From pure hues, to freckled or multi-colored blooms, orchids appear meticulously designed to attract attention. Symbolizing purity, love, beauty, and luxury, orchids are a favorite among designers for layering meaning and beauty into special events. A gift of orchids is always appreciated, adding instant charm to any room.
They are also a great everyday flowers — long lasting and surprisingly affordable. Most people assume orchids are tropical plants, but in fact, wild orchids grow on every continent except Antarctica. For centuries, collectors have traveled far and wide to find new and unique specimens. Some of the most popular varieties for both cut flowers as well as houseplant, include the following:. Phalaenopsis orchids are known as moth orchids for their resemblance to moths in flight.
Ranging from dark shades to very light ones, many phalaenopsis orchids have intricate patterns and unusual color combinations on their petals that appear delicately hand painted.
Pretty and versatile, this orchid is a great focal point for arrangements and bouquets. Cymbidium orchids are among the most popular and desirable varieties worldwide. With large fragrant blooms on extremely long stems, they add height and drama with tall sprays of red, burgundy, yellow, peach, white, or green blooms. Their robust waxy petals are among the most heat and wilt-resistant of all orchids, ideally suited for wiring into bouquets, corsages, and boutonnieres or laying on reception tables as a simple, colorful adornment.
Dendrobium orchids are literally covered with blooms in fuchsia, chartreuse, yellow, white or purple along the length of their stems. Despite their beauty, their strong petals tolerate handling, making them perfect for bridal bouquets, corsages, and table centerpieces. Beware getting them when buds are still closed, however, as flowers generally stop developing once the spike is cut. Instead, when choosing sprays of orchids on their own or when choosing bouquets that contain them, look for branches that have two flower buds already open.
You can also ask the florist whether the orchid flowers have been pulse-treated, which can extend shelf life and in some cases block ethylene sensitivity. If you grow orchids outdoors during the growing season, you may want to cut some blooms and bring them indoors to brighten your house. Cut orchids in the morning, after the dew has dried off the plant, according to the University of Massachusetts Extension.
Keep the flowers cool, and cut the stems again under cold water. Then place your cut orchids in water in a vase for display. Once you get cut flower sprays home, keeping them in a vase at room temperature is fine. The hydrogen peroxide helps maintain the cleanliness of the water. This will keep your orchids looking fresher for an extended period of time. Over time, cut orchids stems will lose their strength and start to bend.
When an orchid begins to bend, it stops circulating water up to its flower. This results in a wilted, dry bloom. Putting your orchids in a vase with a narrow, tall neck will support the stems of your orchids and keep them from breaking and bending. If you want to keep your orchids bright and colorful, keeping them away from direct exposure to sunlight is essential. Sunlight will dry out your cut orchids and cause their color to fade.
This makes them pale in comparison to their former glory. Keep your orchids in a bright room, but do not put them directly by a sunny window. To last, cut orchids need humidity and moisture to keep them from drying out. Keeping your orchids in a place with no chilly drafts will help them stay fresh and vibrant longer. If your orchids are looking dry, you can spray them with water or submerge them in warm not hot water for minutes.
Keeping your orchids hydrated will ensure that they do not wilt or lose color too early. Cut orchids also need to be kept at a cool temperature to ensure that they last longer. When placing your vase of cut orchids in your house, put them in a cool place that has no drafts. Drafts will make your orchids dry out more quickly. While cool temperatures will prevent your cut orchids from wilting, your flowers will become brittle and decay if the temperature is too cold. Growing your own orchids from cuttings is an easy way to get many orchid plants at a low cost, although it will take patience and some effort.
If you have a Phalaenopsis orchid , you can use this method to grow multiple orchid plants. The new orchid plants will be genetically identical to the original orchid plant that you are using, and will, with time, yield more of the same, beautiful flowers that you enjoyed on the original orchid. When propagating an orchid plant , you will want to use a cutting from a healthy orchid stem to foster new orchid growth.
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