Story: Geothermal energy

Greenhouse orchids

Greenhouse orchids

The tropical orchid Phalaeopsis is grown in large, geothermally heated greenhouses, using waste heat from the nearby Wairākei power station. The atmosphere inside the greenhouse mimics the monsoon conditions of the orchid’s natural habitat. With approximately 250,000 plants, this is the largest concentration of these orchids grown for cut-flower production in the world. A forced-air heat exchanger operates above the plants.

Using this item

GeoHeat
Photograph by John Lund

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Carol Stewart, 'Geothermal energy - Other uses of geothermal energy', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/5434/greenhouse-orchids (accessed 30 April 2024)

Story by Carol Stewart, published 12 Jun 2006