North America, Europe, and Asia offer a multitude of shows this month. Many are perfectly timed to shop for Valentine’s gifts. Starting February 19th, Tokyo hosts the largest orchid show in the world, the Japan Grand Prix International Orchid Festival. It fills Tokyo’s biggest baseball stadium with orchids for 9 days, and attracts hundreds of […]
Five of the most prominent botanical gardens in the USA are offering tropical respites from winter’s chill. These orchid exhibits run for months, so you can recharge your botanical batteries through spring. January 15 – March 13 As a remedy to Pittsburgh’s freezing temperatures, Phipps Conservatory invites you to take in their Orchid and Tropical […]
That’s Spanish for “How beautiful!” It’s a frequently heard exclamation at Puerto Vallarta Botanical Gardens. These three members of the Cattleya family certainly inspire the thought. Vallarta Botanical Gardens contains jungle trails and a clear mountain river where you can cool off (don’t forget your bathing suit!) Surrounded by bougainvilleas of every hue, exotic palms, […]
Sunny beaches and tequila aren’t the only reasons to visit Mexico. Vallarta Botanical Gardens shows off the region’s wonderful biodiversity. It’s an easy bus or taxi ride from downtown Puerto Vallarta. Dave and I just returned from a great visit, and we took lots of pictures. First, of course, are the orchids. A sweetly scented […]
Orchid pros sometimes say that you’re not an orchid expert until you’ve killed your weight in orchids. Since I started growing them 20 years ago, I believe I’ve passed that benchmark, and here’s another for the scales. This African orchid, a Polystachya, looked fine in these 2006 photos. I bought this unusual specimen years ago […]
Pruning orchids is easier than pruning roses or hydrangeas, because orchids don’t need shaping. Instead, pruning serves to remove dead or damaged parts of the plant. Dead leaves, flowers, or roots should be removed before they attract pests or disease. Pruning is sometimes necessary when dividing and repotting an orchid. Start by cleaning sharp garden […]
No long orchid name to battle here! Adas announce themselves with brilliant color. This mass of orange petals contains multiple flowers, and looks somewhat like a mound of shredded carrots. Fortunately, a solitary blossom also stands out for the camera. Related to Odontoglossums and Oncidiums, this Ada species is native to the Andes. It lives […]
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