The Botany of the Orchid

Orchids (more formally, Orchidacea) are a grouping of plants comprising more than 20,000 named species, quite a few of which are very valuable commercially. Many people consider them to be by far the most intriguing order of plants in the entire vegetable kingdom because of their curious mode of growth and existence, their bizarre habits and the many shapes and forms of their flowers, which are quite distinct from those of all other plants -- delicate seeming in texture and with wonderful, glowing tints.

Orchids are also remarkable owing to their well-known adaptability and the degree to which they will easily cross breed or cross fertilize. This is so in their natural habitats as well as under cultivation. This fact also accounts for the virtually endless varieties of flowers and colors that can be the outcome of hybridization.

Some botany: The orchid flower as a rule consists of these parts: the sepals, petals, the labellum (or pouch), and the column or crest.

The labellum is usually the most conspicuous part as well as the most important organ of the flower. Insects go into it looking for the sweet juices stored within the spur or walls of the flower, pollinating the plant as they do so and bringing about cross-fertilization in the bargain. This is how so many new varieties come about in the wild, and these are the orchids that are termed natural hybrids.  But under cultivation this task must be performed by human caretakers using tiny camel's hair brushes and with a careful eye and judgment as to the right moment for fertilization. It is in this manner that the loveliest hybrids are produced, and these are known as garden hybrids.

Among the the things that makes growing orchids so much fun is the possibility of creating our own hybrid orchids. This takes knowledge and a good bit of patience, but even non-professionals have created astounding orchids by experimenting with hybridization.

If you're interested in experimenting with the hybridization of orchids, you should first gain some good experience in basic cultivation of these plants.Only after you have gained confidence in working with orchids should you try the more demanding task of hybridization. Orchids are slow growing, and slow to come to bloom, so you must be prepared to wait often years to find out if your hybridizing attempts are successful. Nevertheless, when it succeeds, it's fantastic experience.  You can produce not only some beautiful flowers by this method, but also orchid varieties never before seen in the world.

Clearly, you must obtain all the information that you can before trying your hand at hybridizing orchids. Fortunately, there are good books available on all aspects of orchid growing, including step-by-step instructions on hybridization.

The most complete guide to 21st-century orchid care, as increasing numbers are learning, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded from the Internet. Mr. Howard's ebook is a full course in itself, suitable for neophytes as well as the more experienced. Additionally, check out the Orchid Secretssite, which is publishing a growing library of entries on many topics of orchid cultivation.