Add a Touch of Tropical Sophistication to Your Interior Decorating with Orchids
by Kate McIntyrekate.mcintyre@interiordesignschoolreview.com
Interior Decorating School Review Columnist
Orchids are not necessarily the fussy, difficult creatures of popular opinion. Some species are hard to grow indoors and should be left to the experts, but others are just as hardy as other types of houseplants. Orchids' vibrant flowers and dramatic stalks can be tough for interior decorators to resist. Luckily, you do not have to try.
Shopping for Orchids to Complement your Interior Decorating
When you make the trip to a greenhouse to buy orchids for your interior decorating, you should have a good idea of the size of the plant you need and the light conditions in which it will be growing. Look for easy to grow varieties, such as Cattleya, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Paphiopedilum, and Phalaenopsis. It might be tempting to pick an orchid that is already in full-blown, glorious bloom, but you should hold yourself back. An orchid with only one or two open blooms and many unopened buds will give you a much longer blooming display in your interior decorating, which is a concern for orchids because they usually only bloom one or two times per year.Caring for the Orchids in Your Interior Decorating
Most orchids are epiphytes, meaning that they grow in trees, with their roots in the open air. Therefore, they do not grow well in soil. Instead, they should be planted in a special orchid planting mix, which might consist of chunks of charcoal or tree bark. Orchids need very good ventilation in order to survive, so orchid pots often have drainage holes in the sides as well as at the bottom. You should be careful not to water the orchids too often, or you might end up with a rotting plant in your interior decorating scheme.Go from Faux to Pro in Interior Decorating School
If you are interested in learning more about the history of orchids in interior decorating, or about how to include orchids in your own interior decorating, you should consider attending an interior decorating school. Talented professors can supplement your knowledge in this area and countless others.Source:
About the Author
Kate McIntyre is a writer in Portland, Oregon. She holds a B.A. from Harvard University and an M.F.A. in fiction writing from Oregon State University.
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