The Most Popular Orchid Species
August 27th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Many people consider orchids to be the most beautiful plants in the world. They are thought of as exotic and sensual and can fill your home with their breathtaking colors. Orchid blooms are truly spectacular, and some plants have unique color combinations that make them a desirable and attractive addition to any home. However, choosing among the varieties of this plant may be a difficult decision. There are over 25,000 species of orchids, and although many of these types will not be available in your area, you will still be faced with choosing among a variety of pretty plants.
Popular Orchid Species
Perhaps the best way to narrow down your choices is to look at some of the more popular orchid species. These particular varieties have been developed for their adaptability to a home environment and are relatively easy to care for. Dendrobiums are at the top of this list. This species of orchids offer a wide variety of colors, from white to purple to yellow. Originally found in most of Asia as well as the Philippines, Australia, New Guinea and Borneo, these plants are in great demand. Because of their desirability, hobbyists have created hybrids for this orchid species.
Cattleya is another popular orchid species that is naturally found in parts of South America and Asia. The blooms of this plant are especially gorgeous. The colors are usually, white, yellow or a deep purple. An interesting aspect of the Cattleya is that it gracefully spreads out, rather than grows in a compact pattern. The orchid species, Vanda, has a very unique look and exotic flowers. The leaves come out from a single stalk with the flowers growing from one of the leaf’s bases. The blooms can number anywhere from five to twenty per plant. This orchid species originally made its home in China, Australia, the Himalayas, Indonesia and New Guinea.
Choosing the Right Species of Orchids
While these three species of orchids are both popular and beautiful, there are literally thousands of varieties in the world. The key to choosing the species that is right for you is dependent on where you live and what type of environment you will be offering the plants. With the increasing demand for orchids, and more people becoming orchid enthusiasts, growers are experimenting and developing new hybrids. These plants are often hardier for the indoor gardener to enjoy, while being easier to care for by the novice. With all of these recent changes, now is the best time to start a lifetime hobby of growing these impressive plants.
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Where to Buy Tropical Flowers: Orchids of Hawaii Company
August 21st, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
There is really no location in the world that produces more beautiful tropical flowers than the island of Hawaii. Tropical flowers are fresh and exotic looking and are very popular in wedding bouquets and flower arrangements. There are so many options when it comes to using tropical flowers, but the first step is finding a company that you can trust and feel confident purchasing your tropical flowers from.
If you are looking for a fantastic company to buy tropical flowers from, you should definitely consider the Orchids of Hawaii Company. They offer over sixty years of experience of supplying fresh tropical flowers and leis nationwide, and their staff averages twenty years in the mail order business or horticultural field.
Their staff is very knowledgeable and experienced and is always available and willing to help consumers in selecting products. They are committed to delivering to your doorstep only the freshest cut flowers available, and offer valuable information which will help you to keep your flowers healthy and beautiful.
The flowers arrive loosely packed and depending upon the time of year, there may be additional charges placed on your order for winter or summer insulation. There are many options available in terms of shipping and you can contact the company for more information on this and to get help with deciding on which option is going to be most suitable for you.
Tropical Assortments
Tropical assortments are the Orchids of Hawaii Company’s passion and specialty. A few of their assortments include the Akala, Alani, Aloha, Lehua, Puanani, Tropical Special, Tropical Supreme, Tropical Mix, and the Ula Ula.
Tropical Plants
They also offer a comprehensive selection of tropical plants for you to choose from, and you can get all the beauty and warmth that you want with these tropical plant arrangements. Just keep in mind that not all of the tropical plants are available year round because of different blooming seasons.
When you deal with the Orchids of Hawaii Company you know that you are dealing with the very best and know that you will be getting the perfect floral arrangements and goodies. The Orchids of Hawaii Company also offers a selection of accessories to choose from such as corsages and orchid sprays.
Of course there are many other flower companies that you can go to but the Orchids of Hawaii Company is truly one of the very best. You should check them out regularly because they offer monthly specials on their products which can help you to save hundreds of dollars on your purchases.
