OrchidSafari ARCHIVES*

FACT SHEET:

"Orchids as Gifts"

Marilyn H.S. Light
Copyright 1998

Whether they come in a corsage, as a bouquet or as flowering plants, orchids are real winners for gift appeal. Orchids used to be the ultimate corsage. Big, floppy but oh so gorgeous Cattleyas were proudly carried as an adornment to an even more luxurious gown. Cattleyas may still be specially ordered from a florist, they are still popular in bridal bouquets, but somewhat fragile Cattleyas have been largely replaced by more robust and less expensive blooms such as Cymbidium and Dendrobium. Cymbidiums are available year round and in a wide variety of colors. Pure color Cymbidium flowers last the longest in part because of their innate resistance to aging and discoloration after the anther cap is dislodged or the flower is bruised or broken. Multi-flowered stems of purple, white and bicolor Dendrobiums are the least expensive and can be quite long lasting. Individual flowers may be used as boutonnieres or corsages.

CUT FLOWERS
When choosing an orchid cut flower, the fresher the cut bloom the better. Use your own collection as a source or purchase from a florist. Cut Cattleya blooms once the flowers have fully expanded, about three days after opening, using a very sharp new blade. Disposable one-sided razor blades are useful for the purpose. Re-cut the stem beneath water. Condition the flower by keeping it in fresh, cool water for several hours before preparing a corsage. Permit the majority of Cymbidium blooms to open before cutting the spike. Re-cut and condition as with Cattleya. Individual blooms may be removed one at a time from the stem as needed for holiday festivities. Sprigs of ivy, asparagus fern or a mass of curly ribbons is all that is needed to present the bloom.

HINT! Provide a plastic ziplock bag, a water pik and instructions as to how to keep the flower fresh. Give an estimate of how long the bloom might last. Instructions should include measures to refresh the bloom by re-cutting the stem under water, providing fresh water in the water pik, keeping the bloom in the water-filled pik and in the bag in the a cool place when the bloom is not being worn or displayed.

BOUQUETS
Choose a bunch of colorful Dendrobiums or cut sprays of Aranda, Mokara, Renanthera or Vanda for a long-lasting hostess gift. These orchids are mass produced in the tropics and shipped, each with their individual water holder, to wholesale outlets in major countries. When purchasing cut stems, examine the open flowers as well as unopened buds. Freshly cut stems will have few wilted flowers: the buds will be plump and some may be opening. When you get them home, re-cut the stem under water. While the stem is taking a good drink, wash the water holder, soaking it in diluted bleach solution for about ten minutes. Refill the holder with water, cap then slide a stem through the cap into the holder.

When cutting orchids in one's own collection, allow the majority of blooms on multi-flowered spikes to open before cutting the stem. Re-cut and condition as with Cattleya.

LIVING PLANTS
So far we have discussed cut flowers. You may be surprised but it is not unknown for someone to want to plant their flower. Gently explain that the flower, once cut from the plant, can no longer grow. Suggest to the recipient that if they would like to grow an orchid, you can provide them with a ‘starter' plant. You may have a budding hobbyist just waiting to get started!

Orchid gift plants can come from a variety of sources including shows, florists, super markets, private growers and one's own collection. When choosing a plant, take into consideration the recipient, their ability to care for an orchid over the long term, and their likely growing conditions. The average person is not preoccupied with the grex name, the parentage or even how a specimen measures up to others of the type. It is an orchid and therefore something to be cherished.

Orchids for shut ins.
A blooming orchid is a precious, living thing likely to be admired and enjoyed by the recipient but they may not be able to easily care for it. Present a blooming Phalaenopsis or Paphiopedilum. Flowers of both of these orchids will last several weeks or more before fading. Arrange to visit the recipient regularly while the plant is still blooming. Monitor the plant condition and when the blooms are finished or the plant seems stressed, remove it and if you can, replace it with another blooming beauty. Your visits will be as welcome as the plant gift.

Orchids for those with green thumbs Present a blooming orchid to the novice who has had considerable success with other plants. Choose a Phalaenopsis for warm conditions, a Paphiopedilum for cool shady conditions or a Pleurothallid for those with a flair for terrariums. Include a AOS care sheet, a small bottle of liquid fertilizer, a mister and a few hand written notes to round out the gift. Orchids for a fellow hobbyist Round out the joy of giving by sharing seedlings or divisions of some of your favorite orchids. Examine potential gifts carefully for pests. Do not give a plant if you cannot guarantee that you are not also giving an unwanted guest. Choose a plant that the recipient has admired or a seedling of a new cross so that they may have the joy of seeing the plant bloom for the first time. Many of my favorite plants came to me as gifts including a keiki of Psychopsis papilio ‘Northern Ridge' AM/AOS CCM/AOS and a seedling of Dendrobium finisterre. They are a constant reminder of friendship and good will.