East Indies
How Orchids Got Hold Of Our Imagination
Since the famouse mania for tulips (or “tulipomania”) crested in the Netherlands until the present day no single group of plants has achieved such a tenacious grasp on popular passion as the orchids. Believe it or not, though, today’s orchid craze hardly compares to the fevered devotion that the plants inspired in our Victorian forebears, especially in England and America.
Certainly, of course, many other plants were greatly admired in the Anglo-Saxon world of the latter half of the 19th century. We may count among these the cacti, ferns, roses, chrysanthemums and palms. But it was the orchids that represented the height of horticultural attainment to 19th century gardeners. So highly were these mostly tropical epiphytes esteemed that in May of 1885 the first general conference on orchids was held in London. This event brought together both commercial and amateur cultivators to exhibit their prized specimens and to discuss such vital questions as the culture and nomenclature of these fascinating flowers.
At the time of that landmark London conference, the more exotic orchids of the tropics had been known to the world in general for only about a hundred years. A 16th-century Spanish botanist, Francisco Hernandez, casually referred to a few orchids as curiosities when recounting a voyage to Spanish America. Some 200 years later, naturalist Engelbert Kaempfer and botanist Georg Eberhard Rumphius, employed by the Dutch East Indies Company, described several of the Asian orchids. It was not, though, until just prior to the opening of the 19th century that many Europeans became aware of these exciting, mysterious plants.
By the early 1800s, botanists were working on cultivating a few specimens at such places as Kew Gardens in London. Until 1820 orchids were looked upon as curiosities in botanical gardens, but about that time some showy Cattleyas and other species produced some stunning flowers, piqueing greater interest among the public. By the 1850s new specimens of orchids were pouring into Europe from all over the world and more and more people were trying to cultivate them at home.
The first great orchid craze was going full throttle by the late 1800s and continued undiminished for many years to come. Somewhat suprisingly, a solid scientific understanding of orchid botany and what was needed to be consistently successful in growing orchids did not arrive until the 1920s.
Nowadays, of course, we have an abundance of good information on the proper way to grow orchids. The most up-to-date guidebook to modern orchid gardening, in my opinion, is Orchid Care Expert by Nigel Howard, which can be downloaded over the Internet. Mr. Howard’s ebook is a thorough course of study, useful for novices and the more experienced devotees alike. Also, be sure to visit the Orchid Secrets web site, which is publishing a growing database of entries on all aspects of orchid cultivation.
Kleurenfilm Nederlands-Indie / Colour movie Dutch East Indies (1941)
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58mm Round Badge Style Fridge Magnet Dutch East Indies Company Flag $2.99 … |
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Boats in Goa, illustration from ‘Jan Hughen van Linschoten, His Discourse of Voyages into the East and West Indies’, 1579-92 (engraving) by Johannes Baptista van Doetechum – Mug – Standard Size $14.50 This mug is created using the finest dye sublimation techniques and creates a stunning dishwasher safe finish. Great as a gift, or for promotional items. Each of our mugs come individually boxed for protection in transit…. |
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Departure from Lisbon for Brazil, the East Indies and America, illustration from ‘Americae Tertia Pars…’, 1592 (engraving) by Theodore de Bry – Mug – Standard Size $14.50 This mug is created using the finest dye sublimation techniques and creates a stunning dishwasher safe finish. Great as a gift, or for promotional items. Each of our mugs come individually boxed for protection in transit…. |
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The Richest Man In Babylon $8.52 All products are BRAND NEW and factory sealed. Fast shipping and 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed…. |
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Dub Side of the Moon $6.25 13 TRACKS: 1) A. Speak To Me, B. Breathe In The Air (Feat. Sluggy Ranks) 2) On The Run 3) Time (Feat. Corey Harris & Ranking Joe) 4) The Great Gig In The Sky (Feat. Kirsty Rock) 5) Money (Feat. Gary Nesta Pine & Dollarman) 6) Us And Them (Feat. Frankie Paul) 7) Any Colour You Like  Brain Damage (Feat. Dr. Israel) 9) Eclipse (Feat. The Meditations) 10) Time Version 11) Great Dub In The Sky 12) St…
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f#a# (infinity symbol) $9.78 Debut album from this stellar group. Not available for Japan/UK/Europe… |
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Goemon [Blu-ray] $22.49 … |
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Revolution 1989 New York City based Indie Film by Jeff Kahn… “A Red Comedy”. Ollie and Suzy are Marxists in black T-shirts and shades, students at an unnamed university on New York’s Lower East Side. They live with an unemployed drag queen who spends his time sitting unnoticed with a gun in his hand, contemplating suicide. At school, Ollie and Suzy meet naive Steve, who takes them into planning the Revolu… |
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Philip 1880 Antique Map of the East Indies If you are looking for an unusual piece of art, to decorate a home or office, these truly “limited-edition” prints are perfect. Antique engravings, & prints are extraordinary examples of the 19th Century printing and engraving arts. As conversation pieces they are unequaled. A beautiful old print or engraving is an actual snapshot of our history. Any of these, increasingly rare, works of art are a… |
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Map of the East Indies – 24W x 18H – Peel and Stick Wall Decal by Wallmonkeys $33.99 WallMonkeys wall graphics are printed on the highest quality re-positionable, self-adhesive fabric paper. Each order is printed in-house and on-demand. WallMonkeys uses premium materials & state-of-the-art production technologies. Our white fabric material is superior to vinyl decals. You can literally see and feel the difference. Our wall graphics apply in minutes and won’t damage your paint or l… |