World's Most Spectacular Plants Episode 12 of 14
www.spectacularplants.com

Orchids have captured the imaginations of horticulturists for centuries. In Victorian times, fever for exotic orchids exploded as ever more spectacular and stunning species were discovered. Not least with the finding of several spectacular slipper orchids Paphiopedilum lowii, P. rothschildianum and P. sanderianum.

In addition to their spectacular colours, the flowers of orchids often take highly evolved forms, such as the bee orchids and flying-duck orchids. Many species trick pollinators in cunning ways.

In some orchids, the flowers are small and plain, but the leaves can have iridescent patterns and striking colours, such as the jewel orchids of the genus Ludisia.

A few orchids can grow without any soil at all, such as Vanda orchids, while others have evolved to produce no leaves, but rather, achieve photosynthesis via special, green roots when growing as epiphytes.

Believe it or not, but you have probably eaten an orchid recently. Or at least vanilla flavouring, which comes from the orchid Vanilla planifolia!

In this film, join Stewart McPherson on a journey to discover the world's most unbelievable orchids. Learn how to grow orchids and home, and which species are among the most spectacular and most fun to cultivate!

This is the twelfth of a series of fourteen "World's Most Spectacular Plants" videos. Visit www.spectacularplants.com to see the rest of the series!