Phalaenopsis orchids

[Lally's Bouquet]

Hi everyone!

I'd like your opinion on Phalaenopsis orchids in bridal bouquets. I've had trouble all summer with the yellow mokara orchids and even with some of the cymbidiums.... I find so many of the blooms are damaged and it's getting expensive to have to buy 20 stems just for one bouquet. I don't work very often with the Phalaenopsis because quite honestly, I don't even find it pretty. Something about the shape just doesn't appeal to me... Anyways, I have a bride for an August wedding next year who want an all Phalaenopsis orchid bouquet in white. The picture she brought in (from Elegant Weddings) has only perfect blooms, and I could just see the designer going through so many stems just to get the 15-20 blooms that were in that bouquet.

Have you had any problems with bruising on the blooms, or do they typically travel well? What are your experiences with this specific flower?

Thanks so much everyone....
Julie
Lallly's Bouquet
www.lallybouquet.com

 

[Tracy D'Amico]

Our phales typically come packaged by the bloom, nested in fine excelsior and in a sealed box. They're usually pristine. I have never purchased them by the stem, but I have cut off plants and used the stems and individual blossoms for bouquet and body flowers. Working off a plant, or several if it's a large bouquet, may be an option for you. They have always been fine in bouquets if kept hydrated - I've had droop from lack of water, but that was not a quality issue, it was that I forgot to add wet tissue before I wired the bloom into the bouquet.

If you purchase them from your usual supplier, I would ask them about your concerns - might be time to find an alternative supplier for more high end flowers.

Another orchid thread.
and another that might help with some care info.

good luck!
tracy

 

[Mikey the Flower Guy]

Julie....

try Flying Dutch at the circle in Mississauga, or CanMex...ask for Mike

 

[Flame]

Hey Julie, I know I might not be too good cuz I am down under but we always purchase our phael's directly off the grower. We know him well and we can walk in and pick out our own....so sounds as if you need a new grower. I love designing these flowers as I think they are stunning and very simple....but I can appreciate when you said about their shape.
We normally charge for a fully wired bouquet around $800....so I would definately up the anti because of the 'pain' you have to go through.

 

[geebf]

I would say find yourself another supplier.... These do damage easily but a professional grower will know how to pack them properley for transportation... any arriving damaged or not in good condition would be sent back or I would be seeking a credit.

By the way, I LOVE these.. I find they are easy enough to work with and always look stunning..!

 

[Joe Mioux]

Design Master (white) and wire loops around the backside of the petals (if necessary).

If they come in less than perfect.

joe

 

[Gigi]

We normally charge for a fully wired bouquet around $800....so I would definately up the anti because of the 'pain' you have to go through.

You charge how much? and is this for the bouquet that you shared with us? Ah man, i'm in the wrong town.... Good for you though!

 

[RWK]

With the amount of time and how labor intensive hand wiring and taping is......plus the cost of phals and the foliages needed....I can see 800 dollars for an all handwired and taped bouquet.

Now, If I were using a bouquet holder and wired just the phaels and woodpicked them in and inserted other flowers directly into the bridal holder, then I would not charge as much.

 

[Flame]

hahaha no your not in the wrong town Gigi ( BTW my daughter is called Gianna...we call her Gigi for short ) That bouquet took me 6 hours to do and the phaels cost me $5.25 a BLOOM. There was 15 blooms in that bouquet plus my time and acc. It was perfect in the end...just like the picture. I loved everything about it.
Your way sounds interesting though Rick....I love how people do things differently...its such an eye opener!

 

[RWK]

Now, If I were designing this particular bouquet for a design competition, then I would go ahead and wire it totally because Ihave talked with so many judges and evaluators over the years that they feel it presents a more polished appearance and shows a greater degree of professional skill.

If I were doing this bouquet for dollars......then I am going to use the combination of bouquet holder and wire because it can be done quicker, easier, and with less muss and fuss........and floralock the heck out of that bouquet so the flowers don't budge when she goes traipsing down the aisle.

 

[geebf]

Now, If I were designing this particular bouquet for a design competition, then I would go ahead and wire it totally because Ihave talked with so many judges and evaluators over the years that they feel it presents a more polished appearance and shows a greater degree of professional skill.

If I were doing this bouquet for dollars......then I am going to use the combination of bouquet holder and wire because it can be done quicker, easier, and with less muss and fuss........and floralock the heck out of that bouquet so the flowers don't budge when she goes traipsing down the aisle.

Rick... Here in Australia we don't have things like "floralock" and other things...it does appear that we are a Little behind in terms of a lot of sundry items.... There are the bouquet holders but thats it...and in my opinion these are not being used correctly and have heard so many stories of bouquets that have fallen apart. I have ALWAYS wired my teardrops and refuse to use the holders until they have become foolproof. It is very sad that the holders are the only things that a being taught to new florists and obviously because the other items that have to used in conjunction with them are not available, the end results are of very poor quality.. .. I certainly don't claim that I am " the Queeen of the Weddings" in our area, but because I do go to this effort and as you say wiring does show more skill, The Wedding side of this business has grown to be very large. IF these more advanced sundries become available I will be the first one to "have a go" but until then it it wiring all the way..!!!


To me Phalenopsis are one of the easiest things to wire and are very quick to put together..!

 

[Gigi]

Labour intensive...tell me about it!

With the amount of time and how labor intensive hand wiring and taping is......plus the cost of phals and the foliages needed....I can see 800 dollars for an all handwired and taped bouquet.

Well I wire and tape ALL bridal party bouquets. I was taught old school and since we've never had any comebacks we are sticking to what works for us. I know this is extremely labour intensive as I spend all my Thursdays and Fridays for about 38 weeks just wiring flowers... and no I dont love it. I still dont understand how I could get away with that pricing. And please dont feel the need to justify it.