While orchid plants themselves are extremely varied, in their flowers they know no bounds in terms of variation in structure and colour. The flowers are so diverse and often incredibly beautiful, in stark contrast to what some see as distinctly unattractive plants. Many people are amazed that such beautiful flowers can come from what they consider to be untidy or ugly plants, though to the true enthusiast, most orchid plants are handsome.

The more time you spend around your orchids, the more attention you are going to give them. In summer, keep a hand-held spray bottle nearby and regularly mist the leaves lightly when you pass by. Should the orchids be receiving too much light so that their foliage changes colour, you will notice this and can remove them to another, more suitable place, long before any harm is done. In this way, your orchids become your constant companions, and it is surprising how attached you can become to them, doting upon their every need and enthusing about new leaves or roots as they appear. Take a look around your home to decide which would be the most favoured position for your first orchids.

One part of the flower has always become much exaggerated, with petals or lip dominating the flower. All these modifications have evolved to attract a specific pollinator, and to do this some orchids have gone to extraordinary lengths.

Orchids are largely insect pollinated, and their flower structure reflects this. Each flower consists of six segments – three petals and three sepals – that are known collectively as the tepals. The outer three are sepals; the inner three petals. The third of the petals has developed into the labellum, or lip, which provides an ideal landing stage for the pollinating insect. Often the lip is lightly hinged, so that it can position the insect correctly for pollination, as well as ensuring that only the rightsize insect enters the flower. In many orchids, the lip is large and highly coloured and has a bright patterning quite distinct from the rest of the flower.

At the centre are a number of ridges that guide the insect to the bloom. These are usually bright yellow and are called the honey guides. Above the lip is the column – a single, finger-like structure containing the reproductive parts of the flower. The pollen is found at the end dorsal sepal of the column, usually in two, four or six masses. These pollen masses contain the pollen grains, or pollinia, which, unlike other flowers, are not in a powder form. “l’hey are held at the end of the column under a protective cap called the anther.

From among the immense number of hybrids raised, several alliances that contain numerous related genera have emerged. Among these the most favoured are the Cattleya alliance, the Odontoglossum alliance and the Vanda alliance. Within these three natural genera, alliances can be found consisting of anything from two natural genera (Laelia x Cattleya = Laeliocattleya) to six (Cattleya x Brassavola x Broughtonia x Laelia x Schomburgkia xSophronitis = Mooreara), and, in a few instances, nine (Cattleya x Brassavola x Broughtonia x Cattleyopsis x Diacrium x Epidendrum x Laelia x Schomburgkia x Sophronitis = Sallyyeeara). Here, there appears to be no limit on the multiples, which have led to some astonishing results.

Orchids should not be stood so dose to the window that their leaves touch the glass. Ideally, double-glazed windows are best, so that in winter the old does not impinge on the plants. Blinds or curtaining prevent the plants ‘Dm being too close to the window, Ahich is ideal. On winter nights, ensure that heavy curtains are drawn behind the orchids, leaving them inside the room. In summer, windows can be left open to give the orchids a flow of fresh air whenever the weather is warm enough, but this should not cause a cold draught.

At present, we are denied a union between the angraecums and phalaenopsis, and can only speculate on what the results might be. A few hybrids from the crossing of angraecums and vandas have been achieved, but with little result.