Flora's Orchids [antikvár]

The World of OrchidsWhat is an Orchid?Befow; Nomed for its propagator. Froncisco d'Aquino, Cattleya intermedia var. aquinii feotures ruffled magenta-streaked petals. Due to these markmgs, this plant is known as a "splash-petalled" cattleya.If a simple explanation sufficed, orchids jusc would not be orchids. The popular conception of an orchid, whether of a frilly purple cattleya, a white moth orchid, a pastel cymbidium, or a goblin-likc Mormodc's, is only a small part of what constitutes the glamor and mystique of this unique group of plants. The history, the mystery, and the sheer differences between orchids and any other plants renders them immediate and obvious subjects for the obsessive-compulsive collectors of the world. Without the mystique, the cachet, carried by the simple word "orchid," you probably wouldn't be reading this book. Nor would some of the famous and popular "urban legends" about this wonderful family have arisen. And, unlike so many other objects of desire and devotion, orchids actually have sound valueThe very form, the very scent, not heavy, not sensuous, but perilous perilous of orchids, piled in a great sheath.HILDA DGGLITTLE (1886-1961),behind them. No other horticultural subject has the same beauty, the same long-lasting floral display, the same near-assurance of reblooming given reasonable care. For it is not just the exquisite beauty or distinction of the orchid flower that renders these plants among the most sought-after and expensive of all horticultural subjects. If they were accessible, if they all looked alike, if they were inexpensive, if they were all easy to grow, if they didn't offer an almost endless palette of color and shape and size, they would not command the attention they do. Nevertheless, many orchids make excellent horticultural subjects: many are easy and fast to grow, relatively easy to control, available through existing marketing venues, and wonderful value for consumers. It is no wonder that orchids are