Orchids are known for their style, versatility, easy care and long flowering period. The plant has been incredibly popular for decades. And with good reason: it is a special plant with a rich history and many interesting facts. We have listed a few of them below. Read on to find out more about orchids.

 

Orchids belong to one of the largest plant families

With around 25,000 different species of orchids, the orchid family is one of the largest plant families. They originate from tropical and subtropical areas, such as Southeast Asia, Central and South America, and parts of Africa.

 

 

Growing in trees

In the wild, orchids mainly grow in humid rainforests, under the canopy of tall trees, where they are protected from direct sunlight. Most species are epiphytes: they do not root in the ground, but grow on trees and obtain their nutrients from humidity and organic material in branch forks or mosses. For this reason, orchids are grown in bark, so that the roots get enough light and air.

 

 

Spread to Europe and the Netherlands

In the 17th and 18th centuries, during the heyday of international trade (VOC era), exotic orchids were first brought back from Asia and South America by European botanists and collectors. They arrived in the Netherlands via botanical gardens, such as the Hortus Botanicus in Leiden (one of the oldest in the world), where tropical plants were cultivated under glass.

The plants immediately attracted a great deal of attention. Previously, they had only been available to a few particularly wealthy enthusiasts. Later, improvements in cultivation methods made orchids available to the general public.

Read also: The 5 benefits of orchids

 

Best-selling flowering houseplant

Orchids only became really popular in the Netherlands in the 19th century, especially among the elite, as a symbol of luxury and exoticism. In the 20th century, with the advent of modern greenhouse construction and horticultural technology (particularly in the Westland region), large-scale commercial cultivation of orchids began and the plants became accessible to a wider audience. The plant has since become the best-selling flowering houseplant and orchids adorn millions of households worldwide.

 

 

Patio-proof orchids

What most people don’t know is that some orchids can also be kept outdoors in the summer. If the plants are in the shade and the temperature does not fall below 10 degrees, you can also enjoy some orchids outdoors. In this article, you can read which orchids are suitable for this.

Patio proof orchids: these orchids can go outside

 

Read also: These are the 11 most popular types of orchids

Have you just bought an orchid or are you planning to get one? Then of course you want to enjoy this beautiful plant for as long as possible. There are a few things you can look out for to ensure you buy and maintain an orchid in top condition. That’s why we’re giving you 5 tips for maximum flowering enjoyment.

 

1. The more open flowers, the more flowering enjoyment

At the grower’s greenhouse, orchids are kept under ideal conditions (light, temperature, humidity). There, almost all buds can open without any problems. As soon as the plant leaves the greenhouse and ends up in transport, shops or living rooms, it is exposed to changing conditions (drier, colder, draughts, less light). This can prevent some of the flower buds from opening. When buying a new orchid, choose one where at least half of the flowers are already open. That way, you can be sure that it will bloom immediately and there is a greater chance that the remaining buds will be ripe enough to open as well.

 

2. Place the orchid in a bright spot

Orchids love lots of light, but not direct sunlight. Fortunately, this does not mean that you can never place an orchid in a window frame. Just choose a window where the orchid will not be exposed to direct sunlight.

 

3. The ideal temperature: 15 – 25

Orchids are tropical plants by origin. That is why they thrive at room temperature. Therefore, maintain a temperature between 15 and 25 °C to enjoy your orchid for as long as possible.

 

4. Keep the orchid away from a fruit bowl

It is best to keep your orchids away from the fruit bowl. Ripe fruit produces ethylene, which flowering orchids do not like. This can also cause bud, flower and leaf drop.

 

5. Avoid draughts

Make sure your orchid is not in a draught. A little fresh air now and then certainly won’t hurt, but be careful with windows and doors that are often open. Cold or dry air currents can cause the buds or flowers to fall off your orchid more quickly. Orchids also don’t like being close to the heating. In summer, when the heating is off, this is of course not a problem.

 

Bonus tip: extra nutrition for a flowering boost

You can make orchids shine even more by giving them a little extra nutrition. Give the orchid a little orchid fertiliser once a month in summer and once every two months in winter. Use special orchid fertiliser to ensure that it has the right composition.

 

Want to know more detailed care tips? Check out the orchid care guide.

Did you know that some orchids can also be placed outside in the summer? As long as they’re in the shade and the temperature doesn’t drop below 10°C, you can enjoy the beauty of orchids outdoors too. And since we are increasingly turning the garden into an extension of our living space, orchids naturally shouldn’t be missing there. Read on to discover which orchids are suitable for this, so you’ll know which ones can turn your backyard into a tropical paradise this summer.

Patio proof orchids

 

Dendrobium Nobilé

The Dendrobium Nobilé is perfectly suited for the patio. It’s a hardy orchid that stands out thanks to its flower clusters, which form at the base of each leaf. The stem looks a bit like bamboo, hence its nickname: bamboo orchid. The color varies from pure white through yellow and orange to red, purple and combinations of these. The average flowering period of a Dendrobium Nobilé is 6–8 weeks.

Read more about the Dendrobium Nobilé

 

 

Oncidium

The Oncidium orchid, also known as the “dancing lady orchid,” owes its nickname to the graceful flowers that seem to dance in the wind. This tropical plant often blooms richly with yellow or speckled flowers. Oncidiums love plenty of light, moderate watering, and a bit of extra humidity, making them ideal for indoors but also outside. Just make sure to place the orchid in a patio or conservatory, so it gets enough light but is not in direct sunlight. The average flowering period of an Oncidium is 5–8 weeks.

Read more about the Oncidium

 

 

Paphiopedilum

The Paphiopedilum also does very well outside in summer. Again, place it in a patio or conservatory so it’s not in full sun. Paphiopedilums are also called lady’s slippers because of the shape of the flower, which has a slipper-shaped lip. This helps them trap insects. In nature, they mainly grow in the forest’s humus layer and sometimes on rocks. The average flowering period of a Paphiopedilum is 6–8 weeks.

Read more about the Paphiopedilum

 

 

Also read: These are the 11 most popular types of Orchids

The orchid adds colour and a great vibe to your home, and blooms for a long time. Not to mention how well this plant fits in with the latest home trends. In fact, the orchid is one of the most versatile plants around. So, time to showcase the orchid, in all its rich colours and shapes! 

Bring spring into your home with orchids

 

A colourful kitchen 

An easy way to add more colour to your kitchen, is with orchids. It might be slightly less common to put plants in the kitchen, but even there they can create a whole different atmosphere. Bonus: watering has never been so easy! 

Also read: Patio proof orchids: these orchids can go outside

 

 

Tropical spa-oasis

Incorporating orchids in the bathroom is the perfect way to breathe life and style into a functional and mostly tiled room. With its high humidity, the bathroom makes the perfect home for this tropical plant. As long as the orchid has access to some natural light, you will have a bloomin’ good plant to brighten up your bathroom. 

 

 

A summer table with orchids

Summer is the perfect season to enjoy long, leisurely dinners. A beautiful table setting can make these summer evenings extra special. Orchids, with their elegant and exotic appearance, are ideal for creating a stylish table decoration.

Also read: how to create a summery table setting with orchids

 

 

International Orchid Day 

As the ‘Queen of the plant kingdom’, the orchid even has its own day. International Orchid Day takes place annually on the first Thursday of September. During this special event, we celebrate the plant in all its beauty and versatility. Are you celebrating this day with us?

There’s no way around it: Burgundy – this season’s trend colour. A deep and rich shade that we see in clothes, make-up, interior design and much more. It is a colour that fits beautifully with the change of season and immediately radiates warmth. You can easily integrate this colour into your interior by painting a wall or in accessories. But how great is it to add Burgundy in the form of orchids to your interior? Because let that be a common colour for orchids. Read on for inspiration on how to style this season’s trend colour Burgundy in your interior.

Read also: This is the Flexa Colour of the Year: True Joy

 

Burgundy

Burgundy, a deep and rich shade that lies between red and purple, is a popular colour in interior design these days. Named after the French wine region of the same name, this trendy colour adds warmth, depth and luxury to spaces. It is a colour that works beautifully on its own and adds warmth to any living room. But it also brightens up any room as a spontaneous accent colour. We show you some examples!

 

 

 

Inspiration

Burgundy immediately adds a warm, welcoming atmosphere to a room. The colour is intense without being overwhelming, which makes it a wonderful choice for living rooms and bedrooms. In spaces where cosiness and warmth are desired, such as a lounge area or a dining room, burgundy creates a cosy, intimate setting.

 

 

Accessories

If you don’t want to paint the walls right away, you can easily incorporate this color into accessories. Think cushions, rugs and, of course, orchids! Especially in the autumn and winter months, when we like to make our interiors more cosy, burgundy can bring a lot of warmth as an accent colour.

 

 

Read also: How to bring natural design into your interior this autumn

Easter is coming – for many, it’s a festive weekend with delicious meals enjoyed at a beautifully decorated table, surrounded by family or friends. Fresh flowers are, of course, a must. When it comes to Easter decorations with flowers and plants, many people immediately think of the color yellow. And rightfully so – yellow symbolizes the sun, light, and spring, as well as hope and optimism – all things associated with Easter. Read on for Easter decorations with orchids.

Easter decorations with orchids

 

 

Orchids in Easter colors

Those who prefer cut flowers in a vase often go for Easter classics like daffodils or tulips. But if you want to enjoy your flowers for a longer time, blooming potted plants are a better choice – and that quickly brings you to orchids. Among the popular Phalaenopsis, also known as moth orchids, white and pink are usually most common. However, there are definitely beautiful varieties in Easter shades as well. The selection ranges from soft pastel yellow to bright sunshine yellow. There are even multi-colored varieties – for example, yellow flowers with delicate pink veins or a vivid red lip. Potted orchids are available year-round in all colors, but yellow blooms are especially fitting in spring.

 

 

On the table or as a gift

Orchids come in all sizes – from mini to maxi. The smaller, elegant varieties are perfect as table decorations. Several grouped together in a decorative bowl make a stylish centerpiece without obstructing the view between guests. After the holidays, this Easter decoration can easily be taken apart, and the plants can be placed back into their own pots – ready for a second life. Yellow orchids are not only eye-catching on the table but also make a stylish and lasting gift or thoughtful token.

 

Easy care

Orchids are impressively low-maintenance. Some orchids you can give a weekly soak in water, while others prefer misting the aerial roots and leaves several times a week – either way, these exotic plants thrive. Just make sure they’re not placed in full sun; partial shade is ideal. With the right care, orchids will bloom for weeks, and after a short rest, they’ll produce fresh flower spikes for lasting enjoyment.

 

Need more inspiration to decorate your Easter table? Then also read:

• 5 Easter decoration ideas to make yourself
• Orchids as a feature on the Easter table

Recently, Happy Monday Blog’s enthusiastic sisters Leoni and Tineke got to work on orchid styling. They are both photographers, have a great sense of styling and love for flowers and plants. Leoni and Tineke call each other every Monday to catch up. Hence, their blog is called Happy Monday. Those who follow their blog or Instagram channel have been able to admire the results. Doesn’t that make you happy every day? Read on for inspiration!

Read also: Create a cozy & comfortable home office with orchids

 

 

Light and open spaces

Although the sisters’ houses are more than 50 km apart, you wouldn’t say so when you see the interiors. One seems like an extension of the other as Leoni and Tineke both like a calm style with lots of light and space. White walls form the base along with a grey or wooden floor.

 

 

The interiors make extensive use of natural materials such as rattan, wicker, linen and wool. This creates a warm, inviting atmosphere. If you check out the interior photos on their blog or Instagram channel, also pay attention to the doors. Leonie and Tineke have a love for old ones.

 

 

Colorful mix

In calm, light interiors, orchids come into their own. The colours of the different flowers seem even more intense. To create eye-catchers, the orchids are not scattered around the house, but grouped in pots. Although Leonie and Tineke opted for a colourful mix of yellow, pink and white orchids, the overall look remains calm. This is due, for example, to their choice of pots. They are mostly white. No, the different shapes and structures do not make them boring. Apart from white pots, the exotic flowering plants have also found a place in sea grass baskets and wooden crates.

 

 

Curious about Tineke & Leonie’s blog? Then visit happymondayblog.nl and follow them on Instagram via Happymonday.blog.

