If you want to make your next event extremely special, why not display orchids? It doesn’t matter the event, orchids say class and elegance in all their uses. These amazing flowers don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg either. Just buy orchids in bulk from Wholesale Flowers.

Throughout this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about orchids and how to care for bulk orchids before your event. We will also give you some great ideas on how to use orchids at your next event. So, if you are an event planner or just trying to modernize the look of your next social gathering, this article is for you.

All about orchids

Before we discuss how to display orchids at an event, it is worthwhile to discuss orchids themselves. These striking flowers have a reputation for being extremely hard to grow at home. But, that has not stopped the popularity of the orchid from skyrocketing in recent years.

One of the reasons for this increase in popularity of the orchid is the many diverse types of orchids available. There are actually over 880 genera of orchid, and around 22,000 species in total. That’s obviously a crazy amount. No one location will have that many orchids available. However, a good bulk retailer like Wholesale Flowers will have a large variety of orchids available for you to choose from.

            Orchid Facts:

            So, back to the orchid in general.

The orchid family (Orchidaceae) is one of the two largest families of flowering plants. Although there are so many different species of orchid, they all have some similar aspects, which is what connects them in the family. All orchids are perennial.

Although orchids are primarily associated with the tropics, some thrive in other climates. In fact, they can grow almost anywhere on Earth—they have even been found above the Arctic Circle. North America itself has twenty to twenty-six different genera of native orchid.

There are so many different species of orchid in the world that it is hard to point to too many other similarities that hold true for all species all the time. But, one final commonality is the drooping shape of the orchid flowers. Wholesale Flowers offers two genera of orchid—Dendrobium and Cymbidium—which will be discussed in more detail in the next section.

Wholesale Flowers’ Orchids:

Here at Wholesale Flowers, we offer two different genera of orchid: Dendrobium and Cymbidium. Although these two genera of orchid have their differences, they also have similarities. To help you choose the best orchid for your next event, we will describe Dendrobium and Cymbidium orchids in detail below.

            Dendrobium

Dendrobium orchids are evergreen and have tall, thin stems. This genus of orchid originated in Southeast Asia. It is a huge genus, with around 1,200 species of orchid. All of Dendrobium orchid species grow on other plants—this is called being an epiphyte. The flowers of Dendrobium orchids are arranged in a spray pattern. Essentially, each stem has about eight to eleven flowers on it.

Dendrobium orchids are often considering a great beginner orchid. However, they typically need to be grown at temperatures over fifty degrees Fahrenheit. Plus, you need to make sure that you get the water and light requirements just right. That is why purchasing bulk Dendrobium orchids from Wholesale Flowers for your next event is probably the way to go. You still get to enjoy these gorgeous flower sprays without worrying about growing them yourself.

            Cymbidium

Cymbidium orchids are also arranged in sprays of flowers. The sprays are much longer than on Dendrobium orchids. The blooms themselves are also much larger. You get the same eight to eleven blooms per sprays, but the flowers themselves are between 2.5 and 3.5 inches across. Because of their size, Cymbidiums are best used as focal points in displays.

There are two types of Cymbidium orchids: standards and miniatures. They originated in the foothills of the Himalayas, which means they do okay in cooler conditions. And, they will not grow well in areas where the nighttime temperatures fall below fifty-eight degrees Fahrenheit. Therefore, most people in the U.S. would be best to purchase their Cymbidium orchids in bulk from Wholesale Flowers.   

At Wholesale Flowers, you will find both Dendrobium and Cymbidium orchids in a variety of colors. For Dendrobiums we offer Beloved, Bicolor purple/white, Blue, Blue Bom, Bom, Candy Stripe, Candy Stripe Lite, Dang-Sa-Ard, Gold Bom, Green, Jade, Light Pink, Miss Thailand, Pink, Pompadour, Purple, Queen Pink, Redbull, Sabin, Sakura, Star, Triple Pink, Violet, White, White Dyed Blue, and White Hybrid colors. For Cymbidiums we offer White, Green, Hot Pink, Pink, and Yellow colors.

Why orchids for events?

Now that you know all about orchids, you may be wondering why you should use them for events. While flowers, in general, provide a lot of benefits when used in event displays, orchids are especially appealing. Here are a few reasons why you should consider orchids when planning your next event.

• Orchids have a modern, yet classic look. The spray flower formations of both Dendrobium and Cymbidium orchids draw the eye. Even if you use other flowers in the displays, orchids will be a focal point and add elegance to the event.
• Many flowers have been overused in event displays, the orchid is not one of these. In fact, the identifiable shape of the drooping flowers provides a much more sophisticated and unusual feel than the more common rose and lily.
• Flowers, in general, have a calming effect, which will only improve the event’s atmosphere. Orchids may even improve people’s ability to concentrate and increase their mood.
• Although they are a striking flower, the small nature of the orchid—and the many colors/types available—make it very versatile.

How to use orchids in displays

There is no right way to use orchids in displays for events. There are so many different species and colors of orchid that all you really need is a little creativity to create a stunning display. Below we’ve listed some considerations to keep in mind when planning your orchid displays.

