Flowers Sarasota Open Sunday

Long known for their beauty and fragrance, orchids produce spectacular blossoms that often last for days, even weeks. Depending on the species, these blooms can be removed from their plants and used as cut flowers in many different ways, including stemmed flowers in a vase, a cluster of blossoms in a corsage, or as a single-flower boutonniere.

Not all species of orchids, however, can be used as cut flowers. Light delicate blossoms don't last as long as heavier, waxy-textured thick blossoms. This is important to know, especially if you're considering using an orchid bloom without the stem in a corsage or boutonniere. The stem provides support and water for the blossom, so flowers still on their stems fare better than those that aren't.

The longevity of some of the species of orchids makes them more economical as cut flowers. Consider that a bouquet of non-orchids usually lasts a week, ten days at most. Compare that to the month-long endurance of some types of orchids, and it's obvious that in addition to elite beauty, orchids provide more value.

The orchid family contains over 20,000 different species of plants, many of which are perfect for use as cut flowers. Two of the most long-lived genera are Cymbidium and Arthurium. Flowers within these two groups can provide fresh, beautiful blossoms for up to 6 weeks. In addition to being used in cut arrangements, these flowers work well as corsages and boutonnieres.

"Spray orchids" are very popular as cut flowers and are used in a multitude of scenarios. Among these flowers are the well-known Arachnis, Dancing Lady Orchids (Oncidium), and Lady Slipper Orchids (Paphiopedilum). Other flowers among these graceful linearly growing beauties are species from the Dendrobium, Phalaenopsis and Vanda genera. Blossoms among these plants can last on the stem for 1 to 2 weeks.

Odontoglossum and Cattleya work best in corsages and last up to 7 days. The Cattleya blossoms are the standard for corsage usage, and are usually what the average person thinks of when orchids are discussed. Some species within the Cattleya, Cymbidium and Oncidium possess a sweet aroma which makes them a charming addition to mixed bouquets.

Just like their potted and terrestrial counterparts, cut orchids need some specific care. If you purchase cut orchids, take a sharp knife and cut ½- inch from the bottom of the stem before placing in the vase. If you can cut the stem while it's under water, that's even better. To help keep blossoms fresh, place them away from sources of heat and out of direct sunlight. Cooler temperatures are best, as long as the blossoms aren't exposed to cool drafts.

If you need to store the cut orchids, place them in cool temperatures (50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit). If you receive them wrapped, mist lightly after removing the wrapping, then place in a vase. Orchids prefer warm water, so when placing stems in a vase, use water around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. For Cymbidium cut flowers to last a long time, the stems must be supported. A tall, slender vase can provide this support, which then ensures that water reaches blossoms and helps keep the blossoms fresh.

To learn more about orchid information, please visit .

About Author: Kennis Wong is an orchid lover and grower who likes to share her enthusiasm and cultivation tips. Kennis regularly updates her website to help others to get started on orchid growing.