The ice cube trick and 4 other clever hacks from the British growing experts who have just launched a new online orchid shop

Struggling to stop your orchids from wilting? Direct sunlight and high temperatures can wreak havoc on the UK’s most popular indoor plant and so the largest orchid grower in Britain, Double H Nurseries, is advising flower fans to make some simple changes to their normal plant care routine.

Their blooming advice comes as they officially launch a new online orchid shop – Love Orchids – where Brits can buy four orchids from as little as £20 including free home delivery.

The Hampshire-based nursery normally sells its orchids in major supermarkets but with lockdown, demand plummeted as no-one could buy the plants. So, they switched to selling online and since the new Love Orchids shop was unveiled just under two months ago, over 50,000 plants have been sold to homes across the country – saving the orchids from the compost heap.

Here the Love Orchids’ plant expert Mark Riley gives his top tips on keeping your plant blooming for weeks in the summer heat :-

Millions of Phalaenopsis orchids – pronounced Fal-en-op-sis and commonly known as moth orchids – are sold every year and normally require minimum upkeep. But as temperatures rise, the summer heat can result in orchid flowers quickly flopping.

1. Water TWICE a week instead of once– orchids normally only need a weekly water but in high temperatures this should be increased. Run your orchid under a tap or let it soak in the sink for a few minutes. Wall-watered roots have plump green roots. If they look silvery grey or shrivelled, pop the plant under the tap.
2. The ICE CUBE trick – add a few ice cubes to the surface of the bark instead of watering, avoiding the leaves. They will gradually melt and provide the required hydration. Make sure any surplus water is removed from beneath the orchid within an hour as orchids don’t like sitting in H₂O.
3. Grab some GRAVEL and give misting a MISS – orchids originate from warm tropical Asia and prefer humid conditions, rather than dry. Increase humidity for your orchid by placing the pot on a layer of wet gravel, keeping the water level below the top of the stones. Avoid using a water ‘mister’ as this can lead to spotting on the flowers and deposits on the leaves as many water supplies are ‘hard’, containing limescale.
4. Do add some FEED – orchids grow more actively during the summer so add fertiliser to the water fortnightly. Their nutritional requirements are very minimal so only use orchid specific ‘food’ and never exceed the recommended dose. During cooler weather, orchids can happily survive on water without additional feed.
5. DON’T let it shine – orchids love a bright window but they are not keen on direct sunlight, particularly in hot, dry weather. They also don’t like radiators. East or west-facing windows and bathrooms are best.

Mark Riley from Love Orchids said: “Growing orchids in the summer heat is really easy as long as you make some simple tweaks to your normal plant care routine. An extra water a week, some plant food and a position away from direct sun is key. Orchids look beautiful, can flower for months and last for years. And there’s an orchid for everyone’s tastes.”

The range of orchid products and gifts available at www.loveorchids.co.uk includes:

Mini orchids – from £20 for four including delivery

Large orchids (single stem) – from £28 for four including delivery

Large orchids (twin stem) – from £40 for four including delivery

Mini orchid in ceramic – choice of pink or white mini orchid in its own ceramic pot £19 including delivery

Mini orchid duo in ceramics – two orchids in two stylish ceramic pots £30 including delivery

Mini cascade orchids – from £28 for four including delivery

Mini cascade orchid in ceramic – choice of pink or white mini cascade orchid in its own ceramic pot £22 including delivery

ENDS

For further press information contact Emma Mason at emma@emmamasonpr.co.uk 07762 117433

Notes for editors:

Double H Nurseries, which runs Love Orchids, was established in 1961 and supplies over 4.5 million indoor plants to UK retailers including orchids, roses, poinsettias and chrysanthemums.