| Orchids are a very unique family of flowers; | | | | to the tree or rock with out which the orchid |
| they are the largest family of flowering | | | | may perish. These exposed roots will absorb |
| plants. The orchid has evolved so | | | | from the atmosphere the necessary moisture |
| successfully that there is only one continent | | | | for survival; an orchid which is anchored to |
| in the world where they do not grow naturally | | | | a tree may also absorb nourishment from the |
| - Antarctica. The evolutions of the orchids | | | | bird droppings or moulds on the bark of the |
| mean that they have learnt to adapt to each | | | | tree. The orchid is recognized as an exotic |
| individual environment. During this process | | | | plant and has become the obsession of many an |
| of adaptation the orchid has drawn on | | | | avid gardener. The wide variety of orchid |
| arachnids, insects, birds and butterflies to | | | | plants means that there is a plant to suit |
| ensure its successful pollination. We all | | | | almost every environment and if desired |
| have an idea that orchids are a beautiful | | | | anyone can nurture an orchid. The range of |
| flower - some are not, however, their | | | | orchids is constantly growing and a record of |
| achievements of survival still make them | | | | the different types is kept at the Royal |
| worthy of admiration. The orchid family | | | | Horticultural Society in London. This record |
| divides into three sections, Firstly the | | | | contains all the recognized naturally |
| sympodial; this has developed in dry climates | | | | occurring orchids as well as the hybrid |
| and stores water in swollen stems a sort of | | | | orchids. Some orchids are now so rare that |
| 'pseudo bulb'. The second type is a | | | | they are classified as endangered and |
| monopodial; this type of orchid has one | | | | protected by law. In the US there are certain |
| upward growing stem, a rhizome, and | | | | orchids which are so rare that if you are |
| continually produces new leaves from an apex. | | | | caught picking or damaging one it is |
| This type does not reproduce easily, but if | | | | punishable under both federal and state law! |
| the main stem is damaged it may produce a new | | | | Orchid hybrids are naturally occurring as |
| young plant from the base. The third and | | | | well and bred by enthusiasts. The ability of |
| least common type of orchid is the diapodial; | | | | the orchid to evolve means that it is |
| it grows in a similar manner to the | | | | continually changing, it is possible that |
| sympodials, but without the bulbs. Orchids | | | | there are orchid hybrids formed and lost |
| grow and gather their food and moisture by | | | | faster than man can record them. This is why |
| different means as well. Most orchids attach | | | | the orchid has appealed to so many people; |
| themselves to trees or twigs, some to rock | | | | the survival of the orchid captures the |
| while the third place themselves more | | | | imagination and then the sight of its |
| conventionally in soil. The needs of an | | | | delicate flowers draw people in to its world |
| orchid are much less than many plants, this | | | | of wonders. |
| has been key to its survival. As with all | | | | |
| plants the roots are the means of nourishing | | | | Jon Kelly is a published author who writes |
| the orchid, however, with an orchid the roots | | | | articles, that includes information on |
| have another function, they are the means of | | | | gardening and Orchids. Learning about the |
| the orchid anchoring them self. It is the | | | | orchids history,charm and mysticism will make |
| roots of the epiphytic orchid which holds it | | | | it an even more addictive hobby. |