ABSTRACT
Orchidaceae is one of the largest families of flowering plants. Its members can be found in all parts of the world and in most ecological niches. The flowers vary greatly in size, shape, and color. These attributes together with their long shelf life are the reasons for the horticultural importance of orchid flowers. In several tropical countries orchids have become a major export cut flower crop. Despite the major economic importance of orchid flowers, few studies on their flower initiation and development have been undertaken until recently.
