Orchids at The Butterfly House
Orchids thrive at The Butterfly House
I love to see the brightly colored orchids at The Butterfly House. It seems like everywhere you turn there is a variety of orchids. The hot, humid temperatures in the conservatory work well for the orchids.
Because of this, I was under the mistaken notion that orchids were just tropical plants. This is not true, although 80% of orchids are from the tropics. Orchids actually grow on all continents except the Antarctica. There are 35 species of orchids in my home state of Missouri.
In this lens I will share photographs of the orchids that I have taken at The Butterfly House where I volunteer. I will also share a few interesting facts about orchids that I learned at a training session for volunteers.
photos by mbgphoto
Growth of Orchids
Monopodial: Central stem of growth and no pseudobulbs, but produce new growth from the crown of the plant.
Sympodial: Forms a rhizome, which sends out a shoot
Pollination: Often trick insects into it through very elaborate systems.
Seeds need assistance to grow because they have so little food, fungi provide the sugars and nutrient in nature.
Guide for Growing
If these photos have made you long to have orchids, here is a guide to grow them.
Moth Variety
This variety of orchid is called the Moth. Here is a pretty yellow Moth orchid that was growing at The Butterfly House.
Smallest
World's smallest known orchid at 2 millimeters across is nearly see-through. It was discovered on 12/3/09 nestled in the roots of another flower in Ecuador.
Purple Orchids
Largest
The largest orchid: Grammatophyllum speciosum, can weigh two tons.
Owl Butterfly among the Orchids
Tallest
The tallest free standing orchid is Sobralia altissima from the high forests of Peru. It reaches up to 44 feet.
Dark Purple Orchids at The Butterfly House
Orchids grow their roots in several different manners.
Epiphytic- Grow on trees clinging to branches or in the trunk apex of the tree.
Uthophytic-Cover the bases and forks of trees or fill crevices in rocks.
Terrestrial- Grow in the ground.
White Orchid
Man-made
The first man-made orchid hybrid was created in 1856.
Orchids for Dummies
A great place to get some basic tips on orchids.
Growing Orchids
Some people say orchids are rather difficult to grow and others say they are easy.
Have you had success with growing orchids?
Credits
Thank You Jessica Deering
Guest Service- The Butterfly House
Information for this lens was obtained at a volunteer training session at The Butterfly House. It was presented by Jessica Deering
