How to best display a single blooming plant? - Orchid Board

Phal in love · #1 10-25-2011, 05:39 PM

Hello again!

I just posted some pictures of my phals growing setup in my window. This forum is so great, and I have learned a lot from reading throught posts.

When I have an orchid in bloom, I want to be able to display it on a table somewhere in the house. But I don't have the best light always in some of those places. Have you purchased/created an orchid display for one plant that would include lighting? I would love to find some good, creative ideas, so bring 'em on....!

Thanks,
Ann

Call_Me_Bob · #2 10-25-2011, 06:38 PM

i just take the plant and put it wherever i want it to be displayed. once the buds set, its fine to be in placed that have lower light or different light orientation.

Bud · #3 10-25-2011, 09:06 PM

I would put a blooming plant as centerpiece on a table or anywhere it can be presented well...and after its bloom it gets back to its original position on the windowsill

silken · #4 10-25-2011, 09:58 PM

Ditto with the others. No need for a special light set up. Actually the flowers will likely hold their colour and last longer if they are out of bright light. The plant will be fine without excess light while in bloom.

Phal in love · #5 10-25-2011, 11:55 PM

Well, let me be more specific with my problems. Where I grow the plants is in a sunroom that has multiple windows on west, south, and north. No problem with light.

But where I want to display the orchids in bloom there is almost no light for several reasons. One spot is in my entry hall which faces east, but gets almost no natural light because of a front porch. The other spot is the middle of my living room which is just far from windows and natural light all together. And finally, I would love to wake up to a beautiful flowering orchid in the mornings, but my bed does not have good light at the bedside table. Every time I try to move a plant to any of these locations I end up with bud blast and lose some blossoms.

So I guess I want an artificial light source with a single plant. At the front entry, I have a small table with a lamp and a plant. I could put it on a timer to suit an orchid....I was just hoping for some creative ideas from this creative board

Have a good day,
Ann

camille1585 · #6 10-26-2011, 04:43 AM

As said above, it's perfectly fine is there is not a lot of light where you want to display it. Don't worry about it, and if you want a Phal next to your bed, go for it. Once the blooms fade then you can move it back into it's original growing spot, and the 2-3 months spent in a darker area won't affect it too much. I grow under lights, but my blooming orchids go on a coffee table in the middle of the room, so they are quite far from windows. They bloom fine year after year.

If you have issues with blasting, wait until at least half the blooms (or even all of them) are open before you move the plant to the display area. Open flowers are not as sensitive to blasting.

tucker85 · #7 10-26-2011, 08:45 AM

I agree, I wouldn't worry about the light. I display my orchids wherever they look best. I always wait until the first flower is open to move it, though. Moving a plant before the buds are fully formed can cause to bud drop. If you're worried about the light, bring the plant in on weekends and leave it out in the light during the week.

RosieC · #8 10-29-2011, 10:31 AM

Mine generally move to my mantlepiece when flowering, where the light is not the best. I've only once had a problem in mid-winter with my Vanda (which died) and that might have been down to low light, however my phals, dens, paphs & oncs have never seemed to mind it.

Phal in love · #9 10-30-2011, 12:49 AM

I have two phals on my bedside table right now. One was purchased in bloom and put there. It has lost a couple of its lower blooms, but the upper ones are still fine. The second plant is one of my older phals and I moved it there recently hoping it would adjust to the micro environment of my bedroom and bloom for me. It may. There are two old stems on it that are still green, so I haven't cut them, and they MAY be showing signs of budding. And there is a new "something" coming out ...can't tell yet if it is a bloom stem or a root

This particular phal has several leaves on it...four or five on each side...and is a big plant. So I hope it adjusts. It is in a western window with blinds that shade it, so it is pretty dark. I may put a lamp on a timer and give it some more light. The lamp would shine on the leaves, but not on stems or buds...does that work?

Always appreciate what I learn here....
Ann

Phal in love · #10 10-30-2011, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

Mine generally move to my mantlepiece when flowering, where the light is not the best. I've only once had a problem in mid-winter with my Vanda (which died) and that might have been down to low light, however my phals, dens, paphs & oncs have never seemed to mind it.

Rosie, I just looked at your pictures on flicker and they are gorgeous! I am partial to phals, but all of yours have such gorgeous colors. Your paph pictures make me want one (or two, or three, or...)!

All my orchids are noids, for the most part, but if I hang around this board much longer I am going to want something with a NAME!

Have a good day,
Ann