|  The
Smithsonian Horticulture Services Division strives to cultivate
an extremely diverse array of orchids from all over the
world. With close to 10,000 plants in our collection, new
acquisitions are selected carefully each year based on their
display quality, educational value, beauty, rarity and how
they complement our present collection.
The collection is especially well represented in New World
Genera such as Cattleya, Encyclia, Laelia, Brassavola, Epidendrum,
Isochilus and Sobralia as well as Maxillaria, Lycaste, Oncidium,
Brassia, Miltoniopsis and a wide array of Pleurothallids.
Australian and Asian species of Dendrobium and Bulbophyllum
/ Cirrhopetalum are another area of specialty. A fine collection
of specimen-size Phalaenopsis species and hybrids are maintained
in uniquely designed baskets which allow the plants to grow
in a more naturalistic fashion. Other Sarcanthine orchids
include a large and varied group of Vanda and Ascocenda
hybrids and a significant selection of African Angraecoids
many of which are quite rare in cultivation.
Arguably, the best plants are the collection of Paphiopedilum
species and selected hybrids. Many fine examples of Slipper
orchid species have been grown into larger specimens since
the plants are not divided unless it becomes necessary.
Therefore there are many large specimens of a wide range
of genera that are spectacular when they are in bloom. |
As
new orchids bloom, there are invariably a few that take
our breath away. This section will feature our pick of
the most special orchids. It may be a huge, well bloomed
specimen of something well known, an especially nice form
of species or hybrid, or something so bizarre or so rare
that only we would grow it (well, maybe YOU would grow
it too!) 