We have been posting photos from our visit to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. This is our first post featuring the Orchid House. A later post is here.

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Longwood has more than 3200 different types of orchids. They say that there are 200 to 500 plants at peak bloom that are brought in for display at any one time at the Orchid House.

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Ferns, ivies, and peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) provide the backdrop for the blossoms.

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Orchids originate from diverse regions of the world and constitute one of the largest and most sophisticated plant families with highly specialized floral structures.

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Longwood’s orchids are grown in different greenhouses with specific lighting, temperatures and humidity to acclimate to their original regions.

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Longwood’s collection includes specimens from Central and South America, Africa, Southeast Asia, the Himalayan and Andes Mountains, and Caribbean and South Pacific Islands.

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The Orchid Display is consistently rated as one of the most popular indoor areas by Longwood’s visitors.

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Noteworthy plants: cattleyas (Cattleya), lady-slippers (Paphiopedilum), pansy orchids (Miltonia), dendrobiums (Dendrobium), and moth orchids (Phalaenopsis). We wish we could also transmit their intoxicating perfumes along with their photos!