design
of the month
orchid
upgrades
Use
these easy techniques to ensure that your orchids stand out from
the crowd.
With their
always-gorgeous, extremely long-lasting blooms, orchids are
incredible values that customers continue to crave, even if they
are pinching their pennies. Especially appreciated for their
dramatic spikes bursting with blooms, moth orchids (Phalaenopsis)
have unmistakable eye appeal, but traditional species such as
these have become almost ubiquitous in supermarket floral
departments.
To ensure that customers take note of yours, dress up your
Phalaenopsis supplies for added value and to give them a
fresh look. Here are multiple methods for differentiating your
orchids from those of your competitors; just remember to modify
your prices accordingly.
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Serving both decorative and
functional purposes, a seemingly haphazard coil of aluminum wire
supports the dramatic blooms and contributes a hint of shimmer.
To create somewhat uniform coils, wrap the aluminum wire around
a dowel, and then slide the wire off the dowel. Stretch the
coiled wire where needed to loosen it, and wrap it around the
plant and bloom spike. |
MATERIALS:
Mother’s Day Collection ceramic pots from Global Pottery; Oasis™
Strong Pink Aluminum Wire from Smithers-Oasis; orchid plant from
favorite supplier.
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Repeating the lavender-pink
hue of the moth orchid blooms, finely chopped heather conceals a
pot that is “hidden” inside a clear glass urn. In the
background, a pristine moth orchid plant is nestled into a
flared ceramic vessel, where its brilliant blooms naturally bow.
Tags suspended by twine can be used for pricing or sentiments.
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MATERIALS:
Flared Pot from Jim Marvin Enterprises; glass urn from Meyer
Imports; heather and orchid plants from favorite suppliers. |
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Phalaenopsis orchid
blossoms, with their regal petals, have a tendency to steal the
show. By comparison, intrigue at the container level is minimal,
but some easy enhancements ensure continuing visual interest
from bloom to base. In the foreground, a raffia nest filled with
color-matched wooden eggs does the trick while, in the
background, pink-and-green polka-dot plants supplement the
orchid foliage.
HOW TO
Cut raffia into bits
approximately 1-inch in length, and place them into a shallow
disposable container.
Spray the raffia pieces with adhesive, and shake them around in
the container until they stick together in a ball-like clump.
Allow the adhesive to dry partially. While the adhesive is
slightly tacky, form the mass of raffia into a “nest.” Once the
desired shape is achieved, spray the finished “nest” with
adhesive, and allow it to dry. |
MATERIALS:
containers from AA Importing, Inc.; orchid plants from Alex R.
Masson; raffia from Knud Nielsen Company; Tack 2000 spray
adhesive from Design Master Color Tool; wooden eggs from
favorite suppliers.
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