Wedding Orchids
Generally, people love attending weddings. We know that aside from the wedding gown and wedding cake, the celebration will not be complete without colorful flowers. Aside from the visual interest and overall appearance of flowers, they also add elegance to the event.
These provide a statement on the couples’ motif or wedding theme as well. A famous choice for wedding flowers is the orchid. Orchids come in various colors and kinds, so that any couple could pinpoint their exact choice for their special day.
Durning a wedding, an orchid can become a multipurpose plant. You can use orchids for the bride’s bouquet, especially because of its color and scent. When choosing this, you have to take note of an orchid’s color, since this is the primary aspect when creating a wedding bouquet. Most couples or brides choose white bouquets, and some follow their wedding theme.
Couples do not only choose orchids for their color, but also for the way these plants smell. Bouquets are held close to a person’s nose, so it is best to avoid strong scented flowers. You have to consider people or guests with allergies, so be cautious when choosing the right flower for a wedding.
Flowers symbolize many things. Roses stand for love, while lilacs and daisies symbolize innocence. Friendship and loyalty are represented by Blue hydrangeas. Most people carefully choose the kind of flowers the want to use, since each signifies a certain message.
Orchids symbolize beauty which is something every couple would want their wedding to look like. Beauty is not only superficial, it can also emphasize the happiness in one’s relationship, the wonders of one’s ceremonies and the importance of one’s traditions. These are the reasons why people choose orchids as wedding flowers.
Aside from being used as a bridal bouquet, it can also serve as a wedding centerpiece. But be cautious because as mentioned earlier, some people may have reactions to strong scents and may develop allergic rhinitis. Nevertheless, orchids have many advantages, especially when placed in the middle of the table. Orchids grow very tall, catching other peoples’ attention.
Orchids are resistant to moisture loss and heat. Though, it may be sensitive to cold and may drop blooms due to handling without care, orchids are tough. These plants are also advisable for summer weddings, and they are available all year round, based on their variety.
Another important factor is that orchids can be purchased by bulk. You can save money and go directly to the orchid growers instead of paying for plants sold by resellers. This is a dollar saving tip that is best practiced in occasions like weddings and birthdays.
Different Orchid Types
We know that there are several species and hybrids of orchids, but there are only two different types of this plant. The first kind is the orchid that grows on the ground, also known as the terrestrial orchid. The second type is the orchid that grows on rocks, trees and on poles, called the epiphyte.
The more popular kind is the terrestrial orchid, and even though it has roots that grow beneath the surface of soil, a handful of terrestrial orchids could have both underground and aerial roots. This means that they could also be semi-terrestrial.
Orchids go a long way, and one of the first types that have been cultivated is called the Cymbidium orchid. This is a terrestrial orchid that has forty species and thousands of hybrids. This type does not only grow on the ground, they can also thrive on trees and rocks.
This plant is known because it is very easy to grow and has been a perfect option for those just beginning to take care of orchids. This type produces gorgeous flowers yearly. Cymbidiums can also grow well in decayed leaves or even in the loose humus of rotten wood. Its natural habitat can be found within Southeast Asia, in Japan and in Australia.
Epiphytes are plants that derive moisture and nutrients from the air and rain. They usually grow on another plant. Epiphytes are not assigned to any specific orchid, this simply pertains to any plant that has a root system above the ground.
One example of a known epiphyte is the Dendrobium, which has over a thousand species. They can be Dendrobiums are relatively easy to take care of, but they need a little bit more attention compared to Cymbidiums. They also do not flower regularly.
Dendrobiums are naturally found in tropical countries, like in Northern India, Australia, Southeast Asia and Polynesia. Because of this, they bloom and grow in moist, humid and warm growing conditions.
Another type of orchid is called the Phalaenopsis. These are epiphytes that are uncomplicated to grow and have long lasting flowers. Phalaenopsis orchids are often visible in special occasions like weddings. They come in different colors like pink, yellow and stripes.
The Proper Way to Water Orchids
A lot of people like orchids because of their beautiful blooms, various colors, sizes and species you can choose from. Orchids also need specific growing conditions in order to flourish. Aside from diffused light, another necessity is the adequate amount of water. This factor varies from one plant to another, so it is vital for you to find out and do your research about the particular orchid you have.
Let me share with you some general information about orchids and about where they come from. Orchids are generally found in tropical countries. These locations experience an enormous amount of rain. The ideal humidity level for orchids is 80%. For people, being in a room with this much humidity may be uncomfortable, that is why it is vital to look for other methods to keep your orchids healthy.
You can always humidify your orchids, to give them a constant water supply. You may also provide an artiificial, high humidity climate for your plants. You can do this by purchasing a deep saucer with pebbles.
Now what should you do with these? Place the pebbles into the saucer, and then put your orchid pot on top of the pebbles, still within the saucer. You may water the pebbles and be sure that the water does not touch the orchid pot.
Another mistake that people make is that they water their orchids too much. Many plant growers presume that once the soil looks dry, it has to be watered. This is untrue, especially with regards to orchids.
