Orchids Honor

Nature Study

Requirements

  1. Define the characteristics of an orchid.

    Answer: Orchids (the family Orchidaceae) are plants with generally showy and symmetrical flowers, with 3 sepals and 3 petals — one of the petals modified into a 'labellum' (lip) that attracts pollinators. They have the column (the fusion of the reproductive organs), the pollen grouped into masses (pollinia), and tiny seeds. Many are epiphytic (they live on trees) and have special roots (velamen) and, sometimes, pseudobulbs that store water. — Recognizing the labellum, the column, and the 3 sepals/3 petals is the key to identifying an orchid.

  2. What are the 2 main groups of orchids? Give the name and show examples of each, using the plants themselves or photographs.

    Answer: The two main groups are: the SYMPODIAL ones, which grow laterally, putting out new shoots/pseudobulbs from a rhizome (e.g., Cattleya, Oncidium), and the MONOPODIAL ones, which grow vertically from a single stem, lengthening at the apex (e.g., Phalaenopsis, Vanda). — Knowing whether the orchid is sympodial or monopodial guides the cultivation, division, and repotting.

  3. What are the differences between epiphytic, lithophytic (rupicolous), terrestrial, and humicolous orchids?

    Answer: • Epiphytic: they live on other plants (trunks and branches), without parasitizing them, using them only for support. • Lithophytic (rupicolous): they live on rocks and stones. • Terrestrial: they grow in the soil, with roots in the ground. • Humicolous: they live on the humus layer (organic matter and decomposing leaves) of the forest floor. — Knowing where the orchid lives in nature indicates the substrate and the care it needs in cultivation.

  4. Discuss the distribution of orchids, making special reference to the species common in your region.

    Answer: Orchids are distributed across almost the entire world, from the tropics to temperate regions, being most abundant and diverse in humid tropical regions. Brazil is one of the countries richest in orchids, with thousands of species common in the Atlantic Forest and the Amazon (e.g., Cattleya, Laelia, Oncidium, and the Cattleya labiata). — Orchids occur all over the world, but reach special diversity in tropical forests such as those of Brazil.

  5. Name the main genus of cultivated orchids. Identify 3 from plants or photographs.

    Answer: The main genus of cultivated orchids is Cattleya, much appreciated for its large and showy flowers. Other widely cultivated genera are Phalaenopsis (the moth orchid), Dendrobium, and Oncidium (the dancing-lady/golden shower orchid). — Knowing the most cultivated genera helps to identify and choose orchids for cultivation.

  6. What are the main uses of orchids? Which orchid is the most popular commercially speaking?

    Answer: Orchids are mainly ornamental in use (cut flowers and decorative potted plants), but also economic: vanilla is extracted from the fruit of an orchid (the genus Vanilla). Commercially, the most popular orchid in the world is the Phalaenopsis (the moth orchid), because it flowers well indoors and lasts a long time. — Beyond their beauty, orchids have commercial value — from decoration to vanilla — with the Phalaenopsis being the sales champion.

  7. Discuss the following points to be observed in the cultivation of orchids:
    • Light
    • Temperature
    • Humidity
    • Nutrients
    • Ventilation
    • Pots and substrates
  8. Cultivate at least 1 orchid for a minimum of 6 months. At the end of the period, present a monthly photographic record, accompanied by notes on the development and care needed during each month.