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Choosing Complementing Flowers For Some Orchids Arrangements
August 15th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Orchids arrangements are one of the more popular arrangements ordered from florists all over the world. This fact is probably because orchids are beautiful flowers and come in many different colors, sizes and shapes. The exotic looking orchids’ arrangements also catch almost everybody’s eye. These are also unique flowers that speak of being almost exclusive and expensive. Let’s face it, some people buy things because they cost more and they are exclusive.
Arranging The Orchids
Most orchids arrangements need a vase or a form of floral foam into which the flowers will be stuck to. Floral foam is a very popular choice for many florists because it contains water for the flowers to last a little longer. In most cases, orchids arrangements are usually arranged according to their species. This means that like is usually matched up with like species. Colors may vary but the same species go well together compared to orchids arrangements with different species. In spite of this, there are some more avant garde florists who mix and blend different species of orchids in one orchids arrangement.
There are some flowers (not orchids) that complement orchids arrangements very beautifully. These complementary flowers are sometimes mixed in with the orchids to relieve the monotony and to add a different edge to the arrangement. This is because some people view similar or alike objects as boring. Having two kinds of different flowers species with the same color can be fantastic to behold.
Flowers that complement orchids are baby’s breath, gladiolas and even mums. Actually, the compatibility of the orchids and other flower species in the orchids arrangements will depend on how they look together. The more successful kinds of orchids arrangements have the orchids and the other flowers have the same or similar colors.
Greenery can also be added to the orchids arrangements to make these look more vibrant. The many different kinds of ferns as well as many other kinds of leaves can complement orchids. A long time ago, florists usually used ferns as greenery for their arrangement. These days, any kind of leaves or greenery can be added to the arrangement to bring out the color of the flowers.
It can be fun to make your very own orchids arrangements for decorating your home. Practicing making arrangements can hone your talent in this and sharpen your eye for beautiful arrangement combinations. Try out different kinds of flowers to complement the orchids.
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Orchids And Trees – A Great Medium For Some Extraordinary Orchids
August 9th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Orchids are exceptionally beautiful and versatile flowers which can be grown on trees anywhere you live provided the climate allows it. Orchids and trees are a great combination when it comes to tropical and sub-tropical climates. Landscaping is a great and rewarding pastime and orchids can transform any place into paradise.
The Orchids And Trees Can Be A Mind Blowing Combination
Potted orchids are today one of the fastest growing industries in USA. However, this does not mean that orchids cannot be grown any other way. If you have green fingers and you love the outdoors, you will discover the joy of landscaping with orchids and trees combination. Indeed, you can grow some of the finest looking orchids mounted on the trees that are available in your vicinity.
The only pre-requisite for this unusual landscaping project would be that the bark of the tree you choose should be rough enough to allow the orchid hang on it. Another important aspect that could destroy your flowers if ignored is the direction of the cold wind. Ensure that the orchid is always planted in such a manner that it gets plenty of light and the least of cold wind.
Some Orchid Species And The Trees That Suits Them Best
If you are looking for a orchids and trees combination frankly speaking, sky is the limit. There are so many of them that it requires a book to list them all. However, the following trees are among the most popular of all.
The Palm Trees
The Schomburgika Tibicinus genus loves the sun and is an excellent tree orchid. If you want the best results, choose palm trees because they are tall and therefore exposed to the sun well enough; besides they have little canopy that could block the sun away from your orchid. Tie up your orchid with strong nylon string on the side which is protected from winds until its roots has caught the tree trunk well enough to do away with the string. The palm trees make great hosts for the Equitant oncidiums as well as the Vanda teres and their hybrids.
The Oak Trees
These trees are shady and possess a very rough bark which helps orchids to get attached with ease. You will find that the Encyclia tampensis which is a flower native to Florida is very happy with this tree. The Brassavola genus and the Cattleya skinneri also are at home on the oak tree. These flowers could be placed in any way you like them whether this is vertical or horizontal.
