Using The Silk Orchid Flower For Any Decorative Ocassion

Jun6

Today, with the high price of orchids, more and more people are starting to take a look at silk ones as a viable option to the real thing. This is even true among brides. It is no longer taboo to decorate a church with these flowers or to walk down the aisle carrying them. These precious items are a thing of beauty. Whether it is a single flower or a bouquet, you will be able to find something suitable.

The Fixation of Artificial Orchids

Many people are drawn to artificial flowers in particular because they love beautiful blooms and they don’t like the fact that the live flowers die. You will never have that problem with silk flowers. They are going to be the same beautiful colors–orange, yellow, red, white, pink, purple, etc.–but they are never going to fade or die. Green foliage will always be green even if you a person who over-waters or under-waters if you are given a real plant.

What These Exotic Organisms Represent

They represent love and hope and are a symbol of purity. Just as there are over twenty-five thousand different types, each with its own splendor, so it is with these species you can find infinite variety and just about any combination that you desire. You can get one single long-stem one or a large bunch of colors that complement one another.

Using Artificial Orchids for Any Occasion

Today you might see a bride carrying one single flower or many. It is not at all unusual and even a little bit in vogue for a bride to carry one flower. They represent refinement and a sense of purity. They bring a certain amount of joy to any occasion. It doesn’t have to be anything nearly as large as a wedding. Silk orchid flowers can change the disposition of any room in your home simply by their presence.

Which Types are More Common Used as Decorations?

Phalaenopsis and Cymbidiums are often used in decorative bouquets. It is no wonder that the most popular types would also be the most desired among these artificial ones. In this case, your fake Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis will never droop or wilt. They also won’t ever need to be repotted or rotated between inside and outside locations because of weather concerns.

Making These Unique and Detailed Flowers

Making these silk imitations is really an art. Today it can be done with such accuracy that the difference of the look between an artificial flower and a live one is not even immediately obvious. They can be very soft and delicate-looking. And, the truth is that they are rarely made of this material anymore. They are made of chemical composites just like everything else in the world from sports equipment to clothing.

Some of The Benefits of Using These Synthetic Flowers

One of these flowers is not only trouble-free when it comes to flower maintenance, it is also the preference of people who are trying to “go green,” or limit as much as possible their use of and pollution of our natural resources. No soil or water are used in fake plants and perhaps, more importantly, no synthetic fertilizers to help the plants to grow and no pesticides or other chemicals to rid them of insects and diseases.

If you are unfamiliar with what can be accomplished today in terms of producing silk orchid flowers, go check them out either at flower shops or online. You will be truly amazed at the changes that have taken place just in the last decade to make them look alive.

Types of Orchids for Beginners That Anyone Can Start Growing Today

Jun6

OK, so you’ve been to the garden shop and the botanical conservatory, and you’re a new fan of the orchid. You probably fancy yourself as an avid grower sometime down the road, but fear that they are too difficult to grow. We have some great news! Here are some types of orchids that are easy to take care of, and that we think new growers will really enjoy. These flowers will grow for you even while you’re still a “newbie” at taking care of them.

Where Exactly Should You Begin Your New Hobby?

Where to start? How about Oncidium Intergenerics, which are types that beginners do quite well growing. Many bloom two times a year, and they have a lovely fragrance. They do need an abundance of light, and other care. But you can pick up the basics pretty easily.

Take a look at the Comnara Wildcat. This is one that will give you the most reward for the least amount of effort. And they have blooming flowers for three months. What a handsome reward for such a small amount of work.

The Onicidium Sharry Baby has a very unique property – it has a chocolate smell! Is there a better smell than that? And this one blooms three times or so over the space of a year.

Larger Plants That Will be More Challenging for a Newbie

There are some members of the Cattleya family that are simple for you to grow. These are a little harder to light – most all of them need supplemental light – but they are hardy and can grow quite large. They have a shorter time span when they’re in bloom, but they are gorgeous.

Try Out This Unique Flower Today

Another good beginner orchid is Phragmipediums. These need a lot of bright light, even more than some of the others available. They are a bit more fragile to care for, too, as they have more specific fertilizer and water needs. If you grow this breed and its leaves turn brown, this means you’ve over-fertilized, so you’ll need to cut back on that a bit.

Others That You Should Consider Before Purchasing

Before you head off to the garden store, you might want to consider a couple more species. Paphiopedilum and the Phalaenopsis hybrids are the best beginner orchids, because they bloom very well in almost any windowsill garden. Neither of these two hybrids needs a great deal of light. Their requirements are very similar to those of the African violet. These rare ones also adapt well to different levels of humidity.

