Recent news reports indicate that Taiwan may become one of the world’s leading orchid producers in the near future.

Taiwan’s Vice President, Vincent Siew, expressed the sentiment at the 2010 Taiwan International Orchid Show (TIOS), going on to say that the country, with the full support of the government, may become an “island of flowers” as well.

He may be right, as the current and future outlook for the nation’s orchid industry looks bright. Sales of orchid exports for last year exceeded $113 million, an increase of 50% from 2008. Sales are expected to continue to rise this year despite the bleak economic climate. The orchid industry has survived for over 100 years in Taiwan, with over two decades of government support. Taiwan, located off the coast of China, is already the first choice for many countries around the world and provides the globe with over half of the total sources for Phalaenopsis seeds.

As for becoming an “island of flowers”, it sounds ambitious but could happen. The government has already established several areas in the country as national parks and scenic areas in an attempt to preserve horticultural diversity. With continuing support from the government, native species have been offered protection.

Orchids in Canada
In Canada, there are a number of orchid farmers who supply the local florist industry. However production is generally limited to smaller farms that specialize in certain genera, such as Cattleya, Phalaenopsis, Paphiopedilum and Oncidium. Orchids that are native to Canada tend to be wild and are unsuitable as cut flowers.

Many of the orchids that are sold at Toronto florists aren’t just from Taiwan – they also come from Thailand, China, and South America. Will Taiwan become the first choice for Canada’s orchid imports?We’ll see!

Buy a bunch of flowers for your florist and stick them on the table? It may work but if you want more harmony, then you’ll probably want to choose types of flowers and arrangements that actually work with the overall decor of your home – rather than against it. Doing so will make the flowers an integral part of your interior space, instead of just an after thought.

Country and Rustic
Flower arrangements ideal for homes with a down-home country feel tend to include impatiens, geraniums and mums, with plenty of green foliage. Potted plants, such as ferns and asters, make a great decorative item for the window sill. Choose containers that are made from natural materials, such as terracotta, clay, wood and most popular, wicker. Wicker baskets immediately convey “country”, don’t you think?

Modern
Sleek, simple and uncluttered, the wrong flower arrangement for a modern interior can prove disastrous. Match clean lines with floral arrangements that are equally clean, featuring flowers such as orchids, amaryllis and tulips. Frilly flowers, like azaleas, may also work if foliage is limited. Look for elegant square and round containers made from glass, metal and plastic. Creative displays, such as the cut orchid Zensational pictured above, are ideal.

Classical
If your home is rich with plush fabrics and classic wooden furniture, plenty of flowers and lush green plants work well. Choose cut or potted camellias, cyclamens and palms (or any other foliage plant that is tree-like). When it comes to flower arrangements, anything that’s in abundance is suitable.  Wood, terracotta, wicker and plastic compliment the warmth of classical interiors.

Anthuriums, commonly known as flamingo flowers, are exotic flowers native to Central and South America and also grown in northeastern parts of India. They are popular plants around the world, particularly in the US, UK, and Japan. Anthuriums have incredibly shiny foliage generally in a dark green and quite a unique flowerhead, heart shaped in startling red, soft pink, cool lavender, and pure white. This flowerhead, actually composed of a spathe, may be spotted as well. In bloom for almost 2 months, these large headed flowers love moist soil rich with organic matter.

Anthurium Plants
The anthurium is relatively easy to take care of, making it an ideal plant for those without a green thumb. All it really needs is plenty of light and warm well-drained soil, only watering when the soil feels dry. Keep away from drafts. Feed your plant every other month with some flower food to help keep it blooming, and remember to remove any brown or dead flowers and foliage regularly.

Cut Anthuriums
Anthuriums are popular cut flowers. Pictured above, they add a tropical accent to any interior, and are a great alternative to the usual frilly blooms of other types of plants. Changing the water on a daily basis and keeping the vase clean can help cut anthuriums live for up to two weeks.