Archive for November, 2014

December Orchid Events

Sunday, November 30th, 2014

December may be the slowest month for shows, but you can still find orchid events around the world. Many groups have holiday orchid auctions, so check with your local orchid society for info. December 5 – 6 Orchid and Exotic Plant Fair, Stephward Estate, 17 Peter Rd., Uvongo, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa December 5 – […]

Giant Hyacinth Orchid

Wednesday, November 26th, 2014

With dense clusters of little purple blooms, this looks like a hyacinth. On closer inspection, however, each flower reveals itself as a tiny, perfect orchid. Known as the Giant Hyacinth Orchid, this has been a very reliable bloomer in our garden, opening in late autumn and continuing for several months into winter. This year’s incredible […]

Rainforest Alliance

Friday, November 21st, 2014

The Rainforest Alliance works to conserve biodiversity, encourage sustainability, halt deforestation, and stop environmental destruction.  With programs in over 100 countries, the Rainforest Alliance takes the approach “that the health of the land is inextricably connected to the wellbeing of those who depend on it for their livelihoods.” To these ends, the group fights climate […]

Ghost Orchid Time-Lapse

Saturday, November 15th, 2014

Enjoy these two short, time-lapse videos featuring the blooms of rare Ghost Orchids. It’s easy to see why these flowers inspire so much fascination and intrigue.  In the first video, a small flower spike emerges from the roots of this bizarre, leafless orchid species. The growing spike unfurls a perfect Ghost Orchid flower, revealed in […]

More Orchids from Foster Botanical Garden

Monday, November 10th, 2014

I’ve already sung the praises of Honolulu’s Foster Botanical Garden on this blog. In addition to posts about Foster’s orchids, including the biggest orchid in the world, and giant Grammatophyllums, here’s another post with more of Dave’s great photos. For readers who are already feeling winter’s chill, I hope these tropical beauties in sunny Hawaii will […]

The Dracula Orchid Reserve

Tuesday, November 4th, 2014

Dracula orchids may have a haunting side, but these fascinating Masdevallia relatives need your help. Newly discovered Dracula species in Ecuador are threatened by deforestation. Conservation groups are attempting to create a new nature sanctuary in northwestern Ecuador, to be named the Dracula Orchid Reserve. Rainforest Trust and Fundación EcoMinga want to save part of […]