AboutOrchids

From Seattle to Sao Paulo to Auckland, orchid shows abound in November. Visit any of these events to enjoy some orchid inspiration. November 1 – 2 Nambour Orchid Society Species Show & Trade Fair, Uniting Church Hall, Coronation Ave., Nambour, Queensland, Australia November 1 – 3 Santa Cruz Orchid Society Show & Sale, Soquel High […]

Autumn is a good time to check orchid light levels. As days grow shorter and the sun weakens, natural light levels fall sharply. Low light can prevent orchids from blooming. To compensate, growers in temperate latitudes should increase illumination during fall and winter. Your orchids will reward the extra care with strong growth and blooms. […]

San Francisco’s very own tropical rainforest lives in the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. Encased within a 4-story glass bubble, plants and animals bask in light, warmth, and humidity. Birds and butterflies dart between trees, flowers, and human visitors. Walking up from the forest floor into the tops of the trees, there’s living […]

The Wall Street Journal examines the business of orchids. Scientific advances and industrial efficiency have helped make these flowers the best selling potted plants in the USA. Most orchids begin their lives in Taiwan or the Netherlands. Both countries use an “intricate orchid-production chain” to compete in the business. However, profit margins have fallen since […]

Dave took so many great photos at this year’s Orchids in the Park that it was easy to find enough for another post. The first set includes a shapely Paph, a haunting Dracula, and an intriguing Vanda close-up. Once again, these photos highlight the incredible diversity of the orchid family. Each appeals to a specific bug or […]

Autumn’s chill brings changes to orchid care. Check these tips to keep plants healthy.  Many orchids begin to enter dormancy in the fall. Start to reduce watering frequency for Cattleyas, Dendrobiums, Epidendrums, Oncidiums, and Odonts. Begin to cut back fertilizer, too. Moth Orchids, Lady Slippers, and Pleurothallids do not go dormant, but with autumn’s shorter, […]

The New York Times reports on Nodding Ladies’ Tresses, a native orchid bringing beauty to New York City. With twisting spirals of sparkling white flowers, Nodding Ladies’ Tresses share the graceful beauty of the related Spiranthes which I grow. “Sit among them for a few quiet moments and a bumblebee or a honeybee will land […]

With orchids in every supermarket, visiting an orchid show might seem unnecessary. However, last weekend’s Orchids in the Park proved why orchid shows are definitely worthwhile. The displays were full of unusual and exotic blooms. You won’t find these orchid varieties in a supermarket. These flowers both defy and excite the imagination. They’re great reminders […]