by Tai Cattleya DePriest
ORCHIDS ARE WEIRD by Tai Cattleya DePriest
Book design copyright Š 2017 by Tai Cattleya DePriest. All rights reserved. This book was designed for: GR 330 Typography 3 Academy of Art University, San Francisco Instructor: William Culpepper All photos and illustrations: by Tai Depriest, unless otherwise noted Book layout software: Adobe InDesign CC Typefaces: Baskerville and Superclarendon Printing: Blurb on Proline Uncoated paper No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photo-copying, recording, or otherwise with-out the express written permission of the publisher.
ORCHIDS ARE WEIRD
1.1 Cattleya labiata
TABLE OF CONTENTS ROOTS OF WEIRDNESS 04 Hello, Weirdos 12 Where in the World 20 Stranger than Fiction
SEX & SYMBOLS 30 Plenty and Progeny 38 Asian Interest 46 Legends
ORCHIDELIRIUM 56 Luxury and Lunacy 64 Collectors & Cultivators
MODERN MADNESS 60 Today's Culture 68 Make Yourself Crazy
CREDITS / BIBLIOGRAPHY
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1.1 Rhyncholaelia digbyana
Paphiopedilum
ROOTS OF WEIRDNESS
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ROOTS OF WEIRDNESS
1.2 Peach colored Cattleya
ROOTS OF WEIRDNESS
Hello, Weirdos Orchids are known for their beautiful, exotic flowers. They can symbolize elegance, often depicted in bridal bouquets, and decorations for modern apartments. However, these plants with their flowers have a mysterious side. Some orchids actually resemble animals while others smell like dead things.
Their blooms come in a range of sizes, from snowflake to large couch cushion. Most orchids don’t even require soil to grow. Their plant family is so large and diverse, there are almost no rules to describe them. Except maybe, that they’re weird.
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1.3 White Phalaenopsis with pink speckles
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ROOTS OF WEIRDNESS
SHAPES The shapes of orchid flowers are vast and colorful. Each variety has a similar set of anatomical parts (petals, sepals, lips, etc.), but the overall shape of these elements can drastically vary. Some look like abstract art. Some flowers resemble flying ducks, turtles, monkey faces, little naked people, or even dancing ballerinas. The petals and sepals can be smooth, thick, fringed, ruffled, or even transparent because they are so thin. Sizes of blooms range from the tip of a ball point pen to two feet across.
COLORS Orchids come in almost every color of the rainbow. While there aren't black flowers, some appear so dark, they're a close second. Each of the flower can be single colored, have multiple colors or have a tie-dye effect, the edges radiating. Patterns can include splotches, dots, spots, stripes, and abstract effects. Colors range from orange, pink, purple, green, yellow, white, and red. The combinations are nearly endless!
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Hello, Weirdos
1.4 Orchis simia
1.5 Up-close Phalaenopsis
Hello, Weirdos
Orchids can smell like: Cinnamon Spicy Vanilla Chocolate Rotting Meat Mentholatum Coconut
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2.1 Assorted pink and white display
ROOTS OF WEIRDNESS
Where in the World There are nearly 30,00 species of Orchid in the world which are found on every continent, excluding Antarctica, because it's Antarctica. While a majority of them grow around the equator, there are also some orchids that grow wild in colder areas, like Alaska and Greenland. So unless you are an Emperor Penguin, there could be wild orchids growing right in your backyard. Their success in adapting and colonizing to dierent areas is one of the reasons orchids are found in many diverse places around the world. As many dierent orchids grow on host objects like moss, rocks, and trees deforestation and over collecting will cripple the reproductive cycles and throw orchid species into endangerment.
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13
ROOTS OF WEIRDNESS
Equator
ORCHID VARIETIES BY REGION The numbers in each region show how many varieties of orchids grow naturally. Of course, Antarctica has zero, but you can see the numbers tend to increase with areas closer to the equator.
