HomeIn Situ Latin; 'in place' (see definition).
The majority of all orchids grow in the tropics. There are however orchids almost everywhere on the planet. The family has shown very adaptable and may easily spread. The successful spreading is probably a lot due to the symbiotic abilities of the orchid (vs. a fungi), the easy hybridisation between species, and the small seeds, (3-14µg) (Arditti, 1992).
Epiphytes
and litophytes grow more or less in the tropics. It's terrestrial
orchids (soil living) that grow in Europe and in the temperate regions. Many
terrestrial orchids grow in cooler conditions (e.g. on 'cooler latitudes' or
on higher heights).
Loads of epiphytic orchids grow in rain forests. Tropical rain forests grow close to the equator. There are many habitats besides to tropics that supports orchid populations. There are naturally different conditions within the tropics as well and the orchids have adapted well. Many are also endemic to smaller areas (e.g. Angraecum sesquipedale, endemic to Madagascar).
DendrobiumDendrobiums are epiphytes and have adapted to a variety of climates. Some can handle large fluctuations of temperature (Stabén, 2002). It is uncertain, but the Dendrobiums make up a group of about 900-2000 species (which is a large figure; the second largest orchid genus (Stabén, 2002). These orchids grow in Asia and in Australia (especially in the Himalayas, southern China and in South-east Asia.
There is a variety of very beautiful and endangered orchids growing (or that were growing) in Africa. Madagascar and islands near by are famous for the diversity of species (some endemic species). Angraecum and Aerangis are often mentioned. They're white, small, and require relatively high humidity. Some grow at high heights.They do need a good and moist environment and pretty warm conditions. (The Illustrated Orchid Encyclopaedia)
There are more than 400 Oncidium species (Janemalma, 2002). Naturally, all those species cannot be summoned up to produce an image of how to care for an Oncidium. Many of these (especially hybrids) can be grown in somewhat lower temperatures and will still be happy if the air humidity would drop.
Phalaenopsis is one of the most common orchids and can be found in regular grocery stores. This orchid has been in cultivation for some time now and has also been heavily hybridised to produce beautiful, impressive, colourful, and long-flowering plants. The natural species have large leaves to be able to use all the light reaching them to a maximum (growing kind of in the shade). Phalaenopsis grow in warm and humid climates, e.g. in Indonesia, on Borneo, and in the Philippines. They grow in the jungle and often on low altitudes. Generally, these monopodial orchids grow up-side-down in nature, and not at all in the way we let them grow in their pots at home.
Phragmipediums are terrestrial orchids (ca. 20 species (Zuiderwijk, 2004)) growing on high altitudes in the Andes, South America (McCook, 1998) and in Central America. Many Phragmipedium are naturally growing in cooler environments (McCook, 1998)). The night temperature should reach down to 13°C for the plant to grow and be able to perform at its best (Janemalmb, 2002).
Mostly Phragmipedium grow close to water. They can be cultivated in a moist substrate, never really drying up (Larsson, 2003) (which is great for all those who have problems with over-watering their plants). All Phragmipedium species are on CITES appendix I (CITES, 2004).
Sophronitis, Laelia and Cattleya come from South America. Vanilla, Vanilla sp., also has its natural habitat on that side of the Atlantic ocean (Central America). The vanilla has been introduced into the tropics all around the world for its agricultural value. These are epiphytic orchids, thriving in warm and moist climate.
Some consider the vanilla orchid (Vanilla sp.) to be the only orchid that can be used for something else than as a decorative plant. There are though many other orchids used to a variety of things. In tropical countries orchid flowers have been used to give taste to ice cream and liquer. The original American inhabitants ate pseudobulbs for food. In Asia orchid parts have also been eaten. Leaves of Liparis japonica were boiled and served as a vegetable (Korea). In Africa and Australia the use of pseudobulbs, roots and stems, of orchids, were used for food. (Arditti, 1992)
Arditti J. (1992) Fundamentals of Orchid Biology Wiley and Sons. New York
Janemalma G. (2002) Oncidium cheirophorum Orkidéer, Svenska Orkidésällskapet 2002:9.
Janemalmb G. (2002) Phragmipedium pearcei Orkidéer, Svenska Orkidésällskapet 2002:9.
Larsson G. (2003) Phragmipedium Orkidéer, Svenska Orkidésällskapet 2003:7
McCook L. M. (1998) An Annotated Check List of the Genus Phragmipedium Orchid Digest.
OrchidMania (Sept. 2004) http://www.orchids.org/species/genera/ OrchidMania, Inc. 501(c)(3) Kalifornien.
Rittershausen Brian och Wilma (2002) Orchids, A Practical Handbook Anness Publishing Limited, U.K.
Stabén K. (2002) Släktet Dendrobium Svenska Orkidésällskapet 2004:3.
Zuiderwijk R. (2004) Genus Paphiopedilum http://www.phragweb.info/genus.html
The Illustrated Orchid Encyclopedia
Copyrights © Reserved Markus Axelsson, 2005.
