In temperate regions of the world, orchids that are normally grown indoors or under glass can be placed outside for the summer growing season. A carefully chosen position will provide your plants with conditions that are nearer to those of their natural habitat.

One successful method of growing miniature orchids is to enclose them in a growing case. An old aquarium used for tropical fish is ideal, and these can often be picked up very cheaply if they are no longer watertight. First establish whether or not there are any leaks around the base; if there are, fit a humidity tray into the base.

Place pebbles or expanded clay pellets in the base to create your own individual tank effect. You now have a miniature orchid garden to house those tiny plants that would otherwise dry out too rapidly. Place this in a bright spot, but not too close to a window where it may overheat. It is a good idea to place a minimum/maximum thermometer inside the aquarium to assess the temperature range you have created.

Masdevallias and other smallgrowing related genera are shadedwellers that would be particularly unhappy placed in the open. In no time a rapid loss of their almost succulent leaves would result. Their culture is more specialized, and difficult enough to achieve in the greenhouse. Among the intermediate genera, those members of the vast Cattleya alliance do well in tropical gardens, but in temperate regions the foliage is prone to heavy marking by the excesses of wind and weather.

For just one or two very small plants, use a large glass such as a brandy glass laid on its side, and create a miniature landscape inside for one or two little plants.

The richly coloured flowers of Zygopetalum max-Mare, for example, are strongly scented. Brassavola cuculaw, which is sometimes called the ghost orchid, has drooping flowers of a ghostly appearance.

It blooms during the autumn and is highly fragrant at night. Well-chosen colour combinations can create beautiful effects, as is shown by this display of pale pink Phalaenopsis schilleriana and the deep pink P. Mad Milva. Orchids can be displayed in most rooms in the house.

The pale lemon Phalaenopsis Barbara Moler x Spitzberg looks perfect in a blue bathroom. A Phalaenopsis Mad Milva will do well as the centrepiece of an orchid display, provided it is kept out of direct sunlight. The flowers are delightful with cerise pink petals and sepals, with a darker pink lip.