AboutOrchids

For orchid lovers who live in tropical areas like Hawaii, and subtropical areas like Florida or the California Coast, attaching orchids to a tree can be a fascinating way to see how they really grow. While it’s true that “Mother Nature intended for orchids to grow in trees,” there are some pitfalls to tying a […]

Depending on your local climate, autumn brings shorter days, cool temperatures, and some corresponding autumn chores. As temperatures dip, you’ll need to bring warm growing orchids inside.  Take the opportunity to clean off dead leaves and weeds. Check for pests, paying attention to the undersides of leaves and the potting media. Although I try to […]

From the equator to the poles, today the entire planet has 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness. As the seasons cycle on, our garden is still in full swing. We’re enjoying these sunflowers, passionflowers, and amaryllis. The amaryllis originally came from Dave’s garden in New Orleans, where it bloomed during the summer […]

Flower Power is the story of an orchid skeptic. In the article published in a New Zealand paper, the writer ventures from disinterest in orchids to finally falling under their spell. On the way, he wonders if orchids are a form of higher intelligence, worries about their possible sinister intentions, and marvels at their evolutionary […]

The phrase “stiff upper lip” usually describes the resolve of the British people, but it’s also an apt description for this Cyrtochilum. This orchid is an Oncidium relative from high-elevation cloud forests in the South American Andes, and it looks like it has teeth. The white “teeth” are actually part of the flower’s lip. It […]

The most popular orchids sold today are Phals, or Moth Orchids. Since their blooms can last for months, and they grow in the same light and temperature ranges of our homes and offices, their popularity is easy to understand. It’s no wonder that orchid growers have concentrated their attentions on this genus, and created thousands […]

As promised, here are some additional photos from our trip to San Francisco’s Conservatory of Flowers. I’ll start with more warm growing orchids, like these 2 gorgeous Paphs, followed by 2 colorful members of the Oncidium family. Among its thousands of tropical plants and flowers, the Conservatory has a resident gecko population to help with […]

This is just a partial list of orchid shows happening all over the world this month. They’re great opportunities to see lots of amazing flowers, meet other orchid enthusiasts, and talk to experts. Did I mention you can buy beautiful orchids for your own collection, too? September 3 – 5 Tygerberg Orchid Group Spring Show, […]