Different Types of Artificial Orchid
Orchids are considered by many people to be the most elegant, delicate, beautiful plant in the world. They come in every color of the rainbow, plus white and nearly jet black. However, outside of the tropics, orchids are not exactly an easy garden plant. Nor are they an inexpensive variety at the local flower shop. So, many people go for the look of orchids without the trouble of maintenance by buying an artificial orchid.
It is surprising how much an artificial orchid can look like a real one. In fact, some decorators will construct a custom composition, hand-making small individual details that really bring the plant to life. Often public places, like offices or hotels, decorate with these high quality arrangements.
An artificial orchid can mean the flowers down at the local craft shop that you arrange yourself, but actually these permanent decorations can be made of many things, not the least of which is cloth.
Clay
It is possible to create a beautiful artificial orchid out of clay and display it something like a small sculpture. Choose an orchid anchored to a real piece of wood or one arranged in a pot or basket. Shop around on the internet and look for plants that are painted very carefully and well.
Glass
While a glass artificial orchid does not have the same texture as a real orchid, these sculptures are incredibly elegant and vibrant. Artisans working with striated glass can mimic patterned orchids amazingly well. Very high quality glass orchids look as delicate as a real orchid bloom and are much more fragile.
Paper Mache
Paper mache does not necessarily have to be formed over a mold; it is possible to make a paper mache mixture than can be sculpted. This is a very intricate and difficult paper mache project which takes much practice to perfect.
Silk and Other Fabric
The most elaborate artificial orchid flowers are made from real silk. First an artist cuts the flower petals from white silk, then hand-paints each one, carefully blending the colors to mimic nature. Next, the petals are put into a heated mold to press them into the proper contours. Finally, each petal is affixed by hand to a center. Usually the stem is a wire wrapped in special green paper. The most common artificial orchids are made of polyester because of that materials low cost and the ease with which it absorbs paints and dyes.
It is important that one mixes food soil in the natural earth that the green orchid came with in its original pot; watering it should not be done daily but every second day or as directed when purchased.
About Orchids
However, some essential differences are peculiar to flowers of orchid plants.
The pink lady slipper is the official wild flower of New Hampshire. The first thing you can do is to join a national orchid grower society such as the American Orchid Society. Because this modified petal looks so distinct and so delicate, the whole family of plants takes the name lady slipper orchid. Remember to oversee if the medium is fresh.
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