Celebrating Orchids — at Lalbagh

The ongoing Orchid flower show organised by The Orchid Society of Karnataka at the Lalbagh Botanical Garden’s Marigowda Hall concludes on Sunday.

October 17, 2014 08:47 pm | Updated May 23, 2016 07:32 pm IST

The Orchid Society of Karnataka is creating awareness about orchid conservation

The Orchid Society of Karnataka is creating awareness about orchid conservation

Sixty varieties of Orchids in all their colours, shapes and multiples, along with several hundreds of their hybrid varieties, are showcased at the Orchid flower show at Lalbagh. Brought over by The Orchid Society of Karnataka (TOSKAR), Bangalore’s climate has helped form this Society in 2006 with like-minded people who came together to propagate the growing and cultivation of Orchids. “We have 450 life members from across the country and this is our third show in Bangalore. We get a huge response from people who want to continue with their green interests all over India. All we want to advise people is, no matter what size your house/apartment is, have your space chalked out for growing orchids in light sunlight zone as they help maintain nature’s best eco-system,” says K.S. Shashidhar, president, TOSKAR.

A big percentage of Orchids and Bromeliads are found in several forests, including the Western Ghats, which are indicators of the health of the eco-system. There are 24,000 Orchid species recorded in the world, and it has one of the largest plant flowering families, apart from man-made hybrids coming from across the world.

Insects, bees, birds, spiders are attracted to Orchids. The Orchids mimic even insects and dancing ladies, as the Oncidium variety resembles a lady with a gown, and Arachnis mimics the spider. In the Western Ghats the Cottonia variety resembles a bee. “Orchids are surrounded by mystery. They mimic even monkeys,” says Mr. Shashidhar. “Mimicking with their colour, shape and fragrance is to mainly attract insects for pollination and maintain the health of the eco-system in nature. Because of this kind of interdependency, it is important that we produce the flowering group in more numbers at every home. The environment angle for a habitat gets to be more crucial here,” says Mr. Shashidhar.

The golden rule is not to put the Orchids in harsh sunlight, explains Mr. Shashidhar. Their water consumption is also very little, as they only need to be sprinkled with water every alternate day. There are two varieties — Epiphytes which can be grown in pots with just brick pieces and charcoal, with absolutely no mud; and Ground Orchids that need soil are house plants that can be indoor plants where light streaks of sunlight filter inside through windows and skylights.

Some of the most attractive Indian and exotic species and hybrids are displayed in the Orchid show

No matter what size your house/apartment is, chalk out space for growing orchids in light sunlight zone as they help maintain nature’s best eco-system

Orchids are easy to grow. There are varieties that don’t need mud too

The Orchid Society of Karnataka is creating awareness about orchid conservation and educating people of its role in the ecosystem to popularise its cultivation and propagation

TOSKAR is also providing a platform for the orchid enthusiasts to exchange and share information about orchid species of India and the world over

TOSKAR provides technical support in the development of the orchid industry in rural and urban areas. It also organises hands-on training and demonstration for beginners.

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