Orchid

The orchid

This page about orchids contains information on:

Buying or selling orchids
Symbolism of orchids
Cultivating orchids and innovation
Sustainability of orchids
Most important moments for giving and markets for orchids

Buying or selling pot orchids?

Royal FloraHolland offers its customers and suppliers several channels to buy or sell orchids: 90% of all pot orchids are sold at the auction. They are primarily destined for the European market and the Middle East. Pot orchids for America and Asia come mostly from Taiwan, Japan and Thailand.

Royal FloraHolland facilitates sales in two ways: via direct sales from growers to customers and via the renowned auction clocks. About 85% of the sales of pot orchids occurs through the direct flows. In this way, the customers can indicate how they want their pot orchid delivery 'customised'.

FloraMondo is the perfect B2B aid to buy and sell pot orchids online, and was specially developed for wholesalers and florists to buy directly from the growers. FloraMondo also offers a 'Clock Presale' tool and links B2B webshops for growers to each other.

With our Global Sourcing services, you can quickly find the foreign offer you were looking for. You can search for orchids in Africa, Latin America, the Mediterranean region or the Middle East, for example.

Read about Global Sourcing services

Floriday is a new platform for global trade. Floriday makes it easy for growers to use different trade channels and markets. Customers gain access to the best flower and plant supplies via the associated trade channels like FloraMondo and FloraXchange.

Royal Floraholland Orchidee 2

Symbolism of orchids

Since ancient times, we have used flowers and plants to communicate a message to someone else. In the Middle Ages, as well as in earlier periods, we greatly valued symbolism.

In ancient Greece, orchids were known as fertility plants and symbolised masculinity. Later, during the Victorian era, orchids became famous in Europe for their beauty, richness and strength. There are also numerous orchid varieties that have their own meaning. The best-known orchid variety is Phalaenopsis (butterfly orchid). This orchid symbolises elegance, femininity and closeness.

Cultivating orchids and innovation

The Netherlands is the country where the most pot orchids by far are cultivated. Each week we in the Netherlands cultivate and sell 2.4 million pot orchids. That sets the tone in Europe. Pot orchids are cultivated in the most modern and advanced nurseries in around 80 companies spread across the country. In the Netherlands we grow pot orchids in greenhouses under ideal conditions. Orchids are found in the wild all over the world. From tropically warm areas to cold regions and in the mountains. They have even been found on Antarctica! In total, there are over 25,000 varieties of orchids.

Search for novelty orchids

Sustainability of orchids

Sustainability is an important topic in our sector. There are relevant labels for consumers like Fair Trade, and there are many B2B certificates. The flower sector has therefore initiated the Floriculture Sustainability Initiative (FSI), together with all interested parties.

In addition, orchids are not poisonous, so they are safe for pets, and the plant suits the growing interest in greener living. As Phalaenopsis has hard leaves and sturdy flowers, it is not attractive to insects. Growers need not use much pesticide when cultivating them. Orchids also continue flowering for at least eight weeks (sometimes much longer) and will flower again after being cut back: this second round also makes Phalaenopsis sustainable.

Visit FSI to learn more about Fair trade orchids

Most important moments for giving and markets for orchids

Because the assortment of pot orchids is so varied, there are many important moments for giving throughout the year. The three most important consumer moments for pot orchids are:

Valentine's Day
International Women's Day
Mother's Day

There are also important gift moments for pot orchids on Rentrée in France (the end of the vacation period), the first school day in Russia, All Saints' Day and Christmas, when white orchids are especially popular.

Given the wide range of shapes and colours of the flowers, orchids are highly popular plants. Its special symbolism makes it unique and suitable for a personal present.