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ORCHIDS FOR ALL Orchidaceae is one of the largest families of plants on our green planet. There are over 250,000 orchid species, and because of their active sexual reproduction, more varieties are occurring daily - both in the wild and in the laboratory. These lovely beings bring us much joy through their beauty, and are the source of one of our favorite spices: vanilla. Orchids are highly adaptive plants that grow on trees as epiphytes, in the earth as terrestrials, or on rocks as lithophytes. In New Mexico and Arizona, no less than 35 species occur naturally, and because of the low humidity and freezing temperatures, these orchids are all terrestrials. They are found in cienegas, seeps, springs, and sometimes hanging on wet canyon walls. More information about our southwestern orchids can be found in Ronald A. Coleman's book, The Wild Orchids of Arizona and New Mexico. It's not unusual for plants to evoke emotional responses (orchid corsages), stimulate wars (tulips), invite mystery (The Orchid Thief), or even support economies (poppies). In this arena, the orchid is no lightweight. For centuries, scientific expeditions returned from the new world with orchid specimens to fill glass houses for the wealthy in Europe or to embellish the dynasties of the Orient. Presently, the orchids available in nurseries or even by mail order are prominent in the gift market and, as always, for the collector. In New Mexico, this forgiving plant is well suited as a houseplant, away from direct sun and happiest in a drafty location. Centuries ago, orchids were accessible only to the wealthy. Today, through science and art, they are affordable to all. The commercial growers in Hawaii, Japan or South America can travel to Thailand and purchase flasks of seedlings from an orchid lab. These young plants or "keikis" are mericloned under sterile conditions, therefore proven winners of the American Orchid Society or other credited groups become available as exact duplicates. Bring Federal Express into the scenario, and plants ready for the consumer can be obtained relatively inexpensively. Coming in February: Orchid Culture and Care Find out more about how the Santa Fe Botanical Garden celebrates, cultivates and conserves the rich botanical heritage and biodiversity of the region. Visit
www.santafebotanicalgarden.org
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