Silk Moth Orchids

Appearance

• Silk moth orchids are usually designed to look like the real thing. Although the specific details vary depending on the species and cultivar, most moth orchids have five or six leaves, which average about 8 inches in length, but can be as long as 12 inches. The leaves are either green or purple, and some are variegated with white markings. The tall, slender stalks, which can be up to 3 feet long, are lined with flowers. Most cultivars feature pink or white flowers that average 3 inches in diameter. The blooms have a small lower lip surrounded by two large petals that fan out behind it. Three smaller petals alternate between the two large petals and the lip. The lip is often darker in color or spotted.

Care

• Silk moth orchids need to be cared for in order to maintain their beauty. A weekly dusting with a feather duster or soft rag works well, as does a can of compressed air or even a hair dryer set on a low, no-heat setting. For stubborn dirt or stains, gently rinse your orchid under cool water. Don't get the container wet, as this could lead to mold or even damage the arrangement if any part of it is not waterproof. Some silk flower containers are filled with paper, according to the website at JP Silk Flowers. Spray-on, commercial silk flower cleaners clean, protect and restore shine.

Tips

• Live moth orchids bloom on long, thin stems that often droop over if they get too heavy with flowers. For that reason, the stems must be secured to spikes to hold them up. Silk moth orchids, on the other hand, usually have wire stems that can be manipulated to best display the blooms. This can come in handy if you want to display your flower in a certain manner. If you want people to think your silk orchids are real, however, consider attaching the stems to support spikes with butterfly clips, just as one would do with live orchids. In addition, cover the top of the pot holding your silk plant with moss or pebbles to hide the fact that it is not growing in real planting medium.

Considerations

• Silk flowers are an advantage over live flowers in that they do not need light to "bloom." Still, you do have to consider the amount of light your silk moth orchids are exposed to, because too much direct sunlight can fade their colors. This also holds true if only part of your plant is bathed in sunlight -- you will end up with leaves or flowers that are bleached out on one side only. To prevent this, locate your silk moth orchid away from direct sunlight.