Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Boat Orchids
- 20 May 2011
- click to send Christine a smile
Here in Vancouver the Cymbidium Orchids or Boat Orchids are almost at the end of their seasonal peak preferring day temperatures of 15-20 degrees C, and at night temperatures of 10-17 degrees C. But there are still quite a few high quality stems for sale at the market
![A stem of Boat Orchids. A stem of Boat Orchids.](/images/2012/05/a-stem-of-boat-orchids-p.jpg?inside=600x600)
These dramatic sprays of orchids have thick, waxy flowers with five pointed sepals and petals (of approximately the same dimension) on each bloom and will last 2-4 weeks as cut flowers and 2-3 months as flowering plants.
![Cymbidium Cymbidium](/images/2012/05/cymbidium-orchids-p.jpg?inside=600x600)
The genus Cymbidium is available in a kaleidoscope of colours: white, green, yellow green, yellow, brown, pink, red, orange and have diverse markings and colour shades, different for each of the 44 species.
![Cymbidium orchid and sweet potato Cymbidium orchid and sweet potato](/images/2012/05/cymbidium-orchid-and-sweet-potato-l.jpg?inside=600x600)
Cymbidium orchids and sweet potatoes design
Culinary uses:
The species Cymbidium hookerianum is considered a delicacy in Bhutan where it is traditionally cooked in a spicy curry or stews and called “olatshe” or “olachoto”.
Sign up for my weekly newsletter
Every week I add a new design with related tutorials. Be sure to subscribe to receive an email notification with design inspiration.
Tutorials
Include a single floret (such as an orchid) or bundle a few weaker stems (such as lily of the valley) into an arrangement or hand tie by wiring a test tube to a stick.
Favourite Flowers
Cymbidium, Boat Orchid