Archive for July, 2012

The Orchid of Beer

Saturday, July 28th, 2012

Summertime is a great time to relax with refreshing Storzette, “the Orchid of Beer.” Alas, only the ad campaign remains from this floral appeal to women in the 1950’s. “The original beer for women” was a creation of Storz Brewing in Omaha, Nebraska, and featured a colorful Cattleya on the label. “Created for the feminine […]

Office Orchids

Sunday, July 22nd, 2012

Orchids have been staples of office decor since supermarkets and garden centers began selling mass-produced plants in the 1980’s. Tough, modern hybrids can survive, and even thrive, in work environments which often have less than ideal growing conditions. Check the following tips to keep your office orchid blooming: As always, it helps to know what […]

An Orchid by Any Other Name Is a Marquee

Tuesday, July 17th, 2012

Orchids have drawn the eye of The New York Times Fashion & Style section. The Times laments that becoming a “grocery staple” has dulled the mystique of once-exotic orchids. While Phals have become common, however, tens of thousands of other varieties continue to inspire. From elusive black orchid flowers to custom hybrids, orchids still spawn […]

The Scent of Scandal: Greed, Betrayal, and the World’s Most Beautiful Orchid

Saturday, July 14th, 2012

Can the prestige and profit of an orchid discovery make people, even reputable institutions, flout the law? You bet they can. And when it’s the dazzling PK lady slipper, the most important orchid discovery in a century, you can bet it involves lying, cheating, search warrants, subpoenas, and criminal fines. Author Craig Pittman recounts the […]

Mystacidium

Monday, July 9th, 2012

Mysta-what? With a name bigger than its tiny white flowers, this mini orchid doesn’t look tough. However, looks can be deceiving. Despite its delicate facade, this species survives attached to thorny Acacia trees in the heat of South Africa’s savannas, where few other orchids can live. It can also handle light winter frosts. This toughness […]

Seeing Ghosts

Thursday, July 5th, 2012

Orchid lovers are searching for ghosts in Florida’s swamps. Summer is Ghost Orchid season, with spectral flowers betraying the locations of these strange, leafless air plants. Made famous by the bestselling book The Orchid Thief and acclaimed movie Adaptation, Ghost Orchids have a fanatic following. Southwest Florida’s News-Press has an article and two swampy videos […]

July Orchid Shows

Sunday, July 1st, 2012

Orchid lovers in North America have scant July pickings, with events happening only in Santa Barbara, Baton Rouge, and Oakland. In the Southern Hemisphere, however, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil have plenty of shows to offer. July 1 – 3 Exposicao Nacional de Orquideas, Centro de Convivencia do Idoso, Foz do Iguacu, Parana, Brazil July […]