focal · moderate · premium
Phalaenopsis orchid
Phalaenopsis · aka moth orchid
The phalaenopsis is the flower of high-end hotel arrangements and luxury weddings. Individual florets can be wired for buttonholes, cake work, or delicate hair pieces. Standard commercial colours are white and pink; specialty growers produce lime, chocolate, and heavily spotted 'harlequin' varieties. Cut stems can arch elegantly over the edge of an arrangement.
At a glance
| Family | Orchidaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Southeast Asia; potted plants dominate, cut stems from Thailand and Netherlands |
| Peak season | all year |
| Availability | all year |
| Stem length | 40–90 cm |
| Vase life | 14–30 days |
| Colors | white, cream, pink, yellow, purple, burgundy, spotted |
| Price tier | premium |
Conditioning
Cut on a diagonal above a node. Individual florets can be wired for buttonholes and cake decoration. Keep stems in shallow water.
Care in the vase
- •Exceptionally long vase life for a cut orchid
- •Individual florets snap off cleanly for wired work
- •Cool storage but never below 10°C — cold damages petals
Design role & symbolism
Symbolismluxury, beauty, refinement
Occasionsluxury events, wedding, corporate, cake work
Substitutescymbidium, dendrobium
luxurylong-lastingeditorialcake
