Christine de Beer - effortless floral craftsman
Ansellia Africana
Detail from "Forest Experience". Helderberg Flower Club: Floral Fantasy Competition
Common name
Leopard Orchid
Origin
Tropical Africa- into Namibia, Northern Botswana, Swaziland and in South Africa in the Northern Province, the Lowveld and Kwa-Zulu Natal. In hot dry valleys.
Varieties
Colors
A mass of green, or yellow flowers marked with brown spots.
Vase life
As flowering plant: up to three months.<br> As a cut flower: Seven to ten days with proper care
Scent
Sweetly scented especially at night
Uses
Cut from stem and use the individual blossoms or use the entire stem in a vase. The Leopard orchid is very popular in traditional African arrangements- it is believed to be a love charm, an antidote for bad dreams and at homesteads it will ward off lightning.
Conditioning
Plant:After flowers fade give the spike a clean cut just above the second or third node to encourage re-flowering. The entire plant can also be conditioned to use in an arrangement by removing the growth medium and submerging in warm water overnight.<br> Cut flower: Give the stem a fresh cut preferably keeping a section of the main stem attached to the flower stem and condition in deep water. Flowers can be revived by bathing them in lukewarm water.
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Related Designs
This was a Flower Fantasy Competition Design staged by the Helderberg Flower Club, Western Cape Association of Flower Arrangers
How to condition Orchids to use as plants in an arrangement without placing the roots in a growth medium
