Orchid gift from deployed hubby in Afghan...HELP!

[ArmyWifeStrong]

Hey guys!
1st I want to say thanks for reading this...and I don't know anything about orchids...

My hubby is deployed right now. He sent me (via FTD) a bouquet of orchids. Though I realize this is probably a long shot and I may ot be able to do it...it can never hurt to ask. They are Pink Sapphire Orchids - my fav color.

Is there ANY way to root these stems? That is all I have...pretty flowers & stems that you stick into water. I got them on Wed. So i'm not sure how long they will last...

THANKS!

[kmarch]

First of all, what a thoughtful gift from your man. All the best to both of you!

Originally Posted by ArmyWifeStrong

They are Pink Sapphire Orchids - my fav color.

Unfortunately "Pink Saphire Orchid" is just some name that a florist has made upto put on some lovely pink orchids so unfortunately we can't tell much form that name, but...

Originally Posted by ArmyWifeStrong

So i'm not sure how long they will last...

They will probably last a good while. Many kinds of orchids make great cut flowers because they last a long time, often several weeks. Certain types of live blooming orchids (still on the plant) can even last months. However...

Originally Posted by ArmyWifeStrong

Is there ANY way to root these stems? That is all I have...

Your cut-flower orchids won't root and grow into new orchid plants. But you will be able to enjoy them while they last! Even if I don't know what kind they are, I'm sure they're quite beautiful!

Cheers

[patticake]

First off, Thank you to you and especially your hubby for your sacrifices. I'm sorry to say, however, that you can't root an orchid that way. There are many growers that carry a nice variety of orchids. You could buy a nice one to remember the occasion!

[kmarch]

I went to an FTD site and looked up orchids and sure enough I found this:
Vera Wang™ Pink Sapphire Orchid Bouquet

It looks like you received the Vera Wang Pink Saphire Orchid Bouquet?

Your orchids are Mokara, which is a hybrid member of the Vanda Alliance. Many Mokara are grown in Singapore for the cut-flower trade and exported around the world. They will probably last a few weeks for you if you keep them in fresh water.

They really are beautiful!

[ArmyWifeStrong]

Hello!!
Thanks for the quick replies...unfortunetely...that was the answer I expected. I'm going to upload a picture of them. I wonder if maybe you guys can tell me what kind they REALLY (hahahaha) are. Maybe then I could find some of the same kind in a real plant...
Thanks again! Pic coming!

[fred]

Welcome to the forum ArmyWifeStrong
you will need 5 posts before you are able to upload pics please feel free the go to the Introduction Section to Introduce yourself to all of the orchidgeeks

I have also just moved your thread into the Newbie Question Section

[kmarch]

Originally Posted by ArmyWifeStrong

I wonder if maybe you guys can tell me what kind they REALLY (hahahaha) are. Maybe then I could find some of the same kind in a real plant...

Check my post above, I found they are Mokara.

I found names for a few pink vareities:
Mokara Charkuan Pink - http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...rchids-007.jpg
Mokara Bibi - http://www.colorful-orchids.com/imag...ra/mokara4.jpg
Mokara Chark Kuan Super - http://www.colorful-orchids.com/imag...ra/mokara7.jpg
Mokara Dinah Shore - http://www.colorful-orchids.com/imag...ra/mokara9.jpg
Mokara Pink Star - http://www.colorful-orchids.com/imag...a/mokara15.jpg

When looking for Mokara, ask orchid nurseries for pinkMokara or pink vandaceous orchids. Before buying one ot grow, go to the American Orchid Society website AOS | Home and download a culture sheet on Vandas. A culture sheet will tell you what your orchid needs, things like how much light, how warm or cool, how much water, etc., etc.

[ArmyWifeStrong]

ADMIN:
Oh - ok Thanks!

I uploaded 3 pictures of the flowers into an album within my profile.

[ArmyWifeStrong]

Originally Posted by kmarch

Check my post above, I found they are Mokara.

And here is a web page FULL of Mokara and other pink Vandas

OH MY!!! Let me just say that after looking briefly at those pictures I am impressed that you guys can tell the difference in all of these!!! WOW!!!
I looked at them, and they look like MANY!

I uploaded 3 pix into my profile album. I will take a macro (close) shot and upload it now. I would like to get the same if I can...I don't know where to get one either though.

Thanks guys!

[fred]

hehehe don't let the Title of Admin scare you as we are all a friendly lot here
A great bunch of geeks that also care very much about orchids and there fellow geeks

[ArmyWifeStrong]

THANKS!!

And...macro pix are up, I took 2.

[ArmyWifeStrong]

Originally Posted by kmarch

I went to an FTD site and looked up orchids and sure enough I found this:
Vera Wang™ Pink Sapphire Orchid Bouquet
It looks like you received the Vera Wang Pink Saphire Orchid Bouquet?
Your orchids are Mokara, which is a hybrid member of the Vanda Alliance. Many Mokara are grown in Singapore for the cut-flower trade and exported around the world. They will probably last a few weeks for you if you keep them in fresh water.
They really are beautiful!

I missed this post...YES, those are the ones!!!
Thanks, I love them, they are pretty & smell great!!!
And, they mean a lot...do you think I can find a plant? I think from your post they look like the "Jaguar Pink Mokara?"

[kmarch]

I should apologize. It turnd out that the "Amy's Orchids" web page is terrible when it comes ot the names of the orchids. It's really dreadful. I'm sorry. There is no orchid by the name of "Jaguar Pink Mokara". The name is just somethign that has been made up, probably to describe the colour/patterns of the flowers.

While the specific picture fo your Mokara is helpful, there are so many different Mokara hybrids, many of which look very similar and most of which do not have names (because they are used for the cut-flower industry where names don't matter) that it will be nearly impossible to find exactly the same Mokara that you received in your boquet. We might be able to find somethign with a name that is similar though.

[patticake]

Vanda orchids are a little difficult to grow in NY state. They need LOTS of sun!! I'm not saying it couldn't be done, but I wouldn't start with them as a first plant. They are really beautiful, however! Maybe someone else can offer advice since I've never grown Vandas. Good Luck!

[ArmyWifeStrong]

Kmarch - no need to appologise. Thanks for trying!!!! Maybe I can fnd something similar. As you can see I don't know anything about these! Hahahaha

Vandas need a lot of light....oh my...not something we get a lot of here in NY! Very, hmmm, cloud-covered often here. hahaha

[jay]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

If you like the shape of the flower, you could look at some Phalaenopsis which are a little bit similar and require low light. There are some hybrids that are stunning with hundreds of varieties in pattern and color. Hope you find something to begin your orchid collection.

[ArmyWifeStrong]

Thanks!
I'll look into that too.
Where do you guys usually buy from? I'm sure buying these flowers can be similar to not buying a pet at a pet store...

[kmarch]

We buy from all over the place. We find orchid nurseries online, we go to orchid shows and buy form vendors there, we even trade divisions among ourselves. If you have a local orchid society you ocul