Interesting Orchid Background Information

It's not uncommon for the average home gardener to develop a fascination with orchids

. It's been happening for centuries! These special plants are often so exotic in appearance and sensuous in scent that once we've purchased or been given our first orchid, we're hooked. If you've just become an orchid grower, you might enjoy learning more about them so here are ten pieces of orchid background information that will help your love for the orchid blossom:

People have long been fascinated by the orchid the Chinese and Greeks made reference to them going back to the centuries BC.

As trade routes developed in the 1700s and 1800s, orchids became a prized commodity and their popularity increased however, they were difficult to obtain. They initially proved difficult to grow but this was due to a lack of knowledge and understanding about their natural environments and needs.

It's a myth that all orchids require hot tropical conditions to survive.

Vanilla flavoring comes from an orchid! The Vanilla Planifolia orchid is native to a small area in Mexico. If you're wondering why pure Vanilla extract can be expensive it's because natural pollination of the species is done by the Melipone bee also a native of Mexico. Hand pollination processes have been developed but these are time consuming and laborious.

Orchids were extremely expensive in earlier centuries. Horticulturalists eventually learned how to propagate and hybridize orchids and this has naturally resulted in them becoming more freely available and less expensive. While this is true of the more common varieties, there are still some orchids that are extremely rare, difficult to obtain, and expensive.

There are many species of orchids but they fall into three basic categories that relate to where and how they grow: - terrestrial (ground growing), epiphyte (tree growing) and lithophyte (rock growing).

Orchids don't all have the same type of root structure. Some have pseudobulbs and others have more common looking roots. Their growth habits divide them into two categories - sympodial or monopodial. Sympodial plants are ones that grow in a sideways manner and they can develop multiple stems. Monopodial plants have a vertical growth habit.

In some cultures, powdered orchid roots are believed to be an aphrodisiac. In the Middle East, the drink Salep is made using the powdered roots of orchids. The Ancient Romans enjoyed a similar beverage.

Orchid smuggling is quite common and the culprits are not your average petty criminal out to make a quick buck. They're often obsessed orchid growers. Reported attempts at smuggling rare orchids in recent years have been perpetuated by a pharmaceutical scientist, an environmental agency worker and a cardiologist.

Meryl Streep starred in a very different and quite fascinating film about orchid smuggling the 2002 film Adaptation was itself, an adaptation of a book called The Orchid Thief.

If you've invited orchids into your life it's a good idea to learn as much as you can about orchids, and in particular, the type of orchid you have. Understanding the needs of your orchid in relation to water, light, humidity and temperature will ensure that you get to enjoy their exotic beauty at its best.

Interesting Orchid Background Information

By: Lisa Jenkins

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