Handy Pocket Guide to Orchids. David P. Banks

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      HANDY POCKET GUIDE TO

       Orchids

      Rhynchostylis retusa

      Published by Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd. with editorial offices at 61 Tai Seng Avenue #02-12, Singapore 534167.

      Copyright © 2003 Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.

       ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

       Printed in Singapore.

       ISBN: 978-1-4629-0727-4 (ebook)

      About the Author

      David P. Banks has been growing orchids for over 25 years. He is a Past President of the Orchid Species Society of New South Wales, and of the Parramatta and District Orchid Society, and has also served two terms as Vice President of the Orchid Society of New South Wales. He is a qualified orchid judge with the OSNSW as well as the Australian Orchid Council and is the current Editor of The Orchadian and the Australian Orchid Review. Davids acclaimed photographs appear in many journals and he lectures extensively throughout Australia and overseas at workshops, society meetings and orchid conferences.

      Acknowledgements

      Most of the orchids illustrated in this book were grown by the author. However, I wish to thank the following people for allowing me to photograph plants in their collections: Margaret Barrett, Kerrie Bennett, Adrian Browne, Jim Cootes, Howard Gunn, Ray Hill, Sandy Holmes, Barry Long, Bruce Lonnon, Bob McCue, Brian Milligan, Jim Neal, Andy Phillips, John Roberts, Ken Smart and Darryl Smedley. I wish to express thanks to my photographic mentor, David Titmuss and to Jim Cootes who read and commented on the manuscript. Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank my parents, Lynette and Graeme, for their encouragement.

      This book is dedicated to the memory of my late wife Jannine Louise Banks.

      Distributors

      North. America, Latin America & Europe

       Tuttle Publishing, 364 Innovation Drive,

       North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436 U.S.A.

       Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930 Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993

       [email protected]

       www.tuttlepublishing.com

      Japan

       Tuttle Publishing, Yaekari Bldg, 3rd Floor

       5-4-12 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0032

       Tel: (81) 3 5437-0171 Fax: (81) 3 5437-0755

       [email protected]

      Asia Pacific

       Berkeley Books Pte Ltd., 61 Tai Seng Avenue,

       #02-12, Singapore 534167

       Tel: (65) 6280 1330 Fax: (65) 6280 6290

       [email protected] www.periplus.com

      Indonesia

       PT Java Books Indonesia,

       Kawasan Industri Pulogadung

       Jl Rawa Gelam IV No. 9 Jakarta 13930

       Tel: (62) 21 4682-1088 Fax: (62) 21 461-0206

       [email protected]

      15 14 13 12 11 10

       8 7 6 5 4

      Contents

       Introduction

       Aerides

       Amesiella and Ascocentrum

       Bulbophyllum

       Chiloschista

       Coelogyne

       Cymbidium

       Dendrobium

       Dendrochilum

       Eria

       Liparis

       Paphiopedilum

       Phalaenopsis

       Renanthera and Rhynchostylis

       Trichoglottis

       Vanda

       Index

      Introduction

      Orchids have always held a fascination for people; there is an air of mystery surrounding them. Mention the word "orchid" and terms such as exotic, rare, expensive, beautiful, colourful and unique will arise. Everyone will have a different perception and all of these, no matter how diverse, will be correct.

      Over 30,000 different orchid species are found on our planet, and well over 100,000 hybrid strains have been artificially propagated. Many of these hybrids are important commercial plants that are used as cut flowers and pot plants to satisfy strong demand, both locally and internationally.

      What makes orchids different from other flowering plants? Their floral structure is obviously different. Orchids have three petals and three sepals which may, or may not, be alike. However, the third petal, known as the lip or labellum, is almost always highly modified and quite different from the other segments in size, shape and often colour. This structure often plays an important part in orchid pollination. Another feature, which helps to define orchids, is an appendage, known as a column, often located in the centre of the flower. The fleshy column combines the male (anther) and female (stigma) sexual parts on one structure. The anther and stigma are situated close together.

      Orchid flowers use their form, colour and often fragrance to attract many creatures which act as pollinators. Bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, flies, beetles, ants and even birds assist the fertilisation of orchid flowers. Numerous orchid flowers actually mimic insects. Some deceive bees by looking like other flowers

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