The Beauty of An Orchid ft. Brookwood Designs
Finding the perfect centerpiece to elevate your dining and entertaining experience can often feel overwhelming, especially if you weren’t born with a green thumb {ahem...like some of us!} However, amidst the myriad options, one floral serves as a favorite due to its timelessness, artistry, and easy maintenance: the orchid!
Why Orchids Are the Perfect Tabletop Centerpiece
Nothing gives a home an instant update like fresh flowers do, and although we admire many types of floral arrangements, a simple potted orchid wins us over every time. But, boy, do orchids look intimidating to the novice eye!
However, by following a few simple steps, an orchid can be a long-lasting and low-maintenance option for your home. These timeless beauties are:
- Low maintenance
- Refreshing
- Alluring
- Classic
- Long-lasting
- Vibrant
- Timeless
Cut Orchids versus Potted Orchids
When it comes to adding a touch of natural and organic beauty to your table setting, the debate between cut flowers and potted plants is an ongoing one. Cut orchid blooms make stunning centerpieces, and their longevity ensures that they remain fresh and vibrant throughout your dinner party...but maybe not much longer!
On the other hand, potted orchid plants add a touch of lasting elegance to your table décor, serving as a stylish accent piece that can be enjoyed long after your gathering has ended. Whether adorning your table with cut orchid blooms or potted orchid plants, these flowers will elevate your dining experience.
How to Care for an Orchid
Caring for an orchid can be a deeply rewarding experience, though it’s not the most difficult plant to care for. Follow this foolproof guide to tend to your orchids like a professional:
- Place orchid in indirect light away from drafts.
- Get creative with moss, bark, or rocks to “finish” your orchid. We like to use moss to cover the ties on the stake.
- Our favorite orchid is the white waterfall phalaenopsis, popular because it flourishes in the home environment.
- When choosing an orchid to purchase, look for healthy green leaves with little breakage and active root system (translation: not dried up roots) under the orchid plant.
- The trickiest part of caring for an orchid? Minding the watering! Water with room-temperature water only once a week to once every 10 days. Only use ¼ cup of water.
- You can place as many orchids in a container as the width allows. Just be sure not to crowd the draining underneath. For potting material, we recommend using the Miracle Gro Bark.
Where to Use Orchid Arrangements
We love how versatile orchids are because we can add them anywhere in our homes. You can use orchid arrangements:
Throughout your home:
- On the mantle
- Atop the entryway table
- On the front/back porch in a covered area
- Atop side tables
- On the kitchen or bathroom counter
On Your Table:
- As a centerpiece
- As table décor
- Atop the home bar table
- As a buffet table focal point
Our Favorite Coton Colors Containers for Orchid Arrangements
Our bowls make perfect vessels for orchid arrangements. Some of our favorites are:
For single, small-scale orchids:
For medium-sized arrangements:
For large, statement arrangements with multiple orchids:
A Brand We Love: Brookwood Designs
Let us introduce you to: Brookwood Designs! Ginger Proctor {who is also Kyle’s mother-in-law} specializes in crafting creative orchid arrangements using organic materials. We gathered and asked her a few questions about her design work. Take a look at what she had to say:
Q: Tell us about the start and history of your company, Brookwood Designs.
A: I’ve always wanted to work with flowers, and had plenty of time during COVID-19 to hatch a plan of what that might look like. Knowing what I didn’t want to do helped me narrow my focus. With the help of a couple of my favorite floral friends, I jumped right into the orchid world and haven’t looked back.
Q: Why orchids/what draws you to using this plant?
A: Growing up, so many of the women in my life loved orchids. I was always aware of how they brought elegance and sophistication to their homes.
Q: What do you look for when sourcing/selecting the orchids for your arrangements? What variety do you use?
A: When sourcing orchids, I’m always looking for plants that have healthy roots, dark green leaves and stems that are only partially bloomed out. Phalaenopsis continue to be my favorite variety for their ease of care and variety of colors.
Q: What factors do you consider when choosing containers or vases for your orchid designs?
A: Sourcing containers is as much fun as sourcing orchids. I’m always on the hunt for special containers that you won’t find anywhere else…antique silver, bowls, urns, baskets and contemporary vessels. There are so many possibilities!
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Q: Describe your creative process when designing an orchid arrangement? Where do you source the “add-ons”?
A: I’m probably what you would call an obsessive forager. The trails and woods of North Florida {and my friends’ backyards} are home to some of the most beautiful components for my arrangements. I always have my eyes out for unusual branches, twigs, lichen, seed pods, mosses, air plants. Who knows what I will find!
Q: What is your favorite part of designing these arrangements?
A: For me, my arrangements are a way to bring the beauty of God’s creations into someone’s home. I love thinking that my arrangements have made someone’s day a little bit brighter.
Q: How do you recommend your clients to care for their orchids?
A: Good indirect light and ¼ cup of water each week will ensure 2-4 months of blooms depending on the where the orchid is in its blooming cycle. In this case, less really is more.
Q: Where and how can one purchase an Orchid arrangement from Brookwood Designs?
A: You can find me via my website at www.brookwooddesigns.com or through messaging me on Instagram @brookwood.designs.
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