International Orchid Day — sometimes called the International Day of the Orchid — is celebrated annually on the first Thursday of September. This day — which will be held on September 4th this year — is designated to celebrate the orchid, also known as the Queen of the plant kingdom. In a series of events held across the world, this day celebrates this flower’s uniqueness and beauty.
With more than 25,000 known species across the globe, orchids are indeed a true marvel of the natural world. For that, the International Orchid Day shines the spotlight on this incredible flora, which has diversity, beauty, and importance across different cultures. It also presents a great opportunity to learn about the many varieties of orchids and the best ways to care for them.
Celebrating a Versatile Flower That Comes in Thousands of Varieties
Orchids are one of the most popular houseplants. They are, in fact, a traditional gift for the 28th wedding anniversary. Aside from wedding anniversaries all over the world, millions of households usually adorn their homes with this delightful flower regardless of the occasion. And with thousands of varieties at everyone’s disposal, there's practically an orchid for every aesthetic.
Photo: @brianrody27
Simply put, this ancient flower is one of the most loved flowering plants in the world. Its seeds are tiny — a single seedpod can have up to three million seeds! It is a symmetrical flower, with each petal capable of being divided perfectly in half.
The orchid's color palette is extensive, ranging from white to dark shades of purple. There are even species with striped patterns or tiger prints. Each variety has its unique qualities, including scent. Phalaenopsis, or moth orchids, are perhaps the most popular and easiest to grow. Oncidium, Vanda, Miltonia, Dendrobium, and Paphiopedilum are also common varieties.
Photos: @wife_of_orchidguy and @allan_mcbeal
Orchids Are Loved and Praised for Their Meanings and Symbolism
These varied colors also carry different meanings. Depending on different cultural societies, pink orchids, for example, symbolize love and admiration, red is for passion and desire, orange represents strength and pride, and yellow signifies happiness. Peace, rebirth, and hope are conveyed by green orchids, while purple signifies respect and devotion. Blue diamond orchids are a sign of luxury, and white orchids symbolize innocence and purity.
Orchids also generally symbolize happiness. Therefore, they are a perfect gift. In addition, the symmetry of the orchid may explain why humans are so drawn to this flower. Plus, they have bilateral symmetry, much like a human face. This symmetry has been linked to people’s affinity for them.
More than that, they are sustainable and low-maintenance plants, which makes them great for those who may not consider themselves green-fingered. In addition, they have a long flowering period; blooming for up to eight weeks, and do so several times a year. With proper care and maintenance, an orchid can in fact bloom for months. Just weekly watering and the right conditions guarantee that they bloom several times a year for months at a time.
Common Ways to Mark the International Orchid Day
International Orchid Day is observed across the globe, with many taking the opportunity to appreciate the affinity and elegance of the flower. The celebrations marking this day take many forms. They reflect the diverse cultural and artistic interpretations of the flower.
Some common ways people mark this special day include organizing orchid shows and exhibitions. These popular events display the diversity of orchid species through floral displays. Visitors can admire their shapes, colors, and fragrances, and often have the opportunity to purchase these plants and learn from expert growers.
Aspiring orchid enthusiasts can also attend educational sessions to learn the best techniques for cultivating and maintaining healthy orchid plants. Topics covered often include potting, watering, lighting requirements, and troubleshooting common issues affecting orchids.
One could also organize nature walks and tours. These guided hikes and excursions allow people to appreciate orchids in their natural habitats. In this case, participants may have the opportunity to spot wild orchids blooming in their native environments.
Some International Orchid Day celebrations incorporate creative activities like orchid-inspired painting, photography, or floral arranging workshops. These hands-on experiences allow people to engage with orchids more artistically. Some of these sessions also incorporate lectures and presentations, with experts in orchidology, horticulture, and conservation giving talks and sharing their knowledge and passion for these unique flowers.
