Spotlight on Wedding Flowers: Orchids

By Karen Sturtevant

Family: Orchidacea is the largest family of flowering plants in the world and includes Vanilla (the genus of the vanilla plant).

Botanical Name: Orchis

There are between 25,000 to 30,000 different species of orchids growing wild worldwide. Between 200 to 300 new species of orchids are found annually. Discovered in 2002, the Phragmipedium kovachi orchid, with its vivid purple flowers, made New York Times headlines stunning orchid enthusiasts. Valued for their exotic appearance and slight, sweet scent, orchids are an impressive choice for wedding focal flowers.
Availability: Several species are available year round with the most popular being the Dendrobium, Cymbidium, and

Phalaenopsis. Orchids can be found in all hues from earthy tones to bright pink and inky black. No blue orchid has ever been found growing naturally.

Meaning: Love, beauty, wisdom, strength, and thoughtfulness. In China, refinement and innocence of children are associated with orchids.

Long life: Orchids, as cut flowers, have amazing vase life, lasting three weeks or longer. Some houseplant orchids, including Phalaenopsis display their blooming flowers for three months or longer.

Three popular orchids:

Dendrobium (Singapore orchid)

Ten to twelve delicate florets, 1 to 2 inches across, bloom in colors of creamy white, bright magenta, purple, green, pink, and bicolor on slender, sturdy stems. Found in southeast Asia from northern India to the islands off the East coast of New Guinea and Australia to Polynesia.

Cymbidium (boat orchid):

Thick, fleshy roots give life to waxy textured flowers, which have rounded sepals with each petal having the same dimensions. Available in standard (approximately 5 inches across in diameter) and miniature (approximately 2 to 3 inches across in diameter), Cymbidium orchids originate from Thailand and are found in colors of cream, white, green, yellowish-green, yellow, pink, red, and brown.

Phalaenopsis (moth orchid):

With five petals on each 2 to 4 inches in diameter bloom, this orchid resembles a moth in flight and available in white, pink, lavender, and yellow. A single multi-branching flower spike between 12 and 18 inches in length can have more than 20 flowers. Native to southeast Asia, most grow upon another plant, even trees or on rocks. Highly adaptable, species are found below the canopy of moist, humid forests, or seasonally dry or cool environments.

Uses: Bouquets, boutonnieres, corsages, hair accents, centerpieces, cake decor.

Fun Facts

Vanilla flavoring is derived from the pods of the Vanilla planifolia, a leafy climbing orchid.

There are nearly four times the number of orchid species than there are mammal species.

Approximately 800 new orchid species are added each year from horticulturalists and orchid growers.

Orchids can be found on every continent except Antarctica.

Most orchids grow anchored in tress in subtropical and tropical climates and are considered epiphytes meaning they do not need to have their roots in soil to grow.

The seeds produced by orchids are the smallest among all flowering plants.

The heaviest orchid, Grammatophyllum speciosum, has the capacity to weight up to 2,000 pounds. In nature the adult orchid produces up to 10,000 blooms.

Karen Sturtevant

is a freelance writer, editor of Vermont Bride, and has a stunning white Phalaenops that is sunning itself on her kitchen windowsill.

Photo by Larry Asam Photography

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