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Cut Flowers Grown in the Philippines: Everything You Need to Know

Many people love cut flowers but usually have little knowledge about them. It may seem like it’s of no consequence to not know anything about these blossoms, but people actually lose a lot of opportunities and money because of this.

This article will tell you all you need to know about cut flowers in the Philippines.

 

Cut Flowers: What Are They and What They’re for

Simply put, cut flowers are blossoms that have been severed from the plant. They’re the flowers you pick from their shrubs, bushes, or even vines.

Most acquire cut flowers for mainly two reasons: to give to someone they love or to use them to decorate their home.

The gesture of giving flowers acts as an extension to express what words can’t. They can touch someone’s heart and make someone’s day. As gifts, these blooms are arranged in bouquets, flower baskets, and even flower stands to celebrate a variety of occasions with the people you care about.

 

How to Care for Cut Flowers

If you’re on the receiving end, cut flowers can be placed in vases or preserved to decorate your house. Care for these flowers will largely depend on which of these two you would choose.

Vased flowers must be cut at the tip of the stem at a diagonal angle before placing them inside the vase. The water has to be changed every other day and the vase cleaned with soap to prevent bacteria from killing the flowers faster.

If you choose to preserve them, you can press them in books or leave them to air dry outdoors. They’re best preserved a few days before they start wilting. Pressed flowers are better used for displays inside picture frames and other flat lays, while the air dried ones can go in vases or to hang around your house. Be sure to handle these preserved flowers with extra care since they’re extremely fragile.

 

7 Types of Cut Flowers in The Philippines

1. Orchid (Orchidaceae)

Orchids are a widespread family of flowers, having one of the two largest families of flowering plants. Their blossoms are described as fragrant and are often used in perfumery. Some of the orchid’s family members–like the Vanilla and terrestrial orchids–are commercially used for cooking.

Cut for: Bouquets, flower stands, and ornamental decor

Meaning: Integrity, elegance, and friendship

Types commercially grown in the Philippines: Jaq-Hawaii ‘Uniwai Pearl’, Jaquelyn Thomas, Singapore White, Sonia ‘alba’, Walter Oumae, White Fairy, Sonia, Tuang Pink, Waipahu Beauty, Burana Jade, Burana Fancy, Chark Kuan Pink, Chark Kuan Blue, Chark Kuan Orange, Chark Kuan Red, Saleha Alsagoff, and the Sumalee

Major producers: Laguna, Batangas, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Davao City, and South Cotabato

2. Lily

The lily is the second of the two largest families of flowering plants after the orchid. Some flowers are called lilies but don’t belong to the true lily family. You can identify the true lilies by their long, narrow leaves and their scaly bulbs. There are two kinds of lilies available in the Philippines: the Oriental and the Asiatic. The Oriental is a native to Japan and sources are unsure of how the Oriental managed to get into the country, exactly.

Cut for: Bouquets, flower stands, and ornamental decor

Meaning: Humility and devotion

Types commercially grown in the Philippines: Stargazer and Cordelia

Major producers: Laguna, Batangas, Benguet, and Davao City

3. Laceleaf (Anthurium)

Laceleaf or Anthuriums are rarely seen on bouquets as they are often used to decorate sympathy flower stands for funerals. Anthuriums are the largest genus of the arum family. Other names for the anthurium are: tailflower and flamingo flower, given because of their spathes.

Cut for: Flower stands and (occasionally) bouquets

Meaning: Hospitality, happiness, and abundance

Types commercially grown in the Philippines: Nitta, Kaumana, Chandler, Midori, Margaretha, Fantasia, Tropical, Paradiso, Lambada, Merengue, Leigh, Mauricia

Major producers: Laguna, Benguet, Cavite, Batangas, Negros Occidental, Davao City, Cagayan de Oro City, and Bukidnon

4. Rose

Roses are the most sought after cut flower in the country. They’ve been specifically bred for hundreds of years to adorn many gardens worldwide. The rose is known for its beautiful blossom and thorny stem, thought to be a defense mechanism for the bloom. However, numerous horticulturists aim to produce thornless roses.

Cut for: Bouquets, corsages, and ornamental decor

Meaning: Dependent on the color of the rose

Types commercially grown in the Philippines: Red Success, Mercedes, Golden Times, Texas, White Liberty, Jacaranda, Raphaela, Athena

Major producers: Benguet, Cavite, Batangas, Tagaytay, Cebu, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, and Davao City

5. Chrysanthemum

The name “chrysanthemum” stems from two Greek words: “chrys” and “anthemion”. “Chrys” means golden, while “anthemion” translates to flower. Chrysanthemum’s are sometimes used to treat chest pain, high blood pressure, and even fevers. This blossom is also drunk as tea.

Cut for: Bouquets and flower stands

Meaning: Optimism and joy

Types commercially grown in the Philippines: Regan Series, Fuji Series, Taiwan Yellow, Puto Puto

Major producers: Laguna, Benguet, Cebu, Davao City

6. Gladiolus

The sword lily is actually a member of the iris family. Unlike most flowers, the sword lily is more commonly referred to by its scientific name rather than its common name. Gladioli are usually used to decorate bouquets rather than be the their centerpieces. When dried and preserved, they make better decorations over other flowers.

Cut for: Flower stands and ornamental decors

Meaning: Strength, moral integrity, and infatuation

Types commercially grown in the Philippines: Friendship and Spic & Span

Major producers: Benguet, Laguna, Cebu

7. Heliconia

Like the anthurium, heliconias are often seen in funeral flower stands to offer sympathy. They also adorn house gardens in the Philippines. Their common names are lobster claws, toucan peaks, and wild plantains. It is also called as the false bird-of-paradise since it resembles the actual bird of paradise.

Cut for: Flower stands

Meaning: Great returns and sympathy

Types commercially grown in the Philippines: Parrot, Parakeet, Sase, Jacquinii, Bihai, Caribbean Yellow, Caribbean Red, Kathy, Southern Cross

Major producers: Laguna, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga

 

Cut flowers may be an inconsequential thing to most people, but knowing what they are and what you can do to them may be valuable to your lives.

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