Communities could also organize gatherings through orchid clubs, botanical societies, and other nature organizations. These may host casual social events like picnics, potlucks, or cocktail hours to bring together orchid enthusiasts in a relaxed setting. Even so, no matter how it is celebrated, International Orchid Day always aims to cultivate a deeper understanding, hence, appreciation for orchids, and inspire people to help protect and nurture these plants.
Orchids All Around the World
Orchids are found on every continent except Antarctica. And they thrive in a wide range of habitats, from tropical rainforests to temperate mountain slopes. So, these are some of the countries and regions most closely associated with orchids.
Southeast Asia: Countries like Thailand, the Philippines, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Borneo, Indonesia (Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi), and Malaysia are home to thousands of native orchid species, many of which are found nowhere else on the planet. The forests and jungles of this region are a true orchid habitat, harboring species like Grammatophyllum speciosum, a genus of several orchid varieties, including giant orchid, tiger orchid, and sugar cane orchid, among numerous others.
Central and South America: The tropical climate of areas like Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Brazil provides the ideal conditions for a number of orchid species. So much is so that orchids are practically interwoven into the cultural heritage of many indigenous communities in these parts of the world.
Africa: Orchids in Africa are diverse and widespread, with some 1,300 species found across the continent. They thrive in various habitats, from rainforests to savannas. Notable regions include Madagascar, which is home to many unique and endemic species, such as the iconic Angraecum and Dendrobium. African orchids often exhibit fascinating adaptations, including specialized pollination mechanisms involving specific insects or birds. These plants can be epiphytic (growing on other plants), terrestrial, or lithophytic (growing on rocks).
Australia: With over 2,000 native orchid species, Australia is a global hotspot for orchid diversity. Unique Australian orchids like the pink lady's slipper and the hammer orchid are celebrated icons of the continent's natural and floral beauty.
Europe: While not as orchid-rich as other regions, Europe is home to a variety of fascinating native orchid species. Countries like Spain, Italy, and Greece harbor remarkable orchid biodiversity, especially in their mountainous areas.
Cultural Associations of the Orchid Across the World
Orchids have a deep history and symbolism that make them more than just a beautiful flower. Their long history dates back some 26 to 110 million years, when a peculiar bee pollinated them. They bear specific names, for instance, Cymbidium Orchids are named after the Greek word for 'boat', while Dendrobium Orchids are named for 'life in a tree'. These have strong connections to ancient Greece. Phalaenopsis Orchids, or 'moth orchids', were, on the other hand, so named by a Swedish naturalist who mistook them for moths.
Many cultures, for starters, associate these flowers with fertility. In ancient Greece, the size of the orchid's roots was said to determine the gender of an unborn child; a large root meant a boy, while a small root indicated a girl. The Romans and Persians, too, connected orchids with other elements like love.
The power of the orchid was also admired by the ancient Aztecs. They believed that consuming the flower would bestow strength; thus, they made an elixir of white orchids and vanilla to promote this quality. Vanilla, one of the most popular flavors in the world, comes from a species of orchid. The vanilla bean is harvested from the vanilla orchid plant, which grows in Latin America, Mexico, Belize, Tahiti, and Madagascar. Therefore, the ancient Aztecs drank this concoction and a mixture of chocolate and orchid flowers for strength.
In Chinese medicine, orchids are used to treat a variety of ailments. Their fragrance is also enjoyed. Green orchids, in particular, symbolize good health in their culture. More than that, orchids were really popular among the royal and wealthy families of the Victorian era, so much so that Charles Darwin's work on the flowers in 1862 sparked an 'Orchidelirium' - also called orchidomania or orchid fever. This was an obsession with collecting them. They were then displayed like treasures in the home and used to symbolize luxury and love. Purple orchids are still associated with royalty and luxury and are a fitting symbol of wealth and consumerism.
In Japan, orchids symbolize strength and power, as they can adapt to various habitats. Their ability to thrive is seen as a sign of a rich and luxurious life, and they are often displayed in homes and offices to bring good fortune. With so many cultural connections, it's no wonder orchids are highly coveted. Their regal mien, appearance, and lasting qualities make them quite a luxurious gift that you could consider as you observe International Orchid Day.
