Lalbagh to house 175 species of exotic orchids

Lalbagh to house 175 species of exotic orchids
The Times of India

Lalbagh: The Garden City will have another addition to its floral bouquet, a state-level open-air orchidarium. Slated to come up at the Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, early 2005 the orchidarium will house some 175 species of orchids.

The exquisite flower considered as an evolved species among the flora, is known to have a curious flower structure with brilliant colours making its maintenance an expensive one, concur botanists.

At Lalbagh, one acre of land surrounded by water bodies — an island right in the middle of the gardens — considered favourable for the growth of orchids, is slated to make its flowery statement. Veteran botanist and flora expert Anand Rao, in charge of the genesis of the idea and its execution, says in a few months 60 species would be on display, in natural habitat.

Out of the bounty of species collected from the Western Ghats, Lalbagh under the aegis of the horticulture department will house those that are found at canopy levels in evergreen forests. Says Rao who has been nurturing orchids at different locales,”It is a very expensive flower. Orchids require distilled water, chlorinated water can kill their reproductive system. They actually bloom fine under tender coconut water.’’

Dendobium, epiphytes (which can be cultivated in pots), rhynocostylis, aerides crispa are some of the orchid species awaited on the island at Lalbagh.

Though thrilled with the concept and its inception, horticulture director G.K. Vasanth Kumar is a bit wary.”When the orchidarium comes up, only select people will be allowed to view it. Birdwatchers complain that the ecology will be disturbed when some persons touch the flower and try and pluck it.

“Though billed the first state-level open-air orchidarium, Karnataka has three other hotspots for orchids — Tadiandamol to Talakaveri at Kodagu, Dandeli, Bhagwati Nature Camp at Kudremukh. This particular orchidarium land at Lalbagh, says Anand Rao, has high humidity and surrounded by trees of furrowed bark which is supposed to be a positive factor for its nurturing.

Incidentally a similar such orchidarium had sprung up unsung and as botanists put it ‘undernurtured’ at Bannerghatta. “It is in a terrible condition now,’’ rues Rao. “Cut flower business is roaring abroad. Despite orchids’ exotic and commercial value, we can’t afford to pay Rs 300-400 for cut flowers,’’ says Vasanth Kumar.