Where in the World
Data from: Illustrated World Compendium of Orchids - List of Taxa, Michael Hassler & Joachim Rheinheimer
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ROOTS OF WEIRDNESS
2.2 Epiphitic dendrobuim hanging from a tree
Where in the World
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GROWTH HABITS Most orchids that grow in tropical areas are epiphytic, meaning they do not need soil to grow in. These orchids will attach themselves to tree bark with their roots, taking the nutrients and moisture from the air.
Orchids that grow on the ground in some sort of medium are terrestrial. While they do have roots, they grow from pseudo bulbs, designed to store water. Those without bulbs store water in their stems.
SEEDS Some orchids that grow from bulbs can be propagated by dividing the plant. orchids can also be grown from seeds, thought it is a slow process. Unlike most plants seeds, orchid seeds do not contain food or fuel for the seed to grow.
For orchids, these resources from a special fungus found in soil, known as mycorrhiza. The fungus forms a relationship with the plant roots, supplying important water and nutrients, while the plant provides food to the fungus.
2.3 Terestrial dendrobium, growing in medium
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ROOTS OF WEIRDNESS
3.1 Rhyncholaelia digbyana
ROOTS OF WEIRDNESS
Stranger than Fiction With over 28,000 species of Orchids in the world, there are an endless amount of color and shape combinations. Some of their features are beautiful, while others are just downright bizarre. Biologically speaking, the owers and plants themselves have unique and strange habits. Some use the power of their attraction to draw in pollinators with visual cues or even smells. Think you know these beautiful plants? Think again. Many of the oddities come from accounts which are thousands of years old, to recently discovered facts. Many people have died trying to capture and tame orchids from the darkest jungles and highest mountain peaks. They're seen as symbols of love, bravery, and the scholarly. The varies in their appearance and usage is probably greater than you think.
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3.2 Brassavola agellaris
STRANGER THAN FICTION
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Petal Sepal
Sepal
Lip Petal
Petal
Brassia hybrid
Stranger than Fiction
WEIRD FACTS T H E S M A L L E S T O RC H I D F LOW E R S A R E O N LY 0.08 INCHES ACROSS
A 106 BLOOM PHALAENOPSIS HOLDS THE RECORD FOR MOST FLOWERS ON A SINGLE PLANT
THE OVERALL SHAPE OF ANY ORCHID I S B I L AT E R A L LY S Y M M E T R I C A L
ALMOST 10% OF ALL PLANTS IN THE WORLD ARE IN THE ORCHID FAMILY
LIKE VANILLA FLAVORING? THANK VANILLA ORCHIDS FOR THEIR DELICIOUS BEANS
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“ You like Orchids? Nasty Things. Their flesh is too much like the flesh of men, their perfume has the rotten sweetness of corruption.” William Faulkner
3.3 Green and pink Cymbidium
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4.1 Paphiopedilum
Cynosorchis 4.3 Cynosorchis Illustration
SEX & SYMBOLS
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SEX & SYMBOLS
4.1 Detail of Cattleya ruffles
SEX & SYMBOLS
Plenty & Progeny Orchid comes from the Greek orkis, means testicle. Not referring to the ower shape, but the bulbs from which they grow. It was once thought that orchids inuenced sexuality, as an aphrodisiac as well as predicting the gender of unborn children. Another fun fact, eating the orchid bulbs was thought to prevent venereal diseases. Do not try this at home. Besides humans, orchids can also seduce insects, to aid in their own reproduction. The bees, wasps, and orchids have a blissfully, symbiotic relationship. Who knew these plants could be attractive on so many levels?
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SEX & SYMBOLS
4.2 Ophrys apifera, the “bee”orchid
MIMICRY To ensure pollination, some orchids will go as far as mimicking the pollinators, enticing them to visit and mate. Both wasps and bees have orchid counterparts, which appear as insects of the opposite sex.
The bugs become intrigued and fly in close to do their business and collecting pollen before flying off to the next orchid. When the smitten insect tries again, pollination successfully occurs.
Plenty & Progeny
DIOSCORIDES Materia Medica, a medical journal written by the first century A.D. Greek physician Dioscorides, hypothesized that the orchid could influence sexuality. The methods he wrote about usually involved ingesting different parts of the plant. Since, people have associated orchids with fertility, virility, and other aspects of reproduction, inspired perhaps by the fragrance, exotic appearance, and erotic aspects of its flower’s sexual parts.
