Chic orchids in November

There are more than 25,000 species of orchid in the wild with the flower coming in a range of impressive colours. Photo: van der Plas.

It is all about chic orchids in November, with special guests like the Vanda, Cymbidium and Phalaenopsis. So, surprise your customers with this glamorous flower’s many styling possibilities.

Retail

7 November 2018

Many of the orchid’s fabulous colours and shapes originate from the tropical rainforest. The various species grow as epiphytes in the trees, on branches, or twigs, with their roots in the air. The orchids that can now be sold in your shop as cut flowers have been developed from these natural species. Check out Van der Plas’s range of orchids and drive sales in your garden centre this season.

The Orchid’s Colours and Shape

There’s an orchid to suit every style, so this beauty deserves the title for the perfect flower. There are more than 25,000 species in the wild, and the flower comes in impressive colours: from powder pastels to candy pink or Zen white. There are even tiger prints, cow spots, and ones with stripes.

Use the butterfly-like Phalaenopsis, the vampy Vanda, and the slender Cymbidium, they’re all just as beautiful as their names suggests. Many species also come in various sizes ranging from mini flowers to gigantic full blooms.

Care Tips for Customers

Help your customers to enjoy their orchids for longer by giving them the following tips for a long vase life:

Select a clean vase or floral tube and fill it with tap water at room temperature.
Add cut flower food (specialist orchids food if possible) to the water for a longer vase life.
Cut or trim the stems diagonally by 3 to 5 cm with a clean, sharp knife or secateurs. Only trim 0.5 to 1 cm off the smaller flowers.
Do not place orchids in a draught, in full sun, or near central heating.
Orchids are not very thirsty, but do top the vase or tubes up with tap water regularly!
Don’t touch the delicate interior of the flower – the lip – in order to prevent it from wilting rapidly.
Don’t place orchids near a fruit bowl. Fruit emits ethylene gas which will cause the orchids to age more rapidly. Orchids are very sensitive to it.

Bouquet recipe: orchids, an exotic dream

Vanda, Phalaenopsis, and Cymbidium all come from tropical rainforests. They are the stars that make this bouquet. If you opt for varieties in shades of powder pinks and yellows, you can create a vintage exotic bouquet which is reminiscent of picture postcards from holiday destinations from the Fifties and Sixties.

Photo courtesy of Van der Plas.

You will need:

Vanda.
Phalaenopsis.
Cymbidium.
Opulus vibernum (the red berries).
Delphinium.
Limonium (sea lavender or statice).
Brassica.
Carnation.
A willingness to be brave.

Orchid symbolism

The orchid symbolises pure friendship. When Brazilians give it as a gift, they give a kiss for each flower. In India the blue Vanda symbolises peace, and in China the Cymbidium represents friendship. The orchid was First Lady Jackie Kennedy’s favourite flower.

You can discover Van der Plas’s full range of orchids on their online webshop.