Climatic zones

Climatic zones

    Tropial Zone (300-900M)
    • This zone is characterized by dense, humid tropical forests with high amount of rainfall and humidity (90-100%).
    • The temperature ranges from 22 to 27oC.
    • This warm and humid belt is the home of epiphytic orchids, like Aerides, Arundina, Ascocentrum, Dendrobium, Vanda teres etc. (Kerala, Chennai and other Coastal places).
    Sub Tropical Zone (1800-3500M)
    • This zone has mixed forests and receives less rain. Moss covered tree branches and rocks form a congenial habitat for orchids.
    • The temperature ranges from 25-30oC and humidity almost 100% during monsoon. The most beautiful orchids occur in this zone.
    • The epiphytic species of Bulbophyllum, Coelogyne, Cymbidium, Dendrobium, Eria and Liparis are found growing here.
    • The terrestrial spps. Like Calanthe, Hebenaria, Phaius spp.
    • Some of the rare orchids like C. gigantium, P. fairieanum have also been reported from this zone (Western Ghats, South Karnataka).
    Temperate Zone (1800-3500M)
    • The temperate zone remains covered with snow for 3-5 months a year.
    • The temperature during summer varies from 10-14oC with Relative humidity between 80-100%.
    • The trees of Rhododendron magnolia and Pinus are moss covered providing habitats for many epiphytic orchids like Aerides maculosum, Arachnis clarkei, Bulbophyllum spp. Paphiopedilum spp., Vanda Coreulea and over and above the excellent Cymbidium spp and hybrids.
    Alpine Zone (3500-5000M)
    • This zone is situated in the Himalayan range, is snow covered for about 4-6 months and mostly some terrestrial orchids are found to grow at lower ridges.
    • Some of the orchids recorded from this zone are Bulbophyllum retusiusculu, Habenaria cumminsiana, Herminium longilobautm, Nervilla macroglossa, Pleione maculate, etc.
Last modified: Wednesday, 20 June 2012, 10:15 AM