Ok, maybe I should break this blog post into about 100 categories. This is one versatile flower….there are so many different kinds. This will be one of many blog posts that include orchids. This post is just a little about how orchids can be incorporated into your home, office or event.
Below we have taken a picture of one type of phalaenopsis orchid. There are so many color combinations, stripes, speckles, solidly magenta, magenta with white background, white with pink spots, forever and ever we go on. We order orchid plants like this, “Hey Jo, we need a phal that is super showy (lots of open blossoms) for an event on Tuesday. They like any shade of pink.” The supplier will look for the showiest orchid plant in this case. If we say, “Jo, we need any type of orchid you have in burgundy or gold for tomorrow.”, the supplier will find one in that color. Since those colors aren’t always available on short order, they might be harder to get. It literally depends on the day, the week, the month, the season. I’ll ask my client what is the most important, the color or the type or the size or the shape.
Below, another phalaenopsis orchid. We usually get these in plant form. They are also called “moth orchids” because of their shape. A great way to send them to friends is with some of the blossoms open and some unopened.
These are phalaenopsis stems as part of a bridal bouquet. They have been cut from a plant, the stems are fresh and hold up well in fresh water. They do end up costing 30-70$/stem, because you are almost paying for the plant. Very showy and luxe!
This is a different type of orchid, a bit heartier than the phalaenopsis blossom. This is a large cymbidium blossom, and is great for hair flowers. I want the prom kids to fall in love with these because these are perfect for a lasting hair flower. They come in white, apple green, yellow, green with yellow, white with yellow, orange, bronze, bronze with burgundy, mauve, light pink, dark pink, so many options!
The cymbidium blossoms in the corsages below are paired with greens from Australia, billy balls (also Australian) and kangaroo paw (yes, also Australian). These blossoms are “small” cymbidium blossoms and they do well in bouttonnieres and corsages and can be mixed with lots of other types of blooms.
Another type of orchid we LOVE here at bella is a Ladyslipper Orchid. Oh how we LOVE our Ladyslippers. Below, MacKenzie is holding a bouquet with fiddlehead fern, white agapanthus, chocolate cosmos (smells like chocolate), Star of Bethlehem, upright amaranthus, poppy pods, scabiosa pods, green berzillia, coral bells, vinca vine, andromeda heather, various greens…..a gorgeous walk in the woods. Hmmm…we say that all the time, “walk in the woods”, but really…who’s woods are these? I would love to live in these woods.
This is a Ladyslipper in a different color…green and bright white. We love it. Beautiful in a bridal bouquet or on your desk! Or at your bedside!
Yet another type of orchid plant….an intergeneric orchid. Intergeneric orchids are crosses of Odontoglossums, Oncidiums and Miltonias. There are SO MANY different kinds under this label. We love to plant orchids with other plants and orchids that will complement. See below….
We planted this with selaginella and calathea. Loved all the burgundies and greens!
We’ve also had great luck planting in cubes and cylinders with a variety of earth elements creating the base. This is another intergeneric style orchid.
Interested in orchids? There are so many options and so many ways to use them. They can live for years at your home or office. Invest in orchids and they can be part of your indoor landscape….a great option for people who enjoy treating their plants with “benign neglect”. (I heard that once at an orchid show!) Some of them even like to be watered with a slowly melting ice cube. Like I said, more blogging to come on orchids. Just you wait! In the mean time, learn more about them and get one to your home or office immediately!
Until next time, happy flowering!
