Re: Kdv Blue Orchid 2000 Part1
Elis Riebow
To many people the term Cattleya is synonymous with orchids. For a long period, a Cattleya corsage was a prerequisite for any special occasion and as a result the Cattleya has often been called the Queen of Orchids. While no longer the reigning queen of the orchid floral industry it is difficult not to be impressed by a well-flowered Cattleya. No longer limited to white and various shades of lavender and purple, high quality flowers are available in the entire color spectrum (except true blue) and in a wide range of plant sizes. Most Cattleyas and their relatives are easy to grow. With reasonable care, they can be grown anywhere in the world. Their requirements are few and are summarized below. For the meanings of terms which refer to parts of the plant and flowers, see the accompanying plate.
It turned out to be a smart marketing idea for there are hardly any blue flowers besides artificially ones like blue orchids. Chrysanthemums, carnations, tulips - none of them naturally come in blue. The same is true for blue orchids, which have usually been artificially dyed. Roses are only common in various shades of yellow, pink and red.
Heade offered viewers an intimate glimpse into the exotic recesses of nature's secret garden. Lichen covers dead branches; moss drips from trees; and, a blue-gray mist veils the distant jungle. An opulent pink orchid with light-green stems and pods dominates the left foreground. To the right, perched near a nest on a branch, are a Sappho Comet, green with a yellow throat and brilliant red tail feathers, and two green-and-pink Brazilian Amethysts.
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