Hummingbirds vs. Orchids?

[InspirChid1712]

Hi Everybody,

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but it seems appropriate for my question! Does anybody know if there are any summer-blooming orchids that actually produce nectar and attract hummingbirds? I see my hummers go for the orchids sometimes, but they always buzz away immediately with a look of disappointment! Are there any orchids I could grow that would actually feed the birds? I have a hummingbird feeder (which they LOVE!!!), but it would be great to offer some natural options on the menu! Natural options, that also happen to be ORCHIDS!

Any ideas?!?!?!

[lambelkip]

my favorite orchids, Elleanthus. (I believe all Elleanthus species are pollinated by hummingbirds)
Andy's Orchids might have a couple species, but the best source is probably Ecuagenera.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I believe orchids in the genus Nagliella are pollinated by hummingbirds.

Most orchids are bee pollinated. many others are pollinated by flies.

A few are done so by birds.

[WhiteRabbit]

I'm glad you asked this, and that some others had some answers! I have noticed that I never see hummingbirds drinking from my orchids - I have a lot of hummingbirds around my yard - they sure enjoy the couple of feeders I have out, and I have seen them at most other flowers I have, just not the orchids!

[lambelkip]

here's a partial list of orchids that are often visited by hummingbirds:
Alamania punicea
Brassia andina
Brassia aurantiaca
Cochlioda beyrodtioides
Cochlioda noezliana
Cochlioda rosea
Cochlioda vulcanica
Comparettia coccinea
Comparettia falcata
Cyrtochilum mystacinum
Cyrtochilum retusum
Elleanthus species
Epidendrum ardens
Epidendrum cnemidophorum
Epidendrum ibaguense
Epidendrum pfavii
Epidendrum pseudepidendrum
Epidendrum radicans
Epidendrum scabrum
Epidendrum secundum
Fernandezia subbiflora
Isochilus linearis
Laelia milleri
Masdevallia mendozae
Masdevallia rosea
Maxillaria coccinea
Nageliella purpurea
Phaius tankervilleae
Rodriguezia secunda
Sobralia amabilis
Stenorrhynchos lanceolatus
Stenorrhynchos speciosa

all of these species except Phaius tankervilleae are believed to be pollinated primarily by hummingbirds (Phaius tankervilleae is not an American species, so there are no hummingbirds in its native habitat)

there was an article in Orchid Digest last year about hummingbird pollination of orchids

[BettyE]

I, also feed hummers. I did notice that one year they visited my blooming encyclia cordigera which was hanging on a fenced patio. The fragrance my have attracted them...We also notice that they like to be sprayed by our hand sprayer. It's primary function is to be used on our two waring cats ( male & a female ) but when we spray high, the hummers love to fly through the spray...BettyE. :-)

[judyfl]

I would think it would be counter-productive to have the hummers feeding from and pollinating the orchid blossoms, which would then collapse. I grow a lot of garden plants and shrubs to entice the hummers. I try to keep my orchids blooming as long as possible. Just a thought.

[lambelkip]

Originally Posted by BettyE

The fragrance my have attracted them...

very unlikely - hummingbirds are generally attracted by flower appearance, not fragrance. Flowers which are pollinated by hummingbirds are generally unscented, since a fragrance would encourage other, non-pollinating species to steal nectar.

Originally Posted by judyfl

I would think it would be counter-productive to have the hummers feeding from and pollinating the orchid blossoms, which would then collapse.

that's what I like about Elleanthus - the flowers only last a couple days even if not pollinated, but new flowers open in sequence daily for a couple months. The brightly colored floral bracts are a bonus - they usually remain until the spike is finished blooming. The appearance of the plant is not affected much by pollination.

another thing to consider is that most orchids require a specific pollinator. if the hummingbirds in your area are not the same type found in the orchids native habitat, the hummingbirds may be able to get nectar without affecting the flower.