Using Water Techniques that Work

With any type of orchid, be very careful not to over-water them, which is a common problem for new growers. That might cause them to rot. By the same token, be careful not to under-water them as well. Once or twice a week will generally suffice. Use these simple strategies for all your plants watering needs.

They store nutrients and moisture in their roots and leaves. If you have a problem with either, it will show up pretty quickly. Keep a close eye, especially if you’re new to the game, and be alert for any sudden changes in the plant’s appearance.

These are some of the best kinds of orchids to care for if you don’t have much experience yet. With proper light, temperature, water and humidity, they will grace you with many years of loveliness in your home.

The Wide Range of Orchid Species Contains Infinite Variation

Jun6

Orchids aren’t just pretty houseplants that you can easily grow. In fact, this unique family is the largest taxonomic group of flowering plants. There are more than 22,000 accepted species, and more are added each year. There’s no telling how many unidentified varieties there may be.

Locations Where These Exotic Plants can be Found

The family orchidaceae is found all over the world, including within the Arctic Circle. These organisms have a multitude of uses; they supply us with vanilla, some ice creams and fragrances. They are a popular wedding flower, and some varieties are grown commercially to supply the increasing demand for them at all times of the year. But perhaps the most common use is for day-to-day decoration. Many people use them to liven up their homes and workspaces.

Although there are thousands of orchids available, some are much more popular as houseplants than others. Some lend themselves to life indoors, while others prefer to be outside. Most of the ones that make good houseplants are terrestrial, or ground-growing, varietals. Many are epiphytic (tree-growing) or lithophytic (rock-growing); these types are usually more difficult for a beginner to cultivate, but can still adapt to potted life with a skilled cultivator.

Most Popular Plants You Can Find in Ones Home

Some of the most popular types belong to the Cymbidium genus. They are easy to cultivate and require little space. If you are looking for your first plant to grow, one of these might be right for you. Up to 15 flowers grow on each stalk of these plants; colors are diverse and include, green, white, purple and yellow. They typically bloom in the winter, although they are available commercially all year round. There are about 52 types in this genus, so there’s sure to be a color and look that’s right for you.

Phalaenopsis Types are Also Another Good Choice

Plants in the genus Phalaeonopsis are also popular flowers for growing at home. These plants are sometimes called Moth orchids because of the wing-like shape of their petals. They contain about 60 epiphytic types, most of which are native to Southeast Asia. When potted, they have one long stalk, or rhizome, with a few leaves. They produce one bloom a year when provided with the proper care.

Don’t Forget about Paphiopedilum Species

The Paphiopedilum genus contains about 80 different species. These flowers are commonly referred to as “Lady’s Slippers” because of their shoe-like shape. They are native Southeast Asia and the Pacific. They can be difficult to grow, but have some of the most stalwart fans. If you do manage to cultivate a Lady’s Slipper, you’ll be rewarded with a unique, multi-colored flower that’s long lasting. Be sure to use these strategies when caring for these plants in your home.

These are just three of the most popular kinds of orchids, but there are hundreds more genera to choose from if you want to grow a unique plant. If you’re looking to bring home one of these flowers remember that they all require special care. Most of these unique flowers require daily water and monitoring of humidity and light; some kinds have stricter care procedures. Even if you do everything correctly, sometimes they still won’t bloom. So be patient with your plant.

There are so many species in the world, there’s bound to be one out there that’s perfect for you. Once you find your ideal plant, you’ll have beautiful, perfumed flowers with which to decorate your home.

The Perfect Indoor Orchids For Creating a Beautiful Home Environment

Jun6

You might think that orchids can only be grown successfully outside, but you would be wrong! Two excellent choices for ones that are grown inside include Moth Orchids (Phalaenopsis) and Lady’s Slippers(Paphiopedilum). These two are especially popular because they are less particular about their environments and because they blossom on glorious stalks.

Looking at the Simple Moth Flowers

The Moth plant is one of those flowers that you are probably familiar with. You might have seen them in your local Home Depot or Lowe’s garden center. Their colors range from white to pale lavender, but sometimes they also have a contrasting center color. You will love them! Sometimes they will bloom twice per year.

Lady Slippers are Also Another Great Selection

The Lady’s Slipper is another excellent candidate for inside growing. Sometimes it is a little less popular with beginning American growers because they don’t recognize the beauty of their uniqueness. They have “hairs”, and “warts” on their stalks giving them an exotic look.

