Orchids Honor - advanced

Nature Study

Requirements

  1. Have the Orchids Honor.
  2. Draw or press an orchid and identify the following:
    • Sepals
    • Petals
    • Column
    • Anther
    • Pollinia
    • Labellum
    • Stigma
  3. What is the main difference between monopodial and sympodial orchids?

    Answer: Monopodial: they grow vertically from a single stem, lengthening at the apex (e.g.: Phalaenopsis, Vanda). Sympodial: they grow laterally, sending out new shoots/pseudobulbs from a rhizome (e.g.: Cattleya, Oncidium). — Monopodial grows 'upward' on a single stem; sympodial grows 'to the side', in new shoots — this defines how to care for and divide it.

  4. What are "cultivars"?

    Answer: Cultivars are plant varieties created and selected by humans (through cultivation and crossbreeding) for having desirable characteristics (color, size, flower hardiness). The name comes from 'cultivated variety'. — A cultivar is a variety created by humans — selected for its qualities, such as a flower of a special color.

  5. How does "reproduction" by meristem work? For what purpose is it practiced?

    Answer: It is a tissue-culture technique (cloning): a portion of the meristem (growth tissue) is removed from the plant and cultivated in a laboratory, generating many seedlings identical to the mother plant. Purpose: to multiply quickly and in large quantity identical, quality orchids (free of disease) for commerce. — Meristem culture clones the orchid in a laboratory — it mass-produces identical, healthy plants for the market.

  6. What are Keikis?

    Answer: A keiki (Hawaiian word for 'baby') is a seedling that is born naturally on the mother plant itself (at a node of the stem or on the pseudobulb). When it grows roots, it can be separated and planted, generating a new identical orchid — a natural form of vegetative reproduction. — A keiki is the 'baby' that the orchid itself generates — you just wait for it to grow roots and replant it.

  7. List 3 uses of orchids for humans.

    Answer: (1) Ornamental — flowers and decorative pots (main use); (2) economic — vanilla is the fruit of an orchid (genus Vanilla); (3) medicinal and cultural — some species are used in traditional remedies and teas. — Beauty, vanilla, and medicinal uses — orchids go far beyond decoration.

  8. Know the essential elements for the growth of orchids?

    Answer: Adequate light (most like indirect/filtered light), air humidity, ventilation (circulating air), a temperature appropriate to the species, water in the right measure (without waterlogging the roots), an aerated substrate (not common soil), and nutrients (light fertilization). The balance of these factors is the key. — Filtered light, humidity, ventilation, water without waterlogging, and an aerated substrate — the balance of these factors makes the orchid thrive.

  9. Name at least 2 species of orchids that can grow under the following conditions in the region where you live:
    • Outdoors, in an ordinary garden or on a rock.
    • In the shade or half-light
    • In an unheated greenhouse
    • In a heated greenhouse

    Answer: This is a local research task; adapt it to the species of your region. In general: 1) Outdoors, in a common garden or on rock: Cattleya and Laelia. 2) In the shade or partial light: Phalaenopsis and Paphiopedilum. 3) In an unheated greenhouse (mild climate): Cymbidium and Dendrobium. 4) In a heated greenhouse (tropical species): Vanda and Phalaenopsis. — Each environment calls for adapted species — from the full sun of the rupicolous ones to the shade of the Phalaenopsis.

  10. Cite some factors that can contribute to a species of orchid becoming "endangered".

    Answer: • Habitat destruction (deforestation, brush fires). • Illegal collection and extraction for trade. • Climate change. • Pollution. • Slow reproduction and dependence on specific pollinators and soil fungi, which makes them fragile. The loss of the environment is the greatest threat. — Deforestation and illegal collection are the greatest threats — orchids depend heavily on their habitat and pollinators.

  11. Explain the quarantine requirements demanded in your country regarding the import of orchids.

    Answer: This is a research task: the import of orchids requires authorization from the competent authorities (in Brazil, MAPA), phytosanitary inspection, and quarantine — a period during which the plant is isolated and observed to ensure it does not bring pests or diseases that contaminate the local flora. Endangered species also follow CITES rules. — Importing orchids requires quarantine and inspection so as not to bring pests — and authorization, since many are protected.

  12. Explain the process of growing orchid seeds under the conditions existing in a glass jar.

    Answer: Orchid seeds are tiny and have no food reserve, depending on a fungus to germinate in nature. In a laboratory, they are sown in closed glass flasks, in a sterile, gelatinous culture medium (with nutrients and sugar), in a controlled environment of light and temperature — there they germinate and grow protected until they become seedlings, which are then transplanted. — Since the orchid seed is fragile, it is germinated in vitro, in sterile glass with nutrients — replacing the fungus of nature.

  13. Describe the worldwide distribution of orchids and analyze how knowledge of the altitude above sea level of an orchid's native habitat is important for those who cultivate it.

    Answer: Orchids occur in almost every part of the world, being most diverse in humid tropical regions. Knowing the altitude and native habitat of a species is essential for cultivating it: it indicates the temperature, humidity, and light it needs — a mountain orchid (cool climate) suffers in the heat of the lowlands, and vice versa. Reproducing the conditions of its origin is the secret of cultivation. — Knowing where the orchid comes from (altitude and climate) is the key to cultivation — reproducing the native habitat is the secret to success.

  14. Cultivate a small collection of orchids (of at least 2 genera) until they flower (a minimum of 4 different orchids). At the end of the period, present a monthly photographic record, accompanied by notes on the development and care needed during each month, with the evolution of each plant.