Here are more orchid-growing tips (continued from my last post)...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By squeezing through the only open place, the hole at the top, he first scrapes the pollen on to the stigma and then, pushing past the pollen masses at the top, picks up another load.
Apparently undaunted he flies to another rosy slipper and repeats the routine.
In Catasetum the vital pollen is stored in a secret chamber inaccessible to the visitor and, as already described, is discharged by a miniature catapult at the intruding insect.
Most interesting of orchids, Catasetum appears to be an exclusively male form, and Momtchanthus viridis, which has only rudimentary pollen masses, the female of the same species.
The pollination of orchids is a subject that still has ample room for original research.
Far too little is known about the subject.
Are the so-called spider orchids (Cryptostylis arachnitis) fertilized by spiders, the Arachnis muscifera, resembling flies, by flies, and the bee orchids (Bee Ophrys) by bees? Is it the putrid smell of Bulbophyllum putridum, or foetidum, that attracts, and are the attracted insects those that feed on decayed vegetable matter? Patient and close observation will be needed to discover the answers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'll post more orchid care tips soon!
- Sara
Comments