Many growers love them particularly though because when mature, they will produce loads of blossoms throughout the year. So Lady’s Slippers make rewarding plants for beginners because with a little proper treatment, they will reward you by making you look like a pro!

Providing Adequate Supply of Sunshine

Sunlight is the first concern for cultivating them inside or in their natural habitat. Light from the east filtered through a sheer curtain is best, but lights from other directions can also be managed provided that it is filtered well enough not to “burn” the plant. They are extremely sensitive to too much light.

Humidity Doesn’t Have to be That Difficult Anymore

Humidity can be a bit of a problem as well. Ones that are grown inside need a lot of it in the day time, and there are several solutions. Putting a pebble-filled tray under them works well, misting them once a day works well, and at the most extreme, a cool humidifier will work really well if you can control the amount of humidity it gives off.

On the other hand, though, is that at night, their roots need to be kept dry so they will not become diseased. So getting the proper humidity is one of the more difficult aspects of raising these flowers inside or out.

Various Temperature Ranges

Different kinds require various ranges in temperatures, and that of your house could determine whether or not your orchid will grow or blossom. The Moth types like daytime temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees in the day and 60 to 65 degrees at night, but Lady’s Slippers prefer their temperatures a bit cooler since they are from cooler climates.

They prefer between 60 and 65 degrees in the day, and 50 to 55 degrees at night. If you like to keep your house cool or it is surrounded by trees, Lady’s Slippers could be just the right plant for you.

The Right Watering Methods You Should Use for all Your Orchids

Irrigating them is very, very important. Roots need to be kept damp at all times, and during active growth (when growing and blossoming—not dormant) they need to be watered about twice per week, but when they go dormant during the cooler parts of the year, they can be watered only once every two weeks.

You should feed them once or twice a week when not dormant and less so during its dormancy period. You should use a quarter to a half strength solution, and you can purchase a special kind for these plants at your local gardening shop. Good luck with your first foray into the wonderful world of growing indoor flowers!

The Amazing Beauty of Various Green Orchid Species

Jun6

Although there are thousands of varieties of orchids, there are relatively very few that are green in color. Coveted for their unique appearance, they offer a distinctive elegance among their multi-colored peers. Ranging from vivid lime to yellowish hue, the pine colored ones are exceptional and stunning.

Verdant Varieties

One genus, the Platanthera, has a variety of of these types of flowers. Interestingly, these flowers are not found in a remote tropical climate as you might expect. The Platanthera grow across North America and in Europe. In several states, the Platanthera hyperborean is considered a threatened and endangered species. Platanthera huronensis, commonly known as the Huron Green Orchid (referring to Lake Huron) grows predominantly in the northeast US and parts of Canada. The Platanthera types grow flowers on a tall, upright spike.

Cymbidiums Also Known as The Beginner Plant

Cymbidium orchids are favored for bridal bouquets, adding lovely sage color of a floral variety rather than from foliage. Native to China and Japan, there are many hybrids of the this particular plant. They are in general considered a beginner flower, easy to grow and reasonably priced. Cymbidium Loch Lomond is a stunning hybrid with pea colored petals and a white lip accented with red. Sweet Dreams have distinctive pale green blooms with lovely medium type leaves. Cultivating these wonderful plants is extremely easy with the right information.

The Hue of the Paphiopedilum Can be an Appealing Choice

The Paphiopedilum, also known as slipper orchid, has several varieties of green types. Found mainly in China and Vietnam, they differ from others in appearance with a lip shaped like a cup, a fanned leaf display, and the uppermost sepal appearing similar to an inverted heart. Species embody these characteristics to varying degrees. Flowers range in sizes from 12 inches across to a scant 2 inches.

Several Paphiopedilum types contain shades of color. The Paph.anhinga incorporates a deep evergreen color with vivid ruby. Paph. insigne combines shiny apple-green with brown, yellow, and purple in its flowers. Paph. glaucophyllum is another species with large flowers of muted colors. Paph. fairrieanum has very elaborate 2 inch flowers. White, lime, and violet combine on the curling petals.

Paph. Malipoense, a very recently discovered species, are predominantly sage with red reticulation on the petals. Paph. Maudiae, another popular one for beginners due to its ability to adapt to lower light conditions and average temperatures, has beautiful petals of varying shades of pine and white.

The Aeranthes, Dendrobium, and Phalaenopsis Species With Green Flowers

Aeranthes arachnites and A. grandiflora have large star shaped flowers. Aeranthes are primarily found in Madagascar. Aeranthes Grandiose, a hybrid of A.grandiflora and A. ramose, is also known as the Shooting Stars species. This hybrid has won numerous awards from the American Orchid Society.

