No luxury home is complete without your favourite seasonal flowers. Spring is in the air and it's time to brighten your home with orchids.
With improvements in breeding techniques, the supply of Asia's famous flower has increased as they become more affordable than before.
Orchids come in two categories. The Chinese orchid is a species from southern China that looks like a bunch of grass in the non-flowering season, and then there's the Western orchid.
There is a myth that growing this gorgeous tropical plant is difficult, but it doesn't stop people from carrying pots of orchids home in appreciation of their beauty.
Spring is the best season to grow orchids. Chea Tsz-hin, the owner of Hin's Garden, says most orchids come from countries such as Thailand and the Philippines. The six most popular species for Hongkongers are cattleya, dendrobium, epidendrum, oncidium, paphiopedilum (known as Lady's slipper) and phalaenopsis.
'They are easy to handle and suit Hong Kong's weather. The supply is stable and prices can range from HK$30 to HK$3,000. Depending on species, their flowering can span four seasons. Some can stay outdoors under the sun,' Chea says. 'For instance, dendrobium lives well with direct sunshine. I find orchids exotic and unique because they are different from each other. Nowadays, customers have become more demanding about the quality and versatility of species, especially rare categories such as dendrobium.'