Question
QUESTION: My daughter wants tall glass cylinders with hot pink cymbidium orchids suspended in water gel beads as her wedding center pieces. We experimented with the Design Master paint last evening, since cymbidiums do not come in the hot pink color. The color transferred to the water. Is there another product we should be using or is there a way to seal the color on the flower so that it will not bleed into the water? Thanks for any help you can offer.

ANSWER:  Hi Cyndi
Before resorting to paint, have you considered the red lip pink cymbidium?
If you haven't seen it, you could research it on the Mayesh website.  
You don't mention where you live, or when the wedding is, but it is worth looking at if you have the time. Painting flowers should ALWAYS be a last resort. You might find that one of the cymbidium colors coordinates nicely with the hot pink theme. Sometimes the lip of the orchid is just enough to pull in the color you are looking to accent with.
I have never painted cymbidiums, but the difficulty may be the waxy finish inherent in that particular flower. Anything submerged in water after painting is risky, so I wouldn't advise it.
You didn't mention how they will be submerged--If they are taken off the stem and submerged with wire, then you could bring your color in with hot pink wire.
There is also the possibility of using white orchids with the pink gel beads.
Give the options a thought, and please let me know if I can help further.
Best Regards
Peggy  


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your suggestions. The wedding is March 1st and the orchids will be submerged in the water gel beads and distilled water.
The pink red lip cymbidium looks like a promising alternative, but I need to know if the pink is a true pink or the brownish or mauve pink that we have seen in other pink cymbidiums.
She really wanted the fuchsia pink that is available in the phaelnopis orchids, but if the shade is right the one you have suggested would be nice.

Answer

Whatever color you find that you like, have the wholesaler or florist make sure it is available late February-early March. Anytime you are dealing with a natural product, there will be slight variations, so know that ahead of time. We often order white cymbidiums for wedding and party work, and due to the large quantities, the exact throat color is not always identical throughout all the boxes. Some may be more spotted, some darker etc. The main thing is that the overall color is there, and the variations will simply make it more interesting.  
Because you're doing your homework now, I'm sure you will land on the best solution early --then it will be off your "to do"list--always a great relief!
Best of luck with your beautiful event.
Sincerely,
Peggy