Wonderful

‘Round The World With The Orchid Family

Of the incredible variety of flowering plants on our earth, orchids easily hold the greatest fascination. Not only are they lovely, but their life stories often have a bit of mystery and wonder clinging to them. Although widespread in distribution, many can only be found in isolated, nearly inaccessible places–volcanic mountainsides, dense jungles, boggy swamps, etc.

Beginning most earnestly in the 19th century, orchid enthusiasts have devoted years and whole lifetimes to discovering as well as growing new types of these flowering delights. Although most orchids are acquired nowadays from nurseries that specialize in breeding the plants, many of them being produced through hybridization, it is helpful to understand something of their origins in nature.

Orchids are herbacious plants encompassing tens of thousands of known species, with still more being discovered.They show an astouding range of color and shape, which has added greatly to public fascination with them. Gardeners often take pleasure in maintaining a wide variety of orchids to show off their mastery of the art of cultivation.

Orchids grow everywhere around the world, excepting the desert regions and polar zones. About 85% of species occur in tropical or subtropical regions, but this leaves a huge number that may be found in much cooler zones. In some parts of the Himalayas orchids constitute the most abundantly represented family of plants in terms of sheer number of species.

By far the greatest number of orchids occur in three large tropical belts:

• Tropical Africa (including islands to the east in the Indian Ocean). These largely belong to the genera (families) Angnecum, Bulbophyllum and Disa. Orchids from here have not been as widely cultivated as ones originating from the other tropical zones, but Africa nevertheless boats many species of interest.
• Tropical Asia. This region, which covers Indonesia and other islands, along with mainland Southeast Asia, is particularly rich in orchid genera. Typical of the region are the large genera Dendrobium, Eria and Bulbophyllum and many smaller ones as well.
• Tropical America. This region includes most of South America, along with Mexico and Central America. Isolated from other parts of the world for eons, this region has an especially large number of endemic genera of orchids, many of which include hundreds of species. Among the large indigenous genera are Epidendrum, Pleurothallis and Oncidium; many smaller genera found here also contribute more than their share to orchids that have found favor among cultivators the world over.

The temperate zones of the southern hemisphere also furnish many orchids, though not nearly so abundantly as do the tropics. In southern Africa the Disa and Calanthe genera furnish a few species judged valuable to cultivation. Australia has a number of genera in common with the tropical Asia. Southernmost South America boasts many temperate-zone orchids, but they are unfortunately overshadowed by those
from the much larger tropical part of thecontinent.

in the norhern hemisphere’s temperate areas, we should take note of the United States, particularly the New England/norhteastern region, as well as Canada. There you will find some 20 native genera, whose members grow particularly in swamps and other moist grounds. The Cypripediuins, or Lady Slippers, are the most familiar of these.

Europe also has many native orchids, but undoubtedly the most famous and showy is the Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera). The Bee Orchid may be found thriving on dry or semi-dry turf in open areas near or within woodlands. Bee Orchids are common near the Mediterranean coast of Europe, and grows (albeit less abundantly) as far north as Germany and the UK.

Orchids vary greatly in how easily they can be cultivated, although by and large they are not the difficult plants that popular wisdom would have it. The most thorough guide to expert orchid cultivation, it is widely acknowedged, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which may be downloaded from the web. Mr. Howard’s guide is a full course in itself, great for neophytes as well as the more experienced. Also, be sure to visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which has an ever-growing library of postings on many aspects of orchid cultivation.

Everclear – Wonderful

Cuisinart GR-4N 5-in-1 Griddler $185.00 The Cuisinart(tm) Griddler makes “multifunctional” an understatement! Make perfect panini… plus! With four separate cooking options, it can handle everything from pancakes to sausages to grilled cheese to steaks, hamburgers and panini. It helps you prepare more servings of more kinds of food in less time, so you can cook for a crowd — no one has to wait!Simply change the cooking plates and adju…

Cuisinart WM-PZ2 Pizzelle Press $38.99 Cuisinart WM-PZ2 Pizzelle Press (Brushed Stainless)…

Teachers Rule Chalk Board With Apple Design Mug Wonderful Teachers Gift $3.75 Beautiful mug that any teacher would love to receive…

The Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts: Man of the Hour, Jimmy Stewart [VHS] $3.20 Jimmy Stewart captured the hearts of Americans with his kind, warm, boy-next-door appeal. Of his 79 films, he is probably most remembered for the perennial Christmas classic, ITS A WONDERFUL LIFE, for which he received an Oscar nomination in 1946. If that movie’s theme holds true, “No Man Is Poor Who Has Friends”, then Jimmy Stewart was one of the richest men in Hollywood. Some of Jimmy’s friends …

Children’s Heroes of the Bible: New Testament $1.99 …

The Wizard of Oz [VHS] $6.95 When it was released during Hollywood’s golden year of 1939, The Wizard of Oz didn’t start out as the perennial classic it has since become. The film did respectable business, but it wasn’t until its debut on television that this family favorite saw its popularity soar. And while Oz’s TV broadcasts are now controlled by media mogul Ted Turner (who owns the rights), the advent of home video has mad…

Aquarium Lamp with Fish : Ocean in Motion Revolving Aquatic Scene – Best Seller on Amazon $22.99 Aquarium Lamp: Ocean in Motion. Fish that “swim” in a colorful lighted seabed come to life with the flick of a switch. A moving picture creates the illusion that the water and fish are in motion. Great for home or office. A/C powered. 9″H 13″W x3″D…

Motion Moving Butterfly Flower Rotating Accent Lamp Light $31.99 Wonderful Motion Moving Butterfly Table Lamp. BRAND NEW!! Measures 12″ The pictures keep moving like Butterflies in the Wind. Great Decor for Any Child’s Room. It is a wonderful piece for the Butterfly Lover….

The Wonderful World of Disney: Cinderella Figure Lamp $14.50 This Disney Cinderella lamp is absolutely adorable. It stands about 10 inches tall. It plugs in and has an on/off switch on wire. a Great addition to any room….

The Wizard of Oz $2.99 …

Eqyptian Cotton 700 Thread Count Woven Striped Sheet Set $64.79 Sleep in luxurious comfort with this 700 thread count cotton sheet set. A striped pattern combines with a 18-inch fitted sheet pocket depth to complete these wonderful sheets.

Cotton Sateen Damask Stripe 400 Thread Count Sheet Set $38.47 Enjoy a wonderful nights rest snuggled up in this cotton sateen sheet set. This 400 thread count sheet set includes a flat sheet, a fitted sheet and two pillowcases.

Veranda Full/ Queen-set 3-piece Quilt Set $67.49 Bring your bedroom decor to life with this lovely floral-patterned Veranda quilt set. A soft green background color and a comfortable cotton construction highlights this wonderful quilt set.

Kismet King-size Quilt Set $77.99 Comfortable and colorful, this quilt set will update your bedroom decor. Kimset prints in shades of yellow, green, red and blue cover this wonderful quilt and sham set.

Polyester Euro-size Pillows (Set of 2) $27.89 Euro pillows make a wonderful addition to any bedPillows include a high-bulk polyester fillBedding has a 300 thread count cover

Classic Percale 250 Thread Count Oversize Sheet Set Twin/Full $28.99 Elegant and comfortable, this oversize sheet set is a wonderful addition to any bedroom. These sheets are constructed of fabric that has been calendared and mercerized for long-lasting comfort and quality.

Singer 7463 Confidence Computerized Sewing Machine $169.99 This incredible sewing machine from the Singer Sewing Co. features 30 built-in stitches and stay bright LED lights. 80 stitch functions and one step buttonholes complete the design of this wonderful sewing machine.

22k Gold/ Silver Double Hoop Diamond-cut Earrings $19.99 Magnificent earrings are artistically designed with this wonderful diamond-cut designPair of earrings will surely draw loads of complimentsEarrings are crafted of 22-karat gold over sterling silver

Tall Cabinet $168.99 Organize your home decor in style with this tall cabinetVersatile storage piece provides wonderful storage options in your kitchen and homeFurniture is perfect for canned or dry goods, dishes and even linens

Pine Utility Kitchen Pantry $125.09 Organize your home decor in style with this utility pantryPine utility pantry provides wonderful storage options in your kitchen and homePantry door is designed in bead board style