Question
I received cut orchids as a gift for my birthday. Can I make the orchid grow from those cut flowers?

Answer
Hello Fiona,

I'm afraid it is not possible to grow an orchid just from the cut flowers.  Sorry.  

Although new orchids are born via germinated seeds in the flowers, the flowers must still be attached to the plant.  Once the flower has been impregnated, it can take upwards of a year or longer before the seeds are harvested in a sterile lab where they are sown upon a nutrient solution, placed in a sterile container to grow.  They will remain in the container for upwards of 2 years, at which time they are removed and put into small pots to grow and mature over several more years before they are old enough to bear flowers.  Don't want to scare you, but there are some orchids that can go from seed to flowering plant in about 2 years but the majority of orchids can take from 5 to 10 years to bear flowers for the first time.  

In closing, I'd like to say CONGRATULATIONS ! upon getting some orchid flowers for your birthday.  Who ever gave them to you must think you are special and deserve "special" flowers.  

Jim Kawasaki
San Jose, Ca.