Tip of the Week: Fragrant Orchids
Posted in Gardening Tips on March 29th, 2010 by Sonia Uyterhoeven – Be the first to comment |
Sonia Uyterhoeven is Gardener for Public Education. For hands-on demonstrations and orchid tips, join her in the Conservatory’s GreenSchool every Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. throughout The Orchid Show. |
While we revel in the wonderful fragrance of many orchids, it is important to remember that fragrance plays an essential role in their survival strategy. Just as we may wear perfume to seduce a mate, orchids spice up their lives to attract pollinators—bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths, gnats, and beetles.
Flowers that are pollinated by insects are often brightly colored and fragrant. They are advertising the fact that they offer nectar or other substances for different creatures to feed on. Pollinators pick up the sticky pollen as they feed and transfer it to other flowers. read more »