Orchid – a plant with unusually shaped and beautifully colored flowers. Orchid is well known for the many structural variations in their flowers. An orchid can grow in almost any climate except deserts, but most of them are native to tropical and subtropical climates. Orchid flowers have been cultivated for their commercial value and have been successfully hybridized and variegated. Many orchids are now propagated by tissue culture methods.
Orchids are among the most highly prized of ornamental plants. In Mexico the flowers are used symbolically by the natives; each one conveys a sentiment associated with different ceremonies or religious figures. Hawaii has become a major center for commercial orchid culture. There are literally thousands of different types of Orchids in existence. Different colors, species and hybrids, miniature and standard-sized. Here I describe some of the most common orchids.
Phalaenopsis lindenii is a species of plant in the Orchidaceae family. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests. This orchid is a super popular indoor orchid because of its big, colorful and long-lasting flowers. Some of them are fragrant and some of them are miniature or compact.
Anguloa, commonly known as tulip orchids, is a small orchid genus. This genus is found on the forest floor at high elevations.
Cymbidium, or boat orchids, is a genus of 52 evergreen species in the orchid family Orchidaceae. Cymbidium plants are sympodial and grow to a height of 60 cm and the racemes as high as 90 cm.
Endrobium is a huge genus of tropical orchids. They are quite varied in flower size and appearance.
Vanda is a genus in the orchid family which, although not large is one of the most important florally. The export of wild-collected specimens of the Blue Orchid and other wild Vanda is prohibited worldwide.
Dendrobium is a huge genus of orchids. The genus occurs in diverse habitats throughout much of south, east and Southeast Asia. These indoor orchids grow quickly throughout summer, but take a rest during winter.
Vanilla
Vanilla is a flavoring derived from orchids. Vanilla grows as a vine, climbing up an existing tree or other support. The fruit (a seed capsule), if left on the plant. The fruit contains tiny, flavorless seeds. The seed dries; it will then release the distinctive vanilla smell. Vanilla is the second most expensive spice after saffron. Regardless of its high cost, vanilla is widely used in both commercial and domestic baking, perfume manufacture and aroma therapy.
The Singapore Botanical Garden
In my opinion without specifying about Singapore Botanical Garden, this portion of Orchid history is incomplete because the Singapore Botanical Gardens contains the world’s largest collection of orchids
