Advantages: great book
Disadvantages: none

...Black Orchid is a stand-alone graphic novel by Neil Gaiman and Dave McKean. It is based on the character created by Sheldon Mayer, Tony DeZuinga and Joe Orlando more than fifteen years ago. In the beginning of the book, a terrible, almost unprecedented thing happens : the original Black Orchid is killed. Not in a heroic battle with the enemy, not of some terrible mistake, but because she is discovered in the middle of an espionage operation. Her captor shocks the reader by saying "I've seen...the movies... I've read the comics." We realise that there is not going to be a miraculous escape this time ...and the sad end of the Black Orchid confirms this. But the strangest thing about this death is that is occurs at the beginning of the story. The real plot is about Black Orchid's sister, who blooms at the very moment of the heroines... Read review

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Advantages: Flower, Colour, Ease, long lasting
Disadvantages: Fast growing roots

...any yellow leaves which shows signs of drying out. Price: orchids cost me only around 1-3GBP, depending on the variety and rarity. Usually, common orchids would cost me only around 1 or 2 GBP, for the whole plant including the pot. It’s worth a buy as orchids grow fast, bloom fast and easily multiplied. When you buy one, after a month, you’ll have two and you can give it to your friends the other one! You’ll always benefit! Smell: For your info, orchids DO NOT usually have any smell. I have more than 30 pots at home and out of all, only 1 has a faint smell. Disease: Basically, orchids don’t easily get affected by diseases. The only common disease would be the leaves turning yellow or have black spots. Sometimes you might find their stem a little skinny, sorta shrivled kinda look. Basically, they lack of nutrients or sometimes... Read review

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Advantages: Elegant single stemmed orchid with beautiful rich coloured flowers
Disadvantages: Costly to buy. Requires regular attention.

...disernible close to the plant. ~How to care for the Vuylstekeara Cambria Orchid~ The orchid needs to be placed in a well-lit position but not in direct sunlight during the growing season (March-September). If it does get too much sunlight the tips of the leaves will begin to burn and develop black spots. As this is a hybrid, it is tolerant of a wide variety of temperatures. The optimum night-time temperature between 10 – 16 degrees Celsius and day-time temperature is between 18 – 24 degrees Celsius. The humidity should be on the high side with good ventilation (but no drafts). It is the watering of the orchid that can result in the most problems. It is best to use rain or distilled water. It is very easy to over-water the orchid. NEVER stand the orchid in water – always water from the top. However you must also not let the orchid... Read review

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Advantages: Modern looking, Long Flowering, and Beautiful
Disadvantages: Expensive

...I have to say that I love all plants, and I find all flowers interesting in their own way; however, Orchids have to be one plant that is the Spear and Jackson of the plant world. They are definately a plant to be proud of. They flower profusely, and they stay in flower for a very long time; unlike many other plants, that have lovely but, somewhat, transient flowers. At the moment, I have two Phalenopsis (Moth Orchids). One of them has white flowers, and the other one has yellow flowers. They are a great plant that can match almost any surrounding, and the Moth Orchids come in lots of beautiful colours. They can be postitioned almost anywhere indoors, so long as they get enough light, and are kept at a moderate temperature. Requirements: -------------------- They require a daily misting, that is always best done... Read review

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Advantages: Rich historical detail, brings life in the Forbidden City to life
Disadvantages: Dull, fails to captivate, flat characters, wrong period of Tzu Hsi's life

...Empress Orchid is the latest work by Anchee Min, the acclaimed author of "Becoming Madame Mao" and "Red Azalea." The book is based on the life of Orchid, a concubine in the court of Emperor Hsein Feng who later went on to become Empress of China, ruling for more than 40 years. The description on the back cover of the book sounds fascinating - a woman managing to come to power in a male-dominated society, trying to protect and preserve her country against the European powers who seek to carve it up for their own purposes. Added to this the undeniable allure of exoticism (books on court life in ancient China are hard to come by), and the hint of sexiness given the fact that Orchid is a concubine, and the expectations of sex, romance, intrigue are all set. They exist in the book, but for a number of reasons they fail to take hold... Read review

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Advantages: Beautiful flowers, still grow if you neglect them!
Disadvantages: Expensive compared to other house plants

...I have always liked orchid flowers. but have never had much success with house plants so never really considered growing them. I tend to neglect plants so eventually they dry out and die! However in a moment of weakness in a garden centre, I spotted a rather sad looking phalaenopsis (not that I knew that was what it was at the time!) With beautiful pale pink petals and a deep pink centre. It was reduced as it had been rather bashed and didn't look very healthy! Always a sucker for a charity case, I bought it and brought it home. All the instructions on the pot were in german, so a little while on google was required for some simple care instructions! This was over 12months ago and the orchid has been in flower ever since - certainly a lot cheaper than a bunch of flowers! I have acquired another 6 orchids since then, and am rapidly... Read review

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Advantages: Tasty food
Disadvantages: Complete rip off/rude staff!

...Anyone thinking of arranging a Karaoke Dinner at the Siam Orchid should think again. I arranged this recently for 40 people and have never felt so ripped off in my life! The cost was £12 a head for a buffet and I was told we would have exclusive use of the karaoke until after we were finished eating (at least). Although the food was nice, for £12 a head I expected to get more than one plateful. In fact, they were so keen to close the buffet back up several people never got the chance to eat at all never mind get their £12 worth. (Considering drinks were £3 a spirit and mixer we were definitely paying well over the odds!) Surely once the karaoke got started up we would see some value for money - not a chance!!!! They wouldn't start it up until everyone had finished eating - so much for exclusive use for the duration... Read review

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Advantages: Good location
Disadvantages: Expensive,Poor Service, Small Portions,Lack of Choice, Not much parking nearby

...I've been to many Thai restaurants around Edinburgh including the Thai Elephant, Sing Thai and Sukothai. Thai orchid is a one of the most well known in Edinburgh due to its location on Johnston Terrace which is literally 5 minutes from Edinburgh Castle. It used to be located in Grindlay Street by the usher hall but it moved and at the same time,changed its whole image and menu. I visited here with my partner and a friend and her bf whilst they were up in Edinburgh. We went for their lunch menu which wasn't exactly cheap at £7.99 but then again Thai food is never really cheap so i had hoped that the quality would have made up for it. The service wasn;t great as the waitress barely smiled or say Thanks at all even though all of us said it all the time. Starters were very small portions and had loads of decorative salad which couldn... Read review

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