Ruud Kleinpaste: Orchids

<p>New Zealand has over 150 species of native orchids; most of them are pretty special as Endemics.</p> <p>Orchids have always been a group of plants that inspires people…and CERTAINLY collectors; They often have an attraction for gardeners.</p> <p>I also have been inspired by orchids, My favourites are “Kandy Dancers” which I met in Sri Lanka; although the Oncidium species may <em>look </em>like the Dancers in Kandy (Sri Lanka), the actual orchid hails from Mexico to Southern Venezuela. </p> <p>I also adore the native orchids here in NZ; right now the <em>Earina autumnalis </em>is in bloom and you’ll smell it before you see it; just beautiful</p> <p>A month ago I found sun orchids on the Lewis pass and Green hooded orchids in midwinter (Tawharenui)</p> <p><em></em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>    NZ Sun Orchid             </em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em></em></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><em>Green hooded orchid</em></p> <p>A lot of orchids are pollinated by insects and some in very tricky ways; There’s a great story about Charles Darwin who found an orchid species in Madagascar with a very long and deep nectar tube. Nobody knew who the pollinator was, but Darwin predicted it was likely a specific Hawk Moth with a very long tongue (about 10 cm long)</p> <p>A few decades after Darwin died that moth was found and scientists proved that Darwin was right!</p> <p>As our native orchids are usually rather scarce and special, they are often protected plants and certainly won’t grow in ordinary New Zealand gardens; Their habitats are characterised by specific conditions of light, temperature and soil conditions.</p> <p>No point translocating them!</p> <p>But the exotic orchids that are often seen in pots and gardens are a different matter altogether</p> <p>Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are doing OK indoors if you know how to treat them …. Not too much sun – not too wet around the sensitive roots etc etc</p> <p>Cymbidiums are commonly grown outside in large containers – keep them