Some orchid species have completely lost their natural habitat when rainforests are lost to agriculture, mining and logging. Other species are in serious danger, for the same reason.  Dedicated botanists are trying to ensure the survival of some of these species by propagating thousands of seedlings in greenhouses, then introducing them to natural surroundings. One such experiment is featured in one of my monthly articles.

Of course, the propagating process is also being done for commercial purposes. All those orchids seen in florist shops, supermarkets, and garden centers have to come from somewhere.

What is the process used to grow orchids from seeds? Since most orchids don’t grow in soil, but rather hang attached to trees, it’s not as simple as just dropping a few seeds in the ground and covering them with dirt. It involves some fairly painstaking work under sterile conditions. This video shows how it works.