Imagined Orchids

One of the enjoyable side hobbies to orchid apprecation is that of seeking out references to these mystery-shrouded flowers in works of literature and popular entertainment.

One of the earliest short stories in which an orchid plays a leading role is an odd little work by the pathbreaking science fiction author, H.G. Wells.  In actuality, the story is not so much a piece of science fiction as it is of horror, and as such something of a departure for Wells. It has been republished many times and now you can easily find it on the Web. Occasionally it goes by the title, "The Flowering of the Strange Orchid," and other times simply as "The Strange Orchid."."

Wells lived and wrote during the years of the first great orchid mania, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. This was also a time when there were still some remote and relatively unexplored places in the world, which fired contemporary imaginations with imaginings of undiscovered monsters that could yet be lurking in some jungle or mountain fastness.

For "The Strange Orchid," Wells built on the fact that flowers discharge their scent into the air to attract insects, which in turn spread pollen from one plant to another, assisting the plants to reproduce. What if--Wells wondered--there were a flower that took this a step further by evolving the ability to use its scent to overpower and feed on large animals?

The story centers on an Englishman with a passion for orchids who has acquired a rare specimen. After months of caring for it, he is overjoyed to see that it is finally about to blossom. He goes by himself one day to savor the first sight and scent of the unknown flower. Three hours later his housekeeper finds him lying unconscious before the orchid, which is  giving out an intoxicating odor and is looking very vigorous and wicked. An ominous red tint suffuses its
leaves and it has already pushed some of its finger-like shoots round the orchid lover's neck and beneath his shirt front.

With an inarticulate cry she ran towards him, and tried to pull him away from the leech-like suckers. She snapped two of these tentacles, and their sap dripped red.

Then the overpowering scent of the blossom began to make her head reel. How they clung to him! She tore at the tough ropes, and he and the white inflorescence swam about her. She felt she was fainting, knew she must not. She left him and hastily opened the nearest door, and, after she had panted for a moment in the fresh air, she had a brilliant inspiration. She caught up a flower-pot and smashed in the windows at the end of the greenhouse. Then she re-entered.

She tugged now with renewed strength at Wedderburn's motionless body, and brought the strange orchid crashing to the floor. It still clung with the grimmest tenacity to its victim. In a frenzy, she lugged it and him into the open air.

Then she thought of tearing through the sucker rootlets one by one, and in another minute she had released him and was dragging him away from the horror.

He was white and bleeding from a dozen circular patches.

Thanks to the quick thinking of the housekeeper in this story, the orchid's victim survives--this time.

Fortunately, man-eating orchids do not actually exist.  It's possible, though, to see this story as metaphor for the grip that orchids can have on people who fall under their spell. People who contract orchid fever, including all who venture on growing them, tend to suffer from it their whole lives long. Now you've been warned!

If these fascinating plants have put the bite on you, you'll want to learn as much as possible about how to grow orchids successfully.  The most complete guide to contemporary orchid cultivation, many agree, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded online. Mr. Howard's guide is a complete education in itself, great for beginners as well as the more experienced. Also, visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which features an ever-growing library of information on all topics of orchid cultivation.