Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Wed, Dec 23, 2009
In a previous post we talked about the orchids known as the "Christmas Bell," the "Christmas Flower," the "Christmas Lily". Now, we'll keep our word and tell you about two orchids that have been named "Christmas Orchids" and one called the "Christmas Star."
According to The Orchid Lady, there are two extraordinary orchid species of Cattleya nicknamed "Christmas Orchid." They get their nickname from the fact that they display their beautiful orchid blooms around Christmas time.
The first Cattleya "Christmas Orchid" is Cattleya percivaliana. Although this is a relatively small plant, the flowers are quite large in relation to its size, with lavender to rose-colored blossoms. Each bloom is further decorated with a frilly lip and a touch of yellow in the throat. Though Cattleyas are known for their beautiful fragrance, this one has just the opposite—a rather putrid odor. So if you're considering giving orchids as gifts, maybe this one isn't the best choice.
The other Cattleya "Christmas Orchid" is Cattleya traianaei. It is one of the most cultivated Cattleya species in the orchid community and is now the national flower of Colombia. This species produces blossoms in many colors from a pure snowy, holiday white to deep lavenders and anything in between. It begins to bloom around December, but continues its show for the next four or five months, right into the Easter season. And it smells good too!
Finally, the orchid known as the "Christmas Star" or "The Star of Bethlehem Orchid" is Angraecum sesquipedale. The star-shaped blossoms are a waxy white to greenish white in color, appropriate for the holiday season. This orchid is only fragrant at night, keeping with it's night-time star-like qualities.
Though these orchids are named for Christmas, there are many more that are just as appropriate for gift giving and holiday decorating, like our own Phalaenopsis Orchids!
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Mon, Dec 21, 2009
Have you heard of the "Christmas Bell," the "Christmas Flower," the "Christmas Lily," the "Christmas Star," or the two "Christmas Orchids?" The Orchid Lady shared a list of orchids that have been nicknamed for the holiday, and told some tales fit for a cup of cocoa.
The bright red flowers of the "Christmas Bell" orchid headed the list. Dendrobium lawesii is nicknamed the "Christmas Bell" because it produces clusters of bright red to purple flowers that look just like bells and they appear around Christmas time, as well as several other times of the year. A warm to cool grower that originates from Papua New Guinea, they love to grow on tree branches high in the forests, and grow very well when mounted.
Next on the Christmas list is Artorima erubescens, known as the "Christmas Flower" because it too blooms around Christmas time and loves cold weather. This species is native to Central America and is also known as the "Blushing Artorima." This orchid grows in the cloud forests at high elevations around 3100 meters with fragrant flowers that appear in winter through early spring, but are quite difficult to grow in the average greenhouse because this orchid blooms when the night temperatures are below freezing!
Our next orchid is the "Christmas Lily," Calanthe triplicate, another winter bloomer. It blooms all during the Christmas season--beginning its flowery show in late November and continuing through the end of January. Once called Calanthe veritifolia, it grows in the shaded areas of the forest in the leaf mold and humus that collects under the trees. Although it appears to be growing in the soil like a normal plant, the roots do not penetrate the ground very far. It grows along the top of the surface just under the leaves and debris that cover the ground.
Next time: two Christmas Orchids and a Christmas Star to top it off!
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Mon, Dec 07, 2009
Jewel-toned orchids can become part of colorful Christmas décor, by setting them in colored containers—from Victorian tins to a holly-painted tea pot. You can also placing brightly-colored metallic orb-shaped ornaments or other baubles and beads to bring out the color of the flowers and a holiday theme in a clear vase. You can use red and white round peppermint candies or ornaments that won’t fit on the tree.
For snow-white blossoms, dress them up with some Spanish moss and a scatter of tiny apples to add Christmas colors, or add sparkle with shimmery silver ornaments that recall the glisten off of icicles.
Try adding yuletide contrast to red flowers by surrounding them with sprigs of pine, or you might follow this tip: place orchids in a 6-inch terra-cotta pot painted a glossy green in a Victorian-style cast-iron tree stand.
To add a glistening effect to offset red or white orchid blooms, fill the bottom of clear glass vases with a handful of clear marbles. You can also use red or green glass to bring the Christmas spirit vividly to life.
For an easy, inexpensive, and impressive host or hostess gift, wrap a pretty specimen in thin, easy-to-mold art paper, and then tie it off with a satin bow.
The Holidays with P. Allen Smith
See fun creative ideas for Holiday gifting with orchids with celebrity gardener P. Allen Smith. He offers easy ideas for creating an elegant holiday gift using long blooming orchids for that special someone on your list. Watch P. Allen Smith's video on gifting Just Add Ice orchids for the Holidays >>