Manic fans have even attempted to grow them
using a procedure akin to in vitro fertilisation. Many are hunted illegally. Keith
Davis, who graduated from NCSU in 1979, has discovered how to grow and protect
the endangered flower.
His passion started when he bought a dozen
specimens for a dollar each at a local sale to fill a greenhouse at Corpus
Christi Texas. All 12 orchids died
within a few weeks.
He got the bug, especially for ghost
orchids, those ethereal white orchids have no leaves. It is the the roots that contain chlorophyll to perform
photosynthesis. Keep the roots above ground and they will thrive.
Ghost orchids
are found growing on the sides of trees. Experts regard them as epiphytic, not
parasitic. A parasite feeds off of the host for nutrients while epiphytes use
the host for support.
Mr
Davis pursued the ghost orchid, which is so rare, that obtaining seeds
is difficult, and even then, the process might not work.
But he had an epiphany. If something grows in nature, there has to be a
reason.
Find it, apply it, and you can unlock the secret.
During long periods of dry weather, the
ghost orchid grows naturally. The roots are buried in moss and lichen on the
host tree. As he says: ‘I later discovered that this dry period is vital to
getting the plants to bloom.’
How long did that take to find out? Orchidmaniacs wouldn't care; they would just applaud.
He chose his host plant, the mockernut
hickory, not just because of the delightful name, but because it was durable and it
wouldn’t rot. Spanish moss assisted in formed a micro-environment around the roots to survive
the difficult first year. Other hurdles were overcome but Mr Davis won an American
Orchid Society society competition. Check out a recent article.
And some orchid kudos.
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