Purple Orchid - A Guide to Purple Orchids

Purple orchids are stunning! Their color is absolutely magnificent and the blooms vary from the brightest shade of royal, mysterious purple to the most gentle shade of lavender. Lavender orchids are bohemian, chic, while deep purple orchids are powerful, imposing.

Purple Orchid Description

• Family: Orchidaceae
• Origin: Purple orchids originate in ancient Greece. “Orchid” comes from the Greek “orchis”, meaning testicle and representing virility.
• Sun exposure: Full sun to partial shade, depending on the species.
• Height: Purple orchids grow from 18 to 24 inches tall.
• Soil: Purple orchids prefer calcareous or neutral soils.
• Leaves: Purple orchid leaves are round tipped ones. Oblong in shape, they are shiny bright green and smooth in texture.
• Blooming time: Purple orchids bloom during springtime.
• Maintenance: Purple orchids should be administrated a certain amount of fertilizer as the plant begins to grow in the ground. This will help them develop faster and healthier, like they would have been grown in their natural habitat.
• Propagation method: Purple orchids may be propagated using six methods: through division, by keiki, areal cuttings, meristem or tissue culture, which is a scientific method of propagating purple orchids and last but not least, purple orchids may be propagated through seeds.

Purple Orchid Species

There are two main types of purple orchids: terrestrial (which grow on the ground) and epiphytes (which grow on trees). Now, depending on the shades of color that can vary from bright purple to all kinds of lavender shades, we have Aerides crispum, Aerides multiflorum, Arpophyllum giganteum, Cattleya harrisoniana, Cattleya loddigesii, Cattleya walkeriana Dendrobium bigibbum, Dendrobium kingianum, Dendrobium lituiflorum, Dendrobium parishii, Laelia anceps, Laelia purpurata, Laelia pumila, Phalaenopsis equestris, Rhynchostylis retusa, Vanda tricolor.

Purple Orchid Meaning

Purple orchids are royal flowers when bright in color. Purple orchids represent feminity when found in lavender shades, as lavender is a kind of “grownup pink”. Thus, they are gracious, elegant flowers. Lavender orchids induce romance and elegance, while deep purple stimulates mystery and suggests uncertainty.

Purple Orchids Arrangements

Purple orchids are beautiful in arrangements. Whether a deep purple or lavender shades, purple orchid arrangements are sure noticeable.

Purple orchid arrangements weddings are quite popular these days, most of all because of their sweet color and exotic appearance. Lavender orchids for corsages or boutonnieres are the ultimate elegant thing.

If mixed with other colors, remember to use light colors in deep purple orchid arrangements and cream, beige and perhaps pink and lime yellow in lavender orchids arrangements.

Purple Orchid Bouquets

Lavender orchids are ideal for round bridal bouquets. They scream out femininity and grace! Mix them with orange tulips, with yellow, deep pink spray roses and green dendrobium orchids and you will be completely blown away by your purple orchid bouquet!

However, if you are a more daring bride and want to use a deep purple orchid bouquet, try mixing them with green cymbidium orchids, white dendrobium orchids, purple orchids, bear grass and fern or, for a more serene look, mix purple vanda orchids, white tuberoses, ruscus leaves, beargrass leaves and tie them up with a strand of pearls. Your purple orchid bouquet will look chic and modern!

Purple Orchids in Gardens

In order to grow purple orchids in your garden, first you need to find a proper spot. Purple orchids may stand slightly more sun light than the other orchid species, so you can place the purple orchid bulbs in a sunny place. Fertilize the bulbs all year long with a substance containing a high amount of potash. Do not at any cost, disturb the established roots, as the purple orchid may die.

As ornamental advice, if your orchid bulbs are lavender in color, place them near a pink flowerbed and if the bulbs are bright purple, place them near a white flowerbed to create contrast.

Advice

Cut purple or lavender orchids may have a long vase life. In order for this to happen, place them in cool places, treat them gently, spray their blooms with water, or even better dive them underwater for a couple of minutes, so that they can regenerate. Also, if the purple or lavender orchid has yellow leaves, pull them only when they come loose. If you cut them when they are still holding hard onto the stem, you could cause some disease spreading.

Purple orchids are gentle flowers, especially when found in shades of lavender. They are very expressive and can be assorted easily with light colors, spreading their beauty constantly. Exotic flowers, purple or lavender orchids are simple candy for the eye to see and jewels for the gardener to grow!