Adventist Youth Honors Answer Book/Nature/Orchids

Orchids
Nature General Conference	Skill Level 1
Nature General Conference	Year of Introduction: 1964

Contents

1. Define the characteristics of an orchid.

Longitudinal secion of a flower of Vanilla planifolia

Orchids are monocot plants characterised by the presence of three sepals , two petals and the third petal modified as a lip.

2. What are the two main groupings of orchids? Name and show examples of each from a live plant or picture.

There are five identified groupings of orchids. (Also see Taxonomy of the Orchid family)

Apostasioideae: 2 group(s) in this sub-family and 16 species, south-western Asia
Cypripedioideae: 5 group(s) in this sub-family and 130 species, mostly from the temperate regions of the world, some in tropical America
Vanilloideae: 15 group(s) in this sub-family and 180 species, humid tropical and subtropical regions, eastern North America
Epidendroideae: more than 500 group(s) in this sub-family and more or less 20 000 species, cosmopolitan
Orchidoideae: 208 group(s) in this sub-family and 3,630 species, cosmopolitan

The last two, Epidendroideae and Orchidoideae are the largest subfamilies (main groupings).

Neuwiedia griffithii (in the subfamily Apostasioideae)
Pink Lady's Slipper (in the subfamily Cypripedioidea)
Vanilla fragrans (in the subfamily Vanilloideae)
Vanda Miss Joaquim (in the subfamily Epidendroideae)
Neotinea tridentata (in the subfamily Orchidoideae)

3. What are the differences between epiphytic, parasitic, and saprophytic orchids?

Epiphytic

An epiphytic is an organism that grows upon or attached to a living plant.

Epiphytes on a tree
Epiphyte assemblage of orchids and bromeliads

Parasitic

Parasitic is symbiosis or "living together", a phenomenon in which two organisms which are unrelated co-exist over a long period of time, usually the lifetime of one of the individuals. A parasitic relationship does not benefit the host and can, in fact, be detrimental to it.

Saprophytic

A saprotroph (or saprobe) is an organism that obtains its nutrients from non-living organic matter, usually dead and decaying plant or animal matter, by absorbing soluble organic compounds. They cannot make food for themselves.

4. Discuss the distribution of orchids, making particular reference to the occurrence of these in your area.

Distribution

Orchids are cosmopolitan, occurring in almost every habitat. The great majority are to be found in the tropics, mostly Asia, South America and Central America. They are found above the Arctic Circle, in southern Patagonia and even on Macquarie Island, close to Antarctica.

The following list gives a rough overview of their distribution:

tropical America: 300 to 350 genera
tropical Asia: 250 to 300 genera
tropical Africa: 125 to 150 genera
Oceania: 50 to 70 genera
Europe and temperate Asia: 40 to 60 genera
North America: 20 to 30 genera

5. Name the main cultivated genera of orchids. Identify three from plants or picture. What is cultivar?

Most cultivated orchids are tropical or subtropical, but quite a few which grow in colder climates can be found on the market.

Temperate species available at nurseries include:

Ophrys apifera (bee orchid),
Gymnadenia conopsea (fragrant orchid),
Anacamptis pyramidalis (pyramidal orchid) and
Dactylorhiza fuchsii (common spotted orchid).

The main cultivated genera of orchids is Epidendroideae.

Tulip Orchid
Crimson Cattleya
Boat orchids
Laelia anceps
Dendrobium lindleyi
Moon orchid
Paphiopedilum bellatulum
Florida orchid
Blue orchid
Epidendrum radicans
Brassia arcuigera
Bulbophyllum echinolabium
Catasetum saccatum
Sophronitis tenebrosa
Miltonia Aquarius
Phaius rosellus

6. Discuss the main essentials to observe in the cultivation of orchids. Grow at least one orchid for at least six months.

Light - is important in all living things.
Temperature - mature plants need a 15-20 degree F temperature difference between day and night.
Water - seedlings need more moisture, mature plants must dry out between watering.
Humidity -
Fertilizer - remember that these are usually parasitic plants.
Potting - plant in material that allows good aeration and drainage.

The Wikipedia article Hippeastrum has detailed instructions for growing this orchid throughout the year. Another common houseplant orchid is the Cymbidium.

Another option is to grow your orchids using hydroponics, which satisfies a requirement of the Voyager curriculum. Again Wikipedia has an article called "Hydroponics for orchid cultivation" which is filled with important details.

Have a fun time growing your orchid(s).

7. What are the main uses of orchids? What orchid is used commercially?

Main Uses of Orchids

The underground tubers of terrestrial orchids (mainly Orchis mascula) are ground to a powder and used for cooking, such as in the hot beverage salep or the so-called "fox-testicle ice cream" salepi dondurma.
The scent of orchids is frequently analysed by perfumists (using Gas-liquid chromatography) to identify potential fragrance chemicals.
The other important use of orchids is their cultivation for the enjoyment of the flowers.

What orchid is used commercially?

Vanilla is a flavoring derived from orchids in the genus Vanilla native to Mexico. The name came from the Spanish word vainilla, meaning little pod.

8. Know the laws in your area (if any) that protect wild orchids.

Navasota Ladies'-Tresses

The Navasota Ladies'-Tresses (Spiranthes parksii) is on the Federal endangered species list

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wild/species/endang/plants/navasolt.phtml

Reason for Concern: Navasota ladies-tresses is endemic to the Oak Woodlands and Prairies region of east-central Texas. Once thought to be extremely rare, it is now known to be locally common in parts of its range. However, many of the sites are near an active coal stripmining operation. Other sites are within the area of Bryan-College Station and are threatened by the rapid development of this metroplex.

How YOU Can Help to Protect Wild Orchids

Pink Lady's Slipper

Cypripedium acaule, or Pink Lady's Slipper, is endangered in Nova Scotia, Canada, and in the U.S. States of Georgia, Tennessee, Illinois, and New York. Because of a fungus association needed for growth, and the high acid this plant needs, C. acaule is very difficult to grow in the average garden and is unlikely to survive any attempts at transplantation. It should not be removed or disturbed if found in nature.

Showy Lady's Slipper

Cypripedium reginae, or Showy Lady's Slipper is endangered (or extirpated) in the U.S. States of Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee.