i like orchids, but then sometimes i dont. theyre so tall, i literally have no where to put one that wont obscure some sort of view or conversation, or that my cats wont knock over. but they are beautiful :)

I have had two orchids. I killed the first from root rot and hopefully will do better with my second. They instantly add something to almost any space.

@rlmesq, there are thousands of varieties of orchids and many of them are very small (they fit in thimbles!) or merely small. My Trader Joe's often carries "mini" ones that are only 6-8" tall and I've had good luck getting them to rebloom.

how timely! i just put one in the bathroom of my rental to help "stage" it for prospective tenants.

I would like to add that the flowers last for MONTHS. That makes the work totally worth it to me. I hope to have a room full of healthy orchids some day. :)

Cymbidium orchids are fab & even easier & there are lots of strappy leaves.

@tiamat, wow! i had no idea. i will check out my tj's for a mini!

I have a green thumb, but I've given up on getting orchids to rebloom. I treat them like cut flowers. For $15 at IKEA or $20 at Home Depot, I can get a gorgeous orchid which will bloom for anywhere from 4-8 weeks. That's a bargain compared to cut flowers. When they're done blooming, I try to keep them healthy, but they always seem to drop off after a couple of months. Oh well...I always feel like I've gotten more than my money's worth!

Living in Florida, we are amazingly lucky. A half-hour away from us is an orchid nursery where we can pick up gorgeous orchids for $4.

: )

I'm with macbride on everything except having a green thumb. I don't, which is always why I've assumed I can't get them to rebloom. But I'm glad to know green thumbs have my problem too.

Fake orchid for me. Looks beautiful and I don't feel guilty for killing it (I've killed plants that are low maintenance.)

Fertilizer is your, and your orchids, friend in terms of re-blooming. They like a gently orchid fertilizer, about once a week, just a dab in with the water.

@SfDweller, don't forget sun! Even Cymbidiums like more sun than most people give them. My orchids (2 dendrochillum and 1 unknown) live on a south facing windowsill and seem happy.

If anyone wants to learn more about orchids and pick up a beautiful book in the process, I really liked Understanding Orchids by William Cullina. He gives a lot of information including how to determine how much light your orchids are getting with nothing more than a camera.

Orchids are fabulous and cost effective way to add an extra splash of color and texture in a room, in any style of room. For $12-$13 you have a bloom that can last 3 or more months. For that price you could buy 1 or 2 bouquets that would last 1 to 2 weeks.

That said, I have never been able to get them to rebloom nor have I known anyone who can do this...

I buy mine from Home Depot and they always last for a couple months. I had one that was in bloom from the begining of November through early March. I was shocked and elated.

When the blooms have been spent, I hand over the greens to my aunt who always gets them to rebloom. She has a huge collection at our homes in the Philippines since they grow all over the place there so she's an expert with orchids. When they rebloom, I always take one back home to my apartment in Chicago since she always has a small collection in bloom at my parent's home in the suburbs.

I am an orchid whore! I have about 25 in my collection. I live in FL so I just throw them under a tree and they are good to go!

I myself have a blackthumb too but I love giving orchids to my friends who move into a new home as a housewarming gift. It goes with all home designs, needs minimal care and the flowers lasts for months!

The el cheapo orchids like phaelenopsis are easy to keep. Don't over-water, and do give them lots of sun. Once the blooms are spent, cut that stem back to just above the second grow point (it's a little nodule on the stem) and often that will rebloom and at the very least, the plant will stop sending energy to a dead flower. If it doesn't rebloom on the grow point, it will send up another shoot instead. Seriously, don't overwater!!! Seriously, SUN!

We have tons of them around the house too. http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/house-tours/dave-pieters-thrift-store-chic-house-call-114347