Orchids (scientifically speaking, Orchidacea) are a grouping of plants consisting of over than 20,000 identified species, quite a few of which are highly valuable from a commercial standpoint. Many people believe them to be far and away the most intriguing order of plants in the entire vegetable kingdom due to their astonishing mode of growth and existence, their bizarre habits and the multitudinous shapes and forms of their blooms, which are different from those of all other plants -- delicate seeming in texture and with wonderful, glowing colors.
Orchids are also remarkable because of their ready adaptability and the extent to which they will easily cross-breed or cross-fertilize. This is so in their natural environs as well as when they are under cultivation. This fact also accounts for the seemingly endless varieties of flowers and colors that can result from the hybridizing process.
A little botany: The flower of the orchid as a rule consists of these parts: sepals, the petals, the labellum (or pouch), and the column or crest.
On most orchids the labellum is generally the most conspicuous part as well as the most important organ of the flower. Insects enter it in search of the sweet juices held within the spur or walls of the flower, pollinating the plant in the process and bringing about cross-fertilization in the bargain. This is how so many new varieties come about in the wild, and these are termed natural hybrids. But under cultivation this work must be performed by human caretakers using delicate 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 most wonderful hybrids are produced, and these are termed garden hybrids.
One of the the things that makes orchid growing so much fun is the dream of creating our own orchid hybrids. This takes knowledge and a modicum of patience, but even novices have created astounding orchids by experimenting with hybridizing.
If you are wishing to experiement with the hybridization of orchids, you should first have some good experience in basic cultivation of these plants.Only after you have gained confidence in working with orchids should you try the demanding task of hybridization. Orchids are slow growing plants, and slow to come to bloom, so you must be comfortable with waiting often years to find out if your hybridizing efforts are a success. Nontheless, when it succeeds, it's fantastic experience. You can produce not only a beautiful flower by this process, but also orchid varieties never before seen in the world.
Clearly, you must find out 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 up-to-date guide to expert orchid cultivation, in my opinion, is Orchid Care Expert by a Mr. Nigel Howard, which may be downloaded from the Internet. Mr. Howard's ebook is a complete education all to itself, appropriate for neophytes as well as the more experienced. In addition, be sure to visit the Orchid Secretssite, which contains an ever-growing library of postings on a wide range of topics of orchid care.
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