Christmas orchids , Cattleya trianea, are lovely and are not as delicate as some may think. The special care that orchids require consists mainly of attention to their specific needs for ventilation, humidity, and light. The ideal humidity for orchids is 60 percent or higher, far greater than that usually maintained in a heated house. The humidity can best be controlled by setting the plant in a plastic or metal tray that has been filled to a depth of an inch or more with perlite, pebbles, charcoal, marble chips or other material and 2 inch to an inch of water. The pot should rest on this material without sinking into the water level.
Orchids prefer fairly high humidity, but they are paradoxically averse to excess water.
Amaryllis , Hippeastrum spp. It is a popular flowering bulb and is often used as a gift plant. The modest foliage is accented by a bold stem that produces magnificent large, funnel-shaped blooms in colors of vivid red, orange, peppermint, salmon, pink, and white. The flowers are long lasting and, once faded, should be removed along with the stems. Many varieties of amaryllis will flourish outdoors in West Virginia so they can be planted in the garden for many seasons of colorful bloom.