4.3 Oncidium leaves and roots
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4.4 Arpophyllum giganteum
SEX & SYMBOLS
The root is bulbous, somewhat long, narrow like the olive, double, one part above, the other beneath, one full but the other soft and full of wrinkles. The root is eaten ( boiled) like bulbus. ...if the bigger root is eaten by men, it will make their ospring males, if the lesser eaten by women, then they will conceive females. The tender root is given to encourage venereal disesases, and the dry root to suppress and dissolve venereal diseases.
Dioscorides
4.5 Dainty green Dendrobium
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SEX & SYMBOLS
5.1 Red Cymbidiums
SEX & SYMBOLS
Asian Interest Orchids hold a special meaning in Asian culture, from ancient to modern times. The plants and flowers are an icon of beauty, respect, and friendship. Over 4,000 varieties of orchids grow in Asia from hot tropical climates to cooler mountain zones. Chinese philosopher Confucius held orchids in high regard. Orchids have also been prominent in Asian art as well as in herbal medicines. In Japan, gift culture showcases orchids between business professionals and friends. The flower shape inspired the logo design for Thai Airways. In a region where there is a huge natural orchid population, it's easy to see the influence in the culture.
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5.2 Small, white Dendrobiums
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SEX & SYMBOLS
SYMBOLISM Many Asian countries, orchids symbolize the scholar, who is unassuming, chaste, and enduring.
It can also stand for love, beauty, grace, reďŹ nement, and fragrance, which were sought after qualities in a woman.
Orchids are known as guardians of the forest to tribes inhabiting the Calayan islands in the Philippines.
In ancient Japan, it was believed that a warrior ďŹ nding an orchid was a symbol of his bravery.
Asian Interest
5.3 Dainty, bell shaped owers
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“ ...orchids grow in the
woods and they let out their fragrance, even if there is no one around to appreciate it � Confucius
5.4 Pink tinted Dendrobiums
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SEX & SYMBOLS
1.4 Cymbidium and Edontoglossum
6.1 Paphiopedilum, Lady slipper
SEX & SYMBOLS
LEGENDS Stories of orchids have been found around the world, from the great plains of North America to the steamy jungles of Indonesia. Orchids have their place in myth and legend with native people, going back generations. Even today, the tales are still told and are the thing of art and poetry. In these legends, orchids are known as protectors, ingredients for talismans, potions, and even in vision questing. Some cultures tell stories of people turning into orchids, either as protection or resurrection. It seems every continent has their own legends and myths of these naturally occurring mysteries.
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SEX & SYMBOLS
LEGEND OF THE LADY SLIPPER An Ojibwe legend tells of a small village struck by the plague. It was the dead of winter and many people died, including the village healer. A young girl made a dangerous trek through the snow to ďŹ nd medicine for the sick. She succeeded, but on the way lost her moccasins, leaving a trail of bloody prints in the snow. Spring arrived, and the bloody footprints sprung moccasin owers, known today as the lady slippers.
These delicate flowers are pink, white or yellow. It takes 14 years for the first flower to appear. Left untouched, they can live for over 100 years.
Cypripedium
Legends
But, if any part of the lady slipper is picked, the entire plant will die.
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6.2 Shades of green with white and pink stripes
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SEX & SYMBOLS
ORCHIS In classical Greek mythology, Orchis was the son of an ugly nymph and satyr who came upon a festival for Dionysus deep in the woods. After overindulging on wine, he tried to have his way with a priestess.
XANAT The vanilla orchid plant is native to the Mesoamerica area, where the Totonaco Indians cultivated it. According to the ancient legend, the vanilla orchid sprung from the blood of Princess Xanat when she and her commoner lover were killed after they disobeyed her father’s wishes.
As a result, the Dionysians tore him limb from limb. His grieving father prayed to the Gods for to restore him, and so he was, as a small white orchid.
