Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Thu, Nov 26, 2009
The American Orchid Society, in their review of a book called Fragrant Orchids tells us that "orchids were first cultivated for their fragrance. Two centuries ago or earlier, in both China and Japan, pots of oriental cymbidiums were treasured for their scent. Their flowers are not large or bright, but their fresh, light perfume fills the air in a room and delights the nose. Confucius especially praised the elegance and fragrance of the flowers of Cymbidium ensifolium, which he called Elan (Eran in Japanese)."
A wide range of orchid genera have fragrant species and hybrids, some limited in their fragrance production to a certain time of day. And since 1989 at orchid shows, some judging is based on scent.
The first popular book on fragrant orchids, it profiles a selection of 110 orchids that can be grown for their fragrance as well as various other attractions. At first glance, it is the exquisite images that make this an outstanding little book. (Hint: the image of Phalaenopsis Mini Mark (Micro Nova × philippinensis) on the front jacket has been cropped, but there is a complete picture of this pretty flower on page 114.) Each photograph in the main part of the book is accompanied by a concise description of the orchid, and there are notes on cultivation and on the kind of fragrance produced.
In the last part of the book, six extensive lists mention a further 350 orchids that are worth growing for their fragrance, grouping them by ease of culture, season of bloom, intensity of fragrance or other characteristics. There is a final list devoted to sources of fragrant orchids, but this is limited to nurseries in the United States.
Posted by Just Add Ice Orchids... It's Just That Simple. on Tue, Nov 24, 2009
Our friends at The North of England Orchid Society shared some interesting ideas from the past about the effect that orchids could have on the human body. Not only did ancient civilizations love the beauty of orchids but several ancient societies used orchid bulbs for medicinal purposes.
In Europe, two specific types of terrestrial orchids, The Pink Butterfly and The Long Spurred, have pseudo bulbs. The bulbs and medicines created from these two orchids were often selected by early physicians as a "cure" for several female conditions.
It seems the orchid's effects are not limited to early medicinal use, but were loved and admired for their beauty as well. The ancient Chinese were one of the first people to use orchids as medicine as well as for beautiful accents in their artwork. Some of the earliest paintings of orchids can be found on the oldest of Chinese vases.
In India in the 1800's, a nutritious drink made from the roots of several orchid species was produced and known by the name of Salep or Saloop. Today, one of our most popular flavourings Vanilla is derived from the seed pods of orchids.
At Just Add Ice, we think orchids are stunning, and can add so much to our experience just by being in view.