While orchid plants themselves are extremely varied, in their flowers they know no bounds in terms of variation in structure and colour. The flowers are so diverse and often incredibly beautiful, in stark contrast to what some see as distinctly unattractive plants. Many people are amazed that such beautiful flowers can come from what they consider to be untidy or ugly plants, though to the true enthusiast, most orchid plants are handsome.
Not all orchid blooms can be described as beautiful, however. While the most favoured and widely grown orchids are undeniably lovely, there are many whose flowers are curious, strange and even grotesque in appearance. The genus containing the greatest number of species is Bulbophyllum, but, among its thousand or so species, there are very few that could be described as pretty. While all orchids conform to one basic design, this has been duplicated and modified a thousand times, each variation designed to suit one orchid's particular habitat or way of growing.
The ideal aspect for summer growing is a window that receives either the morning or evening sun, but not direct sun during the hottest part of the day. Most indoor kinds will be happy with this situation. Those orchids that like the shadiest places, such as phalaenopsis and paphiopedilums, will do equally well in a window that does not receive too much sun in summer. Cattleyas and dendrobiums are examples of orchids that like a considerable amount of light, and these would be well suited to a window that receives a great deal of sun, provided there was some shading between the plants and the glass.
Orchids are largely insect pollinated, and their flower structure reflects this. Each flower consists of six segments - three petals and three sepals - that are known collectively as the tepals. The outer three are sepals; the inner three petals. The third of the petals has developed into the labellum, or lip, which provides an ideal landing stage for the pollinating insect. Often the lip is lightly hinged, so that it can position the insect correctly for pollination, as well as ensuring that only the rightsize insect enters the flower. In many orchids, the lip is large and highly coloured and has a bright patterning quite distinct from the rest of the flower.
At the centre are a number of ridges that guide the insect to the bloom. These are usually bright yellow and are called the honey guides. Above the lip is the column - a single, finger-like structure containing the reproductive parts of the flower. The pollen is found at the end dorsal sepal of the column, usually in two, four or six masses. These pollen masses contain the pollen grains, or pollinia, which, unlike other flowers, are not in a powder form. "l'hey are held at the end of the column under a protective cap called the anther.
From among the immense number of hybrids raised, several alliances that contain numerous related genera have emerged. Among these the most favoured are the Cattleya alliance, the Odontoglossum alliance and the Vanda alliance. Within these three natural genera, alliances can be found consisting of anything from two natural genera (Laelia x Cattleya = Laeliocattleya) to six (Cattleya x Brassavola x Broughtonia x Laelia x Schomburgkia xSophronitis = Mooreara), and, in a few instances, nine (Cattleya x Brassavola x Broughtonia x Cattleyopsis x Diacrium x Epidendrum x Laelia x Schomburgkia x Sophronitis = Sallyyeeara). Here, there appears to be no limit on the multiples, which have led to some astonishing results.
On the underside of the column is a sticky patch. This is the stigmatic surface into which the pollinia are deposited. The pollen grains extend their growing tubes down through the centre of the column to reach the ovaries situated directly behind the flower, where they meet the thousands of unfertilized seeds. By the time fertilization is complete, the ovaries will have swollen into a large capsule containing up to a million minute, golden yellow, ripening seeds.
Be aware of those places that could be harmful to orchids. Do not stand the plants directly in front of, or above, an open fire, where they will quickly succumb to overheating and dehydration. Remember that appliances such as the fridge in the kitchen and the television in the living room both give out warmth when working, which is harmful to orchids placed nearby. Also, avoid any area where the plants will be in a draught (draft) from an open doorway or other source of cold air. Finally, wherever you place your orchids, take care to prevent them being knocked over or damaged by pets or children.
Not all orchid blooms can be described as beautiful, however. While the most favoured and widely grown orchids are undeniably lovely, there are many whose flowers are curious, strange and even grotesque in appearance. The genus containing the greatest number of species is Bulbophyllum, but, among its thousand or so species, there are very few that could be described as pretty. While all orchids conform to one basic design, this has been duplicated and modified a thousand times, each variation designed to suit one orchid's particular habitat or way of growing.
The ideal aspect for summer growing is a window that receives either the morning or evening sun, but not direct sun during the hottest part of the day. Most indoor kinds will be happy with this situation. Those orchids that like the shadiest places, such as phalaenopsis and paphiopedilums, will do equally well in a window that does not receive too much sun in summer. Cattleyas and dendrobiums are examples of orchids that like a considerable amount of light, and these would be well suited to a window that receives a great deal of sun, provided there was some shading between the plants and the glass.
Orchids are largely insect pollinated, and their flower structure reflects this. Each flower consists of six segments - three petals and three sepals - that are known collectively as the tepals. The outer three are sepals; the inner three petals. The third of the petals has developed into the labellum, or lip, which provides an ideal landing stage for the pollinating insect. Often the lip is lightly hinged, so that it can position the insect correctly for pollination, as well as ensuring that only the rightsize insect enters the flower. In many orchids, the lip is large and highly coloured and has a bright patterning quite distinct from the rest of the flower.
At the centre are a number of ridges that guide the insect to the bloom. These are usually bright yellow and are called the honey guides. Above the lip is the column - a single, finger-like structure containing the reproductive parts of the flower. The pollen is found at the end dorsal sepal of the column, usually in two, four or six masses. These pollen masses contain the pollen grains, or pollinia, which, unlike other flowers, are not in a powder form. "l'hey are held at the end of the column under a protective cap called the anther.
From among the immense number of hybrids raised, several alliances that contain numerous related genera have emerged. Among these the most favoured are the Cattleya alliance, the Odontoglossum alliance and the Vanda alliance. Within these three natural genera, alliances can be found consisting of anything from two natural genera (Laelia x Cattleya = Laeliocattleya) to six (Cattleya x Brassavola x Broughtonia x Laelia x Schomburgkia xSophronitis = Mooreara), and, in a few instances, nine (Cattleya x Brassavola x Broughtonia x Cattleyopsis x Diacrium x Epidendrum x Laelia x Schomburgkia x Sophronitis = Sallyyeeara). Here, there appears to be no limit on the multiples, which have led to some astonishing results.
On the underside of the column is a sticky patch. This is the stigmatic surface into which the pollinia are deposited. The pollen grains extend their growing tubes down through the centre of the column to reach the ovaries situated directly behind the flower, where they meet the thousands of unfertilized seeds. By the time fertilization is complete, the ovaries will have swollen into a large capsule containing up to a million minute, golden yellow, ripening seeds.
Be aware of those places that could be harmful to orchids. Do not stand the plants directly in front of, or above, an open fire, where they will quickly succumb to overheating and dehydration. Remember that appliances such as the fridge in the kitchen and the television in the living room both give out warmth when working, which is harmful to orchids placed nearby. Also, avoid any area where the plants will be in a draught (draft) from an open doorway or other source of cold air. Finally, wherever you place your orchids, take care to prevent them being knocked over or damaged by pets or children.
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