NORTH TEXAS (CBSNewsTexas.com) — Orchids first appeared on the planet about 120 million years ago. It first appeared as an herb in Chinese culture some 3,000 years ago. If you like the smell of vanilla, you'll enjoy the orchid ( Vanilla planifolia is the only orchid that produces something edible).
Maybe you have an orchid - it is one of the most talented plants. With proper care, this plant can easily live 10 to 15 years in a container. Remember that this is a growing plant that will need to be repotted every few years.
Plants indicate your desire for a bigger house. The roots started leaving the pot, looking for a place. Resist the temptation to put it in a container that is twice the size of the old container. Choose those that are slightly larger, the roots must stay close together for optimal plant health.
There are a few tricks to giving an old orchid a new home. The root system is usually dense and debris must be carefully removed before being incorporated into the new soil. I highly recommend trimming any damaged or dead roots carefully with sterile shears or small pruners. Then when you give the orchid a new home, remember to put all the roots that are firmly planted in the pot and into the soil.
In the summer months I take my orchid outside in full shade. I make sure to give them ice cubes once a week to keep them hydrated (the ice melts slowly and falls to the ground). Bring them in late summer to make sure the temperature doesn't dip below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, don't forget to feed them every two months as it will be difficult for them to get all the food they need while growing in pots.
The World of Orchids exhibition at the Fort Worth Botanical Garden features an impressive collection of orchids. There is also an art gallery that shows people's love for plants for a long time. The exhibition lasts until April 9.
Aside from the poinsettia, orchids have the dubious reputation of being one of the most overlooked plants. If you're smart, give it the basic care it needs and you'll have lasting blooms at least once a year for a decade. Orchids make a living.
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