Bulbophyllum (石豆蘭 in Chinese), Cattleya (嘉德麗亞蘭), Paphiopedilum (aka Slipper Orchid, 拖鞋蘭), Vanda (萬代蘭), Dendrobium (石斛蘭), Phalaenopsis (蝴蝶蘭)… there are just too many orchid species that it seems like a mission impossible . . . → Read More: Oncidium Orchid – the Dancing Lady]]> The number of orchid species is about four times the number of mammal species, or more than twice the number of bird species.

Bulbophyllum (石豆蘭 in Chinese), Cattleya (嘉德麗亞蘭), Paphiopedilum (aka Slipper Orchid, 拖鞋蘭), Vanda (萬代蘭), Dendrobium (石斛蘭), Phalaenopsis (蝴蝶蘭)… there are just too many orchid species that it seems like a mission impossible to tell apart the different species of this beautiful flowering plant.

But after I saw the blooming of Oncidium orchid (aka Dancing Lady, 文心蘭)  a few days ago, I believe that from now on, at least I will be able to recognize the Dancing Lady from all the rest 

No wonder this orchid is also called the Dancing Lady (跳舞蘭).  These ladies are just gorgeous. Don’t you think?

We, women, sometimes complain that men only care about food and sex but nothing else (okay, also football games and gadgets). While it can be quite frustrating and disappointing sometimes, we can also try to be more sympathetic, and understand that these poor guys can really do nothing but try to meet their . . . → Read More: It’s Always about Food & Sex]]>

We, women, sometimes complain that men only care about food and sex but nothing else (okay, also football games and gadgets). While it can be quite frustrating and disappointing sometimes, we can also try to be more sympathetic, and understand that these poor guys can really do nothing but try to meet their human biological needs. Food, sex, water and air are the four very basic biological needs that the survival of human race will become impossible if any one of these needs is not met.

It is just part of the nature. All animals know these biological needs, as well as all insects. And apparently, even orchids know this very well too. Indeed, the orchids understand this so well that the plants use these biological needs to lure different insects to work for them for free!

The great majority of animal pollinated plants secure the services of their pollinators by providing food rewards such as nectar or pollen. However, orchids are exceptional in that perhaps as many as one third of the 30,000 or so species achieve pollination by deception. That is, they lure their pollinators to the flowers by false promises of food, but do not provide any. Most of these species are ‘food deceptive’, falsely advertising the presence of food by bright colors and sweet scents.

In an even more intriguing group of orchids, pollination is achieved by sexual deception. In these cases, male insects are sexually attracted to the flower both by the fragrances and appearance of the female insects. The males are so deceived that they attempt to mate with the flowers (a process known as pseudo-copulation, meaning false mating) and in doing so remove or deposit pollinia.

So women, may be we can learn something from the orchids huh? LOL

If you are interested in learning more about pollination by sexual deception, you should check out this great article– Pollination by Sexual Deception in Australian Terrestrial Orchids by Dr Rod Peakall.

First Photo by Dr Rod Peakall
Second Photo by Plant Nerd

I got two pots of ground orchids last month.  While the orchid with yellow and green leaves was fairly expensive (HKD 250), the other one was dirt cheap (only HKD 10, less than USD 1.5).  In fact, I didn’t really buy the 10-dollar orchid, but just got it as a . . . → Read More: $250 Orchid vs. $10 Orchid]]>

I got two pots of ground orchids last month.  While the orchid with yellow and green leaves was fairly expensive (HKD 250), the other one was dirt cheap (only HKD 10, less than USD 1.5).  In fact, I didn’t really buy the 10-dollar orchid, but just got it as a giveaway from the orchid shop.  And this is my first time growing orchid.  Even though both orchids look equally beautiful, I had more expectation on the one with yellow and green leaves.  Hey, this orchid cost 25 times more.  It must be better!

However, the yellow-and-green-leaved orchid is not doing very well.  Before I can fully enjoy the beautiful leaves and blossoms of the orchid, its roots have turned brown and rotten. I think I have over-watered this orchid, since there was a foul odor when I was trying to rescue it by removing all its dead roots and leaves.  Hopefully, this baby will survive.

On the other hand, without any special attention or additional care, the 10-dollar orchid is thriving and blossoming gorgeously!

My lesson learnt – Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re gonna get.  So, instead of holding on to some expectations, let’s just enjoy and learn from whatever life brings