Lei Care, Tropical Flower Care, Loose Orchids Care Instructions

How do I care for my Hawaiian lei?

How to Care for Your Hawaiian Leis and Loose Orchid Blossoms

• Unpack your lei as soon as it arrives.
• If it seems a little dry, mist lightly with lukewarm water. Do not mist vine (maile), ti leaf or kukui leis.
• Loose orchid blossoms should be misted lightly with lukewarm water and refrigerated in closed bag.
• Place your orchid lei or vine lei in a plastic bag – such as a grocery bag.
• Keep cool or refrigerate until it is to be worn. Keep out if direct sunlight and away from drafts as much as possible.
• Kukui nut leis can be kept anywhere.
• Orchid leis should be worn on the shoulders. Vine and leaf leis are worn around the neck.

Hawaiian Flower Care

Carefully unpack your Hawaiian flowers as soon as they arrive.

• For red ginger, anthurium and orchids, soak the entire flower and stem under clean lukewarm water for about 10 minutes. This will extend the life of your flowers.
• For other flowers and leaves soak only the stems.
• For all flowers and leaves while still under water cut about one inch off the base of each stem.
• Place them in a vase immediately and keep out of direct heat or cold.

For the longest life of your flowers:

• Replace the water every 2 or 3 days
• Cut about an inch from the base of each stem at every water change
• Avoid heat, cold, drafts and direct sunlight
• Do not add sugar or aspirin to the water

Blooming Dendrobium Orchid Care

Your orchid will thrive under normal household conditions and will enjoy light morning sun and about 50% shade. The plant will not bloom again unless it has enough light, but avoid direct sun except early in the morning with light shade for the rest of the day.

• Remove any cellophane from around the base of your orchid pot.
• Water your plants in the evening or early in the morning, once or twice a week.
• Never allow your plant to sit in water and be sure the water drains easily from the container.
• It is natural for the lower leaves on each cane to wilt and drop as your orchid grows. After the blooms die you can carefully cut the spike from the plant.

You can use a commercial orchid plant food to encourage growth and blooming and for the all around health of your orchid. Mist your plant often if you are in a dry location. Orchids prefer humid air. Never mist in direct sunlight as the water can magnify the light and burn the leaves.

As your orchid outgrows it’s container the roots will begin to grow out of the pot. To repot your orchid use commercially available potting material with good drainage. This includes cinder, bark, lava and others that will allow good air and drainage for the roots. Do not use potting soil. Repot after blooming as new growth appears.

About our Leis

All of our orchids are grown on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Dendrobium orchid blossoms are strung into beautiful Hawaiian lei right here on our farm. Our talented local lei makers have been making leis for up to 30 years.

After your order is placed, our flowers are cut fresh, sorted, and sewn or strung into leis. They are packaged flat in a box with or without insulation and stored for up to three hours in cold storage until they are shipped to you or your loved one.

About Orchid Leis

You may notice that all of the flower leis on our web site are fresh orchid leis.

We use dendrobium orchids to create a wide range of shapes and colors without compromising quality.

Because orchids are very hardy and even the blossoms themselves are adept at gathering moisture and nutrients from the air, your fresh orchid lei will last for about 5-7 days after it is made.

Orchids are not very fragrant, but they are very durable. You may find another florist who will ship pikake, white ginger, tuberose or even plumeria, but be aware that flowers that are fragrant, will wilt and bruise in transit and may not meet your quality expectations. We can not ship these leis as we will not be able to guarantee their quality. We are already aware that they do not meet our standards for quality.

About Vine and Leaf Leis

Maile vine leis are a traditional lei for weddings and other ceremonies where there is a right of passage or someone is to be honored. Maile smells delightful, sometimes described as vanilla-like. Because maile is not grown commercially and is gathered from the rain forrest, we like to have an extra day to be sure we can get enough maile together for your lei. We only use local Hilo maile, not the cheaper material imported from Polynesia.

Ti leaf leis are traditionally thought to bring good luck. They are appropriate for any occassion, as with all our other leis.

Maile and ti leaf leis should not be misted or moistened upon arrival. For the best results, keep them cool and out of the sun.

Your lei will be shipped with instructions for care and wear.