Legends
6.3 Paphiopedilum
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Cattleya labiata
ORCHIDELIRIUM
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7.1 Cattleya hybrids
SEX & SYMBOLS
ORCHIDELIRIUM
Luxury & Lunacy Orchidelirium is a term used for a cultural craze that exploded in the British horticultural scene around 1818. Royal ďŹ gures laid their eyes on orchids and the madness of collecting began, spending exorbitant amounts of money on greenhouses and plants. Commercial nurseries found networks of professional orchid hunters to search the corners of the world for new species.
Unlike orchid growers today, the big European orchid nurseries of the 19th century depended on collections of wild plants. Growers had little knowledge of breeding techniques, to then mass produce plants and give them aordable pricing. Little was known on care and optimum growing techniqies, so even if it was very expensive to own these plants, often they would die, adding another level of madness to owners.
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7.2 Yellow Cymbidiums
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ORCHIDELIRIUM
CATTLEYAS In 1818, plant hunter William Swainson was working in Brazil. He collected some tropical plants to be used as the packing material for different specimens he was sending in crates back to England. Once they arrived at the destination, another William changed history.
William Cattley, a flower enthusiast, took these packing materials to try and make them bloom. What was produced was an outrageously beautiful flower from such an ugly plant. These flowers were named after him: Cattleya labiata. These are the orchids that started the craze.
EXPENSIVE READING In 1837, subscribers could purchase a ten part book on orchids costing £1.11 (the equivalent of over $1,700 today). Inside the books pages were hand colored, life sized prints of different orchid flowers from Central America.
Those wealthy enough to buy it had to get special shelves constructed to fit the special sized, elephant-folio paper, 27" x 15", the largest a Victorian printing press could handle. Only 125 copies were produced.
Luxury & Lunacy
7.3 Cattleya labiata
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7.4 Up close Cattleya ruffles
Collecting Cultivators
SOME KIND OF STORY HERE
8.1 Dendrobium spectabile
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ORCHIDELIRIUM
Collecting Cultivators Sending orchid hunters into unknown territory was both dangerous and expensive. Such expeditions were hugely risky given the perils from wild animals, hostile natives, and tropical diseases, and many orchid hunters met a grisly end. Over-collection resulted in both endangerment and near extinction for some of the worlds most beautiful orchids. In some regions, strict guidelines or protections are now in place, protecting orchids and prohibiting their illicit harvest. Orchid hunters in the Victorian era came home with wild stories, but modern harvesters also face similar perils.
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“ When a man falls in love with orchids, he’ll do ANYTHING to possess the one he wants. It’s like chasing a green-eyed woman or taking cocaine ...
it’s a sort of madness ” John Laroche, orchid hunter
8.2 Miltonia
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8.3 Laelia
ORCHIDELIRIUM
Luxury & Lunacy
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CYPROPEDIUMS In 1917, this dainty variety of lady slipper was declared extinct in the United Kingdom, due to the number of people who dug them up for their collections. However, one lucky botanist discovered a single remaining plant in the 1930's, in a Yorkshire dale. At the dale, other botanists came together, providing around the clock surveillance, even having police protection to keep the plants safe. Today, the cypropediums are still alive and the location is still kept a secret.
THE ORCHID KING The German born orchidologist Henry Frederick Conrad Sander was known as the “Orchid King�. He gave up the seed business to get into orchids, buying four acres of ground to build a nursery for some 60 green houses. Sander hired 23 orchid hunters to travel to South America and the mountains of Asia to bring back cultivars. In the 1880's and 1890's, Sander's Orchid company handled over two million plants, becoming the focus of orchid culture of Europe.
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ORCHIDELIRIUM
DECEPTION Competition for orchid discovery and collection was a very serious, competitive business not to mention dangerous and expensive. Rival hunting parties would spread false information, sabotage their competitors missions, or even the plants which were collected.
DANGER For the early orchid snatchers, the terrain was unexplored and riddled with dangers unknown. In 1901, an expedition party of eight men had entered the jungles of the Philippines looking for orchids. one was eaten by a tiger, a second was burnt alive, and ďŹ ve more were never seen again (or so the story goes).
One tale recounts hunters urinating on owers, in hopes to damage or kill the collected plants. Even if the hunters were successful in their spoils, it was a long, boat ride back to England and plants would often die during the journey.
