New orchid hybrids bring color to any household

In the 1600s, orchids were first used for medicinal purposes, as well as aphrodisiacs when certain orchid roots or tubers, as well as certain leaves, flowers, and seeds resembled certain parts of the human anatomy.

Therefore, if a plant's leaves resembled parts of a human liver, the plant was obviously intended as a remedy for hepatic disease. Alternatively, a heart-shaped flower should cure cardiac ailments.

In 1640, John Parkinson, a London apothecary and royal herbalist for Charles I, said that orchids, which he called Cynsorchis, stimulated lust. It was not until the 18th century that botanical science was born and the first attempts at plant classification were made.

We have all heard of the beautiful English gardens in England and often attempt to copy what became the way of life for the English in the start of the 1800s. Orchids, unlike any flowers ever seen, became a sensation overnight, plants from exotic foreign lands that bloomed without soil, and had striking flowers. It was believed these flowers devoured live insects and even animals.

These oddities were so beautiful, so bewildering to great gardeners of the times, that they became an obsession with the English aristocracy. Orchids were enclosed in tight glass houses (conservatories) with little or no air. It was in good faith this treatment was administered, because at the time all the amateur gardener knew about orchids was what the orchid hunters said which was, that they came from dank, humid jungles.

By 1815, some logic surfaced. Conrad Loddiges, editor of a garden journal and an avid gardener himself, put orchids in well-ventilated areas under glass and watered them frequently. For the first time since their arrival, the plants thrived. By 1830, orchids were being treated more sensibly, and soon orchid mania began. The orchid became the fashionable flower of the time.

The craze that gripped England had no rival, not even the 17th-century tulip mania that caused such havoc in the Netherlands. By 1840, collectors were sent in droves to all parts of the globe to collect orchids, and the plant auctions at Stevens Rooms, King Street, Covent Garden and other establishments were fraught with the excitement and fervor of a racetrack.

Orchids were sold for incredible sums - as much as $600 for a single large Cattleya orchid.

The importing of orchids reached its peak between 1850 and 1870, but four-fifths of the orchids died in transit. It was often months before the plants arrived in England from their faraway habitats. However, because orchids were rare with most being killed off, the demand soared and there were never enough plants.

During World War I, many fine orchids were destroyed because of the lack of fuel to heat vast commercial greenhouses. By 1930, importation of orchids almost ceased. Nurseries were started in tropical countries, and America and Europe made great progress in orchid hybridization, cultivating plants on a very large scale.

In America, in the years following World War II, plants were imported from foreign countries. Most survived and were grown successfully by commercial growers. Commercial growers, such as Hauserman in Villa Park, Ill. (which formerly grew roses), switched to orchids.

The flowers were in great demand for corsages, and the budding regiment of orchid hobbyists started to search for sources of plants. As the jungles were stripped for timber plantations or other developments, and endangered species acts mandated (fortunately), orchids became scarce. Today it is rare that a collector can obtain jungle-collected plants.

Thanks to meristem, cultured orchids again become plentiful in the 1980s, emerged as the No. 1 houseplant, and still are to this day. (Meristem culture: growing regions of a plant in which cells that have retained their embryonic characteristics, or reverted to them secondarily, divide to produce new cells. A tissue of growing cells that is formed at the tip of a stem or roots capable of further division.)

Today orchids are better than ever. They are beautiful, have longer-lasting flowers, and many varieties can tolerate cool or warm conditions. There are orchids for almost every possible situation and purpose. The hybridists have taken out all of the bad and put in all of the good attributes of a living plant.

It is amazing to see the panorama of color and beauty and hard to believe these plants are now conceived in laboratories. Although jungle plants are occasionally available, 95 percent of all orchids sold today are created in laboratories.

With its graceful arching sprays of ethereal blossoms, it is no wonder the Phalaenopsis (fal-en-OP-sis) orchid is the number one blooming houseplant. The Phalaenopsis also referred to as the "moth orchid" is available in a large array of colors due to hybridizing, displaying lavish sprays of pink, white, purple, yellow, red, striped and even spotted flowers that can last up to three months or longer. This orchid is suited to most home conditions and can be easily grown in temperature ranges of 75-85 degrees.

All orchids thrive in humid conditions and require humidity for healthy growth. Create a mini-environment for your plant by placing it in a deep tray full of wet gravel, or place it in your bathroom if there is sufficient light. Keep the bottoms of the container raised above the water in the tray. Do not let them sit in the water.

Phalaenopsis need bright indirect light, enjoying a filtered south or east facing window. Strong direct sunlight will burn the plant. Keep your Phalaenopsis orchids moist but not sopping wet. When the top inch of the medium is dry, it is time to water the plant.

Fertilize with a water soluble 20-20-20 or special orchid fertilizer. If you mix up a weak solution, about half strength, you can feed every time you water. If the leaves start to wrinkle, your plants are way too dry. If all the leaves fall off, then the plants are too wet and the plant has died. It is much safer to err on the dry side than wet.

Visit your favorite florist to find beautiful, healthy Phalaenopsis orchids. I found the most popular white orchid and lovely striped Phalaenopsis at The Rainforest at 608 2nd Ave. Paula Cota, the manager, assures me if you don't see the orchid you want, she will be happy to order it in for you. I am sure most florists in Yuma can assist you in finding a healthy orchid.

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Debi Papp is a member of the Yuma Garden Club and other gardening organizations. She can be reached at 783-3189 or greenthumbs1@roadrunner.com.