of three inner petals, three petals surrounding the inner ones, and a cupped petal distinct from the rest. These arrangements of petals give them a distinct look. You can find an Orchid, which looks like bee or moth, and even a lizard. A bloom of orchid can liven any dull room in your house! They make beautiful showpieces.

Types of Orchids
There are over 25,000 to 30,000 different types of orchids. Orchids have adapted to extremes of conditions. Orchids have been decorating planet earth for last one hundred and twenty million years. An orchid plant can be microscopic or it can be several feet tall. An orchid can be very tiny and it can be as big as the size of Human hand. The blooms come in a great variety of colors. Orchids can grow in just about any climate. It can grow on tree branches, rocks, or the ground. Countries like India, Thailand, China, Singapore, Madagascar, Brazil, and Guatemala are the main exporters of Orchids These dramatic species take varying amounts of time to bloom. Some take up to 10 or more years to bloom, while hybrids like Dendrobium genus bloom in a year

There are three basic types of orchids, depending on their water requirement:
Those which require moist environment through out the year e.g. Paphiopedilum, Cymbidium, Odontoglossum.

Those who need water only during active growth e.g. Cattelya, Oncidium, Dendrobium
Those who do not need water or should be kept dry e.g. vanda Ascocend.

Orchids have used innovative methods for self-perpetuation. They attract bees by emitting sweet smell. By creating visual patterns they disguise themselves like butterflies or insects and attract pollinators. They produce slippery substance on which pollinator slides and brushes pollen. Thus carries pollen back with it. Mammals, hummingbirds and bats also contribute to pollination.


On the Verge of extinction:

To Greeks it represented virility and for Chinese it was "King of Fragrance" during middle ages. Thus were in demand. During 18th century some collectors started collecting them. Soon forests were stripped of Orchids. William Cattley was the first person to grow orchids in his garden. Orchids today are also sold at the rate of thousand dollars per bloom. Price of an Orchid bloom has attracted many. They are smuggled and third world countries loose their share. In addition to that some believe that smugglers will bring about the extinction of Orchids. Though some disagree and put forth that it may preserve species. Future of Orchids is uncertain. Will species be able to survive such mass destruction only time can tell!

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