Archive for April, 2008

More Phipps photos

Monday, April 28th, 2008

Here are some more pictures from our recent visit to Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh, PA. Cymbidium flowers Originally I mis-identified this orchid. Its correct name is Bifrenaria harrisoniae. The center looks like a smiley face with a fuzzy beard. In high humidity at Phipps, orchid roots grow exposed to the open air. The roots growing […]

Phipps Conservatory

Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008

We took a trip with Dave’s parents to beautiful Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens in Pittsburgh, PA. Among the wonderful gardens in their enormous Victorian greenhouses, Phipps has an orchid room and a Thai rainforest exhibit. Lots were in bloom in the orchid room, but none were in bloom in the Thai exhibit. Yellow Phals […]

Orchid of the Day: Maxillaria

Wednesday, April 16th, 2008

It’s a sign of springtime that I have so many orchids starting to bloom. This little red Maxillaria tenuifolia may not look as impressive as larger orchids, but it packs a big scent. This single flower fills our front room with a sweet coconut aroma. It is native to Central American jungles, and enjoys warm […]

Orchid of the Day: Dockrillia

Saturday, April 5th, 2008

This Dockrillia striolata flower opened today. This orchid is a small Dendrobium relative from Australia. It was a pleasant surprise this morning, because I’ve had this orchid for 6 years, but it’s never bloomed for me. I’m not sure what I finally did right to help it bloom. Yes, that’s a fat aphid in the […]