Orchid Care Tips Blog

They say flowers mean something. You just do not give whatever flower you see at a flower shop, but you take time to choose and make the perfect selection not just for the occasion but for the recipient of the flowers. Knowing the meanings will amplify the significance of the rite of giving flowers.

There are many kinds of flowers, so many that it can be mind boggling which to choose.

Orchids are very popular. Orchids never fail to amuse a person, as many stare in awe at how exotic and beautiful they are. Orchids have become a popular choice to give for all occasions. Orchids undoubtedly have become the perfect gift.

Earlier said, flowers have meanings. Yes, it’s tempting to choose orchids over other plants. But, before deciding if this is the perfect flower, let’s check what orchids can mean.

Historically, orchids are related to the concepts of love, wealth, and beauty. Such meanings to the flower are easy to believe given the impression an orchid has to people.

Why love? Coming from Greek word “orchis”, which denotes “testicle”, orchid flower signifies ecstasy. It is given this name due to its tuberoids which seemingly play an image of the testicles. Orchids to the eyes of the ancient Greeks meant virility. Ancient Greeks even believed that orchids can determine the sex of their unborn child. How so? If the father eats Orchids with large tubers, the child will be probably a boy. Otherwise the child will be a girl. Illogical it may sound, but the Ancient Greeks believed it so.

The exoticness and rarity of orchids, on the other hand, led to Victorian England viewing orchids as a symbol of luxury. Although nowadays orchids can be grown almost in any part of the world, these flowers were known as tropical plants. Facilities to maintain or to grow orchids for Victorian England must have been costly. The fact that the flower is rare assumed its lavish place.

Some orchids, such as the Vanilla Orchid, are viewed as medicinal, symbolizing health. This belief led Aztecs to drink Vanilla Orchid blended with chocolate. They believed that taking in the Vanilla Orchid would provide them strength and power. Even the Chinese have this notion for the orchid to cure lung illnesses.

There are varying meanings attributed to Orchids. All the meanings are based from their physical appearance, translating into an intangible concept universal to everyone who ever gets a sight of this magnificent flower. Giving an orchid as a gift can provide a lasting impression to the recipient as, an impression perhaps greater than they would have expected.

Orchids are mostly found in tropical areas all over the world. They can be found in all continents except Antarctica where the climate is very cold. These flowers are most abundant in places like Southeast Asia, South America, and other places with warm climates. They grow in rainforest-type places.

Since there are many countries that are under this category, let us narrow down the top ten countries where orchids grow naturally:

1. Brazil

   Brazil’s climate ranges from hot and dry in the interior to the hot, humid tropical rainforests of the Amazon jungle. Because most of the country is located in the tropical zone, its climate has a little seasonal variation. However, its year-long climate varies from the Tropical North to the temperate zones. Brazil has five climactic regions: equatorial, tropical, semiarid, highland tropical, and subtropical. Coastal Brazil tends to be hot and sticky for most of the year but it can get cold in the south and in the mountains during the winter months. Rainy season occurs from January to April in the north, April to July in the northeast and November to March in the Rio and Sao Paulo area. This book covers orchids in Brazil and other areas.

2. Ecuador

   The Andes mountain range and its coastline is responsible for Ecuador’s warm and subtropical climate. The weather varies within the country. Andean regions are cooler and it is especially cold at nights in the mountains. Ecuador has a big variety of climate which is determined by its altitude. Rainfall is high in coastal and jungle areas whereas in the Galapagos region the weather is dry and mild.

3. Hawaii

   The climate of Hawaii is warm whole year. Though common for a tropical area, its temperature and humidity tend to be lower than other tropical areas because of the constant trade winds. Its average temperature is 24 to 29°C. There is no considerable variation between summer and winter temperatures. In the months of December to February, heavy rainfall occurs in some mountainous areas. However, most regions only receive short showers, while others remain totally dry. This is an interesting book: Orchid Isles: The Story of Orchids in Hawaii.
   

4. India

   Is a country with hot tropical weather with climatic variations happening from every region. The coolest months are from November to mid-March, while the hot days are from April to June. From mid-July to September is the time for the Monsoon rains. Winters in India are favorable with plenty of sunny days except for regions in the North and North East. Depending upon the region, the minimum and maximum temperatures can range from -5oC to 47oC. The 2007-2012 Outlook for Cut Orchids in India.
   

5. Indonesia

   Indonesia has a tropical climate which varies from area to area. The country is split into two by the equator. The eastern monsoon causes the driest weather, which is from June to September, while the western monsoon brings the main rainfall during the months of December to March. Rainstorms occur all throughout the year. The higher regions are comparatively cooler than the coasts and lowlands.

6. Japan

   The country has four different climates. March and April brings the spring. It is not too hot and not much rain. The summer months between June and August obtain some rainfall. During this time, the temperature and humidity are high. Autumn is from September to October with endurable temperatures. Winter, during November to February is very, very cold.

7. Mexico

   The coast and lowlands are hot and humid all year. The highlands and the plateaus are mild and dry, but can become sub-zero between December and February. Rainfall is insufficient throughout most of the country. Minimum temperature is 6oC and Maximum goes up to 27oC during the hotter days. Read The Wild Orchids of Arizona and New Mexico.

8. Peru

   Peru’s climate differs according to area. In the coastal regions, winter lasts from June to September. During this period, it is oftentimes sunny in the day and cold at night time in the mountain areas. intense rains in the mountains and jungles last from December to April.

9. Philippines

   The Philippines is a tropical country. Its climate is occasionally visited by constant sea breezes. There are three seasons: the rainy season which is from June to September, the cool and dry season occurring during the months of October to February, and the hot and mainly dry season during March to May. Typhoons occasionally occur from June to September. The country’s ideal climate is responsible for different flora to exist. The Read Orchids of the Philippines.

10. Thailand

    Thailand is a country with a tropical climate and a high temperature as well as humidity. It is subjugated by monsoons most times during the year. April and May experiences the hottest months of the year while the month of June is the beginning of the South West Monsoon that brings with it the rainy season, with alternating rains lasting until the end of October. The country experiences a pleasant climate starting from November to the end of February with low temperatures and a reduced humidity level. The minimum temperature is 29oC and maximum reaches 37oC during the hotter days of the year. Check out A Field Guide to the Wild Orchids of Thailand.

There are many more places where these beautiful flowers can be found, and the above-mentioned are just those that top the list. No need to worry for those who live outside the ones mentioned because as long as you are in a tropical area, your orchids are just hanging somewhere.