If you have ever admired a beautiful orchid and thought, “That plant probably needs a greenhouse, relax. It doesn’t. You can grow healthy, flowering orchids without a greenhouse in Kenya, whether you live in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Eldoret or somewhere.
Indian Summer looks as though someone took a fine paintbrush and went wild. Its warm golden-yellow petals are covered in intricate coral-red and burnt-orange striping, almost like tiny tiger markings, with a glowing yellow-orange lip right in the centre.
These are among the most fascinating orchids you can add to a collection. They can be unusual, sometimes wonderfully strange, and their flowers often look completely different from the familiar Phalaenopsis orchids found in many homes.
Is your orchid dropping flowers, developing yellowing leaves or looking wilted despite frequent watering? The culprit is likely orchid root rot one of the most common, yet reversible, issues faced by orchid growers.
Balconies can be wonderful spaces for growing orchids: fresh air, natural light and room to display these beautiful plants. But orchids aren’t your typical balcony flowers and they need a bit of thoughtful planning to thrive in an outdoor setting.
Growing orchids from back bulbs is as much about patience as it is about technique. Not every bulb will succeed, but when one does, the reward is a new plant with the exact genetics of a cherished parent preserved, multiplied and ready to bloom.