Cut Flower Care and Handling: Orchid

orchidFloralife has expanded the Flower Care and Handling section of our website to offer a bunch of useful tips for the postharvest processing of many different varieties of cut flowers. Grower, wholesaler, retailer, enthusiast – there’s something for everybody. Let’s go down the list! Today’s star is the Orchid!

The Orchid, specifically the Dendrobium, is also known as Bamboo orchid, Singapore orchid, Lindley’s orchid, or Jenkin’s Orchid. Native to Asia, the Orchid comes in a variety of colors including purple, pink, red, yellow, green, orange, and bi-color.

As always, Floralife has some practical Orchid care and handling tips for the grower, the wholesaler and the retailer. Here is a preview.

For the Grower: Harvest the Orchid when 30 – 40% of the florets are open. The Dendrobium Orchid is ethylene sensitive, so treat orchids with Floralife products such as EthylBloc Technology. After cutting, be sure to hydrate right away with Hydraflor® 100 hydrating treatment. Then, transfer stems to a solution of Floralife® 200. More details at the original article.

For the Wholesaler and Retailer: When buying Dendrobium Orchids, look for sprays that have the majority of the florets developed. Look for turgid flowers that are free of discoloration, spotting and brown tips.

Processing (Wholesaler): Check tubes to make sure they are full of solution and sprays are turgid. If sprays are limp, follow the directions found in the Troubleshooting section of the original article.

Processing (Retailer): Unpack immediately. Recut under clean water and hydrate with Floralife’s Hydraflor® 100 to promote water uptake. OR, try Floralife® Quick Dip 100 instant hydrating treatment. Then, place in a Floralife flower food solution.

That’s a quick preview of Floralife’s Dendrobium Orchid Care and Handling article. There is more info at the original piece, including discussion on storage temperatures, customer satisfaction tips and troubleshooting advice, so take a look! Are you a fan of the Orchid, as a professional or an enthusiast? Let us know in the comments section!