Dendrobium Burana Jade is one of the hybrids originating in Thailand. Abundant lemony lime flowers grow on stalks that can reach nearly 3 feet in height.

Phalaenopsis Yellow Treasure is a very light yellowish flowering hybrid. It is a very sought after color among many enthusiasts. This genus developed in Asia and Australia.

Exceptional Beauty

All of these blossoms are striking in appearance. The shape of the sepal, leaves, lips, and foliage vary significantly. In some varieties, this hue is the predominant color, while in others it is merely a highlight. The hues range from deep evergreen to a translucent lime.

Whatever the tint, they will add something indefinably special to a collection. The unexpected surprise of finding green in a flower, coupled with the unique assortment of sizes and shapes make these flowers an orchid enthusiast’s dream.

Taste The Flavor Of Vanilla Orchids

Jun6

Did you know that vanilla is an essence which comes from orchids, and is the only agriculturally profitable by-product extracted from orchids? Vanillin is harvested from the plant known as Vanilla Planifolia.

This flower is a native to Mexico, but Madagascar is now the largest producer in the world. The plant grows as a vine attaching itself to existing trees, and if left alone will climb to the highest point of the tree with hardly any flowers.

The Life of The Vanilla Flower

One flower produces one fruit and the flavored compounds of vanilla are found there. They last only one day, sometimes less, so the vines have to be inspected daily, which is very labor intensive. The vine can be grown on wood such as trees in a forest, in a plantation on trees or poles, or in a shade house which increases the productivity.

Some Unique Species That Will Peak Your Interest

The Planifolia types are hermaphrodites, which means that they carry both male and female organs. To avoid self-pollination, there is a membrane which separates these organs. There is only one species of bee which can naturally pollinate the flower, and that’s the Melipone bee only found in Mexico. This one species of bee had a 300 year monopoly pollinating the Planifolia. They are also pollinated by the hummingbird.

How Hand Pollination Helped These Flowers Thrive

In 1836, a botanist named Charles Francois Antoine Morren, was sitting on his patio in Veracruz, Mexico, drinking coffee, and he noticed black bees flying around his flowers sitting on his table. He watched them working their way under the flap inside the flower and transferring their pollen.

He noticed that within a few hours the flowers closed up and a few days later, seed pods began to form. He immediately began experimenting with different ways to use hand pollination, but it wasn’t until 1841 that a slave named Edmond Albius who resided on Reunion, developed a simple hand pollination method which is still practiced today.

The Europeans and French transplanted the vines overseas, but could not find a substitute for the Melipone bee. Today they are cultivated so that they are at a convenient height for harvesting, and the only way they can pollinate the flowers is through artificial pollination.

The fruit, if left to ripen on the vine, dries out and the phenolic compounds crystallize giving it a diamond dusted appearance called “hoarfrost”. It is at this stage that it releases it’s distinctive smell. The fruit consists of tiny black seeds or specks.

How Fungi is Used To Help These Flowers Procreate

The seed from these organisms will not germinate without certain mycorrhizal fungi, so growers reproduce the plant by cutting off sections of the vine with five or six leaf nodes with a root opposite each leaf. The two lower leaves are removed and the plant is buried in loose soils at the base of a support. The remaining roots will cling to the support and will often grow down into the soil, which promotes the rapid growth of the plant under good conditions.

Interesting Characteristics of These Unique Orchids

The vanilla orchid is a perennial and can climb to 15 meters. It supports itself by the use of aerial roots. Its’ leaves grow between 8-25cm in length and they are fleshy and bright green in color. The flowers are yellow-green in color and are followed by 10-25cm long pendulous capsules, which are incorrectly referred to as “beans”.

They grow best in hot, humid climates with adequate rainfall and well drained soil enriched with organic material.

The curing of the pod gave the world the delicious aroma that is so well loved throughout the world. It’s not only used as a delicious scent, but also used to flavor many foods and drinks. This “essence” was first discovered by the Aztecs who used the seeds to flavor their cocoa drinks.

Some Interesting Facts Surrounding The Rare Ghost Orchid

Jun6

One of the most mysterious flowers that are one of the hardest to find are known as ghost orchids. These flowers are rarely seen in any controlled habitat maintained by man because they happen to be an endangered species. They cannot be found in dry areas and are similar to tropical ones because they love the hot and humid areas of Florida and even Cuba.

