Orchids: One of the Oldest Flowering Plants

Orchid flowers are one of the most unique and beautiful flowers around. It constitutes one of the largest plant families in the world. The full name of the Orchid is Orchidaceae. The normal orchid can be up to 1– year old, whereas the wild species can cross 200 years. It is the national flower of Singapore. The species of orchids are between 15,000-35,000. They are quite popular among people to be used as house plants, as they are easy to maintain and don’t require much maintenance. In this article, you will get to know more about orchid flowers.

5 Lines on Orchids 

1. The size of the smallest orchid is that of a dime and that of the largest weighs over a hundred pounds.

2. You will be surprised to hear that the Vanilla bean is a species of Orchid.

3. One more interesting fact about Orchids is that they are symmetrical in shape. If you cut the flower in half, you will get two equal parts.

4. You won’t believe that they take around 5-7 years to grow. The orchid that you get in the market today is almost 10 years old.

5. And they can grow upside down as well. They become so heavy while they blossom that the plant grows them upside down.

Types of Orchids

There are several varieties of beautiful orchids, some of which are: 

• Vanda Orchids - They are an expensive genus of orchids and are extensively found on the grounds of India, the Philippines, and Australia.

Vanda Orchid

• Slipper Orchids - These orchids are listed as endangered, making it illegal to pluck or collect them. They are found all across Asia.

Slipper Orchid

• Dendrobiums - These are a diverse genus of orchids that can grow anywhere. It comes in many colours like white, purple and pink.

Dendrobium Orchid

• Miltoniopsis - This genus of orchids is ideal for house plants that smell good. This type of orchid is also known as a pansy orchid.

Miltoniopsis Orchid

• Militaria - It is one of the beautiful orchid flowers. It is a beautiful hybrid flower with dark colours in the background and tiny spots down the petal.

Miltassia Orchids

• The Dove Orchid - It is also known as the Holy Trinity orchid. It is a rare type that grows in Panama and the countries around it.

Dove Orchid

• Vanilla Orchid - This is the source of the authentic vanilla that we get to taste in sweets and fragrances. It is mostly cultivated to produce more vanilla extract.

Vanilla Orchid

If you have a question about where orchids grow, then you need to know that there are various types of orchids. Each type of orchid grows in a different habitat. But orchids can be seen most commonly in rainforests.

The Uses of Orchids

• Used as Perfumes: They make a base for many famous fragrances and are also used in many perfumes.

• Used in Food: The most common ingredient or flavour used in baking is vanilla. And the flavour of vanilla comes from orchids.

• Used as Decoration: As these flowers are considered auspicious, it is used during many occasions like marriage, birthdays, etc.

Facts About Orchids

1. Orchids grow near warm and tropical regions and you will never find orchids near the North and the South Poles.

2. You know why it is so difficult to grow this flower. Because it has the tiniest seed in the world.

3. You can cook with Orchid and of course, it is delicious to eat.

Summary 

We all love orchids, don’t we? They have such a calming effect. You will find lots of orchids in spas as it works as a stress reliever. They are also considered very lucky if kept at home and at the workplace. The most fun part is that you have to water the plant only once a week. You soak orchids in a bowl filled with water and refill it only when it dries out. Not many are aware that the word orchid was given by John Lindley in 1845.