Growing orchids is an art; it brings out emotions to the fore. And like an artist of prodigious gifts, orchids bring us to where there is a splendid feast for the eyes.
The orchid plant of the Orchidaceae family, which is known for its widely colorful blooms and alluring beauty, was named after—hold your breath—a man’s testicles. According to Greek mythology, Orkhis, from whom the plant’s name originated, is the son of a satyr and a nymph, who was turned into a flower after his death.
It was the Greek botanist, Theophrastos, a protégé of Aristotle, who thought that the fleshy underground tuber resembled that part of the male anatomy. Thus, in ancient Greece, the orchid was associated with virility.
During the 1st century AD, Greek physician Dioscorides suggested that orchids influenced sexuality, with which men, by eating specific parts of the flower, could opt for either a daughter or a son.
King Charles II, so enamored with the flower, brought the plant to Sweden from Persia in the 17th century. During the Victorian era, orchids symbolized luxury because the flowers were so expensive that only the rich could afford to have them at home.
The orchid flowers are showy and some could be bizarrely shaped, with large specialized lip (labellum) and a spur. With over 30,000 species and more than 200,000 hybrids, orchids make up for the largest flowering plants in the world.
Fossils of the plant suggest that orchids have thrived 100 million years ago on Earth. The number is growing as botanists and orchid growers continue to grow extraordinary breeds, like the two-millimeter wide orchid, the smallest in the world.
Orchids are classified into two categories. Monopodial orchids have a single, upright stem, with leaves arranged opposite each other along the stem: Phalaenopsis and Vandas are examples. Sympodial orchids, the second category, grow horizontally, sending out new shoots from old rhizome: examples are Cattleya, Cymbidium, and Dendrobium.
There is no general rule for tending to an orchid plant; some are easy to take care of, while others have to be tended to with delicate supervision, not wishing to be disturbed. Some hybrids take time to bloom, especially after having been repotted, in which case it takes a year for it to bud.
Except in Antarctica, orchids can grow anywhere in temperate zones and where there is sun and light. Terrestrial orchids such as Cymbidiums grow on soil. Most tropical orchids are epiphytes, growing in the air, high in the bark of trees or the surface of other plants. Their fleshy roots are covered with a coat of white cells that act like a sponge absorbing moist and water. They can also grow on dried coconut fiber, peat moss, cork nuggets, stones, and dried roots of ferns.
Most orchids bloom once a year, with flowers in bloom for six to 10 weeks. Right air circulation and a good drainage (no waterlogged pots) is necessary for growth. Water the plants at least once a week or keep it misted. Liquid fertilizer may be used but not right after repotting. Aside from their beauty, orchids, especially Dendrobiums, are also excellent air purifiers and will filter chemicals, toluene, and xylene indoors.
The colors of orchids have different meanings to many people. White means reverence and humility, innocence, purity, elegance, and beauty. Purple indicates admiration, respect, dignity, and royalty. Green is for blessings and good fortune, good health, wealthy nature, and longevity.
Blue means trust and uniqueness, the perfect gift because of its rarity to one whom is uniquely pretty. Yellow means friendship, joy, and new beginnings. Orange is for enthusiasm, boldness, and pride. Pink orchids, especially on the 14th and 25th wedding anniversary, convey pure affection. It also means femininity, grace, and joy.
Red is for passion, bravery, power, strength, and courage. Black denotes duality, death signs, and evil significations. Black also symbolizes the mysteriously beautiful.
In China, orchids imply the unity of married couples and a good probability of bearing many children. When presented as a gift to couples, the orchids are believed to drive away evil spirits that may bring barrenness to them.
In feng shui, orchids are lucky houseplants that brings peace, good opportunities, harmony, and success at home or place of work. Orchids at funerals have a deeper message of an undying love which says, “I will always love you.”
Many countries have adopted images of orchid flowers on their flag or as national emblem: Brazil, Indonesia, Venezuela, Columbia, Guatemala, Singapore, and Costa Rica. The Calayan tribes in the Philippines regard the orchid plant as “keepers of the forests.”
To grow orchids, it is best to start with no-fuss Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, and Paphiopedilum. They are easy to grow and are very adaptable to any environment. To avoid guesswork, buy plants that have flowers so you’ll know what you’re getting.
Each year during this time, the Quezon Memorial Circle is abloom with orchid flowers and orchid growers to introduce new hybrids. The Philippine Orchid Society, founded on October 1, 1946, has been giving lectures, seminars, and tours to those interested to know more about how to grow and care for orchids as well as help enthusiasts learn their other uses and increase appreciation for the plant.
Photos by Diana B. Noche