The Orchid :

Sexy and exquisitely gorgeous, the orchid is a star at any wedding.

When it comes to choosing a wedding flower, it’s hard to argue against one that symbolizes ecstasy. To be frank, the sultry orchid has always been associated with sex. The look of its flowers is unmistakably erotic, and its very name comes from the Greek word for testicle (orchis), thanks to the appearance of its tubers. Some orchid varieties are even labeled after parts of the female anatomy – witness ‘ladies’ fingers’ and ‘ladies’ tresses’. Throughout history , sensual side effects have even been attributed to the ingestion of the orchid’s parts. A botanical tome of 1640 advises, “if a man ate a large orchid tuber, be would beget many children,” and the flavoring found in the seed pods of the vanilla orchid has been considered an aphrodisiac since as for back as 1753.

The orchid dates to the age of the dinosaurs and thrives in tropical rain forests. Thousands of species are cultivated worldwide, which means there is an orchid for every type of bride. Orchids, diverse in color and fragrance, grow as individual blooms or multiple flowers on a stem. They are surprisingly hardy and hold up well (even without water), which makes them quite wedding –friendly. A full spray of orchids can be used in bouquets and arrangements, or a single blossom can be plucked to make an exotic boutonniere. You could spend a lifetime sifting through the thousands of orchid options available, but four main types are commonly used at weddings: cymbidium, dendrobium, oncidium, and phalaenopsis. They range in price from moderate to very expensive, and, for the most part, they are available year – round.

Left : Chartreuse cymbidium orchids take center stage in this green – themed bouquet.

1. Cymbidium Orchid
A standard cymbidium orchid boasts several large flowers per stem. Once cut, these fragrant beauties remain quite durable, which makes them an excellent choice for corsages. Cymbidium orchids can perish in colder temperatures, so pass on them if the temperature on your wedding day will be on the cooler side. Available in a range of colors including white, green, yellow, pink, red, and rust, the cymbidium in one of the more expensive orchids.



2. Dendrobium Orchid
The sweet – scented dendrobiums comprise the second – largest class of orchids. The most common commercial variety has several small blossoms on a single stem. The dendrobium comes in white, cream, yellow, orange, pink, red, lavender, and purple, and their long stems make them a good addition to cascade bouquets or tall arrangements.



3. Oncidium Orchid
Oncidiums are often referred to as spray orchids, since most varieties have slender, branching sprays of flowers with flaring petals and ruffled lips. Their tiny blossoms add bits of color when arranged with other flowers. Oncidium orchids are most of the grown in Mexico and on the islands of the Caribbean. They are available in yellow, red. Reddish brown, and, less commonly, in white and in pink.



4. Phalaenopsis Orchid
The ancient Greeks named this orchid after the moth, perhaps because its flowers sway from the stem or maybe because the wide, flat petals resemble open wings. Whatever the reason, the moniker stuck, and the phalaenopsis is now also known as the moth orchid. Although it is one of the more expensive orchids, the phalaenopsis is long – lasting and should survive through the day without wilting. A single stem will have a few blossoms at different stages of development. White and pink tones are most common, although shades of yellow, red, and green are also available : many phalaenopsis orchids are dotted or striped.

Ironically, orchids- flowers that look as fragile as eggshells – are one of nature’s sturdiest. For starters, they hail from the deepest regions of tropical rain forests where it’s hot, hot, hot and conditions are nothing less than brutal. If there’s an October heat wave and the chapel’s air – conditioning is on the fritz, the groom might wilt (bachelor party details, please!), but these won’t.

One advantage of that strength is that they don’t need refrigeration – in fact, they don’t even like it. That saves on worrying about storage in the hours leading up to the ceremony. In water or out, they last forever. Place them in a bouquet in the morning, and at the stroke of midnight they still wouldn’t dream of drooping.

Time was an orchid passed as a true rarity, an exotic treasure imported from a far – off land to coexist with mere mortals . Now you can buy them in pots at Kmart. Still, they continue to carry an air of exoticism and, at least in bouquets, a hefty price. That said, consider that a single stem of some varieties hold up to sixteen blossoms, so that investment may well be worth it. Don’t worry about having too many blooms. When the bride has what she needs, she can share the rest with groom and crew – a single small orchid makes an absolutely perfect boutonniere.