The orchids and trees combination can be used with many other trees as well such as the mango, avocado and mahogany trees. Experiment wildly and you are bound to have a lot of fun and a great landscape.
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Have Fun In Winter With Orchids And Cold Weather
August 3rd, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Are you one among those who thought that orchids are only growing in the tropics where they would have adequate sun and humidity? Well, if so think again. There are plenty of orchids that love cold weather and in fact cannot live without it. Yes, there is a definite and positive link between orchids and cold weather and as a result you have some very beautiful orchid specimens.
Orchids And Cold Weather – The Flowers Who Love The Cold And Snow
For those who imagined that orchids and cold weather do not mix, check out the Christmas Bell which is flower from the Dendrobium family. Its name is derived from its large and extremely beautiful red flower which indeed resembles a bell. Since it blooms around Christmas, the name Christmas Bell seemed apt enough. The plant can produce up to six lovely flowers in one season delighting their owners.
Another Christmas favorite is the Christmas flower or the Blushing Artorima which are the nicknames given to Artorima erubescens an orchid belonging to the Epidendrum genus. This lovely orchid grows at an altitude of 3000 meters above sea level and would be visible throughout the winter. If you try to grow it at home, ensure that you have it mounted and kept in a real cold place. This is one of the best examples that prove orchids and cold weather can make a great combination.
The next on the list is the Christmas lily or the Calanthe triplicate or veritifolia. You will find that this orchid starts blooming from late November to the end of January. This is a huge plant that can grow up to one meter in height and about 20 centimeters in width. The flowers of this plant are somewhat big – about three centimeters in length.
This plant loves to grow in shadowy areas in the forest and its roots though very long do not go deep; rather spreads just under the soil. Therefore, it is easy to grow in controlled medium where you can create the high humidity atmosphere it wants.
The Christmas Orchids – Time To Celebrate
For people who love orchids this is good news. Many who lived in colder climates were always worried that they would never have the opportunity to grow orchids until they learned about the secret link of orchids and cold weather. These lovely flowers thrive in cold weather and add a lot panache to the wonderful season of Christmas.
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Amazing Orchids
July 28th, 2008 Subscribe To Our Feed
Growing orchids can be the most amazing hobby you will ever have. Once considered a pastime for only the very wealthy, growing these beautiful plants is now possible for everyone. Their popularity has made them more affordable, and information about how to care for them is readily available. People who have grown orchids for years consider these plants the kings of horticulture world.
Can I Really Grow Orchids?
Most people, who are not familiar with these plants, may have heard that they are very difficult to grow properly. There seems to be a mystery surrounding them. Some would-be plant enthusiasts may consider orchids to be the work of experts, and not to be considered for the novice or hobbyist. All of that thinking is completely wrong. Growing orchids is the oldest and perhaps the most highly organized of plant hobbies and people in all walks of life can enjoy them. If you can grow houseplants, you can successfully grow orchids. But before adding these plants to your home, consider a few basic facts first.
Fast Facts
The first and foremost thing to keep in mind is to select the right orchids for the type of indoor environment that you will be providing. One of the myths about these plants is that they are “exotic” and therefore won’t grow well in the average home. As the largest group of plants in the world, they are not a rare and delicate species. While they do require specialized care, many species are tough and you may even find a variety growing wild in one of your local parks. Orchids have evolved over the years, with the type you buy in a local garden center being especially bred and cultivated for your particular area. Because of selective breeding and hybridization, the plants you purchase will do quite well in your home if you meet their basic needs.
A greenhouse isn’t necessary to grow these beautiful plants. Growing them indoors will be as simple as tending to other houseplants. However, choose a species of orchids that has been cultivated for your area. There are thousands of species of this plant, and some may require expert care simply because they are not able to withstand the conditions that are in your home. On the other side, there are many varieties that will thrive in your house, with normal and routine care, because they have been adapted for your particular area.
Growing orchids can bring you a lifetime of enjoyment. Amaze your family and friends with your new and pretty hobby.
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