Archive for September, 2008

October Orchid Shows

Tuesday, September 30th, 2008

Warning! If you visit an orchid show, you may leave with newly-purchased plants in hand and a giddy feeling, like you don’t know what you just got yourself into. I’m just saying. October 3 – 5 Foothills Orchid Society Show, Triwood Community Association, 2244 Chicoutimi Dr. NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, 403-278-7360 October 3 – 5 […]

Fall Phalaenopsis Facts

Saturday, September 27th, 2008

Moth orchids, or Phalaenopsis, love warm temperatures. But one trick used by orchid experts is to give Phals a few weeks of cool nights in the fall. This can trigger the Phals to start growing a flower spike within a month. Normally their nighttime minimum temperatures should be about 65 F (18 C.) By giving […]

Equinox

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

That always seems like a fun word to say — equinox. Equal day, equal night. On this day, everywhere in the world has about 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. The north of the planet moves into fall, and the south of the planet into spring. No matter which direction you’re headed, […]

Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens

Friday, September 19th, 2008

As a regular visitor to Puerto Vallarta over the years, it’s exciting for me to learn about Vallarta Botanical Gardens. About 1/2 -hour drive south of Puerto Vallarta, the gardens were opened in 2005 in the coastal mountains of the Mexican state of Jalisco. Their mission is “the propagation, promotion, study, enjoyment and discovery of […]

Mini Maxillaria

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

Think small for these Maxillaria uncata flowers, which are only 1/2 inch (1.2 cm) long. With reddish-purple stripes, yellow petals, and a white flower lip, these little tropical beauties appear translucent. This Maxillaria species is widespread from Mexico south to Brazil and Peru, where it survives in a wide variety of conditions. It’s a tough […]

Preparing for Fall

Saturday, September 13th, 2008

Orchid care changes with the seasons. As fall approaches, it’s time to adjust water, fertilizer, light, and temperature. If warm growing orchids have been kept outside for the summer, it’s time to bring them indoors. Phals, Cattleyas, and Vandas should be checked for pests, and then brought inside before nighttime temperature become too cold. Orchids […]

Big Flower

Tuesday, September 9th, 2008

The title pretty much says it all. The scientific name of this orchid, Sobralia macrantha, translates as “big flower,” and it doesn’t disappoint. This easy-to-grow orchid puts on a great show with flowers that can be as large as 6-10 inches (15-25 cm.) It’s native to a variety of habitats from Mexico to Costa Rica, […]

Plenty of Flowers to Go Around

Thursday, September 4th, 2008

Since Labor Day seems to make everybody fret over summer’s impending end, I’ll offer that there are still a few weeks of summer on the calendar, so seize the day. Here in San Francisco, the weather has warmed up, and the garden is full of life. So if your blooms are fading, please enjoy some […]