Dendrobium Orchid
Dendrobium is one of the largest orchid genera, and its long, arching sprays of waxy florets are a florist staple grown year-round in Southeast Asia. Prized for exceptional vase life and a clean, architectural line, each stem carries anywhere from a handful to a dozen blooms in white, purple, pink, green and lime. Florists reach for it in bridal work, corsages and tropical designs, while single florets are ideal for cake work and boutonnieres. Sturdy yet elegant, it delivers exotic polish at a friendlier price than most orchids.
| Family | Orchidaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Tropical Asia and Australasia (Southeast Asia to Australia and the Pacific) |
| Peak season | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Availability | January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December |
| Stem length | 40–70 cm |
| Vase life | 7–14 days |
| Colors | white, purple, pink, green, yellow, bicolor |
| Price tier | mid |
Cut stems at an angle and place them in clean, tepid water — tropical orchids prefer room-temperature water, not icy. Strip any foliage below the waterline and keep stems out of drafts and away from ripening fruit, as they are ethylene-sensitive. Store cool at 7-10C and never below 5C, since chilling bruises the florets. Mist the blooms lightly to keep them plump.
- •Recut stems at an angle and use clean, tepid water
- •Keep in a cool room, out of direct sun and heat
- •Never store below 5C — tropical orchids chill-bruise
- •Keep clear of ripening fruit and vegetables (ethylene)
- •Refresh water and recut every 2-3 days
- •Mist the florets lightly to keep them plump
