Types of Orchids for Corsages

Single-Bloom Corsages

• For a striking single-bloom orchid corsage consider the following varietals: Cattaleya or mini-Cattaleya orchids that look lush with a flowing architecture and bloom in hues from white to pink to vibrant golden yellow; Paphiopedilum, known as lady's slipper orchids, dramatic and very exotic-looking flowers even by orchid standards and bloom on sturdy stems in hues of white to green to deep purple black. A classic choice would be a large bloom of a crisp white Phalaenopsis that is dramatic in its large flat creamy opaque petals. Phalaenopsis also grow in rich patterns and colors from palest pink to deep cerise pink. Cattleya orchids are the quintessential picture that comes to mind when you ask the average person to imagine an orchid bloom. They are spectacular with long wide flowing petals that stand up and away from the center of the bloom. Cattaleyas come in full size and mini size and in a wide range of colors, from lavender to snow white with white or colored centers, to an overall bright rich golden yellow. Any of these orchids could be adapted for a single-bloom corsage with a winning look, whether made with background greenery such as galyx leaves and a complimentary or contrasting silk or satin ribbon, or worn completely unadorned.

Multiple-Bloom Corsages

• Smaller orchids tend to produce multiple blooms per stem, and these can be used for corsages while on the natural stem or deconstructed and wired for a tailored and custom configuration. The smaller orchids tend to have more patterning on their petals and are slightly more delicate in temperament and handling requirements. For groups of smaller orchid blooms whether mixed or of one varietal, consider: Ondontoglossum which are red-polka-dotted blooms that sometimes smell faintly of vanilla; Vanda orchids that have large white and magenta pink or purple blooms and resemble a cross between a Phaleanopsis orchid and a pansy; Oncidium orchids that come in shades of red, white and yellow and are delicate individually but stunning when massed; Dendrobium orchids that are often used in flower leis and bloom in a wide range of colors from pure white to very deep purple in a medium sized bloom; and Cymbidiums that throw multiple medium-sized blooms per stem in a wide array of more pastel shades than other varietals.