AboutOrchids

Despite the trials and tribulations of our planet, the earth continues to spin, the seasons continue their cycles, and orchids make great stress relievers. Enjoy these photos from this summer’s Orchids in the Park event in San Francisco to celebrate today’s equinox. Let the beauty of nature stop you in your tracks. When thoughts are spiraling into negativity, orchids are the perfect distraction. Savor their gorgeous colors, striking patterns, and fascinating shapes. Better yet, find a bit of nature — in real life, not on a screen — and immerse yourself in it for a little while. It does a world of good. Happy equinox.

In Defense of Plants devotes a fantastic podcast to Orchids for Peace. This conservation group was started by Dr. Tatiana Arias, a Colombian scientist who studies why orchids are so diverse. That’s an especially good question in Colombia, which is one of the most orchid-rich countries in the world. She began Orchids for Peace to preserve this incredible diversity, and to help nurture peace in the region. By exploring, restoring habitats, working with communities, and doing citizen science, Orchids for Peace is connecting people with nature. Communities are becoming stewards of their local wildlife, breeding rare orchids for sale, and promoting responsible ecotourism. These strategies are conserving native biodiversity, and also improving local residents’ lives. You can help Orchids for Peace by volunteering, using your skills to contribute, or making a donation. They can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.

From Tasmania to Sweden, orchid lovers are gathering. As the Southern Hemisphere enters spring, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil are packed with dozens of shows. Be sure not to miss any of these events near you.

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This gorgeous Coelogyne arrived in our garden recently after a friend gave me a division. Happily, it bloomed quickly, and we’ve been enjoying these great flowers. Coelogyne Memoria W. Micholitz is a hybrid orchid, and it’s truly a prize. Its crystal white blooms boast a flower lip with brilliant orange hues.

This is a primary hybrid, meaning that it’s a cross between two species. The parent species, Coelogyne lawrenceana and Coelogyne mooreana, are shown in the final two photos below. If you carefully compare them, you can see that this hybrid has received traits from each parent. The larger flower size and thick bristles on the lip come from Coel. lawrenceana, and the overall bloom shape and white color are from Coel. mooreana. The lip colors also appear to be a blend between the parents.

This orchid seems to have adjusted well to our cool, foggy climate on the Northern California coast. It’s opened four flowers so far. If I can keep it happy, maybe there will be more next time.

If you’re heading to the World Orchid Conference (WOC) in Germany next year, there’s a great chance to combine your trip with an orchid tour. The Orchid Conservation Alliance (OCA,) an excellent group doing essential work, is offering a tour in Greece before the conference. From March 17-24, 2026, the OCA presents a special visit to the Greek Island of Rhodes. Expert guides hope to locate 40 or more species in bloom. Afterwards, the WOC, also known as the “Orchid Olympics,” takes place in Dresden from March 26-29, 2026. If you want to immerse yourself in orchids for a couple weeks, these are superb opportunities.

Last week’s Orchids in the Park event was crowded with blooms and with people. The San Francisco Orchid Society always does a great job putting together its shows, and this was no exception. Enjoy these photos, and check back soon for more.

There’s plenty on offer this August, especially in the Southern Hemisphere. Right on the equator, Singapore’s wondrous Flower Dome is going to pack in even more orchids than usual for a month-long Orchid Extravaganza. No matter where in the world, these events are great opportunities to immerse yourself in orchids.

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Be sure to head to Golden Gate Park next weekend for Orchids in the Park. San Francisco’s summer show features lots of orchids, and also bromeliads, succulents, and carnivorous plants. There will be plant sales, orchid care workshops, and special activities for kids. These photos from last year’s event offer a glimpse of the wonders that will be on display. Buy discounted tickets in advance online. The online presale is open to the public so you can start your shopping now (you must pick up purchases in San Francisco during the show.)

Download your free copy of A Guide to Building Ethical Orchid Collections and Societies. This digital book, which encourages conservation among orchid societies and individual orchid collectors, has been published in English, Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, and Indonesian. It addresses one of the greatest crises in the orchid world, which is the harvest of wild plants. That’s already caused many extinctions, and can decimate rare species. This book offers guidelines for orchid societies to educate their members, discourage harmful practices, and promote conservation. Good practices include not buying or selling wild orchids, and only purchasing from legal, sustainable plant sources.

Learn more about how to be a responsible orchid collector in these previous posts:

• Is That Rare Plant Illegal?
• Wild Orchid Collectors: A Key Driver of Decline
• Poaching Orchids
• Good Practices and Bad Habits of Nature Photography

July brings big shows in Singapore, San Francisco, and Hilo, Hawaii. In addition to the dozens of listings below, orchid societies around the world have monthly meetings, speakers, and special events, so be sure to check with your local society for more.

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