Orchid help needed for Miss Marple (UK TV show)
 

Hi,

I am working on a British TV show called 'Miss Marple," and am in need of some advice on orchids!!

Firstly - in the script, (which is set in 1955) it describes one of the characters cross-pollenating some orchids - could someone tell me how this would have be done? Is it like with other plants where you use a brush etc?

Second question - there is a 'snake' orchid mentioned - and another character says something along the lines of 'ooh yes it does look like a snake, doesn't it?' - could someone advise me as to what orchid might be suitable for this? I have tried googling but a number of orchids come up...

Many thanks - all help is greatly appreciated!!

Best wishes,

Naomi

I hate answering questions with questions but in this case where accuracy could make a difference......

Your question #1: Does the audience know what kind of orchid is being talked about? As in has a specific genus been mentioned?

Your question #2: Much the same as no. 1. Does the audience know/see an orchid in front of the actors?
Are they talking about the blossom or the leaves?

By the way, I love the show!!!

Al

From the script:

"EVANS almost reverently brushes pollen from an orchid on to a small glass plate. He looks very sad and lifts the plate delicately with both hands."

-

"EVANS still with his air of sadness, carries the glass plate to another orchid. He brushes the pollen on to the new plant and gazes at it emotionally."

-


"CLOSE ON an orchid like a snake.

EVANS: Don’t touch that darling. Sidenium Thalenopsis. My little serpent orchid."


We have pointed out to our script editors that we are not so sure that there is such a thing as 'Sidenium Thalenopsis" but we just need to find either a 'serpent orchid' or one that vaguely resembles a snake!

Sorry - I am completely ignorant on orchids and there is so much information on the net I've just got a bit lost!

Many thanks!!

1 - If you are talking about how to pollinate a Phalaenopsis orchid ..
This link will lead you to an explanation give by Matthew Gore of Gore Orchids - it's quite detailed ..
How to pollinate a Phalaenopsis - Slippertalk Orchid Forum- The best slipper orchid forum for paph, phrag and other lady slipper orchid discussion!
I am not sure how they pollinated orchids in 1955
but for starters, this should give you an idea of how it's done today.
Be patient for others to add their responses ..

On a side note, I thank you for searching out accurate details pertaining to orchids .. many times I have seen on TV people sniffing large hybrid Phalaenopsis which are known not to be scented .. or commericals showing something being 'orchid scented', again with orchids that produce no fragrance .. I know these are minor details but spreading inaccuracy and ignorance especially to the masses just rubs me the wrong way ...
I'll get back to you on the snake orchid

They might have mean Phalaenopsis for Thalaenopsis

Pterostylis (aka Greenhood) are the most 'snake-like' to me.

Here is a link to some photos of some: Hunter Valley Backyard Nature: #27 Winter orchids

And yes, I will second Dorothy's thanks - it is really wonderful to see someone trying to be 'realistic' and portray accurate details such as this.

(However, I am a Poirot fan... have the complete boxed set!)

The most snake like orchid I know of is Diplodium grandiflorum (syn Pterostylis grandiflora)
Click on these past threads -
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...greenhood.html
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...greenhood.html
It's not a phalaenopsis. It's an Australian terrestrial orchid.
I hope you aren't in a hurry .. there are many others here that can help you out

Nobody brushes pollen onto anything in orchids... Orchid pollen comes as (mostly) solid packages called pollinia. Normal process if your character was going to hybridize any orchid that you can actually see the flowers on:

1. Remove pollen mass from one orchid flower with a toothpick.

2. Carry toothpick over to another flower.

3. Mash pollen onto stigma of said flower.

Any of that would probably fail to be conveyed in anything but extreme closeup, which you aren't likely to do. But you'll impress your orchid growing audience if you show the character with a toothpick...

Now, there may be sighing - I routinely wonder what the heck I'm doing when I'm wandering around pollinating a dozen orchids. Mainly because I know at some point I'm going to have to flask all that seed.


Snake orchid? There is a small temperate terrestrial called rattlesnake orchid... Doesn't look like a snake though. I think the inflorescence on a Bulbophyllum maximum looks a bit like a snake (or any in that group of Bulbophyllum, I think they are classed megaclinium now?). I can't honestly think of any orchid I've seen (and I've seen a lot) that screamed 'snake'. You could easily rewrite the script to look at a butterfly orchid (Psychopsis papilio), which you can actually find and actually looks remarkably like a butterfly...

Personally I think you should include a stinky dead elephant orchid (Bulbophyllum phalaenopsis, or maybe Bulbophyllum echinolabium), it is a murder mystery, after all.

Shannan - High 5, girlfriend .. :coverlaugh:

Little Frog - The link I gave above goes through what you said pictorially
I agree with adding a stinky bulbo :rofl:

Here is a photo of Bulbophyllum (Megaclinium) maximum - http://www.orchidspecies.com/orphotdir/bulbmaximum.jpg

Thanks Dorothy - that site is a great help!

Looks like we need to find some 1950s toothpicks!

I did wonder if it was "sidenium phalaenopsis" but can't find any reference for this either?