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HABITAT LINKS

The following focuses on plant habitats, and in particular how they affect orchid culture in this country. One facet of natural habitats for most of the orchids grown in this country is significantly different from the conditions naturally experienced here, and this will be highlighted, together with other significant aspects.

HABITAT 1
TROPICAL LOWLAND RAINFOREST HABITAT

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Major multi page series on this site, start pages

Monthly culture

Habitats

Oncidium

Cattleya

Cymbidiums

Paphiopedilum

Dendrobiums

SOME ORCHIDS OF THIS HABITAT

There are many popular orchids found in this zone, including phalaenopsis, many dendrobium (such as anosmum, ,johannis, aphyllum (pierardii), striotes, phalaenopsis), ascocentrum species, vandas (not coerulea), and both the mottled leaved and multiflowered plain green leaved paphiopedilum species. This is the home of most of the monopodial orchids cultivated by man.

The habitat is found in many parts of the world, including the low coastal plains of India, and parts of western South America. The lowland forests of Central and South America, Asia, Africa, India, and the basins of the Congo and Amazon Rivers also are included.

The habitat exhibits the following general characteristics:-

Extensive stretches of water and dense forests adding substantial quantities of water vapour to the already heavily saturated atmosphere.
Humidity is high all year
Temperatures are high all year, and relatively constant
The areas are subject to the seasonal summer monsoons, when violent short storms are experienced during the wet season, followed by dry periods but with continuing high humidity.
The climate is relatively dry during the winter and spring
The summers and early autumn periods are wet.

HABITAT 1
TROPICAL LOWLAND RAINFOREST HABITAT

Specific meteorological data from this habitat is now discussed. It is often difficult to obtain specific climatic data representative of each of the habitats. The following information is indicative of the conditions generally experienced, but 'normal' conditions for each are discussed at the end of each habitat discussion.

At a more equitable maritime habitat on the coast of Cambodia, a total annual rainfall of 1390 mm is experienced, but this is unevenly distributed.
ChartObject RAINFALL Nga Trang Cambodia This area is subject to the summer monsoons, which are at full force in early autumn. although the timing of the monsoon varies in different localities. For some 8 months of the year, monthly rainfall is less then 50 mm each month.

Humidity ranges from 77% to over 80% monthly average, falling to its lowest level over the summer before the onset of the monsoon period.

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ChartObject HUMIDITY % NGA TRANG CAMBODIA Temperatures are relatively constant throughout the year, with the diurnal (day/night) variation of 6-8oC. being experienced. ChartObject TEMPERATURES Degrees celsius NGA TRANG CAMBOIDA