Orchid Snatchers
8.4 Prosthechea cochleata
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6.6 Large, ruy Cattleya petals
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Cymbidium faberi
MODERN MADNESS
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9.1 Cymbidiums on display
ORCHIDELIRIUM
Today’s Culture While the orchid madness of the 19th century has passed, there is still quite a following of people who love orchids and enjoy collecting them. The availability of orchids has also improved, as technology has allowed botanists to reproduce and propagate the plants. A trip to the grocery store can oers shelves of Phalaenopsis. Two - day shipping and temperature controlled packing materials, mail ordering specialty orchids is also possible for the home grower. The celebration of orchids is still trendy, from botanical shows and exhibitions to personal hobbies and collections in the home. The beauty and mystery of orchids hasn't faded, with their inclusion in books, movies, and paintings. Although they may no longer be quite as rare, the fascination with the bewitching ower lives on.
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9.2 Cattleyas in a floral arrangement
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MODERN MADNESS
STATUS SYMBOL Orchids were considered a symbol of the rich and affluent 200 years ago, and today they still possess an air of elegance. In the home or business, a simple potted orchid full of delicate blooms can give the air an exotic feel.
Showcased in floral arrangements and bridal bouquets, orchids are still coveted, beautiful, and unique. Potted varieties go from $14 and up, depending on the species.
AVAILABILITY There are plenty of places to buy orchids: grocery store floral departments, garden centers, even big box stores carry simple varieties around Valentine's and Mother's Day. There are even nurseries with online stores for internet purchases.
Orchids are hybridized and bred in many nurseries all around the world. Singapore, for example, has its own name- sake hybrid standing as the official national flower.
MODERN MADNESS
9.3 The Pansy orchid
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MODERN MADNESS
9.4 Cymbidiums with bright yellow centers
“ If all of this makes orchids seem smart—well, they do seem smart.
There is something clever and un-plantlike about their determination to survive and their knack for useful deception and their genius for seducing human beings for hundreds and hundreds of years. � Susan Orlean, The Orchid Thief
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MODERN MADNESS
9.5 Cattleya Orchid, Two Hummingbirds and a Beetle, Crystal Bridges Art Museum, Arkansas
BOOKS & ART The beautiful forms, symmetrical design, and textured petals make orchids wonderful subjects for paintings and illustrations. With the many stories of the Orchidelirium era, a variety of books retelling the stories have been published in the last 20 years.
One of the more popular books is titled, The Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession, by Susan Orlean. A New York Times journalist recounts her own personal tale, following the eccentric orchid hunter John Laroche.
Today's Culture
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9.6 Screen shot of Adaptation, Chris Cooper looking at an Orchid display
MOVIES Adaptation is a movie about a screenwriter (Nicolas Cage) who tries and fails to adapt The Orchid Thief novel into a movie. While he wants to capture the essence of John Laroche (Chris Cooper) as the orchid hunter, but struggles to fit it into film.
While the movie itself is more about the adaptation of book to film and the struggles of the main character in all aspects in his life, the obsession with orchids in still an underlying theme.
10.1 Miniature Oncidium
ORCHIDELIRIUM
Make Yourself Crazy Orchid Fever isn't just something caught by the upper class. There are a variety of ways the average person can start their own obsession with orchids. Modern knowledge and research has opened the door for care, propagation, and the general understanding of the orchid's unique biology. Many dierent kinds can be purchased locally or online, no need to travelling to the dark jungles of Peru.
If you want to admire or start your own orchid collection, it's easier than you think. With many resources, visual inspiration, and growing equipment available at most local stores, you can start your own obsession with orchids. You could even ďŹ nd an orchid society chapter in your area, to connect with other orchid lovers. See how many can you collect!
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10.2 Cattleya and Phalaenopsis display
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MODERN MADNESS
BOTANICAL GARDENS Botanical gardens like New York, St. Louis, Cleveland, and Miami host orchid shows. These are a wonderful opportunity to view orchids of dierent varieties from grouped regions of the world. St. Louis, for example, will show plants from Central America with both terrestrial and aerial displays. Larger showcases like the Singapore Orchid World Conference draw around 300,000 spectators each year. Attending any sort of orchid show is a great way to experience the sights and scents of orchids you would normally never be able to see.
