Orchids and Flowering Bulbs Popular Heirloom Plants
Do you value the past? If so, you may already own some antique furniture. But did you know there are living antiques, too? They exist in the form of plant species called heirloom plants that have been passed down for generations.
Perhaps the finest of these heirloom plant species is the orchid. While many people think orchids require a great deal of maintenance, several varieties, such as Paphiopedilum, are surprisingly easy to care for. Popular with orchid enthusiasts for hundreds of years, Paphiopedilum orchids have large, bold blooms that are so colorful as to be a focal point in any room.
Another popular orchid variety is the cattleya orchid, which sends up stalks covered with clusters of small blossoms. Cattleya comes in yellow, pink and white as well as other, more subtle colors.
To care for either of these orchid varieties, you will need a potting mix specially made for orchids, a terra cotta pot, and a tray filled with small pebbles. Most purchased orchids come in small plastic pots or as bare root plants which are not currently growing in soil. If you bought the potted variety, remove it from the pot. Fill the clay pot with potting mix and place the orchid into the mix at the same depth as it was in the plastic pot.
The best way to water orchids is to place them under tepid running water for about two minutes. Allow the pot to drain thoroughly, as standing water in the pot will kill an orchid. Place the pot on the pebble filled tray and place the potted orchid and tray in an area that receives indirect sunlight. Be sure to check the plant once a week and re-water if the soil is dry.
Flower bulbs are also popular heirloom plants, which have been cultivated for hundreds of years. Bulbs are hardy enough to thrive and multiply despite years of neglect. This is why new varieties of heirloom bulbs are continually being discovered.
Daffodils are an especially prolific bulb and comes in many varieties, from the small, true daffodils to the larger narcissus. They are also available with many different petal shapes and may be scented or unscented. If you like scented blooms, you may also want to consider hyacinths, which are known for their strong fragrance and vivid colors.
You will find that any bulb variety you choose is easy to grow. Start by filling a container with potting soil, leaving the top six inches of the pot empty. Place the bulb, narrow end up, onto the soil, then cover with soil to the top of the container. If the weather is still cold, place the container in a cold, sheltered area like a shed or garage.
When springtime comes place the pots in a sunny window inside the house turn on the wireless outdoor speakers, and listen to music while watering them regularly until they sprout. Once you see blooms, plant the bulbs in your garden. If your landscaping plans do not include bulbs, you may discard them and buy new ones the next year.
So if you love to collect antiques, why not try collecting plants, too?
