Features of the growth of orchids in nature

Orchids have become popular houseplants that adorn their home with exotic flowers. These are wild flowers that usually grow in rainforests, shrouds, and even on rocks. Orchids in nature lead a different lifestyle and differ from home species in their characteristics.

Features of the growth of orchids in nature

Orchids in nature

This exotic flower belongs to epiphytic p It doesn’t need land for life, most often in nature an orchid grows on the bark of trees, clinging to it with its massive aerial roots.

Wild phalaenopsis is not a parasite that feeds on others plants.All the necessary nutrients it receives only from the atmosphere, since its root system is more located on the surface, and photosynthetic roots are able to absorb moisture directly from the air. Sometimes these flowers grow on stones or on lumps of dry grass.

The most suitable place for the life of wild phalaenopsis is tropical forests, as there are all the conditions necessary for normal growth and long flowering: high humidity, good air circulation and reliable protection from direct scorching sunlight. Such a humid and warm climate contributes to the longevity of wild flowers.

Territories of the distribution of orchids

From where this exotic plant was not exactly identified. Some sources claim that for the first time orchids appeared in China and Japan, others say that an unusual flower was found in the tropics of South America, while still others consider it to be the birthplace of Southeast Asia. From the beginning of the 18th century, phalaenopsis quickly spread throughout Europe. Natural wild species of orchids were able to adapt to different climatic conditions and today grow well in all European countries and throughout Russia.

Since phalaenopsis grows in nature almost everywhere, scientists conventionally divided the territories of their growth in accordance with climatic zones:

1. The first zone included Central and South America, Australia, Southeast Asia, coastal parts of Africa and some countries, located near the equator. In these territories there is always a warm and humid climate, and these are suitable conditions for the growth and flowering of orchids in nature.
2. The second zone includes rocky areas and mountain forests, that is, the mountains of Indonesia, Malaysia, New Guinea, Brazil and the Andes. These mountains are very high, so in the mountain forests located on the slopes there is always fog, even on hot days. The climate here is not as hot as in the tropics, but the humidity is still high, so almost all orchid species grow here, mainly as epiphytes.
3. The third zone includes the steppes and plateaus of Brazil. Here, the living conditions of orchids are not entirely suitable compared to the tropics or the equator. In this climatic zone, mainly terrestrial species and a small part of epiphytes occur, which grow near water bodies.
4. Scientists included some territories of North America, Europe and Asia in the fourth zone. The climate is temperate, so only terrestrial species are found in these countries in small numbers.

Depending on where in the world the phalaenopsis grows, its characteristics will change. In hot countries, environmental conditions are more suitable for a flower, so the flowering period will be longer, as well as the life span. And in a cool climate, for example, in the north of Russia, a forest orchid will lead a less active lifestyle, have other characteristics of the root system, leaves and other needs.

Varieties of orchids in nature

Orchids are very diverse

There are many different types and varieties of orchids – more than 30 thousand, not including hybrid species. Orchids are constantly pollinated in natural conditions with the help of other flowers, this leads to their modifications. Flowers multiply rapidly, so every year their number in wildlife increases. Depending on the living conditions, these plants differ in external characters (size, shape and color of flowers, stems and leaves, roots, etc.) and life expectancy.

One of the most common species is the phalaenopsis orchid, which also has its subspecies and varieties. Phalaenopsis flowers differ in petals, similar to butterfly wings. Their colors are mostly variegated, which is typical for almost all species of this plant. The color scheme is very diverse – most often in nature phalaenopsis orchids are found in red, pink, purple, white, blue and their different shades, there are even black flowers. But sometimes it is possible to meet phalaenopsis of an unusual color – with lines, leopard spots or specks of other colors.

Classification of wild orchids

Depending on the way of life of orchids in natural conditions they are classified into 3 groups:

• saprophytes;
• epiphytes;
• terrestrial species.

Saprophytes

Saprophytic orchids differ in that they do not have chlorophyll. This species grows underground.

Saprophytic phalaenopsis includes many species. Their main feature is that they do not have green leaves, like all flowers familiar to us. They have one shoot, which is covered with scales and at the end of which flowers form. The plants of this group have a powerful developed root system, similar to coral. Separate roots do not emanate from the main rhizome, it nourishes the plant by absorbing all its surface moisture and essential microelements from humus.

Epiphytes

Most of the existing orchid species belong to the group of epiphytic plants. They grow in tropical forests on trees, on rocks, and for normal life they need high humidity and air temperature. Their main difference is the ability to exist without soil, since their aerial roots and long creeping stems absorb sunlight and moisture from the environment (from dew, fog, rain).

Epiphytic plants have thin stems that are not in able to independently stand upright. Therefore, they mainly use trees as a support. All absorbed nutrients accumulate in the fleshy leaves of the flowers and their root tubers.

Only epiphytes are grown at home, and because of their characteristics and habitual habitat, they require special care. Home care includes periodically moistening the plant and maintaining humidity.

Terrestrial species

Terrestrial species grow on the soil. These orchid species are most familiar to us, as they have the usual green leaves and roots sprouting in the ground. Their habitat is Europe and North America. In these areas, orchids grow to a maximum of 0.5 m, and in the tropical zones – up to 1 m and above, creating a bush with several peduncles.

Terrestrial species are used to changing seasons, because of this their life activity is divided into several periods – a period of active growth, flowering, reproduction and dormancy. In the summer, they form new storage side roots, called root cones. Throughout the winter, they wait underground, and in the spring new stems grow from them.

Features of the growth of orchids in nature

Self-propagation of flowers in nature

In the wild, phalaenopsis grow and multiply by themselves. These flowers also have elongated leaves, collected in a rosette, and one or more peduncles. Buds are formed on peduncles, from which beautiful bright flowers appear over time.Their number varies depending on the species.

These plants feed on the roots, which are very powerful and have several thickenings, called false bowls, where all the nutrients accumulate. Due to this feature of the root system, flowers can survive drought. Also, the accumulation of nutrients in the roots contributes to longer flowering.

Reproduction in nature

In the wild, phalaenopsis reproduce by seed. Beautiful bright flowers with a pleasant aroma attract various insects that are pollinators. After pollination, after a short period of time elongated seed bolls form on the peduncles. After the seed falls from the mother plant, it begins to sprout on its own. At the first stage, leaves appear, and then the shoot and all other parts.

A seed does not always immediately begin an independent life after separation from the box. Its germination may begin in a few years. Phalaenopsis are also able to produce offspring on their peduncles or even on the roots.

Flowering in nature

Most species of wild orchids have the same periods of life as indoor hybrid plants. They have periods of growth, flowering and dormancy. In wildlife, the flowering period of phalaenopsis is much longer, and their flowers are larger and more saturated in color.This is due to the fact that in the natural environment flowers regularly receive all the necessary nutrients for life and in the right amount.

Phalaenopsis blooms especially long and beautifully in the tropical zone, since there are the most suitable conditions for this – a lot of moisture and sunlight. The duration and frequency of flowering differ depending on the species and growth conditions. On average, phalaenopsis blooms 2-3 times a year, and the flowering period varies from 3 to 4 months.

Conclusion

Orchids can be found in different parts of the world. They grow on almost all continents where there are conditions suitable for them – high humidity and high air temperature. There are many varieties of these colors, which have their own characteristics and differ mainly in their external signs and mode of existence.