History of Orchids

                                                cymbidium orchids

The early history of orchids is only partially recorded. It is known that in 550 BC, the Chinese emperors coveted the indigenous species of cymbidium orchids for their sweet perfume. The man orchid (aceras anthropophorum) was once considered to be an aphrodisiac because the shape of the lip of the orchid flower resembled the figure of a man.

In Europe, history of orchid plants and interest in orchids can be traced back to Greek and Roman times. At that time, people knew only of the temperate orchids, which were vastly different from the tropical orchids. At the end of the 18th century, merchant ships from New World (colonies of British, French, Dutch and Portuguese) came back laden with newly discovered animals and plants, including tropical orchid flowers and orchid plants.

Orchid collectors started cultivating about 50 species of orchids and new hybrid varieties of orchid plants were raised from seeds. The interest in orchid plants gradually spread to all of Europe and America. Today there is hardly a nation where one cannot find enthusiastic orchid culturists.