Hybridising Native Orchids

Posted by Bill Richardson Aug 23, 2006

Australian native orchids are well known for their colour and perfumes and they are in demand at present.

In the past ten years, selective breeding has been carried out by orchid growers and hybridisers creating wonderful new forms which are more suitable to our gardens and climates.

These are becoming available through specialist companies such as Garden World in Melbourne. Their "Collectors Corner" is definitley worth browising through, if you get the opportunity.

Unique to Australia, there are over 100 different genera with 800 species available. Many of these have been used for hybridising to create new beauties for our gardens.

One of the terrestrial orchids is the dainty Greenhood Orchid but these are difficult to grow at home. The Sydney Rock Orchid, D. speciosum is one that grows in frost free areas..

You can see Australian Native orchids in bloom in August to October. If you get the chance to see a display , you are in for a wonderful surprise!