More than 30,000 species of orchids exist, suited to almost every environment in the world. Orchids may be grown as far north as Alaska and as far south as New Zealand. Greenhouse and nursery owner Jerry Fischer would like to grow them all. Orchid fever began in England in the 1800s with an imported cattleya orchid. When it flowered, it caused a sensation that sparked an entire industry. At the time some collectors were so ruthless that they cut down trees throughout large areas of the jungle in order to acquire entire species and corner the market. Now orchids are protected worldwide, and orchids may not be collected from the wild without special permits. In his laboratory Jerry produces orchid plants, working with a sterile medium made of agar, sugar and minerals. As the seedlings grow, they're transplanted into larger flasks until they're mature enough to be moved into the greenhouse. The process can take as long as three years. If you'd like to start your own orchid collection, Jerry recommends starting with an easy-to-grow variety such as a phalaenopsis or a cattleya.
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