We stock moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) here in the shop and are always asked for care advice, so here are some essential tips to help you care for your orchid (courteousy of Kew): Only feed your orchid when it is actively growing. This is when you see new flower stems or roots appearing. Use a normal houseplant fertiliser (diluted to half strength) with every other watering Water from the top when the pot feels dry and light in weight. Allow to dry out between waterings. Orchids prefer rainwater to mains water in hard water areas. Place your orchid on a tray of wet pebbles to increase humidity. Repot orchids every two years. After flowering, remove old flower spikes and tip the plant out of its...
Ever wondered why we celebrate Mother's Day in the UK? Here are a few facts that may be of interest: "Mothering Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent. Although it's often called Mothers' Day it has no connection with the American festival of that name. Traditionally, it was a day when children, mainly daughters, who had gone to work as domestic servants were given a day off to visit their mother and family. Most Sundays in the year churchgoers in England worship at their nearest parish or 'daughter church'. Centuries ago it was considered important for people to return to their home or 'mother' church once a year. So each year in the middle of Lent, everyone would visit their...
With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we sell far more roses than any other flower during the month of February! Here is a colourful history of the rose from the University of Illinois: They have been symbols of love, beauty, war, and politics. The rose is, according to fossil evidence, 35 million years old. In nature, the genus Rosa has some 150 species spread throughout the Northern Hemisphere, from Alaska to Mexico and including northern Africa. Garden cultivation of roses began some 5,000 years ago, probably in China. During the Roman period, roses were grown extensively in the Middle East. They were used as confetti at celebrations, for medicinal purposes, and as a source of perfume. Roman nobility established...
The popularity of red roses on Valentine's Day dates back to the nineteenth century when the Victorians used floral bouquets to deliver coded messages to love interests. This system was know as floriography and it officially cemented the rose's romantic status. A red rose represents 'love' due to the colour red being linked to passion. A pink rose can mean appreciation and grace, a yellow rose stands for friendship and happiness and a white rose represents innocence.
Whatever message you want to communicate this Valentine's Day, roses remains a timeless choice and we offer a dozen red or white roses available to buy online.
