Archive for October, 2012

November Orchid Shows

Wednesday, October 31st, 2012

Most orchid shows are put together by local orchid societies, which are great resources. Take advantage of these events to connect with your local society, enjoy fantastic flowers, and find plants to add to your collection. November 1 – 4 La Magie des Orchidees, Chateau de Vascoeuil, Rue Jules Michelet, Vascoeuil, France November 2 – […]

Mini Dendrobium Hybrid

Sunday, October 28th, 2012

As a large, diverse orchid family, Dendrobiums are popular choices for hybridizers. While larger Dendrobium varieties are more common, there are also many miniatures. I couldn’t resist the charms of this mini when I found it for sale at this year’s Orchids in the Park. Named Dendrobium Aussie’s Hi Lo, this hybrid combines traits from […]

Orchid Mania Dates to Roman Empire

Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012

A new study reveals that the Ancient Romans were orchid lovers. Botanists at Italy’s Roma Tre University have assembled a detailed database identifying plants in old Roman carvings, paintings, and textiles. Their work shows that Mediterranean orchid species were Roman favorites. This pushes back the earliest orchid representations in Western art from the Renaissance to […]

Latin Orchid Names

Saturday, October 20th, 2012

Long Latin orchid names can be intimidating. They’re tough to pronounce with lots of syllables, like Paphiopedilum, Coelogyne, and Lepanthopsis astrophora. For orchid growers who don’t know any more of Ancient Rome’s mother tongue than “Veni, vidi, vici,” it can be a big barrier. Many orchids don’t have common names, so Latin is unavoidable. Orchid […]

Tulip Orchids

Sunday, October 14th, 2012

Orchids take many forms, some of them familiar. With these unusual blossoms, it’s easy to see how Anguloas earned the nickname Tulip Orchids. In the wild, they hang onto steep cliffs in the Andes Mountains of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. I don’t see them in cultivation often, and don’t have any in my own […]

Samurai Orchids

Tuesday, October 9th, 2012

Since August, these charming Samurai Orchid blooms have been brightening our home. Their enchanting flowers don’t have any fragrance during the day, but when evening arrives, they produce a strong, sweet perfume which belies their small size. Native to mountainside forests in Japan, Korea, and China, these prized orchids have been cultivated for centuries in […]

Autumn Orchid Care

Thursday, October 4th, 2012

Autumn colors include the vibrant hues of orchids. For many varieties, shorter days and cooler temps spur new growth and blooms. The change in season requires changes in orchid care, so check these autumn reminders: Bring outdoor orchids inside before temps fall too much. Remove any leaf and flower debris, and check for pests. Closely […]

October Orchid Shows

Monday, October 1st, 2012

From Honolulu to Montreal, San Diego to Sao Paulo, and Barcelona to Cape Town, orchid shows span every corner of the globe. They all offer great chances to enjoy incredible flowers, take photos, talk to local growers, and find new orchids for your own collection. October 1 – 14 Central California Orchid Society Show, Central […]