Orchids are a true classic and one of the most striking flowers around thanks to their vibrant colors and uniquely shaped blooms. These beautiful plants mostly thrive in tropical climates across the world, but can also be found in other geographies like North America. Orchids have more than 25,000 species and an astounding 100,000 varieties, and offer a wide variety of beautiful and easy-to-care-for plants for your home. Let’s take a look at why orchids – March’s flower of the month here at SnapBlooms – are so special and a perfect gift for any occasion.
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The Origins of the Orchid Flower
While scientists believe orchids first appeared on Earth around 120 million years ago, their cultivation history seems to have started more recently in either Japan or China around 3,000-4,000 years ago. The Chinese word for orchid (“lan”) has been used in Chinese herbal medicine texts from that period of time. However, it’s unclear exactly when people first began deliberately growing orchids, and whether it was initially for aesthetic purposes, medical purposes, or both.
The Meaning and Symbolism of Orchid Flowers
The symbolism of orchid flowers has been prominent in cultures across the world since ancient times, with the plant representing love, beauty, fertility, and charm. The ancient Greeks were in fact so certain of the flower’s connection to fertility that they took orchids with longer, thicker roots to represent a male child, while those with smaller tuberous roots symbolized female offspring.
In Asia, the Chinese have been cultivating orchids for over 3,000 years, and within traditional medicine, they are used as a herbal remedy for coughs and lung diseases, as well as kidney and stomach deficiencies. Orchids have also been historically used in Ayurvedic drug preparation in Sikkim, India, with many species having proven medicinal and therapeutic values. Aztecs in the Americas are thought to have combined the vanilla orchid with chocolate to create an elixir that helped them channel power and strength.
Be aware that the specific meaning of an orchid can change depending on its color. While blue-tinted orchids represent rarity, pink orchids symbolize grace, joy, and femininity, and white ones are known to signify humility, purity, and innocence. Yellow orchids signify joy and new beginnings, and orchids with purple hues denote dignity, royalty, and admiration.
Care and Cultivation of Orchid Plants
While orchids are relatively straightforward to care for and can last a long time, there are some elements of their care that are fairly unique. Successful orchid flower care is dependent on a good soil base, proper watering and potting, and the right amount of lighting.
First of all, make sure that your orchid’s pot has plenty of drainage holes so excess water can escape completely. The soil should be fast-draining, so going for moss-based or bark-based soil will be best. Note that bark-based soil drains water more quickly than the moss variety, so you’ll have to water it more frequently.
The ideal temperature for orchid growth is fairly moderate at around 60-75 degrees Fahrenheit (or 16 to 24 degrees Celsius). This kind of environment, combined with a lot of indirect sunlight and a little air circulation, will help your orchid plant to grow big beautiful flowers. Try to place it by a south or east-facing window if possible, in order for it to get the right amount of sunlight.
Orchids should be watered every few days, but beware not to overwater them as this can cause their demise. You can avoid this by testing how wet the soil feels: If you feel the moisture on your fingers when you push them into the soil, then you don’t need to water the plant. Or if you’re using a clear pot, simply wait until there is no condensation. Orchids located in dry climates or in air-conditioned homes will also benefit from misting on a daily basis.
Orchid Flower Benefits and Uses
- Orchids are also known as Aquarius birth flowers that can decorate a home. Their colorful petals and unique shapes make them a nice addition to any room.
- Some types of orchids are used to make medicine. Doctors may use extracts from orchid roots, leaves, stems, or flowers to treat illnesses.
- The fragrance from orchid flowers can be relaxing. Their light and pleasant scents are enjoyable to smell.
- Orchids attract pollinators like bees. Bees and other insects help orchid plants reproduce by transferring pollen between individual flowers.
- People purchase and care for orchid plants as a fun hobby and also because orchids have spiritual meaning. They take pride in growing different varieties and keeping them healthy for a long time.
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Still not found the right orchid flower bouquet to celebrate a special occasion, gift to a certain someone, or simply brighten up your home? Check out snapblooms and search “orchid flowers online” to see the full range.
