IMAGINE a garden decorated with orchids of various species and hybrids, with a pool shaded by a pergola or a pond filled with koi and other fish that contrast with the hues of the plants.
It surely is relaxing and therapeutic.
Maintaining an orchid landscape at home may not necessarily be one’s idea of relaxation, but those who have tried creating an orchid landscape in their garden, living room and car porch or even hanging a plant or two in their bathrooms may agree that it is easy to do and relaxing.
There is no limit to how one creates an orchid landscape that suits personal tastes and preferences; all you need is a little imagination.
A small section of the garden devoted to orchids, if well-tended, will provide one with talking points and may even awe friends and relatives.
The choice of orchids is important if the landscape is to come alive with vibrant colours that can sooth a tired mind. Patience is key as there are more than 25,000 species and nearly as many hybrids to choose from!
For the outdoors, the most reliable bloomers can be the commonest of terrestrial orchids such as Arundina graminifolia, as locals call it bamboo orchids, and Spathoglottis plicata or palm orchids.
Unlike Arundina graminifolia which offers few choices of varieties, Spathoglottis offers many colourful and hardy hybrids suitable for a garden landscape. Both species and hybrids grow well in well-drained pots filled with earth, sand and compost.
Other good choices are epiphytes such as Cattleya, Epidendrum and Phalaenopsis. Cattleya and Epidendrum are not local species but there are many choices of pretty local Phalaenopsis such as P. cornu-cervi, P. fuscata, P. zebrina, P. amabilis and P. violacea to choose from.
Cattleya hybrids are also good choices not just for the vibrant colours but for their wonderful scents. A sizeable collection of Cattleya hybrids can turn your little corner into a perfumed garden.
Among the Phalaenopsis, the choice of collectors has always been P. violacea because the species and its hybrids emit talcum-like scents. But other Phalaenopsis varieties are just as stunning and justify a place in the garden.
The all-time favourite among hobbyists is of course the Dendrobiums. This is among the largest genus in the orchidaceae family, which can be found growing from the lowest to the highest elevation.
And because of the variations, choice must be made to select the most suitable for the garden because some types cannot tolerate direct sunlight and need to be placed under some kind of shade.
Among the most popular Dendrobiums are the round-type and the curly-type. These species and hybrids can be pricey but with proper care they will provide long-lasting beauty in the garden.
Mix some of these orchid species in a corner of the garden and the excitement begins with a daily visit to make sure that the orchids get enough moisture and fertiliser as well as protection against spider mites, crown rots, bleaching, snails and ants.
The orchid garden and landscape will definitely raise the spirits of anyone who steps into the garden.