Orchid Fun Facts

• It’s nearly impossible to be allergic to orchids because their pollen is not air born but instead presented in concentrated grains-similar to tiny grains of rice.
• Fairly recent discovery of orchid pollen trapped on a preserved insect fossil have dated orchids back to more than 70-80 million years ago at time when Dinosaurs walked the Earth and insects were active pollinators.
• A key characteristic of an orchid flower is its zygomorphic attribute-in other words orchid flowers are so unique that they are only bilaterally symmetrical-and noted for their highly developed, large(r) and fancy third petal-the lip or labellum.
• Many orchids are fragrant and may smell like many things including vanilla, roses, chocolate, coconut, cinnamon, lilac, rotting flesh and yes even feces-depending on the pollinator the orchid is trying to attract.
• Orchids have been revered by people and cultures the world over… In Japan the ancient Samurai considered Neofinetia falcata sacred, the ancient Aztecs cultivated Stanhopea hernandezii and our modern culture would not be the same without the common flavoring vanilla derived from the seed pod of Vanilla plainifolia.
• The Orchid’s flower structure is so evolved to be dependant on a specific pollinator-that when their pollinator species becomes extinct so will the orchid species. Some species pollinate themselves!
• In nature orchids grow in varied ways with roots as anchors, exposed to air; on the branches of trees (epiphytes), on rocks (lithophytes), in the ground in leaf litter on forest floors or on rocky embankments (terrestrials) and some even just below the soil surface (saphrophytes). Most orchids are ambidextrous in growth habit and can grow in several formats-such as on tree limbs, on rocks and on the ground.
• Orchids are plants that need to be grown so that they have perfect drainage, excellent fresh air circulation and protection from direct sun that will burn their leaves.
• Color-coded success…When a healthy orchid’s roots are thoroughly hydrated they will go from white to bright green. Makes sure your orchids roots turn back to white before you water again. Roots that don’t dry will rot-Rotting is the #1 cause of orchid death.
• Orchids do not need to grow in bark! Try any non-porous, inorganic, irregularly shaped substance-like crushed granite. Use a clear plastic pot when growing indoors so you can see your orchid’s roots and their progress.