This fragrant flowering plant is a sought-after classic in the world of orchids. Cambria ‘Nelly Isler’ is loved for its long-lasting display of beautiful blooms, which, unlike other orchids, grow from ‘pseudobulbs’, each of which produces two-to-three leaves and a flower spike.
To keep Lena happy, put her in bright, indirect light (she loves sunshine, but direct light can burn her leaves). We recommend feeding her with orchid fertiliser in spring and summer, and headheading any faded flowers to just above the bud – this will help her put more energy into growing new beautiful blooms. Repot Lena into fresh orchid compost every two to three years as you see new growth emerging from her pseudobulbs.
Another trick to help your ‘Nelly Isler’ flower is to expose it to cooler daytime temperatures of about 10 degrees Celsius for four weeks over winter. This mimics the natural temperature changes she would experience in her native environment.
As orchids are tropical plants, Lena absolutely loves humidity. Give her leaves a spritz with a mister every few days (avoiding the flowers) to remind her of home. The most common way to kill an orchid is to overwater, so be easy on the drinks – always check the pot before watering. If it feels light, it’s time for a drink; if it’s heavy, leave it alone. The best way to water your orchid is to dunk the whole pot in tepid water (better still if it’s rainwater) and let it drain thoroughly so the roots aren’t left in water.
This set includes our ceramic Striped pot in Blue. Hand-painted and featuring a scalloped edge, raised edging and glossy finish, these decorative pots are real showstoppers. When watering your plants, always remove them from the decorative pot first and allow any excess water to drain completely before putting the plant back in the pot.
