ИСТИНА

The collection of orchids at the Botanic Garden of Moscow State University (the Apothecary Garden) The Botanic Garden of Moscow State University, historically known as the Apothecary Garden, was founded by Peter the Great in 1706 for the purpose of growing medicinal plants. In September, 2016 Russia’s oldest botanic garden celebrated its 310th anniversary. Historically, a greenhouse collection of orchids has always been present i at the Apothecary Garden but by the beginning of the XXI century it could hardly count a hundred of species and was limited to the ones requiring the simplest care. Starting from 2013, the orchid cultivation has been developing rapidly. Now the collection of Orchidaceae at the Botanic garden of Moscow State University is one of the largest in Russia and comprises around 1200 taxa (species, forms and cultivars) originating from tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Species from Central and South America, as well as those of Indo-Chinese origin, are predominant in the collection. Species of South American genera Phragmipedium, Lemboglossum, Odontoglossum, Cattleya, Masdevallia, Lepanthes, etc., rare in collections of botanic gardens, are of special value here. The collection of orchids is located in two collection greenhouses. As far as the cultivation regimes are concerned, all orchids are divided into those of warm and of cool cultivation.