‘Don’t lose hope’, orchid expert says as she reveals five ways to keep your supermarket-bought blooms living for longer

THERE's over 25 thousand species of wild orchid - they're the world's second largest plant family.

And although some are incredibly rare, they actually grow all over the world - from the depths of a tropical rainforest to underfoot in the UK.

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This year's , which is now opened to the public, is inspired by the island of Madagascar - and has an incredible array of some of the most stunning orchids in a natural setting.

Around 5000 orchids were used to create the fabulous floral displays throughout the Princes of Wales conservatory, helped by Master Florist and Kew Ambassador .

There are so many orchids on sale in our local supermarkets - but there's a knack to keeping them going.

Solène Dequiret, Supervisor of the Princess of Wales Conservatory told Sun Gardening: "It’s normal for orchids to develop brown or yellow stems after flowering and once the plant enters a period of dormancy.

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"You can cut back the stem above a node which could lead to more flowers, or to trim the stem back to the base which will allow the orchid to conserve energy for new growth.

"It takes time to get the reward of a new flower spike, don't lose hope.

"Some varieties (such as Phalaenopsis) flower multiple time a year or continuously if happy!"

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Here's Solène's five top tip's to keep orchids going for longer.

TEMPERATURE

The orchids which are available at garden centres can handle house temperatures but keep them out of cold drafts and away from direct heat- they will do best in a room which has a constant temperature, usually between 15-20 degrees c.

LIGHT

Orchids can’t tolerate direct sunlight, so keep them out of sunny spots as they can get burnt. Indirect light is best, for example a north facing windowsill, but do move it around the room to figure out where its happiest- it’s always a bit of trial and error.

WATERING

Orchids hate being overwatered! Sitting in water for too long can cause their roots to decay, which might mean the plant will die off. The best way to water your orchid is to submerge the pot by leaving it to soak before draining completely.

They also don’t like tap water as it can be hard, so if you can, try using rainwater. Watering needs will change with the seasons, so check it regularly to make sure it’s doing ok.

FOOD

Feed orchids regularly to keep them happy, usually every other week with an orchid fertiliser to top up nutrients. This ensures they will have enough energy to make new flowers.

REPOTTING

Another key to a happy orchid is to repot it every year or two to stop the roots becoming too cramped. Do this once the orchid has finished flowering, chopping away any dead roots with clean scissors when you do. Use ready-made orchid compost from the garden centre.

The Orchid Festival runs until March 3, 2024.

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