Take note of this: You should sparingly water your orchid plant once a week, or even once every other week. The potting bark may appear to be dry, but the bark itself takes in moisture. When you take care of an orchid at home, carefully observe the potting bark. When it is completely dry, then you can water your plant.
Some orchids can be found growing on tree trunks and branches, and based on their habitats, it is not unusual for their roots to dry out before being given water. Use orchid fertilizers sparingly as well, and you can purchase these from various garden shops. In every orchid you take care of, it is necessary to practice a scheduled pattern of fertilizing, watering and care, so you would be able to enjoy your plants for a long time.
Orchids will bloom and thrive once you provide an adequate supply of water, the right intensity of light, occasional fertilizing and the correct amount of potting bark. By understanding how orchids grow, you will discover that even though these plants may sometimes become temperamental, growing these exotic plants aren’t that complicated after all.
Grow Your Plant Using Artificial Orchid Lights
A plant’s basic needs are water, nutrition and light. The same requirements apply to orchids. One essential factor vital to your orchid’s health is the light that it receives. Not all orchids need the same amount of sun, this actually depends on the species of your plant.
Orchids grow mostly on tropical countries, and this means they require a good amont of diffused light. Tropical areas have a certain distribution for sun and shade. You wouldn’t want your orchids to droop because of extreme sunlight.
In order to make sure that your orchids get only the adequate amount of light, place your orchid in an eastern facing window. This way, it absorbs the cooler morning light and avoids the intense mid-day heat.
Many people wonder – how much light does your orchid really need? Just as the sun shines for almost half a day, your orchid calls for twelve hours of light daily. But, we all know this is not possible due to the strong afternoon sun.
To be able to determine the amount of shade your particular orchid species will need, you must gather as much information about it as you can. There are various methods to acquire data and facts about your orchid.
One of the simplest and best ways is to ask the orchid seller or the person you bought your plant from. Make a search over the internet, and find out what particular species of orchid would be suitable for you before even buying one.
The intensity of sunlight an orchid requires may vary from one kind to another. Some orchids flourish when they receive a lot of sun, while others wilt. It always pays to inquire, ask around and do your own research.
There is also another way to distinguish which particular species need a specific depth of light. Soft growing orchids bloom in shady conditions, while hard growing orchids thrive in the opposite.
A soft growing orchid is ideal for owners who desire a healthy and flourishing plant in shady conditions, but their blooms will be small and occasional. But then, orchids that require a lot of sun will produce more blooms, but not much plant. The leaves on those plants may also appear yellowish and scrawny.
One solution that may help orchids get the right amount of light would be to use a growing light. You can buy it together with a timer to ensure that your orchids get the sufficient amount of shade and light they require. You can also make use of a fluorescent light to provide your plants luminance that is not too intense.
For the longest time, people have perceived that orchids can be grown only by experienced horticulturists. But, by giving your plants artificial light to suit its needs, even with the least experience, you can also grow your own orchids.
Together with a full understanding of the specific orchid species you have, natural sunlight, fluorescent lights or grow lights, you can possess a beautiful orchid that will thrive in full during its blooming season.
Caring for Orchids
It has been the belief of many for sometime that caring for orchids was difficult or reserved only for the rich. But, with more the 25,000 species and more then 100,000 hybrids, it is possible for anyone to find an orchid that will fit into their lifestyle, budget and level of skill as a horticulturist.
Most types of orchids do not require anymore work than any other house or garden plants. But, some orchids do have special requirements. Your first step in orchid care should always be to find out the particular requirements that your flower needs. There are very few plants that produce such a delicate and beautiful bloom as an orchid can. It is one of the things that make them such a popular house plant.
If you give your orchid extremely well care, you can keep them blooming just as healthy as they were in the store. The popular orchid you probably have received as a gift or bought from the store is a phaleanopsis. This is the popular white or purple orchids that are available due to the fact that they are easier to care for than some of the less common varieties of orchid plants.
Orchids will bloom for at least three months if they are taken care of correctly. You should place your orchid near the window so that it can receive sunlight throughout the day. But you should avoid the midday sun which can be too harsh for these plants and aim to give your orchid morning and evening sunlight.
For this reason, the eastern side of your home is an excellent place to place your orchid. You can substitute natural sunlight with fluorescent lights that are about a foot above the orchid’s flowers but, you still want to limit exposure to normal daylight hours.
Orchids thrive in temperatures that are above 55 degrees Fahrenheit but no higher than 8o degrees. Orchids that are in weather that passes 90 degrees will start to loose their buds or will stop blooming at all. It is important to make sure that the flower stays moist, but do not over water the roots because it can kill the blooms. In stead, water the plant once every ten weeks, or keep the orchid in a water tray constantly. Make sure that the roots do not touch the water tray or it will then constantly be soaking up too much water.
A great tip to keeping the orchid in bloom for the most amount of time as possible is to fertilize the plant before it blooms. Once it ahs bloomed, you don’t need to fertilize it any longer. Plus, another tip to keeping your orchid in bloom for the greatest amount of time you can is to carefully prune the orchid while it is blooming.
You will then be able to see a second set of flowers develop. With the right amount of care and attention, you will be able to own a gorgeous orchid plant that will display a full and rich bloom throughout the blooming season.