• Color coordination

If your event has a color theme, you may want to purchase orchids that compliment the colors. There are so many different colors of orchids—as the selection at Wholesale Flowers illustrates—that it is easy to find an orchid to match any color scheme. Some orchids even have two tones, like the Beloved (purple and white), Candy Stripe (purple and white stripes), or Gold Bom (gold and purple).

Orchids used in all white arrangements, especially for weddings, are a very popular choice. If you want to go this route, we’d recommend the Dendrobiums White or White Hybrid.

• Contrast

However, you may not want the orchids to compliment your color scheme. Instead, orchids are also a great choice to add contrast. Because they are similar, yet different, displays with Dendrobiums and Cymbidiums in two different colors will contrast each other nicely.

You could also use a color wheel to find a great contrasting color to use in your event. For example, an event with a red or red-violet color scheme could have displays with green or yellow-green orchids for contrast. Even with the unusual green color in this example, Wholesale Flowers will have you covered. We offer Green Cymbidiums and Green and Jade Dendrobiums. 

• Texture

Orchids also lend themselves to textured arrangements. The long, thin sprays of both Dendrobium and Cymbidium orchids can be put with smaller, rounder flowers like roses or daisies. You can also choose to play up the long, thin texture of the orchid and its clusters of flowers by adding grass, stems, or other similarly textured elements. Here are a few orchid arrangement ideas.

Orchid display/bouquet ideas 

• Change up the container.

Often you will see orchids placed in decorative plastic bowls. But, this doesn’t have to be the case. When you are displaying orchids for your next event, the container really determines what kind of atmosphere the flowers create. Large metallic or glass vases work great for a modern look. On the other hand, rustic wooden bowls will provide a more traditional atmosphere.

Make sure that the pot you choose is deep enough for the orchids, other flowers (if any), and the water. Other than that, there are not really any rules with it comes to containers for your orchid display.

• Orchids alone or with other flowers.

If you Google “orchid displays,” you will likely find a number of images of orchids displayed alone. Both Dendrobiums and Cymbidiums are striking enough on their own, that they don’t really need any other flowers included in their displays. Or add flowers of the two genera together for a bold statement.

You could also choose to use orchids in combination with other flowers. Orchids are such versatile flowers that they look good with almost anything else. However, you could try roses, magnolias for a romantic feel. Putting together tulips, hyacinth, and orchids that complement one another’s colors makes for a very refreshing display as well. Play around and find the flower combination that works best for your event.

• Different top dressing options.

Topdressing refers to the material that you put over the soil in orchid pots. While this feature is typically used for potted orchids, you can also use it to your advantage in event displays. Putting some peat moss or even non-organic materials like glass pebbles adds another great element to your orchid event display.

Orchid care instructions

Obviously, orchids, even bulk orchids are not cheap. You want to make sure that you are getting the most for your money. That is why it is so important to take proper care of your orchids after they are delivered. Follow the instructions below in order to get the most time out of these beautiful, but finicky, flowers.

• Keep the stems and flowers well-watered. When you first get the orchids home, make sure to mist the flowers with water. You should also store them in buckets full of water or well-hydrated floral foam.
• You may also want to use flower food. You can purchase orchid preservative from a florist, or you can make your own.
• Always cut the orchid stems on the diagonal. Make sure that you do not cut off too much of the stem for your chosen display container.
• As with all cut flowers, change the water frequently—at least every two days.
• Try not to take delivery of the orchids too far in advance of your event. You want the flowers to continue looking their best in the displays. A day or two before the event is as early as you should get the orchids.

 How many orchids in a bulk order?

When we are talking about ordering orchids in bulk, that means that you will receive a large number of orchid stems for a much smaller per-stem price then you would be buying them individually.

At Wholesale Flowers, we offer our Dendrobium orchids in bunches of ten stems each. Every one of our boxes will come with sixty stems. And, if you assume that the Dendrobium orchids each have approximately ten flowers per stem, that’s six-hundred flowers per box. For a $17.10 bunch price, you really can’t beat that.

Our prices on orchids vary depending on the type of Cymbidium orchids you choose. But, we provide boxes of stems from these orchids. The price for stem will be between $23 and $23.50. Considering that Cymbidium orchids are much larger than Dendrobium orchids, that is still a great deal for you the event planner or DIY host.  

Conclusion

Hopefully, after reading this article you know a little bit more about orchids. Obviously, there are many different genus and species of orchid that we haven’t even had a chance to mention. However, for an event, we highly recommend Dendrobiums and Cymbidiums because of their elegance and striking visual effect.

If you want the best in bulk orchids, try Wholesale Flowers. We have over fifteen years of experience in the flower industry. So, you know you are getting quality when you choose Wholesale Flowers. Our customer service representatives are ready to answer any questions you may have about your orchid order, you can also check out of the FAQ page. Contact Wholesale Flowers today and let us provide the best flowers around for your next event.