Thailand Orchids

One of my favourite flowers in Thailand is the orchid. With well over 1000 species it is perhaps not surprising that Thailand orchids are one of the countries major export items. It is also a flower associated with the brand of the countries main airline, Thai Airways International.

Vanda Blue Magic

Orchids naturally grow on the bark of rainforest trees as an epiphyte and are extremely tolerant to lack of water since many plants of this genus have the ability to store moisture in tuberous bulbs or long dangling spongy root systems that can absorb moisture from mists and the slightest shower.

Here in Thailand orchids tend to bloom at least two times a year depending on the area they are grown. In my own garden it is fairly usual to get flowers in January(cool dry season) and again in September/October(rainy season).

Orchid Chocolate

Thai orchids come in all shapes, sizes and colours, although natural pure white orchids are extremely rare. Some species are fragrant, like the exquisite “chocolate” which as the name suggests has a smell that instantly reminds you of the product by the same name.

The smells and actual shapes of orchids are believed to have evolved through a natural selection process whereby only certain pollinators are attracted to the various smells and the shapes of the flower petal. With some smells acting as a natural repellent to some insect species. While other orchids mimic insect predator shapes in the centre of the flower thus deterring certain insects.

Commercial cultivation of orchids in Thailand is mainly carried out from the central plains northward on an area including Bangkok and stretching as far north as Chiang Mai and westward to Kanchanaburi and the Myanmar border.

Orchid Cultivation Area

In my own garden I have several different species of orchid, some of which are featured in the photographs on this post.  Orchid cultivation and care is simple here in the tropics. I provide a shaded area to stop leaf scorching by the hot sun, apply limited water, usually in the form of a mist and use coconut husks or old tree branches as the medium for them to grow on.

The rest I leave up to nature. In return I get some beautiful blooms to look at and some wonderful fragrances especially in the evenings.

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