About Orchids

IN the plant kingdom, the beauty and variety of orchids species is unmatched. With 25,000 species recorded to date and more new species being discovered and described across the world, orchids are, unarguably, one of the most evolved in the plant kingdom.

 

Some wild specimens have been used to produce primary hybrids. The hybridization of orchids yet contributed another evolution in the world of orchids through the culture of hybrids with exceptional beauty for the cut-flower trade around the world.

 

The mystifying lure of its beauty has created joy and fascination of orchid owners, be the specimen a species or hybrid. Watching the first bloom of every  new specimen provides   an adrenalin rush for the hardcore collector, and getting the flowers published for the first time for the world to see will be the ultimate satisfaction for an orchid grower to share his joy.

 

The cultivation of orchids, whether wild or hybrids, have gone a long way from  the divisions of the pseudobulbs or keikis for propagation. The use of biotechnology has created an enormous potential for the commercialization of orchids hybrids and could help save highly sought after wild specimen from extinction.

 

In every continent, orchids are being hunted and removed from its natural habitat for more than one reason. Species were collected for their ornamental, medicinal, botanical and beauty. Some orchids have been considered priceless, others were removed by its founder in the hope of immortalizing his/her name in the annals of orchids nomenclature.

 

But over the years, the collection of orchids in the wild had been more of a concern for their shrinking world. Forest clearing to make way for agriculture and other forms of development are decimating its population in the wild. Many wild orchids may have gone extinct even before its identity could be described or recorded.

 

Malaysia is no exception to the threat of diminishing forest areas. Development is inevitable and agriculture is necessary to satisfy the need of a growing population and to sustain the economy.

 

This Website, Orchids of Malaysia is merely an effort to preserve nature’s beauty. My purpose is to share its beauty with other wild orchid enthusiats around the world with the hope of sharing their experience for the benefit of awareness and conservation of these delicate beauties.

 

The Orchids of Malaysia showcase most of the esisting and new species found in Malaysia and the more colorful variations of previously known species as well as rare species described in old literature.

 

I sincerely hope that this website will be useful as well as informative to further develop the interest in the fascinating world of wild orchids.