The increasingly popular idea that tropical plants should be watered with ice cubes doesn’t transfer to the European living roomAbout 10 years ago, I went to a truly amazing horticultural show just outside Amsterdam. It was an exhibition by the very best houseplant growers of their newest creations all displayed on ultra-glossy stands. Right at the centre of the event space was what looked like an enormous music video set with theatrically oversized 1950s-style fridges on podiums. Between these were huge faux ice sculptures, and metre-high martini glasses filled to the brim with plastic ice cubes, all in Miami Vice lighting in shades of pink and blue. You might wonder what this all had to do with horticulture, until I explain that pouring out of all these props were the most immaculate Phalaenopsis orchids with a giant neon sign saying: “Just add ice”. The idea was that the easiest way to water orchids is to simply add three ice cubes to their pot once a week and presumably, by extension, demonstrating how simple these plants were to care for.More than a decade later, the message of this campaign still echoes over social media, magazines and in overheard conversations at garden centres. But where does the idea that tropical plants should be watered with ice come from? Continue reading…
Source : theguardian.com
Read more…Tropical plants in Europe don’t need ice cubes – whatever social media might say | James Wong
