"Less known to most of us are the other interesting uses of orchids in traditional food and medicine."

Different Types of Artificial Orchid


Orchids are considered by many people to be the most elegant, delicate, beautiful plant in the world. They come in every color of the rainbow, plus white and nearly jet black. However, outside of the tropics, orchids are not exactly an easy garden plant. Nor are they an inexpensive variety at the local flower shop. So, many people go for the look of orchids without the trouble of maintenance by buying an artificial orchid.

It is surprising how much an artificial orchid can look like a real one. In fact, some decorators will construct a custom composition, hand-making small individual details that really bring the plant to life. Often public places, like offices or hotels, decorate with these high quality arrangements.

An artificial orchid can mean the flowers down at the local craft shop that you arrange yourself, but actually these permanent decorations can be made of many things, not the least of which is cloth.

Clay

It is possible to create a beautiful artificial orchid out of clay and display it something like a small sculpture. Choose an orchid anchored to a real piece of wood or one arranged in a pot or basket. Shop around on the internet and look for plants that are painted very carefully and well.

Glass

While a glass artificial orchid does not have the same texture as a real orchid, these sculptures are incredibly elegant and vibrant. Artisans working with striated glass can mimic patterned orchids amazingly well. Very high quality glass orchids look as delicate as a real orchid bloom and are much more fragile.

Paper Mache

Paper mache does not necessarily have to be formed over a mold; it is possible to make a paper mache mixture than can be sculpted. This is a very intricate and difficult paper mache project which takes much practice to perfect.

Silk and Other Fabric

The most elaborate artificial orchid flowers are made from real silk. First an artist cuts the flower petals from white silk, then hand-paints each one, carefully blending the colors to mimic nature. Next, the petals are put into a heated mold to press them into the proper contours. Finally, each petal is affixed by hand to a center. Usually the stem is a wire wrapped in special green paper. The most common artificial orchids are made of polyester because of that materials low cost and the ease with which it absorbs paints and dyes.

Water Saving Gardening

Though the plants in both stores may be from the same grower, at the independent nursery, there may be a staff member that specializes in orchid care and can answer your questions.

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The flowers are then sold to florists and retailers at wholesale flower markets.

"Unless the florist has a month’s advance notice, it will not be possible for them to provide the right type of orchids, and most important, the right colors."