GARDEN CENTERS Hardware store garden centers are a great place to pick up a few simple orchids for the aspiring hobbyist. Phalaenopsis and Dendrobiums are great varieties, which are fairly easy to care for. You can also get special pots, potting material, and spray bottles to add humidity to the air. Often garden centers will have books on how to care for orchids. Could it get simpler?
Today's Culture
10.3 Botanical Garden orchid display
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MODERN MADNESS
10.4 Orchid growing in the home
ORCHIDS 101 While each orchid variety can have different growing requirements, most Phalaenopsis and Dendrobiums available at garden centers have pretty similar needs:
POTS Look for heavy clay pots with holes or cut outs. The weight will keep orchids upright and the holes will allow air movement through the roots.
MEDIUM A mix of orchid bark and sphagnum moss is perfect for allowing roots to breathe and holding in moisture. Remove original soil medium after purchasing from the store and replace with your bark and moss mixture.
SUNLIGHT Filtered, morning sunlight is best for Phalaenopsis and Dendrobium orchids. Too much direct sun will cause burning of the leaves and not enough will stunt growth and flowering.
MOISTURE Most orchids like a nice, even level of moisture, absorbed in the roots or the air around them. A spray bottle can provide a fine mist at least once a day, or soak orchid roots in a sink of cold water for a few minutes. Dry out in between waterings.
TEMPERATURE Temperatures in the room should remain between 65°F to 85°F, never below 55°F. Avoid placing near drafts
For more information on orchid care, visit http://www.aos.org/orchids/orchid-care.aspx
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PHOTO CREDITS
All the following photos taken by Tai DePriest at the following locations:
Tai DePriest's Home and Office 1.3, 1.4, 4.3, 9.2, 9.3, 9.6, 10.1, 10.4, Back cover image
Missouri Botanical Gardens, Orchid Exhibit 2014 1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 2.3, 3.1, 3.3, 2.3, 4.5, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 8.4,10.2
Missouri Botanical Gardens, Orchid Exhibit 2015 1.5, 2.2, 3.2, 4.1, 4.4, 5.1, 5.2, 5.4, 6.3, 7.4, 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 9.1, 9.4
Crystal Bridges Art Museum, 2013 9.5
Other Photography Credits 4.2, The Bee Orchid, Zoë Devlin, 2014
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BIBLIOGRAPHY Adaptation. Directed by Spike Jonze, performances by Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Chris Cooper. Columbia Pictures, 2002. Devlin, Zoe. The Bee Orchid. 2014.. Wildflowers of Ireland, http://www.wildflowersofireland.net. Accessed 12 October 2017. Endersby, Jim. Orchid, A Cultural History. University of Chicago Press. 2016. Hansen, Eric. Orchid Fever. Random House, Inc. 2000. Hassler, Michael & Rheinheimer, Joachim. Illustrated World Compendium of Orchids - List of Taxa. October 14, 2017. World Plants, http://worldplants.webarchiv.kit.edu. Accessed October 4, 2017. Pridgeon, Alec. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Orchids. Timber Press. 2006. Wei, Jerilee. “Pink Lady Slipper and Native American Legends of the Ladyslipper”. July 31, 2012. Eye on Life Magazine, http://eyeonlifemag.com. Accessed October 19, 2017. Zhou, Li. “Orchidelirium, an Obsession with Orchids, Has Lasted for Centuries.” Janurary 29, 2015. Smithsonian Magazine, http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smithsonian-institution. Accessed October 10, 2017.
A BOUT THE AUTHOR
Tai Cattleya DePriest was given her middle name by her mother, a woman with a fondness for orchids. Tai knows the orchid mania, all too well. First, you receive one as a gift. Before you know it, you're mail ordering hybrid varieties at 2:00am from breeders around the world and the window ledge can't possibly hold any more plants. She hopes this book will let readers embrace the weirdness and beauty of orchids, inspiring more orchidelirium.