What should I know about orchids?
The Short Answer
Orchids are the long-lasting, exotic choice, whether as a potted plant that blooms for months or as cut stems that hold up for two to three weeks. They read as elegant and high-end while often costing less over time than replacing cut flowers.
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Exotic, elegant, and surprisingly tough
Orchids have a reputation for being finicky and fragile, but the varieties we use in floral work are actually some of the longest-lasting blooms around. Their graceful, symmetrical flowers carry an air of luxury that instantly elevates a design or a room. There are more orchid species than almost any other plant family on earth, which explains their incredible range of shapes and colors. At Bentley Florist we love recommending an orchid plant as a gift that keeps giving, since a healthy phalaenopsis can rebloom year after year with very little fuss, unlike a bouquet that fades within the week.
The orchids you will actually see
The phalaenopsis, or moth orchid, is the familiar potted orchid with arching sprays of round blooms in white, pink, purple, and spotted patterns, and it is by far the most popular gift plant. Dendrobium orchids provide the smaller purple and white blooms often used in leis, corsages, and cut arrangements. Cymbidium orchids offer clusters of larger waxy flowers prized in weddings, and the classic cattleya is the ruffled corsage orchid many remember from Mother's Day. For a prom or homecoming corsage, dendrobium and cymbidium blooms hold up wonderfully through a long night of dancing.
Caring for orchids the easy way
A potted phalaenopsis is far more forgiving than people fear. The number one killer is overwatering, so resist the urge. Give it a small amount of water roughly once a week, or drop three ice cubes on the bark once a week, and let it drain fully so the roots never sit in water. Place it in bright, indirect light, away from cold drafts and hot vents, which matters in a Michigan winter. When the last bloom drops, do not toss the plant. Trim the spent flower spike, keep caring for it, and it will often send up a new bloom spike within a few months.
When orchids are the right gift
Orchids suit occasions where you want to convey refinement, admiration, or lasting affection: a milestone anniversary, a thank-you to someone special, a housewarming, or a get-well gift that will outlast a bouquet. A quality potted phalaenopsis typically runs $45 to $95 in our area, and its months of bloom make it an excellent value. Cut orchid arrangements sit at the higher end of everyday designs, around $75 to $150, reflecting their exotic look and long vase life. For weddings, orchids appear in upscale bouquets and centerpieces and pair beautifully with a modern, minimalist style.
Planning Tips From Our Designers
- Water a potted orchid sparingly, about once a week.
- Give orchids bright, indirect light and no cold drafts.
- Never let the roots sit in standing water.
- Trim the spent spike to encourage a phalaenopsis to rebloom.
- Choose dendrobium or cymbidium for durable corsages.
- Give an orchid plant when you want a gift that lasts months.
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