonly known as a moth orchid because somebody somewhere thought that the flowers resemble moths (perhaps someone bred a brownish one first). I think these look more like butterflies personally. Around 10 years ago or more there was an advance in orchid breeding techniques which meant that they became easier to grow and supply the market with. As a result, the cost of an orchid became more reasonable. Orchids are now Britain’s favourite house plant – especially the moth orchid as they don’t require much attention.

Our moth orchid has been with us since 2014 after it was given to us as a moving in gift. It’s been living on our windowsill ever since and has benefited from as much sunlight the UK has to offer.

I would estimate that the main stem is at least 40cm – 50cm in length and hasn’t required any stabilising, it’s simply been leaning on the window. The only stabilising I’ve given it is the stick in the pot that I added to take a decent photo. I suspect that this year in spring, we’ll need to repot this orchid as the roots are starting to escape the top of the pot.

Moth orchids are great because they can flower all year round – the rise in orchid sales can also be attributed to the fact that they last longer than a bunch of cut flowers and they really do add a great splash of colour to any room or windowsill.  With white and pink blooms on offer from our orchid, a pink pot does the job superbly.

I’m hoping to do more of these type of posts in order to give the house plants some coverage. Thanks Cathy for the inspiration! 🙂

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  1. Cathy

    Gosh, that is an orchid and a half, Adam – it must be very much at home with you and how you must have cringed when I referred to my two many orchids which were unlikely ever to flower again! Are they really Britain’s favourite house plant now? Would you ever consider cutting astem to put in a vase? Other bloggers have done this before, I know, and most of us are braver at cutting ‘special’ plants. Thanks for sharing today, Adam, and perhaps see you again next week

    Reply
    1. Adam Leone

      It’s such a size, we’re honestly quite amazed. Oh I didn’t cringe at all – orchids clearly do have a history of wanting to do their own thing. According to an article in the Guardian some years ago, orchid sales have increased 30% year on year. I don’t have the confidence to cut the stem of our orchid until the flowers die off… Seems a little cruel. No, thank you! I think I’m going to enjoy these posts 🙂

      Reply
  2. Christina

    Beautiful!

    Reply
    1. Adam Leone

      Thank you 🙂

      Reply
    2. Adam Leone

      Thank you! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Silly Little Sheep

    My little white orchid has gone crazy over Christmas – it lives in my classroom and after 17 days of holidays I came in and it had 21 flowers! They are amazing and beautiful. They have been selectively bred to be hardy and withstand the dry conditions of our flats and houses but misting does them good. The roots escape the pot because in the wild they grow as epiphytes – on branches of other plants, which means they get most of their moisture from the air – hence the air roots. Good luck and I hope ot flowers again soon. Mine generally do twice a year.

    Reply
    1. Adam Leone

      Mine’s still in flower! Have you got a picture of yours? I need to do another one of these sorts of posts – my aloe Veras are something else. It’s amazing really! The logic of breeding them for indoor conditions is genius really when you are a step back and look at it 🙂

      Reply
  4. Olesja

    Hello, I’m feeling a bit silly asking this, but is there a chance you could make your phalaenopsis to produce a keiki so I could buy it?
    I’ve been looking for this particular colour in UK and EU for the past couple of months, but it seems they only have them in Russia/Ukraine.
    If you cannot do that, maybe I could buy the spike after it’s finished blooming and try to make it grow a keiki?
    I know it’s a strange thing to ask, but I’m actually desperate.
    😅

    Reply
    1. Adam Leone

      Goodness me, don’t feel silly! Sadly I wouldn’t have the first clue about producing a Keiki. I can try though. Where are you based?

      Reply
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