 

Want to know more about caring for orchids? Find care tips here.

Plants are not only beautiful; they are also beneficial for the (living) climate of the environment. Greenery indoors has a positive impact on people’s health and overall well-being. In this article, we delve deeper into the positive effects of indoor plants and provide some colorful examples of how to style long-lasting orchids in your interior.

Boost your wellbeing with long lasting and colorful orchids

 

The positive effects of indoor plants

Indoor greenery purifies the air and reduces concentrations of CO2 and volatile organic compounds, making the indoor climate fresher and healthier. Additionally, plants contribute to maintaining proper humidity levels through evaporation, reducing the likelihood of headaches and enhancing concentration. All of these factors result in indoor plants providing a boost to concentration, focus, and productivity – a must for your interior!

 

 

A healthy work environment

Integrating plants in and around the office and other workspaces is also beneficial for the climate. Plants in the office space reduce stress, improve concentration, and contribute to higher satisfaction with the workplace. This positively impacts the health and overall well-being of employees and visitors, promoting increased concentration, stress reduction, and higher labor productivity.

Read also: Create a cozy & comfortable home office with orchids

 

 

In summary, there are plenty of reasons to adorn your living and working spaces with a dose of flowering indoor plants. We provide you with inspiration on how to easily incorporate flowering indoor plants like orchids into these spaces.

 

 

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for more styling en care tips.

Mealybug or aphid. All bugs that are not welcome on orchids. Of course, you hope your orchid will never suffer from it, but unfortunately it is a common plague on many types of plants. If it does happen, in this article we give tips on what you can best do about it.

 

What to do with mealybugs?

Does your orchid suffer from lice? Then here is a useful tip! To combat the lice, mix 90 ml of spirit, 140 ml of water and 3 drops of detergent or green soap. Shake well and spray on the lice. Be careful with the flowers, though, as it may stain them. You can also buy lice control products at the garden centre. Usually you have to repeat this a few times, as lice are stubborn.

Also read: Care tips from the orchid growers

 

How do you recognise mealybugs?

Mealybugs can be recognised by small white bugs of about 3 to 5 millimetres that secrete a substance that looks like cotton wools. Like almost all lice, mealybugs also secrete sticky honeydew. You can recognise this by the shiny speckles on the leaves of your orchid. The bug feeds on plant sap. It causes unsightly puncture marks on the leaves, but can also weaken the weakened one, making it more susceptible to other pathogens.

 

 

What causes mealybugs?

Mealybugs are strongly attracted to moisture. So if you have mealybugs on your orchid, it could well be that the plant is getting too much water. Aphids often appear in the winter months when the humidity in the house is too dry and the pot and roots too wet. Draughts can also be a cause. When fighting mealybugs, it is therefore important not to water the plant too much in order to further repel the aphids and eventually deprive them of nutrition.

 

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest for more inspiration and care tips!

 

Keukenhof is the perfect place to celebrate spring in the Netherlands. The flower park in Lisse will be open for the 75th time from March 21, 2024. It’s one of the most beautiful attractions in The Netherlands and is visited by people from all over the world.

Also read: This is Peach Fuzz: Pantone’s Colour of the Year for 2024

 

Keukenhof 2024

Keukenhof will be open from Thursday 21 March to Sunday 21 May 2024. The 15 km hiking trails are laid out in such a way that you have a spectacular view of the fragrant flower gardens and flower greenhouses. During your walk, you will see unique, weekly changing flower shows, beautiful ponds and various pavilions with restaurants and terraces. In addition to the flower gardens, Keukenhof is also home to the largest sculpture park in the Netherlands. You can admire many images here, made by national and international artists.

Keukenhof displays flowers and blooming plants not only outdoors, but also indoors. In the Beatrix Pavilion, you can enjoy orchids in a wonderful colourful ambiance!

 

 

Practical information

Keukenhof is open from Thursday 21 March to Sunday 12 May 2024, from 8:00 am – 7:30 pm. More information and tickets can be found on their website.

Address:
Stationsweg 166A
2161 AM Lisse

 

Also read: Boost your wellbeing with long lasting and colorful orchids