One could generalize to say when a nation has the leisure time to appreciate exotic cultivars and hybrids, it marks the zenith of their existence. A bit of a stretch imho.
Orchids don’t take much leisure time to maintain at all. That’s their real appeal. Even the brownest thumb which would normally limit themselves to cacti can have them around.
“nation has the leisure time to appreciate exotic cultivars and hybrids, it marks the zenith of their existence”
Roman Empire reference, perhaps.