Admire orchids
This is the golden age for potted orchids such as the Paphiopedilum. We all used to think of these as hothouse prizes, but one of the benefits of central heating is that they can quite easily be grown on a north-facing kitchen windowsill. Pour rainwater weekly through the open compost, and stand the pot on a bed of grit kept moist, although never wet. The flowers command attention, emanating an alluring, foreign beauty, and occur about now, for a fortnight or more, making an unbeatable centrepiece for the breakfast table.
* Subscribe to Country Life and save
* Follow Country Life magazine on Twitter
-
What everyone is talking about this week: 'People who tended to be more obedient about lockdown are now its fiercest critics'Week in, week out, Will Hosie rounds up the hottest topics on everyone's lips, in London and beyond.
-
From the archive: 'This retina-awakening advert for British Nylon Spinners Limited sums up the swinging 1960s perfectly'Every Monday, Melanie Bryan, delves into the hidden depths of Country Life's extraordinary archive to bring you a long-forgotten story, photograph or advert.
