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.
Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi
GeoHeat
Photograph by John Lund
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