BANGALORE: Orchid lovers in city can soon get to a view about 1,000 rare and exotic varieties of orchids, as the State Horticulture Department is going to come up with a greenhouse exclusively for orchids in Lalbagh premises.Speaking with City Express, Dr S Aswath, joint director of horticulture (Parks and Gardens) said, “There are about 20,000 species of orchids which are found across the globe. To start with, the department is looking at collecting and conserving 1,000 species, and the preliminary work has already begun.”“As of now we have identified three spots (near Rose Garden, Bonsai Park and one beside Cacti House) inside the Lalbagh premises for setting up the greenhouse for these orchids. From the three, we will finalise one spot. As per the plan the greenhouse will be spread across an area of 330 square metres. The temperature and humidity will be strictly maintained as per its requirement,” he said.Aswath further added, “We have slowly begun importing a few varieties of orchids from other hilly states — Sikkim, West Bengal and North Eastern states. In addition we are also getting some varieties from Western Ghats (Chikamangalur, Madikeri, Shimoga and Malnad region).”“Few of these orchids which we have already brought from different places are kept temporarily at the small green house in Cubbon Park. Once the greenhouse at Lalbagh comes up, these orchids will be shifted,” he added.Since the weather condition at Bangalore is not conducive for growing orchid, many people despite having an interest cannot grow them. Hence, besides getting a glance of the exotic varieties, people can actually derive information about the orchid from here, he informed.Dwelling a little on its habitat Aswath revealed that orchids vary greatly in size, colour and growing habits. They grow in the ground (terrestrial), on top of trees, rocks and telephone poles (epiphytic), or both. In fact tissue culture in plants began because of orchids.Meanwhile, apart from the greenhouse, the authorities are also creating a congenial atmosphere in the open island with about 1.5 acres at the centre of the fish tank at Lalbagh for epiphytic orchids.Lastly Aswath added that apart from starting the initial ground work, the infrastructure for supplying artificial fogging through pumps in order to maintain the required atmosphere for its proper growth is also on its way.
Comments
0 comment