Each slender stem of a Phalaenopsis orchid holds aloft a stately string of beautiful flat faced flowers. Also known as the moth orchid they come in a range of colours and shapes, including striped, blotched and speckled shades. 

Their natural habitat is in the nooks and crannies of tropical tree trunks where they settle into damp leaf litter and stabilise themselves with their silvery roots. They also use these roots to make their food (photosynthesis) using the dappled sunlight.

This love of warmth and humidity make them ideal in centrally heated homes where they often thrive in bathrooms, kitchens and other well lit sills. Don't water them more than once a week and don't ever leave them standing in water (they don't wear wellies)!

An orchid will reward you with week upon week of flowers, especially if you give it weak liquid feed in the rainwater you administer.

When the last two flowers are all thats left on the stem, count back two nodes (small bumps) down the stem and cut above the lower one. In time a new shoot will appear with more flowers!