My quest to grow orchids has just taken a turn for the better – Hayley Matthews
I've been passing a flower shop in Portobello for months now, desperately wanting to go inside and have a dander round.
It sits on the High Street and looks so beautiful with its hanging plants, blooming flowers and little succulents. However, it's been closed during the lockdown so I've had to be patient.
But, on a walk along the prom with a friend during the week, I went up to see if this beautiful shop, called The ‘Wild’ Flower Shop, was open, and it was. Skipping for joy, I started to visualise where the plants I was hoping to purchase would go in my home.
I felt like a kid in a sweetie shop, asking about all the beautiful hanging plants. I adore plants and flowers but no matter how hard I try, some of them just don't want to grow.
After picking a few "cat-safe plants" (because if you have cats or dogs you need to be careful with things like lilies as some are poisonous), I decided to mention my inability to grow an orchid.
The woman serving me was full of knowledge and great advice! "Keep them together as they like to grow next to other orchids," she told me.
Also I've to keep them in light or transparent pots as the roots like lots of light, and would traditionally spiral around trees.
She mentioned the Royal Botanical Gardens have a shop with all the orchid supplies and special products to help them grow, so I think I'll be making a trip there.
If you're passing the High Street and love a plant, check it out – you won't regret it.