If you do happen to find one of these rare species where ever you are they really are a sight to see and may be one of the only times that you get to them at all. It is much rarer to see them blooming since only a handful of them actually get to bloom and become pollinated by a particular moth. Make sure to take as many pictures as possible of this flower if you do see them in the wild.

A Closer Look at The Characteristics of This Rare Breed

If you want to go on the hunt for them then you are going to need some basic understand of what to look for and what are some of their characteristics. When these flowers first start to grow in their beginning stage they will grow two leaves like any other orchid does, but eventually will get rid of these two leaves after it gets older. When this flower gets older the roots take the role of the leaves and actually perform photosynthesis directly to the plant.

The roots are very noticeable and they will usually look like long green shoots that are extended from the plant stem. They also will be around five inches tall and can sometimes be taller. They can extend up to 3 inches wide making them a plant that cannot be ignored. The flowers of these plants also are pure white and sometimes resemble a frog which is why some people call them frog orchids.

How They Live in Their Natural Environment

Like many other flowers such as dendrobiums, the ghost one is also known as epiphytes and have the ability to grow directly on tree trunks. This is not that unusual since many other species also can achieve this task and are able to easily be grown on trees. You will most likely find them growing on or around trees in their natural habitat so make sure to check these different places when searching for them.

They require a certain fungus to allow them to soak up nutrients much more efficiently which allows them to continue to thrive and stay healthy. If this fungus is not present in their habitat it is most likely that the plants will begin to die.

Other Facts That Will Interest You

Many years ago it is said that you could find these flowers practically anywhere around the swamps of Florida, but in the past few years this plant has actually become an endangered species and it is impossible to actually find them in their natural habitat anymore.

I am sure that you can find them around if you really look for them, but you will most likely be searching for a very long time. Try searching during the summertime because this is when they begin to bloom naturally and they might be easier to spot if their white flowers are out and about.

Rare Orchids Are Popular Collector’s Items

Jun6

Orchids make up about 10 percent of all flowering plants on the earth. After reading this statistic, it seems like finding them would be no problem. But that’s not always the case. It’s true that some species are quite common. Others, however, are very rare. These are prized above all others because of their scarcity. And most of them are also the most beautiful in nature.

What Makes These Special Plants Rare?

Most of these varieties are hard to find because their natural habitat has been destroyed by human interference such as ghost orchids. They are adaptable plants, but they do require certain conditions to survive. When tree cover is lost because of deforestation, they cannot survive. Also, when soil and water supplies are contaminated with pollution, they can become weakened and die.

It’s funny that we humans value what we’ve helped endanger–these flowers– more than any other variety. The rarest ones which have been most affected by humans are those that attract the most attention and biggest prices.

Some of The Rarest Types That are Almost Impossible to Find

In any variety, scarcity is often dictated by color. The rarest orchids usually have unusual coloration. For example, albino Phal Amboinensis is one of the most sought-after and unique plants on the planet. This striking plant has an enormously long stem and no pigmentation. The lack of color was caused by a genetic mutation in just one parent plant; therefore, there aren’t many other albino ones found in nature.

An effort has been made in recent years to imitate the genetic mutation that produces these peculiar and unique plants in the laboratory. But since the lab-produced plants aren’t as unique, they aren’t as valuable as their wild counterparts.

Cattleyas Can be Included With These Varieties

Cattleyas are another variety that can be of great interest. They produce beautiful, delicate blooms and are extremely difficult to grow. Even veteran gardeners could run into problems with Cattleyas; they are finicky about temperatures and sunlight and need just the right amount of fertilizer to blossom. But despite their scarcity and growing problems, Cattleyas remain one of the most sought after varietals.

Lady Slippers are Next on the List

Some Lady Slippers, which are members of the Paphiopedilum genus, are scarce because of over picking. They were once ubiquitous in Great Britain and northern Europe, but they were brought near extinction by over harvesting. These days, they are very difficult to find in the wild, although their popularity with orchid aficionados makes them fairly easy to get a hold of in a specialty shop.

Typically, dark flowers are extremely rare. Blue and black types can be as hard to find as their albino cousins. One of the least abundant dark species, Coeloyne pandurata, is known to grow in just a few places in Malaysia. This black species fetches a hefty price because it is so scarce.

Be Careful When Purchasing One of these Flowers

If you’re interested in buying rare ones, be careful how you go about making your purchase. Some sellers harvest them in ways harmful to the environment. Always ask where they came from before you finish a sale. And though these species can make an exciting addition to any collection, you should be prepared to pay top dollar for them. Like any other collector’s item, these varieties don’t come cheap.