Nama : Hijrah Kharisma Deni Angga Syahputra

Kelas : X MIPA 2
No. Absen : 18

Orchid

Orchid is one of the typical flowers of Indonesian regions. This flower is almost known to all
Indonesian people, it is because of its beauty, durability or maybe because of its price. Seeing all
these advantages and attractions, we must care more about these flowers. Here is a general
description of orchids :
A. The Flower
Orchids can grow to about 1 to 15 flower buds and are included in compound
interest. Based on the location of the growth there are two types in general, the first
grows around the axillary leaves on the lateral or the sides of the stem, this type is called
pleuranthe (ex. Vanda, dendrobium) and the second grows from the tip of the plant or is
called acranthe (ex. Cattleya, Oncidium).
Orchid flowers consist of five main parts, namely sepals, petals, stamens, pistils,
and ovaries. The sepals are located behind while the petals are in front. There are three
sepals, above which are called dorsal sepals and two which protrude beside the bottom
are called lateral sepals. In certain types of orchids, there are lateral sepals, an example of
which is the Slipper orchid. There are also three petals, two petals flanked by dorsal
sepals and lateral sepals and forming an angle of about 1200, while those below are
modified to become labelum (in nature it is useful as a place for insects to perch in the
process of plant reproduction). In the labelum, there are clumps that contain protein,
fragrance and oil as an attractant for insects.
Above the labelum there is a flower reproductive organ (gynandrium), the male is
called androecium and the female is called gynoecium. The reproductive organs of
orchids are like a monument, at the end there is a prominent circle that can be opened and
is called a stamp, when this stamp is opened there is pollen. One pollen is called
monondrae and two is called diandrae. Pollen in orchids form a clump called polynia,
generally numbering two but sometimes as many as four or six. These polynia are
connected by a slightly sticky thread at the end of the thread called the placenta. The head
of the orchid faces downward, like a shallow upward hole that is under or behind the
monument, when it is held like a sticky glue or like a thick white liquid.
B. The Fruit
The orchid fruit has a hexagon capsular shape. Unlike other fruits that have food
reserves (endosperm), orchids do not have their own food reserves, because this is the
most vulnerable period for germination. In nature these seeds get food from the
decomposition of plant debris by microscopic micoriza. Whereas in orchid cultivation,
these seeds are grown through agar media and fertilizers and planted in bottles because of
their very fragile nature. The number of orchid seeds there are only tens but some are
millions, with the embryo in the seeds consisting of about 8 - 100 cells.
Orchid flowers that have been mated will become fruit, this is identified by the
swelling of the column (monument) and then the swelling of the stalks. This fruit is first
green then gradually yellow until ripe. To get maximum results in the occurrence of
fertilization, orchid breeders usually mated them in the morning before noon.

C. The Stem
The stem in orchids consists of two in general, namely monopodial or a single
stem without twigs on the right and left with leaves. These stems can continue to grow
indefinitely (ex. Vanda, Phaelonopsis), while others are sympodial with limited growth
and when they reach their limit there will be shoots growing beside the stem (ex.
Dendrobium, Cattleya).
In sympodial orchids, there is a connector called the rhizome, generally the
sympodial stem has a food storage area called pseudobulbs. When one stem is old and
leaves exhausted, the pseudobulb remains active and if the rhizome between the plants is
not cut, the younger stems can take advantage of the food essence in the next pseudobulb.
Orchids that have pseudoblbs are more resistant to water deficiency, but if the
pseudobulbs are embedded in the planting medium, they are susceptible to rot.