Archive for February, 2012

March Orchid Shows

Wednesday, February 29th, 2012

March is a busy month for orchid shows around the globe. Major events are happening in Santa Barbara, San Diego, Philadelphia, Montreal, London, Munich, Johannesburg, and Taiwan. March 1 – 4 Internationale Orchideen-Schau, 32105 Bad Salzuflen im Kurpark, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany March 2 – 3 Queensland International Orchid Fair, Pine Rivers PCYC, Baker St., Bray […]

Pacific Orchid Expo 2012

Monday, February 27th, 2012

The Pacific Orchid Expo, the largest orchid show in the USA, delighted thousands of visitors in San Francisco this past weekend. To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, this year’s theme was “A Salute to the Golden Gate.” Dave and I enjoyed a sunny view of the world’s most famous bridge on […]

More from Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

Wednesday, February 22nd, 2012

A single blog post can only scratch the surface of Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (HTBG), so here’s a second post with more photos from our recent visit. Of course, HTBG has plenty of orchids, large and small. However, in this garden even the orchids have competition. Breathtaking flowers line the garden paths. Tropical colors steal […]

Even More Winter Orchid Exhibits

Saturday, February 18th, 2012

These and other winter orchid exhibits provide an instant reprieve from the season’s chill. February 11 – March 10 Orchid Escape at Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden offers a tropical delight. In Evansville, Indiana, the zoo’s warm and humid Amazonia exhibit makes a comfortable orchid home. Admission is included with a regular zoo ticket. […]

Where to Place Your Orchid

Tuesday, February 14th, 2012

As orchids surge in Valentine’s Day popularity, each year brings them into more homes and offices. With a few orchid care basics, they’re as easy as any houseplant. Many types, like Phals, can stay in bloom for months. To help your flowers last their longest, check these tips on where to place your orchid: Most […]

Inside Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden

Sunday, February 12th, 2012

Many regular readers of this blog already know that, for me, heaven has an address. A short drive up from Hilo on the Big Island, Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden (HTBG) is an earthly paradise. In the natural greenhouse of Onomea Valley, HTBG offers meandering trails through a tropical rainforest. The flowers may look unreal, but […]

Be My Orchid Valentine

Tuesday, February 7th, 2012

Orchid make beautiful, elegant, and fashionable Valentine gifts. Whether for love or friendship, they’re popular holiday flowers. However, picking the best one can be tricky. Orchid buying tips can be helpful for smart shoppers, but many orchid purchases aren’t about logic. Most of us have succumbed to the impulse buy. For me, it usually involves […]

Totally Tropical at Kew

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

From February 4 – March 4, the world’s most prestigious botanical gardens is putting on a “Tropical Extravaganza.” On the outskirts of London, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew has set up an exotic show. Among the 6500 tropical plants on display, there are over 2700 orchids. Floral arrangements represent the forces of nature: fire, earth, water, […]

February Orchid Shows

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

Of the dozens of shows around the globe this month, I’m fortunate enough to live in the backyard of one of the largest, the Pacific Orchid Expo opening February 24th. Only Tokyo’s show opening February 18th is bigger. No matter the orchid count, all these shows offer magical blooms for your enjoyment. Many are perfectly […]