AboutOrchids

Perfectly timed for spring repotting, Better Homes & Gardens explains Everything You Need to Know About Orchid Pots. The helpful advice includes the importance of great drainage, and that most orchids prefer small pots. Terra cotta, plastic, ceramic, and mesh pots all have advantages and disadvantages to consider. The article also contains this clever tip: “Think of it more as disassembling the plant and reassembling it in a new pot rather than a traditional potting process.” Finding the right pot will help your orchid survive and thrive.

Celebrate today’s spring equinox with these astounding orchid prints. Rankafu, which means Orchid Flower Album in Japanese, consists of 83 works done in 1946 by orchid lover Shotaro Kaga and artist Zuigetsu Ikeda. These woodblock prints are considered masterpieces for their exquisite colors, fine details, and expert use of difficult ukiyo-e printing techniques.

In addition to the botanical beauty, the two final photos show traditional Japanese carving and printing tools that were on display in this recent exhibit at London’s Kew Gardens. You can find much more in the newly published Rankafu: Japanese Masterpiece Orchid Woodblock Prints. This dazzling volume features the history of these stunning pictures and the people behind them. Kaga’s fascination with orchids, and his wish to masterfully capture their magic, inspired a love of orchids in Japan that continues today.

Smithsonian magazine reveals the secret orchids of Palau. The tiny South Pacific nation is spread across 344 small islands. With sun-drenched beaches and coral reefs full of vibrant fish, it’s known as one of the best dive sites in the world. But Palau is more than a biodiversity hotspot for fish. It’s also a hotspot for orchids. Palau’s forests hide over 90 species of colorful orchids, with varieties of Spathoglottis, Dendrobium, Bulbophyllum, and more.

Fortunately, the people of Palau have done a great job taking care of their native forests. Orchids are abundant. “There would literally be epiphytic orchids that would cover the tree from the ground all the way up to where I couldn’t even see them,” said Smithsonian scientist Benjamin Crain. Some species inhabit the tropical forests, while others live on rockier, more barren islands. As researchers study Palau’s plants, they’re trying to ensure that the country remains an orchid hotspot.

The Pacific Orchid Expo is an annual immersion into orchids of all kinds. Whether it’s a stunning, green-flowered Sudamerlycaste with a delicately fringed lip, or brilliant Cymbidium flowers framed by graceful leaves, the floral diversity is remarkable. Big, small, colorful, drab, right-side up, or upside-down, it can be hard to believe that they’re all orchids. They’re one of Mother Nature’s best shows.

There are lots of edible orchids besides vanilla. I’ve blogged about chikanda before, a traditional African dish made from orchid tubers. The tubers are ground up with peanuts and chilies, and cooked into a savory loaf. Over the past few decades, chikanda has gone from being a rural famine food to a trendy urban staple. In Zambia’s capital, it’s now sold on city streets, in supermarkets, and in restaurants. This increased popularity among the growing population is devastating the area’s terrestrial orchids. Fortunately, environmental groups are taking action. They are trying to develop varieties which can be farmed to ease demands on wild plants. In addition, they’re creating conservation plans with local communities to better manage their wild resources. If they’re successful, orchids will continue to enrich Zambian meals.

March is a very busy month for orchid shows. Maybe someday there will be one in Antarctica, and I’ll be able to use the phrase “shows on every continent.” Until that day, I have to say “almost every continent.” Take advantage of these great events around the globe.

Read the rest of this post »

Every year, San Francisco’s Pacific Orchid Expo is full of stunning flowers, brilliant colors, and sweet fragrances. This past weekend’s show was another remarkable one, illustrated by these pictures. The exhibits, vendors, raffles, and expert talks are wrapped up for another year, but I still have loads of photos to sort through, so check back soon for more from this magical event.

In conjunction with the upcoming Pacific Orchid Expo, the Orchid Conservation Alliance is hosting a dinner, auction, and talk by Costa Rican orchid expert Steve Kirby on Saturday evening, February 23rd. Ticket availability is limited, and all proceeds go to orchid conservation.

One of the biggest orchid shows in the world happens this weekend in San Francisco. Pacific Orchid Expo 2019 runs from Friday, February 22nd until Sunday, February 24th. The event takes place in Golden Gate Park’s Hall of Flowers, at Lincoln Way and 9th Avenue. There’s also a special opening night gala on Thursday, February 21st. These photos from last year’s event hint at the orchid riches to expect. Buy tickets in advance online for a discount. Don’t miss it!

Happy Valentine’s Day! If you’ve been lucky enough to receive an orchid gift, here are a few tips to help you enjoy your plant and keep it happy.

Identify it – Moth Orchids, like the row of photos above, are the most popular. Lady Slippers are in the second row of photos, and are also perennial favorites. The third and fourth rows of photos include Cattleya, Vanda, Miltonia, and Oncidium varieties. All are available in a multitude of colors, patterns, and sizes, so use pictures as general guidelines, not strict standards. Find more pictures and more tips to help identify orchids here.

Add humidity – Orchids need humidity, which is water vapor in the air. Dry air damages flowers and attracts pests. To increase humidity, group plants together, or put plants in a humid area, like a bathroom or kitchen. Use a cool mist humidifier, or a spray mister. Place flowerpots in trays of shallow water, keeping the pots raised above the water level on a layer of pebbles or an inverted saucer.

Watering – Remove wrapping paper or decorative containers, at least temporarily, if they block the flowerpot’s drainage holes. Soak the plant with room-temperature water, and then let all excess drain out. Don’t block drainage or let the flowerpot sit in water for too long, or the roots may rot.

Add light – Place your orchid in bright light, but keep out of full sun while you’re enjoying the flowers. Many varieties will eventually need some sun if you want them to rebloom.

In a vase – Give orchids the same care as other cut flowers. Put them in lukewarm water, and keep the vase out of direct sun. Change the water every couple of days. High humidity can help the blooms last longer.