GROWING ORCHIDS AT HOME
PRACTICAL TIPS
Growing orchids at home should be a specialty with most of our Tong-Tong readers gardeners.
They are easily grown at home, especially when you live in California. The famous Angreh Boelan
(Phaleanopsis amabilis) is one of the most beautiful species. Phaleanopsis is often called moth
orchid and they usually bear long arching sprays of beautiful flat white or pink flowers.
The best known in the U.S. are the Cattleya and Cymbidium orchids. Cattleyas are the usual pur
ple, white, etc. They do not require soil to grow in but do best in bark of the Fir or red cedar trees.
With good care Cattleyas will flower from one to three times a year.
Cymbidiums do grow in soil and they like the same shady conditions as do Camellias and Azaleas.
They like moist conditions at all times. They grow well out of doors but should be protected from
frost in winter. They range in colors from white through pink to red, yellow, cream, green, bronzes
and combinations of these colors.
Other orchid varieties include the Cyprepedium or better known as Lady slipper They are
i^^cut the easiest of all orchids to raise.
V and a's are the flat flowered spray orchids and require the same cultural care as the Cattleyas.
Orchids are not out of reach for the common wage-earner. I do believe I can recommend to the
readers to visit a nearby orchid nursery. I was surprised very much when I visited Pasadena recently
to find Dutch-Indonesian emigrants employed in the orchid nurseries. The East Indies is a home for
many beautiful varieties that could easily be grown here in the U.S. Why don't you try it with orchids.
E. V. Voorthuizen
Here are some household tips that work
well for me and are often money-savers as
well.
1. Collars, cuffs of synthetics
Treat first with Halo or Drene shampoo on
soiled collars and cuffs of blouses and shirts
of synthetic fibers. Do the same on cottons
which have resin finish. (Other shampoos
work but I have not used others myself).
2. Care of corduroy clothes
After washing, put fabrik-softener in the rinse
water (Nu-soft, Sta-Puff, etc.) Always press
on the wrong side over a double thickness of
towel. This helps keep the pile fluffy.
3. Lengthening Children s Dresses
When you lengthen dresses for growing girls,
often the old hemline will show. Try sewing
lace or braid on the old hemline and decorate
zigzag stitching. Or apply two rows of mater
ial, color matched to the dress trim.
4. Shiny Suede Shoes
The original finish of suede can be restored
by rubbing it lightly with fine sandpaper
(schuurpapier).
5. Clinging Nylon Slips
Try rinsing your slip in 1 teaspoon of white
vinegar to 1 gallon of water to release static.
6. Renew Stiffness in a Hat Veil
Spray lightly with hair spray. Dry and press.
Or press veil between sheets of wax paper.
Betty P. Van Voorthuizen
