TAKE TIME TO STOP AND SHARE THE ORCHIDS
Amid all the back-to-school rush, remember all the good things that your orchids do for you. Fall is the perfect time to share all that orchid goodness. Here are 4 ways to spread the joy + some suggestions for easy-to-gift and easy-to-grow orchids.
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1. AN ORCHID FOR THE DORM
While away at school feelings of homesickness can be alleviated by something living – yet low maintenance – to take care of, preferably something with long-lasting flowers. After all, we all need something to nurture and care for. A potted orchid foots the bill.
Dorm room walls are notoriously made of painted cinder blocks. The floors are laid with high-traffic, long-lasting carpet. These utilitarian, built-to-last buildings need the lush vitality of orchids to add a sense of home.
2. ORCHIDS IN THE CLASSROOM
Every autumn, as children head back to school, we trust the care of our children to the new teachers. We hope that these teachers will love and care for our children even when their cute wears thin – as it tends to do from time to time.
Sharing an orchid with our kids’ teachers helps send our children off on the right foot. By remembering these people who can have such a positive impact on our children, they will give back to our kids 10-fold.
3. SHARE AN ORCHID WITH THE VILLAGE
New school teachers are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to important adults in the lives of our children. After a summer break, all those music, dance, and athletic lessons begin anew. There are daycare providers, bus drivers, school office personnel, and athletic coaches. There’s an army of wonderful people who help us raise our children and grandchildren.
We all like to feel appreciated. Gifting an orchid with a kind note tells our children’s caregivers just how much we appreciate their positive influence.
Over the years, my kids have been given teachers best-suited for them. I believe part of it is due to the fact that I remember the administrative assistants in the school office. When I remember them, they remember me.
TIP: When gifting an orchid include a catchy note that says: We appreciate everything you do for all or-chids!
4. TWO FOR YOU AND ONE FOR ME
Back-to-school shopping, parent meetings, activity sign-ups, and filling out form after form are all part of the back-to-school season. On the bright side, after the chaos, it is nice to be back to a more regular schedule and nothing seems to provide that like school. Meanwhile, a little mindfulness helps us navigate this busy time.
Lately, it seems like the latest buzzword is mindfulness and its importance in regard to our mental health. We’re aware of the benefits of lowering stress levels through meditation. In addition to breathing exercises, a little plant therapy, in the form of orchids, can have a calming influence.
A simple, enjoyable way to be more mindful is to enjoy the process of caring for our orchids: watering, snipping away spent flowers, and dead roots can have a calming effect – as do their magnificent flowers.
FAVORITE EASY-TO-GIFT AND EASY-TO-GROW ORCHIDS
Most people like to gift no-fuss orchids that have long-lasting flowers and low-light requirements. Enter: Phalaenopsis orchids. This low-light orchid will do well in a classroom, office, or home environment, and its blooms have staying power that can last several months.
WHERE TO BUY PHALAENOPSIS ORCHIDS
At Floralistic you’ll find beautiful mini Phalaenopsis orchids for a great price. I love the supermini 2-inch phal, but you can also orchid an orchid 3-inch pot. And, you choose your favorite color: orange, pink, purple or yellow.
BACK TO SCHOOL WITH ORCHIDS
Whether you are a college student headed to the dorms or a parent looking to smooth the way for your child by saying thank you to teachers and coaches, orchids are a natural way to do just that. For us orchid lovers, orchids have given us so much. Back-to-school time is a good time to share the love.
